Payer

Layoffs at Health Care Service Corp., a new UnitedHealthcare-Walgreens partnership and an interview with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota's CEO were among the payer stories that piqued the interest of readers in January.

The following payer executives changed their positions in the past month.

An optional program is now available for states seeking greater flexibility over their Medicaid programs, CMS said Jan. 30. But with more flexibility would come an annual cap in federal funding.

Anthem saw its revenues and profits grow in the fourth quarter of 2019, but the insurer missed analysts' earnings expectations.

IBM Watson' s Anita- Nair Hartman discusses a study that reveals payers and providers anticipate consumers as top collaborators in 3 to 5 years. 

Anthem hired former Aetna executive Kathy Martella as vice president and general manager for its large group business in California. 

Health Care Service Corp., the Chicago-based parent of five Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans, will shed about 400 mid-management positions, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.  

Saint Francis Healthcare System in Cape Girardeau, Mo., will no longer be in UnitedHealthcare's provider network beginning March 5 after negotiations between the two organizations derailed, according to CBS affiliate KFVS 12 News.

Montana hospitals once owned the second largest insurer in the state behind Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana. While the company succeeded in challenging BCBS, hospital leaders ultimately left the insurance game — and folded their venture into the insurer…

Medicare beneficiaries who are covered through private plans as opposed to fee-for-service alternatives spend about 40 percent less on healthcare, according to a report published by UnitedHealth Group.