Payer

A Dec. 30 public hearing to address contract negotiations between Northeast Georgia Health System and Anthem has been cancelled as the organizations near a deal, according to the Gainesville Times.

Physicians are speaking out against a new specialty drug policy that will affect some providers in BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee's network come Jan. 1.

A labor union in Boston offers its members health coverage with no deductible and low family premiums by leaving the city's most expensive providers out of its network, according to the Los Angeles Times. 

Layoffs at UnitedHealthcare, CMS' annual Medicare star ratings and a new imaging program for Walmart employees were among the payer stories that piqued the interest of readers this past year.

Anthem has big goals to increase its health insurance membership, expand profitable dental and vision plans, and develop new businesses, making it one of the top stocks for 2020, Barron's said.

Health Care Service Corp., the parent company of Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in five states, will lay off dozens of employees on the heels of several C-level exits, according to Crain's Chicago Business.

The California Department of Managed Health Care announced Dec. 18 that it has fined 12 health plans a total of $1.9 million for lack of oversight of a contracted medical group, which led to improper denials and delayed care.

CMS issued a final rule Dec. 20 that aims to strengthen the integrity of state-based insurance exchanges under the ACA and includes separate billing for abortion services.

A Tennessee lawmaker is requesting the state comptroller to check if BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, the administrator of the state's employee health plan, is properly paying medical claims, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

New York Life agreed to buy Cigna's group life and disability insurance arm for $6.3 billion, the companies said Dec. 18.