Payer

Layoffs at UnitedHealth Group, controversy surrounding North Carolina's Medicaid contracts and CMS Medicare star ratings were among the payer topics that piqued the interest of readers in October.

Here are 10 recent articles posted by Becker's Hospital Review that concern payer-provider relationships:

UMass Memorial Health Care patients with UnitedHealthcare insurance may face higher out-of-pocket costs if the insurer and the Worcester, Mass.-based health system can't agree on a new contract, according to the Telegram.

WellCare Health Plans grew its profits and membership as its pending sale to Centene Corp. moves forward, according to Forbes contributor Bruce Japsen.

Asheville, N.C.-based Mission Health and Cigna entered into a multiyear agreement that ensures Cigna's members have undisrupted access to Mission facilities and providers, the organizations said Oct. 30.

Molina Healthcare lost part of a contract to manage Medicaid services in Texas, according to Seeking Alpha.

Cigna saw its revenues and profits grow in the third quarter of fiscal year 2019, according to a recent earnings statement.

The following payer executives changed their positions in October.

Fewer employers are offering their workers only high-deductible health plans this open enrollment season, according to Kaiser Health News.

Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska is investing $5.7 million into rural healthcare access in the state, the insurer said Oct. 29.