Payer

A co-branded Medicare Advantage health plan launched by Cleveland Clinic and Humana last year will expand to four additional counties, the organizations said Oct. 1.

A state-brokered consent decree between Pittsburgh rivals Highmark Health and UPMC expires June 30, 2019, after which Highmark's Medicare Advantage members will be unable to access UPMC at in-network rates. A recent report from Trib Live found the systems are…

CMS is upgrading the Medicare.gov website for plan selection ahead of the Medicare open enrollment period.

Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare is no longer in Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia's network as of Oct. 1, according to WTOC11.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota named former Anthem executive Craig Samitt, MD, president and CEO, effective July 30. In an interview with the Star Tribune, Dr. Samitt discussed the for-profit competitive forces BCBSM faces in Minnesota.

The Iowa Insurance Division issued a cease and desist order for two organizations selling fake health insurance products.

As hospitals and health systems work to cut costs and keep patients out of hospitals during the transition to value-based care, payers and providers must continue to strengthen their relationship to tackle the numerous challenges care delivery presents today.

The transition and adoption of the value-based care model, and implementing and fully utilizing new technology are some of the biggest issues challenging payers this year.

Cigna staffed the team who will lead a combined Cigna-Express Scripts company after the close of the firms' proposed $52 billion deal.

Hospitals are closely watching UnitedHealth Group's health services arm Optum as it steadily expands its physician workforce to shield itself from competitors and hospitals.