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.
Payer
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.
Alabama has the least competitive commercial health insurance market in the U.S., according to a 2017 update to the American Medical Association's Competition in Health Insurance research.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia's discretionary emergency room policy is landing hundreds of patients with denied claims after the insurer decided their care could be performed outside the ER, according to physicians who testified during a Sept. 27 hearing.
In a deal valued at $2.5 billion, UnitedHealth Group purchased pharmacy company Genoa Healthcare from a private equity group, according to Bloomberg.
Reforms intended to integrate care and save money in the Oregon Health Plan, the state's $6 billion Medicaid program, have produced mixed results in the first five years, according to the Portland Tribune.
