Payer

Google parent company Alphabet is planning to invest $375 million in Oscar Health, according to Wired.

Three Southern California health systems — San Diego-based Sharp HealthCare, Mountain Valley-based MemorialCare and Renton, Wash.-based Providence Health and Services' Los Angeles County facilities — introduced a regional health plan with Aetna Aug. 13.

Activist investor Carl Icahn will stop soliciting votes from Cigna shareholders against the insurer's $54 billion takeover of Express Scripts, the billionaire investor said in an Aug. 13 statement.

Star Ratings are critical to Medicare Advantage (MA) health plans. Achieving a 4-star rating or better ensures a five percent bonus payment; and plans with higher Star Ratings often enroll a higher percentage of members. Plus, a higher rating strengthens…

Cigna got another supporter of its $52 billion bid for Express Scripts after activist investor Carl Icahn called on shareholders to vote against the deal Aug. 7, according to Reuters.  

Two chiropractors in South Carolina are scheduled for trial Aug. 13 on federal charges of overbilling BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina $399,000 in fraudulent claims, according to Myrtle Beach Online.

Durham, N.C.-based Duke Health and WakeMed Health & Hospitals in Raleigh, N.C., are in talks with Centene to offer a health plan on the ACA marketplace that will network with the two health systems, according to WRAL.

Bronx, N.Y.-based Montefiore Health System urged patients to contact Aetna about an ongoing contract dispute that may result in the system leaving the health insurer's network by Sept. 8, according to The Journal News/lohud.

Becker's Hospital Review reported these eight contract resolutions and dissolutions between payers and providers since July 20, beginning with the most recent.

Humana sold the stock of its commercial long-term care insurance business, KMG American Corp., Aug. 9.