Payer

Anthem reported strong profit growth as expenses fell slightly and revenue remained flat during the first quarter of fiscal year 2018.

Despite promises from the Iowa Department of Human Services to finish Medicaid contract negotiations before state legislators pass an annual budget, contract negotiations have been stalled and the legislation is expected to pass a budget as early as next week,…

BlueCross BlueShield of Texas may begin requiring some members who access nonemergent care at out-of-network emergency departments to pay their bills in full.

The Department of Justice requested additional information from Cigna and Express Scripts as the government reviews Cigna's proposed $54 billion purchase of the pharmacy giant.

Atlanta-based Piedmont Healthcare and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia signed a three-year contract April 20, three days after announcing a handshake agreement.

Inpatient joint replacement procedures can place a significant financial strain on health systems, so much so that Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services is in the process of piloting a mandatory payment program to cut costs.

The New York Department of Health and the New York Department of Financial Services each approved insurer Centene's bid to acquire Fidelis Care for $3.75 billion, Centene announced April 23.

Persistence is key for health systems negotiating out-of-network payments. Collect Rx is the only company in the nation devoted to negotiating out-of-network bills for healthcare providers.

UnitedHealth Group CEO David Wichmann earned nearly $17.4 million in 2017, which is 298 times more than the company's median employee, according to UnitedHealth's 2018 proxy statement.

Humana, in partnership with two private equity firms, will purchase hospice operator Curo Health Services, based in Mooresville, N.C., for $1.4 billion — marking the trio's second deal in five months to beef up its hospice care portfolio, reports Reuters.