Payer

Fitch Ratings affirmed UnitedHealth Group's "AA-" insurer financial strength ratings due to the payer's strong financial performance, strong capitalization and leverage profile.

Health Partners Plans selected Barry Volin to serve as executive vice president of Medicare and operations.

About 92 percent of physicians report prior authorization has a negative effect on patient clinical outcomes, according to a new survey from the American Medical Association.

Many insurers on the ACA's exchanges benefited financially from individual plans last year, even with various Republican efforts to dismantle the health law, according to an analysis from Politico.

Boston-based Partners HealthCare and Providence, R.I.-based Care New England's proposed merger could raise health insurance premiums in Rhode Island, according to a new study commissioned by Rhode Island and obtained by WPRI.

A New Jersey lawmaker asked the chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to hold hearings on Cigna's potential takeover of Express Scripts and CVS Health's bid for Aetna.

Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., penned a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the Federal Trade Commission head urging a thorough review of CVS Health's proposed $69 billion takeover of Aetna, WPRI reports.

Centene Corp. invested an undisclosed sum and partnered with RxAdvance, a national pharmacy benefit manager for health plans, ACOs, Medicaid programs and employer groups.

Humana's board of directors adjusted its membership growth goal when it became clear the target wouldn't be met, allowing top executives to cash in stock awards based on performance, WDRB reports, citing a recent proxy statement.

UnitedHealth Group tossed its attempt to acquire Envision Healthcare Corp.'s ambulatory services unit, a source familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.