Payer

Bloomfield, Conn.-based Cigna will remove OxyContin from its covered drug list Jan. 1.

Former CMS officials and insurance executives launched an initiative Wednesday aimed at increasing public outreach ahead of the 2018 open enrollment season, CNBC reports.

Asheville, N.C.-based Mission Health System's contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina expired following a monthslong feud.

Aetna members will maintain in-network access to Hartford (Conn.) HealthCare after the payer and provider renewed a contract set to expire in three months, Eyewitness News 3 reports.

Fishersville, Va.-based Augusta Health notified Anthem BlueCross BlueShield it will terminate its contract with the payer by 2018, according to a NewsLeader report.

Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Sanford Health and HealthPartners, a Minneapolis-based health plan managing government insurance, will launch Medicare plans in North Dakota and South Dakota effective Jan. 1.

Philadelphia-based Independence Blue Cross presented a voluntary severance program to approximately 900 employees Thursday, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services chose Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and AmeriHealth Caritas to operate its Medicaid managed care program.

CMS released its annual Landscape Files comprising plan participation, premium and benefit design data for 2018 Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D markets.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona hired Pam Kehaly to serve as president and CEO, effective in November.