Payer

Researchers found an association between the number of health insurance advertisements aired during the 2013 to 2014 open enrollment period and the rate of uninsured Americans, according to a study published in Health Affairs.

The following payers made headlines this past week, beginning with the most recent.

Chickasha, Okla.-based Grady Memorial Hospital reached a preferred provider organization agreement with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, The Express-Star reports.

Tucson, Ariz.-based Northwest Healthcare and UnitedHealthcare in Minnetonka, Minn., reached a contract impasse that could affect thousands of patients' in-network access to Northwest's services by May 1, according to tucson.com.

Idaho Falls-based Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center and Blue Cross of Idaho in Meridian signed a contract this month to provide in-network coverage to certain BCBSI policyholders seeking emergency and referred services at the medical center, the Post Register reports.

The number of Americans who enrolled in health plans for 2017 through the federal exchange and state-based marketplaces totaled 12.2 million, down 4 percent from the 12.7 million recorded in 2016, CMS reports.

CMS Administrator Seema Verma and HHS Secretary Tom Price, MD, are sending a message — they are ready to reform Medicaid.

The Department of Justice and attorneys general from 11 states and the District of Columbia recommended the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia uphold the decision to block Anthem's $54 billion merger with Cigna, according to a brief filed…

Medicare Advantage plans offered by hospitals or health systems tend to provider better customer service than other health plans, new research suggests.

Blue Shield California proposed benefit changes for commercial plans next year that would force consumers to pay more to fill prescriptions at pharmacies outside of an established network, according to Kaiser Health News.