Payer

The following health plans requested or received state approval for rate changes in the last week.

Five U.S. senators sent a letter to Aetna's CEO Thursday calling into question the insurer's decision to exit a majority of its 2017 Affordable Care Act exchanges.

More than half a million individuals who bought plans on HealthCare.gov in 2015 faced documentation problems involving their immigration or citizenship status, USA Today reports.

Cigna's global subsidiary expanded its partnership with African-based Hollard Insurance to create a health plan addressing the need for a fully complaint health option in sub-Saharan Africa.  

Individual health plans on Wyoming's Affordable Care Act exchange could rise an average of 8 percent next year if Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming — the state's only on-exchange insurer — sees its rates approved.

Boston-based Neighborhood Health Plan will raise premium rates an average of 21 percent for consumers on Massachusetts' state health exchange next year, Boston Globe reports.

The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner approved an average 13.1 percent increase on health plans sold on the state's individual market — WAhealthplanfinder — next year.

Advocacy group Consumer Union has accused Blue insurers in California of exploiting public outrage over high drug prices to artificially inflate premiums for plans sold on the exchanges, reports Kaiser Health News.

Some health plans are interested in more than just consumers' health data. Demographic, socioeconomic and purchasing information are helping insurers focus their marketing strategies to gain a competitive edge.

Cigna's new advertising campaign is using famous TV physicians to convince viewers to take control of their personal health, reports Adage.