Payer

To cut healthcare costs, health insurer Cigna is extending its telehealth services in 2017 to most of its employer-sponsored group plans and on- and off-exchange plans.

Virginia legislators were told at the state's Health Insurance Reform Commission meeting that individual health plans sold through Virginia's Affordable Care Act marketplace will rise up to 20 percent next year, WVTF reports.

The House approved legislation calling for individuals who lost health insurance because of co-op closures to be excused this year from the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate, The Hill reports.

Iowa's largest payer, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, will not offer preferred provider organization plans on the state's individual market for 2017, The Des Moines Register reports.

Health insurer BlueCross BlueShield of Texas confirmed Monday it will sell on- and off-exchange health plans statewide next year, The Dallas Morning News reports.

Representatives will rule on legislation Wednesday calling for individuals who lost health insurance because of co-op closures to be excused from the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate fine, Morning Consult reports.

Health insurer Aetna is investing research and grants into social projects in an effort to reform healthcare, according to U.S. News & World Report.

A rising number of health insurers are offering coverage for transgender surgeries, increasing access for many who previously could not afford the treatment, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Health insurer Aetna will subsidize Apple Watches for select large employers and individual policyholders during November's open enrollment as a healthy living initiative.

Providence Health & Services and health insurer Premera Blue Cross signed a letter of agreement Monday, nullifying the organizations' previous decision to forgo a contract renewal, The Seattle Times reports.