1. Grady Memorial Hospital, BCBS of Oklahoma reach in-network agreement
Chickasha, Okla.-based Grady Memorial Hospital reached a preferred provider organization agreement with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma.
2. Northwest Healthcare, UnitedHealthcare negotiations stall as contract termination looms
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 as early as May 1.
3. Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, BCBS of Idaho reach agreement
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.
4. DOJ urges appeals court to uphold decision to block Anthem-Cigna deal
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.
5. Blue Shield California wants to develop ‘preferred’ pharmacy network
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.
6. 3 things to know about Aetna’s price tag for failed Humana merger
Hartford, Conn.-based Aetna shouldered several costs following the insurer’s decision to scrap its $37 billion merger agreement with Louisville, Ky.-based Humana after a court ruled the deal anticompetitive in January.
7. Humana, Fresenius partner for national ESRD program
Louisville, Ky.-based Humana and Fresenius Medical Care North America in Waltham, Mass., launched a program aimed at improving health outcomes for Humana policyholders with end-stage kidney disease.
8. Tenet, BCBS of Texas sign multi-year agreement
Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare inked a multi-year contract with Richardson-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas ahead of the agreement’s April 15 termination date.
9. Anthem CEO: AHCA addresses immediate challenges facing individual market
Joseph Swedish, CEO of Indianapolis-based Anthem, said certain proposals outlined in Republicans’ ACA replacement bill, the American Health Care Act, are “essential and must be finalized quickly” to address issues in the individual insurance market.
More articles on payer issues:
CMS, HHS chiefs moving quickly on Medicaid reform
DOJ urges appeals court to uphold decision to block Anthem-Cigna deal
Hospital-based health plans offer better customer service, study finds