1. CareSource names VP of pharmacy
Dayton, Ohio-based CareSource selected Monalisa Mohanty as its vice president of pharmacy.
2. WellCare closes Care1st Health Plan acquisition
WellCare Health Plans finalized its acquisition of Care1st Health Plan Arizona and its two subsidiaries — Care1st Health Plan Arizona and One Care.
3. BCBS of Alabama’s new pharmacy network excludes CVS pharmacy
CVS Pharmacy is not included in the new network of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama and its pharmacy benefit manager Prime Therapeutics.
4. BCBS Association latest to cover colon cancer test Cologuard
Chicago-based Blue Cross Blue Shield Association contracted with Exact Sciences Corp. in Madison, Wis., to cover Cologuard — a cancer screening — as an in-network service for its policyholders.
5. Excellus BCBS, Geneia collaborate for value-based analytics
Rochester, N.Y.-based Excellus BlueCross BlueShield partnered with Geneia, a healthcare delivery solutions developer, to provide value-based analytics to the health plan.
6. BCBS of Massachusetts to raise Medicare plan premiums by up to 34%
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts in Boston will raise premiums for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries by up to one-third this year. The insurer said the jump in rates is a result of lower federal reimbursements and higher medical and prescription drug costs.
7. Humana, Boca Raton Regional Hospital renew contract
Boca Raton (Fla.) Regional Hospital and Louisville, Ky.-based Humana renewed their contract, allowing Humana policyholders to access the hospital services at discounted in-network rates.
8. BCBS of Western New York launches podcast on health insurance trends
Buffalo-based BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York launched a free podcast series offering listeners health insurance industry insight from thought leaders in the field.
9. New WellStar-Blue Cross exchange contract gives patients until Jan. 31 to enroll
A decision by Marietta, Ga.-based WellStar Health System and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia to collaborate on a federal exchange health plan will allow patients to enroll in coverage through Jan. 31.
10. Judge in Aetna-Humana antitrust case hears final arguments, forecasts ‘timely’ ruling
U.S. District Judge John Bates said he will issue a ruling in a “timely manner” deciding the fate of Aetna’s proposed acquisition of Humana and the Justice Department’s attempt to block it over antitrust concerns.
11. Aetna loses 850 Ohio customers’ personal information in mail
A CD storing the names, addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers, group numbers and some Social Security numbers of 850 Aetna consumers in Ohio was lost in the mail, the insurer announced Dec. 30.
12. BCBS of Michigan sponsors veteran businesses
Detroit-based Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan will become a corporate sponsor to the National Veteran Business Development Council.
13. BCBS of Florida, Retreat Premier Addiction Treatment network for services
Jacksonville-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida networked with Retreat Premier Addiction Treatment Centers in Palm Springs, Fla., to provide policyholders access to addiction treatment services.
14. Anthem building in Denver sells for $80M; insurer remains tenant
Chicago-based BA Investment Advisors purchased the Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield building in Denver for $80.65 million.
15. UnitedHealthcare expands corporate wellness program to include Fitbit health tracker
Minnetonka, Minn.-based UnitedHealthcare added the Fitbit Charge 2 fitness tracker to its employee wellness program.
16. BCBS, Texas Health Resources settle contract dispute
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and Arlington-based Texas Health Resources agreed to renew a contract that had been in dispute over a proposed rate increase by the health system and disagreement over the language of a termination clause.
More articles on payer issues:
WellCare closes Care1st Health Plan acquisition
BCBS of Alabama’s new pharmacy network excludes CVS pharmacy
BCBS Association latest to cover colon cancer test Cologuard
