Big insurers, watch out: The little guy is entering the exchange market
California keeps exchange contracts, records under lock and key
The California agency responsible for developing and running the health insurance exchange has been extremely secretive about its contracts and records, keeping information about hundreds of millions of dollars it has spent away from the public--and insurers selling plans on the exchange.
Do payers share enough data with ACO partners?
Providers are beginning to sound alarms that some payers aren't providing adequate or high-quality claims data, making that information unusable.
Kentucky becomes 21st state to expand Medicaid
Kentucky has become the latest state to announce it's expanding the Medicaid program under the health reform law.
Hospital group rebranding expands health plan offerings
Hudson Holdco, which has renamed itself CarePoint Health, is transforming itself from a small one-county hspital operator to a payer-provider organization operating throughout the state of New Jersey.
HHS allocates $150M to help promote exchanges
Insurers received welcome news on Thursday--the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has earmarked $150 million to help community health centers promote and enroll consumers on health insurance exchanges.
HHS releases hospital price data
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services for the first time has released data comparing average hospital charges for the 100 most common Medicare claims.
Massachusetts to AHIP: Educate insurers about mental health laws
The Massachusetts attorney general is urging America's Health Insurance Plans to educate insurers about complying with state laws about mental health coverage.
Cigna to sell plans on 5 exchanges
Cigna will offer plans to several metropolitan areas in Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Arizona and Colorado when the health insurance exchanges open for enrollment this October
OIG: Cigna overbilled Medicare Advantage for $28M in 2007
Cigna Healthcare of Arizona, a subsidiary of national insurer Cigna providing Medicare Advantage plans, overbilled Medicare by about $28 million in 2007, according to a new report released last week from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General.
Which of the 16 undecided states will expand Medicaid?
UnitedHealth plagued by complaints since assuming Tricare contract
UnitedHealth is facing scores of complaints, including long backlogs for members to reach customer service and delays in providers obtaining referrals, since taking over a huge $20 billion contract to provide coverage to the western region of Tricare.
Horizon creates private exchange for large employers
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield in New Jersey has established its own private online marketplace that will sell defined contribution health plans and operate alongside the federally-run online marketplace that will be available in the state this October.
Feds dragging feet on insurance exchange education
Lawsuit accuses Blues plan of blocking failed hospital deal
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island blocked a deal between Steward Health Care System and Landmark Medical Center by not negotiating reasonable payments, Steward alleged in a lawsuit against the insurer.
Blue Cross postpones payment policy amid criticism
After being criticized that its new payment policy would push small, rural hospitals "into deep, deep red ink," Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota has postponed its implementation of the new reimbursement plan.
Cigna's income plummets 85% as Humana's income almost doubles
Both Cigna and Humana released their first-quarter earnings report last week, but the insurers told very different tales of financial performance.
Only 6 insurers submit plans for Illinois exchange
Only six insurers said they want to sell health plans through the Illinois health insurance exchange, sparking concerns that the online marketplaces will lack adequate competition if the trend unfolds throughout the country.
Survey: Cigna, Blues plans rank most favorable insurers among hospitals
Cigna and independent Blue Cross Blue Shield plans are considered the most favorable insurers among hospital and health system leaders, while WellPoint and UnitedHealthcare, on the other hand, are ranked the worst insurers to do business with, according to new survey of hospital leaders.
Vermont Blues educating consumers about exchange
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont is taking steps to ensure consumers are knowledgeable of and educated about the reform law's health insurance exchanges.
