Signal Timeline
Related signals plotted on one shared timeline — one topic-colored bubble row apiece.
38 signals in the last 7 days
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A tale of 2 retailers: What drives success for co-branded Medicare Advantage plans
In August, SCAN Health Plan announced a partnership with Costco Wholesale Corp. to sell insurance products for older adults. Sound familiar? Costco is not the first retailer to partner with a Medicare Advantage insurer. Kroger has worked with Select Health and Priority Health on co-branded MA plans in 2023 and 2024. Websites outlining Select Health […] The post A tale of 2 retailers: What drives success for co-branded Medicare Advantage plans appeared first on Becker's Payer Issues | Payer Ne...
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Trump Administration Announces $76 Million to Strengthen Regional Coordination and Modernize Healthcare Technology for New York
Trump Administration Announces $76 Million to Strengthen Regional Coordination and Modernize Healthcare Technology for New York This federal investment will strengthen regional partnerships, improve coordination of care, and expand access to healthcare services for rural New Yorkers
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Trump Administration Announces $5.48 Million to Strengthen Healthcare Workforce Pipeline in Rural Rhode Island
Trump Administration Announces $5.48 Million to Strengthen Healthcare Workforce Pipeline in Rural Rhode Island This federal investment will expand career and technical education in Rhode Island to help train the next generation of healthcare professionals
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Trump Administration Invests $25 Million to Modernize Healthcare Technology, Expand Telehealth, and Improve High-Speed Internet Connectivity Across Michigan
Trump Administration Invests $25 Million to Modernize Healthcare Technology, Expand Telehealth, and Improve High-Speed Internet Connectivity Across Michigan This federal investment will help expand access and upgrade technology so doctors and patients can better connect and coordinate care across Michigan
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STAT+: Top Boston hospitals clash over Medicare Advantage network after split
First, Mass General Brigham split with Dana-Farber. Now its Medicare Advantage plan is dropping the cancer hospital.
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8 recent Medicare Advantage contract suspensions, terminations
CMS has taken a series of enforcement actions against Medicare Advantage plans over the last two years, suspending enrollment and terminating contracts over issues ranging from network adequacy to financial solvency failures. Eight updates: The post 8 recent Medicare Advantage contract suspensions, terminations appeared first on Becker's Payer Issues | Payer News .
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Medicare paid estimated $380M for unused organs: OIG
Over a six-year period, Medicare may have spent $380 million on organs that were not ultimately used in covered enrollee transplants, according to a September HHS Office of Inspector General report. Under federal law, Medicare can only reimburse certified transplant centers for organs used in covered transplants. However, CMS guidance relies on the assumption that […] The post Medicare paid estimated $380M for unused organs: OIG appeared first on Becker's Payer Issues | Payer News .
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Democrats in talks about expanding Medicare, breaking up large insurers: Report
House Democrats are discussing a healthcare policy agenda that could include an expansion of the Medicare program, the Washington Post reported Sept. 3. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told NBC News that reversing the Medicaid cuts under H.R.1 and reviving enhanced ACA premium tax credits have “uniform Democratic support” ahead of the midterms. But privately, […] The post Democrats in talks about expanding Medicare, breaking up large insurers: Report appeared first on Becker's Payer Iss...
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CMS rebrands ICHRA
CMS has rebranded individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements to CHOICE Arrangements, or Custom Health Option and Individual Care Expense. The new name for the alternative health insurance model was announced Sept. 3 by CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, MD, at an event in Indiana. ICHRAs let employers give workers a fixed, tax-free amount to buy their […] The post CMS rebrands ICHRA appeared first on Becker's Payer Issues | Payer News .
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OIG: Medicare Part D plans spent millions on ineligible OTC drugs
Medicare Part D plans made millions in payments for drugs that were ineligible under the program, according to a new federal audit.
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CareFirst BCBS files trademark infringement complaint
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against a Hagerstown, Md.-based in-home healthcare and staffing company Aug. 27. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for Maryland, said the insurer has more than 25 registrations issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for its “CAREFIRST” mark. The filing said the insurer has […] The post CareFirst BCBS files trademark infringement complaint appeared first on Becker's Payer Issues | Payer News .
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450+ Cigna employees sign petition following end to GLP-1 coverage
More than 450 Cigna employees have signed a petition challenging the company’s decision to end GLP-1 weight-loss coverage for its workforce. Cigna stopped covering GLP-1s for weight loss through its employee health plan July 1. The company still covers the drugs for diabetes. In the wake of the decision, hundreds of Cigna employees detailed their […] The post 450+ Cigna employees sign petition following end to GLP-1 coverage appeared first on Becker's Payer Issues | Payer News .
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Medicare Advantage Spending Comparisons Miss Key Costs and Benefits for Seniors, New Analysis Finds
BMA-commissioned analysis identifies gaps in MedPAC methodology as Commission convenes September meeting WASHINGTON —As the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) convenes its September meeting, Better Medicare Alliance today released a … Continue reading "Medicare Advantage Spending Comparisons Miss Key Costs and Benefits for Seniors, New Analysis Finds" The post Medicare Advantage Spending Comparisons Miss Key Costs and Benefits for Seniors, New Analysis Finds appeared first on Bette...
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Federal watchdog claims Medicare Part D sponsors paid $587.7M for over-the-counter drugs mislabeled as prescription-only
Medicare Part D sponsors paid pharmacies $587.7 million for some over-the-counter drugs with obsolete prescription-only labels, despite CMS oversight. Medicare Part D does not cover OTC drugs. According to an Aug. 31 HHS Office of Inspector General report, Part D sponsors made “ineligible” payments for five drugs — more than one year after the brand-name […] The post Federal watchdog claims Medicare Part D sponsors paid $587.7M for over-the-counter drugs mislabeled as prescription-only appear...
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Centene’s Health Net to exit commercial group market in California, Oregon
Centene subsidiary Health Net is pulling out of the commercial employer group market in California and Oregon, the company confirmed to Becker’s. “Health Net has made the decision to exit the traditional commercial group business in California and Oregon in order to focus on government sponsored healthcare,” a spokesperson for the insurer said in a […] The post Centene’s Health Net to exit commercial group market in California, Oregon appeared first on Becker's Payer Issues | Payer News .
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Oncology company Thyme Care raises $125M, backed by Morgan Health, Humana and CVS Health Ventures
Thyme Care landed a series E financing round of more than $125 million backed by strategic payers and providers as it aims to expand beyond cancer care navigation.
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Scan.com raises $220M to expand US medical imaging network
The company plans to use the funding to further expand its U.S. network of imaging providers, as well as invest in its API and agentic AI infrastructure.
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Site-neutral imaging payments could save $9.7B across Medicare, commercial markets: BCBS Association
Enacting site-neutral payments under Medicare for imaging services would generate an estimated $9.7 billion in combined savings over 10 years, according to a new analysis commissioned by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. The report, prepared by external consulting groups and published Aug. 24, quantifies both the Medicare impact and the spillover effects on commercial […] The post Site-neutral imaging payments could save $9.7B across Medicare, commercial markets: BCBS Association appear...
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IBX expands subsidized degree opportunities for employees
Independence Blue Cross is expanding its professional development opportunities for employees through a new partnership with Reading, Pa.-based Alvernia University. According to a Sept. 1 news release, the IBX University Partnership Deferral Program allows eligible employees to pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees with tuition support: an annual allowance of $5,250. Payments are deferred until an […] The post IBX expands subsidized degree opportunities for employees appeared first on Bec...
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Humana sets quarterly dividend
Humana’s board of directors declared a $0.885 per share dividend to be paid Nov. 27. The dividend will be paid to all shareholders of record as of the close of business Oct. 30, according to a Sept. 2 Humana news release. The company reported a $694 million profit for the second quarter, up more than […] The post Humana sets quarterly dividend appeared first on Becker's Payer Issues | Payer News .
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Elevance’s Wellpoint taps COO for Tennessee
Kraig Dalton has joined Elevance Health’s Wellpoint as COO of its Tennessee health plan. “Supporting Tennesseans in need is deeply important to me, and I’m honored to take on this role leading operations at Wellpoint,” Mr. Dalton said in an August LinkedIn post. Mr. Dalton was most recently a director at Findhelp, a social care […] The post Elevance’s Wellpoint taps COO for Tennessee appeared first on Becker's Payer Issues | Payer News .
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Louisiana’s Medicaid contract with Elevance-BCBS venture to end, affecting 290,000
The Louisiana Department of Health’s Medicaid managed care contract with Healthy Blue, formed as a joint venture between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and Elevance Health, will end Dec. 31. More than 290,000 Medicaid members currently have Healthy Blue, according to a Sept. 1 news release from the department. While Medicaid eligibility does […] The post Louisiana’s Medicaid contract with Elevance-BCBS venture to end, affecting 290,000 appeared first on Becker's Payer Issues | Payer...
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Medicare spent hundreds of millions of dollars on ineligible drugs, audit finds
Shoddy CMS oversight is to blame, and the agency needs to do better, the HHS Office of the Inspector General said. The CMS concurred.
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UnitedHealthcare cuts prior authorization from 1,700 codes
The list tells providers what treatments will no longer need preapproval this October, part of UnitedHealthcare’s pledge to cull 30% of its much-maligned utilization management controls. The codes span a broad range of services.
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UnitedHealthcare to nix prior auth on 1,700 services on Oct. 1
UnitedHealthcare said earlier this year that it was aiming to eliminate 30% of prior authorization requirements by the end of 2026.
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Louisiana’s Medicaid program will lose another provider, affecting 290,000 people
The Healthy Blue plan, offered by Elevance Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, will no longer be available to Medicaid recipients in 2027.
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CHI St. Vincent no longer part of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas network
CHI St. Vincent will not be part of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas network after the Little Rock-based hospital system and the insurer failed to reach an agreement on renewing their contract, both sides announced Tuesday. The two failed to reach an agreement during negotiations over the past several months about how much […]
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Ohio Chamber sues UnitedHealthcare over alleged effort to poach members
The Ohio Chamber of Commerce is suing UnitedHealthcare over allegations the insurer withheld data and used confidential information obtained as the administrator of the chamber’s health benefits program to steer small businesses into its own plans. Hours after the lawsuit was filed Sept. 1 in an Ohio federal court, U.S. District Judge Algenon Marbley temporarily […] The post Ohio Chamber sues UnitedHealthcare over alleged effort to poach members appeared first on Becker's Payer Issues | Payer...
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Hospital groups rail against CMS' proposed 340B changes, site-neutral payments
Public comments for the latest OPPS proposed rule saw several major hospital groups all but threatening a court showdown over CMS' planned policy changes.
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6 payer reimbursement changes to know in September
Several of the nation’s largest health insurers rolled out reimbursement policy changes Sept. 1, ranging from new lab testing coverage limits at UnitedHealthcare to a billing overhaul at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan that has drawn pushback from providers. Six payer reimbursement changes to know: 1. UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealthcare is tightening reimbursement for lab tests […] The post 6 payer reimbursement changes to know in September appeared first on Becker's Payer Issues | Payer News .
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Johns Hopkins Health Plans names interim CEO
Daniel Chojnowski will serve as the interim CEO for Johns Hopkins Health Plans. According to a Sept. 1 LinkedIn post from the insurer, Mr. Chojnowski has served as CFO for the past seven years. He previously held financial leadership roles at Portland, Maine-based Martin’s Point Health Care, his LinkedIn profile said. In August, Humana tapped […] The post Johns Hopkins Health Plans names interim CEO appeared first on Becker's Payer Issues | Payer News .
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UnitedHealthcare to participate in Mississippi’s short-term plans push
Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney confirmed UnitedHealthcare will offer short-term, limited-duration insurance through the Mississippi Comprehensive Health Insurance Risk Pool Association, with a projected start date in 2027. The short-term plans will run for a maximum of 364 days, Mr. Chaney told Becker’s. These plans are not ACA compliant, meaning they do not offer the […] The post UnitedHealthcare to participate in Mississippi’s short-term plans push appeared first on Becker's...
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Head of UnitedHealthcare’s Illinois market to oversee Wisconsin, Michigan
The head of UnitedHealthcare’s Illinois plan will now oversee Wisconsin and Michigan.
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Trump Administration Announces $58 million to Deliver New Ambulances and Upgrade Emergency Communications Systems Across Hawaii
Trump Administration Announces $58 million to Deliver New Ambulances and Upgrade Emergency Communications Systems Across Hawaii This federal investment will help expand access, strengthen the health workforce, improve infrastructure, and advance technology for rural communities across Hawaii
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UnitedHealthcare to drop prior authorization requirements for 1,700 services
UnitedHealthcare has released the specific procedure codes it will exempt from prior authorization as part of the insurer’s previous pledge to reduce requirements by 30% before the end of 2026. The code lists cover 1,700 procedure codes for a range of services across commercial, Medicare Advantage, individual exchange, and Medicaid plans. Effective Oct. 1, providers […] The post UnitedHealthcare to drop prior authorization requirements for 1,700 services appeared first on Becker's Payer Issue...
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Medicare Advantage disenrollment jumps with each complex diagnosis: Study
Each complex condition further drives Medicare Advantage disenrollment, according to research published Aug. 21 in JAMA Health Forum. Researchers from Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University reviewed a cohort of more than 1 million MA beneficiaries to determine transitions to traditional Medicare or other MA plans. Here are six notes from the research: The post Medicare Advantage disenrollment jumps with each complex diagnosis: Study appeared first on Becker's Payer Issues | Payer News .
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Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS' intention to collect information from the public. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information (including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information) and to allow 60 days for public comment on the proposed action. Int...
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United States v. Anthem, Inc.
Case 1:20-cv-02593-ALC-KHP Document571_ Filed 09/01/26 Page1of9 U.S. Department of Justice United States Attorney Southern District of New York 86 Chambers Street New York, New York 10007 September 1, 2026 Via ECF The Honorable Katharine H. Parker United States District Court 500 Pearl Street New York, New York 10007 Re: = United States of America v. Anthem, Inc., No. 20 Civ. 2593 (ALC) (KHP) Dear Judge Parker: This Office represents the Government in the above-referenced matter. We write Ori...
Anthem New York