Payer: Page 2


  • A picture of a form that says 'Medicaid eligibility'
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    designer491 via Getty Images
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    One year, 19M disenrollments: A look at Medicaid redeterminations so far

    Threats of fines, procedural errors and more: Here are the major headlines from the past year of states unwinding Medicaid.

    By April 2, 2024
  • UnitedHealth Group office
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    Courtesy of UnitedHealth Group
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    UnitedHealth CFO John Rex to replace Dirk McMahon as president

    McMahon announced earlier this year that he would retire from the healthcare behemoth in April. Rex will step up as president, though there’s no word yet on who will assume McMahon’s chief operating officer role.

    By March 29, 2024
  • Dietitian writing a diet plan, view from above on the table with different healthy products and drawings on the topic of healthy eating. Explore the Trendline
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    RossHelen via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Social determinants of health

    The focus on social determinants of health has only increased because of the impacts of the pandemic, with payers and providers trying to new ways to address the issues.

    By Healthcare Dive staff
  • A view from below of the CVS sign on the center of a building, with a vertical blue HealthHub sign to its right.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Inside CVS Health’s push to transform customer experience

    The transformation, led by Deloitte Digital, focused on increasing customer feedback to identify pervasive issues and closing the loop on customer inquiries.

    By Kristen Doerer • March 29, 2024
  • The HHS in DC
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    Alex Wong / Staff via Getty Images
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    Biden administration finalizes rule cracking down on short-term plans

    Democrat lawmakers and patient advocacy groups cheered the final rule for protecting patients from the skimpy plans, while free-market advocates slammed it as limiting coverage options for consumers.

    By March 29, 2024
  • The HHS in DC
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    Alex Wong / Staff via Getty Images
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    CMS streamlines Medicaid, CHIP renewal and enrollment in final rule

    It’s the “most robust and meaningful” regulation streamlining Medicaid eligibility since the Affordable Care Act was implemented a decade ago, one lawyer said.

    By March 28, 2024
  • Weight loss drug obesity Ozempic
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    iStock via Getty Images
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    Medicare’s GLP-1 spending is skyrocketing, even without weight loss coverage: KFF

    Gross Medicare spending on the pricey drugs rose from $57 million in 2018 to $5.7 billion in 2022, according to a new analysis from the health policy group.

    By March 27, 2024
  • An injection pen containing the drug semaglutide lies on a white plate.
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    Douglas Cliff via Getty Images
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    Medicare to cover Novo’s obesity drug for some patients

    Two weeks after the FDA updated Wegovy’s label, Medicare changed its stance to allow people with a history of heart disease to receive treatment, a shift that could further boost access to the fast-selling medicine. 

    By Ben Fidler • March 22, 2024
  • An illustration of a stethoscope in the shape of a dollar sign.
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    dventtr via Getty Images
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    Hospitals could face revenue hit if insurers play hardball over MA: report

    Insurers could increase claims denials and engage in aggressive contract negotiations with hospitals as profitability in the popular plans declines.

    By March 21, 2024
  • A picture of the exterior of the US Department of Health and Human Services. In front of the building is a black sign designating the building's name.
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    Alex Wong via Getty Images
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    CMS launches model to increase primary care investment in Medicare

    Value-based care and physician interest groups said the model should create a more stable cash flow for providers.

    By March 20, 2024
  • Kroger Ocado
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    Courtesy of Kroger
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    Elevance to buy Kroger’s specialty pharmacy

    Major pharmacy benefit managers continue to double down on specialty as a reliable source of business amid a growing crop of pharmacy upstarts.

    By March 19, 2024
  • Text of the word 'Medicaid' in the middle of a U.S. dollar bill
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    zimmytws via Getty Images
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    Government watchdog warns of Medicaid oversight gaps

    The CMS doesn’t require states to report data on outcomes or care denials, and has made “delayed” progress on plans to analyze the information and make it public, according to the Government Accountability Office.

    By March 18, 2024
  • A pregnant person is checked with a stethoscope in a doctor's office.
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    PeopleImages via Getty Images
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    Continuous Medicaid enrollment linked to less postpartum coverage loss, study finds

    States that have expanded Medicaid for a year after pregnancy might see similar coverage gains, researchers wrote.

    By March 13, 2024
  • Mergers and acquisitions
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    PeopleImages via Getty Images
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    Elevance completes Paragon Health acquisition

    The infusion services and drug therapy company will operate under CarelonRx, Elevance’s pharmacy benefit manager.

    By March 11, 2024
  • Cigna's logo is seen on a door.
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    Julia Rendleman via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Why Cigna is capping cost increases for pricey GLP-1 weight loss drugs

    The move — the first of its kind — comes as pharmacy benefit managers continue to try to prove their value to clients, and shows how major players are shoring up to meet sky-high GLP-1 demand.

    By March 8, 2024
  • UnitedHealth Group office
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    Courtesy of UnitedHealth Group
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    Change Healthcare cyberattack

    Change says its largest claims clearinghouses coming back online

    More than $14 billion in claims have been prepared for processing and will start flowing soon, the technology firm said Friday.

    By Updated March 25, 2024
  • U.S. President Joe Biden gestures with his hands while speaking from behind a podium.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Biden proposes strengthening Medicare’s drug pricing power

    The administration seeks to significantly increase the number of drugs each year that would be subjected to price negotiations under provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act. 

    By Kristin Jensen • March 7, 2024
  • A home health aide assists a man.
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    FG Trade via Getty Images
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    Medicare Advantage beneficiaries receive fewer home health visits, study finds

    Medicare Advantage beneficiaries were also less likely to improve self-care and mobility function, according to research published in JAMA Health Forum.

    By March 5, 2024
  • Elevance headquarters is a large white and brown building surrounding a grassy quad.
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    Permission granted by Elevance Health
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    Elevance gains $190M on revised MA star ratings

    It’s a positive development for the insurer, which sued the government earlier this year after its quality scores fell dramatically.

    By March 5, 2024
  • Pharmacy technician grabs a bottle of drugs of a shelf.
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    George Frey / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
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    Change Healthcare cyberattack

    AlphV’s hit on Change Healthcare strikes a sour note for defenders

    The ransomware group didn’t just regroup quickly after a law enforcement takedown. It carried out the worst attack on U.S. infrastructure to date, according to experts.

    By Matt Kapko • March 4, 2024
  • a medicaid insurance card on top of a small American flag
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    Kameleon007 via Getty Images
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    Molina loses Medicaid contract in Virginia

    It’s the second recent Medicaid state loss for Molina, despite executives expressing confidence about the insurer’s ability to retain contracts.

    By March 1, 2024
  • Elevance headquarters is a large white and brown building surrounding a grassy quad.
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    Permission granted by Elevance Health
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    Elevance launches weight management program, including GLP-1 monitoring

    Elevance joins a growing list of insurers expanding their weight management offerings amid soaring demand for GLP-1 drugs.

    By Feb. 28, 2024
  • UnitedHealth Group office
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    Courtesy of UnitedHealth Group
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    UnitedHealth under antitrust investigation by DOJ: reports

    Regulators are reportedly looking into the massive healthcare conglomerate’s potential anticompetitive effects, including the relationship between its health insurer UnitedHealthcare and physician network Optum.

    By Feb. 28, 2024
  • A picture of the exterior of the US Department of Health and Human Services. In front of the building is a black sign designating the building's name.
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    Alex Wong via Getty Images
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    Lobby-funded study argues Medicare Advantage rate cuts are worse than CMS expects

    Medicare Advantage payment per month per beneficiary could drop by 1% next year if regulators finalize rates as proposed, according to the analysis backed by the Better Medicare Alliance.

    By Feb. 27, 2024
  • The exterior of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 3, 2024.
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    Colin Campbell/Healthcare Dive
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    State attorneys general urge PBM reform

    The letter, sent on behalf of 39 state attorneys general to leaders in Congress, comes as lawmakers consider legislation to regulate the pharmacy middlemen.

    By Feb. 23, 2024
  • Shot of a young male nurse helping an elderly patient stand.
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    Adene Sanchez via Getty Images
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    Medicare Advantage plans provide less intensive post-acute care, study finds

    The research found no differences in 30-day hospital readmissions or mortality, but the study’s authors said more analysis on patients’ long-term functioning was needed.

    By Feb. 21, 2024