Blue Cross divisional senior vice president Krishna G. Ramachandran said the for-profit, multi-specialty clinic, in its "first very specific counter-offer," is demanding a 75% increase in reimbursement rates "even though their rates are already the highest in the Springfield market and tower 60% more than those in the Chicago market." The aggressive stance by…

JACKSON, Miss.– Leaders with the University of Mississippi Medical Center announced Blue Cross& Blue Shield of Mississippi is expected to force UMMC hospitals, clinics, physicians and other providers out of its commercial insurance network by April 1, 2022. Hospital officials said Blue Cross& Blue Shield stopped negotiations with them after their last…

Georgia's insurance department has fined Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield $5 million for several violations of state law following a months-long investigation. To avoid additional fines, Blue Cross Blue Shield must develop a new process for handling provider complaints, pay claims within the time frames established under state law, and load provider…

First Dollar, the health wallet for modern, member-first plans powering software-defined benefits, announced findings today from their survey conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll. The survey was conducted between February 15 and February 17, 2022 among 1,000 U.S. adults ages 18+ who have healthcare insurance and have a Flexible…

UnitedHealth Group is spending about $5.4 billion to delve deeper into home health care with the acquisition of LHC Group. The health care giant said Tuesday that it will pay $170 for each share of LHC’ s stock in a deal expected to close later this year. UnitedHealth, which runs the nation's largest health insurer, plans to add LHC Group to its Optum Health business,…

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, March 26– Beryl Institute issued the following news release on March 25, 2022:. The Beryl Institute and Ipsos released findings from the eighth PX Pulse, a survey to track current perspectives on patient experience in healthcare across the United States. *Fifty-three percent of U.S. consumers agree, and 14% strongly agree that incivility is…

Dozens of advocacy groups– such as the American Cancer Society, The AIDS Institute, and Ohio State Medical Association– support the measure. The proposal– taking an unusual route of being re-referred to the Rules and Reference Committee, which is directly run by House leaders– likely will get an innocuous amendment and pass the chamber, insiders say.

–The National Cannabis Risk Management Association announces the launch of a new health insurance program for cannabis companies– Health ReLeaf. "Employers are aware of the challenges associated with controlling health care spending," said Brian McLaughlin, Market Leader for My Benefit Advisor. "One of the most significant risks faced by cannabis companies…

Highmark Health maintained a strong balance sheet with more than $12 billion in cash and investments and net assets of more than $10 billion as of December 31, 2021. "As we shift from a COVID-19 pandemic to an endemic environment, we are looking forward and building for the future," said David Holmberg, president and chief executive officer of Highmark Health.

The state has officially stepped in to a situation involving the insurance company Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois and Springfield Clinic. Blue Cross Blue Shield filed notifications of these changes in March, leading the state agency to fine Health Care Service Corporation, the parent company of Blue Cross Blue Shield $1,000 per day.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala.- An Alabama State Representative is fighting to get a bill passed that will allow new moms to stay insured longer. The postpartum mortality rate for women after birth has increased dramatically in that state of Alabama, mainly as a result of a lack of Medicaid coverage. "I was seven months postpartum when my postpartum depression came on," Jane Adams…

Mar. 23— JEFFERSON CITY— Missouri lawmakers waded into a nationwide fight between independent pharmacies and companies that negotiate prescription drug benefits on behalf of health insurers. With smaller, non-chain pharmacies claiming pharmacy benefit managers are unfairly setting drug prices and clawing back a percentage of sales later, the Missouri…

On January 31, 2022, Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner Nathan Houdek issued an order prohibiting Salvasen Health from issuing new policies and…

The State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio board approved a one-time, 3% cost of living adjustment for eligible retirees starting July 1. The Ohio STRS board eliminated the 60 years old requirement. Teacher Julie Sellers and retiree Elizabeth Jones said in a written, joint statement that "A one-time COLA is a step in the right direction, but falls short of what…

When Jamie Rogers was arrested last year on drug charges, she started down a path she hopes will finally break the hold that heroin and other opioids had over her. "I don't think I would be sitting here today," she told the Tribune in January, recounting her last arrest and how it led her to Peru's recovery house. Data from the United State Department of Health and Human…

A health insurance agents’ association went to Washington recently as part of its ongoing fight for its members’ ability to…

Anthem, Inc. today announced its intent to change its name to better reflect the company’ s business and its bold purpose of improving the health of humanity. Anthem intends to become Elevance Health, Inc., subject to shareholder approval. We must address whole health and the physical, behavioral, and social drivers that impact it,” said Anthem President and CEO…

Californians who depend on Medi-Cal coverage also will be affected if another pandemic-related measure ends as expected in mid-April. As part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Congress required that states provide "continuous coverage" for beneficiaries of Medicaid coverage, known as Medi-Cal in California, during the public health…