Monday, October 11, 2021: Payers

The CMS released new data showing that nearly four times as many Medicare Advantage (MA) plans scored the highest quality rating possible for 2022 as compared with the year before. Seventy-four MA plans with prescription drug coverage earned five out of five stars, up...

Friday, October 8, 2021: Payers

Optum and SSM Health unveiled a new partnership to address the accessibility and affordability of health care. The partnership will encompass numerous areas including inpatient care management, revenue cycle management, and digital transformation. SSM and...

Wednesday, October 6, 2021: Payers

Willis Towers Watson reported that health benefit costs are expected to increase by more than 5 percent in both 2021 and 2022. The firm’s survey of 378 U.S. companies employing 5.9 million workers found achieving affordable costs for the organization was a key...

Tuesday, October 5, 2021: Payers

The Biden administration released a final rule that would reinstate eligibility for federal family planning funds to organizations that provide abortions or abortion referrals. The final rule, which will take effect on November 8, reverses a Trump-era regulation that...

Monday, October 4, 2021: Payers

Humana announced it is launching 72 new Medicare Advantage (MA) plans for 2022 across hundreds of additional counties. The company will launch 42 new Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans, three MA-only plans, and 27 special needs plans. In addition, the Humana...

Friday, October 1, 2021: Payers

HHS issued an interim final rule that outlines how dispute resolution regarding surprise billing should work between out-of-network providers and insurers. The rule states that payers and providers must start with a 30-day “open negotiation” to determine a...