Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP
Government programs ensure access to healthcare for vulnerable populations. Medicare covers people 65 and older and younger individuals with specific disabilities. Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are joint federal-state initiatives offering health coverage to low-income families, children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with disabilities.
Top Stories
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				News
					27 Oct 2025
						
										  Do MA Star Ratings incentivize consistent quality performance?Data shows MA plans move in and out of MA Star Ratings thresholds for lucrative bonus payments, suggesting a potential flaw in the rating system. Continue Reading By- Sara Heath, Executive Editor
 
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				News
					24 Oct 2025
					  CMS calls back furloughed employees to help with Medicare, ACA enrollment periodsRoughly 3,000 employees are coming back to work on Monday, funded by user fees as the shutdown drags into its fourth week. Continue Reading 
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                News
                07 Apr 2023
                  How 2023 Medicare Advantage Enrollment Growth Has ShiftedMedicare Advantage enrollment growth in 2023 was associated with quality performance and was highest among for-profit health plans. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                05 Apr 2023
                  Out-of-Pocket Spending for Pediatric Hospitalizations Reached $3,000Out-of-pocket spending for pediatric hospitalizations was higher for those covered by high-deductible health plans and exceeded $3,000 for one in seven hospitalizations. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                03 Apr 2023
                  Study Finds Racial Coverage Disparities Following UnemploymentBlack and Hispanic adults likely faced racial coverage disparities following job losses due to structural and administrative barriers to Medicaid enrollment, according to the researchers. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                31 Mar 2023
                  Anthem Announces Virtual-First Health Plan in MO for Commercial MembersCommercial members will gain access to a symptom checker, routine wellness care, and behavioral health services through the virtual-first health plan. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                30 Mar 2023
                  CVS Health Finalizes $8B Acquisition of Signify HealthThe merged CVS Health and Signify Health organization will focus on improving care delivery, lowering costs, and boosting member engagement. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                Answer
                30 Mar 2023
                  How One Payer Redesigned Wellness Program Rewards Around Choice, TechUnitedHealthcare redesigned its rewards for wellness program participation to incorporate a wider range of options for members and more advanced technologies. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                29 Mar 2023
                  UPMC Partnership Facilitates Access to Healthcare Services, CoverageUPMC’s Medicaid managed care plan members can receive assistance with accessing healthcare services and coverage at laundromats across Pennsylvania. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                27 Mar 2023
                  How Overall, Out-of-Pocket Costs of Obesity Escalated in 10 YearsOut-of-pocket costs grew 37 percent for individuals diagnosed with obesity between 2011 and 2021. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                27 Mar 2023
                  UnitedHealth Group Commits $2M to Improve Health Equity for LGBTQ+ YouthThe funding will go to Rainbow Health, a nonprofit organization that addresses health equity by facilitating care access for LGBTQ+ youth and people facing care disparities in Minnesota. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                21 Mar 2023
                  60% of Privately Insured Patients Utilized Some ACA Preventive CareA recent study shows that ACA preventive care utilization is satisfactory in 2018, but the ongoing Braidwood Management v. Becerra case could jeopardize this access. Continue Reading By- Sarai Rodriguez
 
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                News
                20 Mar 2023
                  How Payers Can Promote Member Health and Well-being with WearablesProviding wearable technology to members allows payers to engage with them in new ways. By providing users with real-time feedback and personalized recommendations Continue Reading By- Fitbit Health Solutions
 
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                News
                20 Mar 2023
                  81% of Entries Are Inaccurate in Provider Directories of 5 Large PayersComparing provider directories from Aetna, Elevance, Cigna, Humana, and UnitedHealth with Medicare data, a research letter found that many entries contained inaccuracies. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                17 Mar 2023
                  National Alliance Playbook Guides Employers on Biosimilar AdoptionBiosimilar adoption is challenging but employers can follow several steps to improve their integration of biosimilars into formularies and plan designs. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                15 Mar 2023
                  BCBSRI Recognizes Healthcare Sites Providing LGBTQ-Inclusive CareThe latest round of BCBSRI’s Safe Zone certifications went to children’s hospitals, physical therapy locations, and hospital clinics that offer LGBTQ-inclusive care. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                14 Mar 2023
                  Humana Shares Data on Economic Contributions in FloridaThe payer organization found that its presence in the state had contributed a total of $48 billion to the Florida economy throughout 2022. Continue Reading By- Mark Melchionna
 
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                News
                13 Mar 2023
                  Health Insurance Impacts Racial Inequities in Cervical Cancer DiagnosesBeing uninsured or receiving health insurance through Medicaid accounted for more than half of racial inequities in advanced-stage cervical cancer diagnoses, researchers found. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                10 Mar 2023
                  CareOregon Initiative Boosts Access to Housing for Community MembersThe recently purchased Red Lion Inn & Suites will be converted into housing units for community members with behavioral health needs and local healthcare workers, boosting access to housing. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                09 Mar 2023
                  Women Face High Out-of-Pocket Costs for Breast Cancer TreatmentWomen with high deductible health plans or consumer driven health plans experienced higher out-of-pocket costs for breast cancer treatment than those with PPO or EPO plans. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                09 Mar 2023
                  CareFirst, Aledade Partnership to Help PCPs with Value-Based CareThe player plans to leverage tools and resources provided by Aledade to enhance the quality of care while reducing healthcare costs, supporting value-based care goals. Continue Reading By- Sarai Rodriguez
 
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                News
                07 Mar 2023
                  Humana Collab Expands Value-Based Care for Medicare Advantage MembersThrough the 10-year agreement, Humana Medicare Advantage members will be able to receive value-based primary care from in-network physicians affiliated with Aledade, a public benefit corporation. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                06 Mar 2023
                  Blue Shield of CA Expands Access to Mental Healthcare ResourcesBlue Shield of California members have gained access to mental healthcare resources, including assessments and topic centers, via an online platform. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                06 Mar 2023
                  BCBSM Funds Community-Based Orgs to Improve Senior WellbeingThe $670,000 grant will support four community-based organizations that offer social and educational programs to improve the wellbeing of senior populations. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                03 Mar 2023
                  NCQA Recognizes WI UnitedHealthcare Plan for Health Equity EffortsUnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Wisconsin has helped improve health equity by collaborating with community-based organizations across the state that support underserved populations. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                03 Mar 2023
                  Top Threats, Priorities in Employer-Sponsored Health Plan BenefitsEmployers shared interventions that strengthen employer-sponsored health plan benefits in response to threats such as high-cost claims and medical inflation. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                01 Mar 2023
                  CareSource, Walmart Partner to Address Racial Health DisparitiesThe partnership aims to address maternal and racial health disparities, providing CareSource members access to social needs assessments, community resources, and health literacy education. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                28 Feb 2023
                  Blue Cross MN Partnership Expands Value-Based Care for Rural MembersBlue Cross Medicare Advantage members in 24 rural Minnesota counties will receive care under a full-risk value-based arrangement. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                27 Feb 2023
                  Humana Will Leave Employer Group Insurance Business to Focus on Public PlansAfter exiting the employer group insurance business, Humana will prioritize the long-term growth of its Medicare Advantage, Medicare, and Medicaid health plans. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                24 Feb 2023
                  Why Employers Prefer Employer-Sponsored Health Plans Over ExchangesEmployers voiced a preference for employer-sponsored health plans over exchange coverage and expressed the conviction that, ultimately, employees share that view. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                22 Feb 2023
                  2022 Key Enrollment Trends For High Deductible Health PlansPre-deductible chronic disease prevention coverage was a big factor in high deductible health plan enrollees’ decision-making, along with factors like prescription drug coverage. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                21 Feb 2023
                  BCBST Report Reveals Racial Care Disparities Among TN ResidentsBlack Tennesseans were two and half times more likely to have a pregnancy-related death and two times as likely to die from diabetes than White women, highlighting racial care disparities in multiple areas. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                17 Feb 2023
                  Best Vendors for Healthcare Payer Services, Software NeedsHealthcare payers seeking a vendor for care management, risk adjustment, and other complex processes may find a high-performing partner in the Best in KLAS report results. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                17 Feb 2023
                  Indiana Payer Partners with Provider Org to Boost Primary Care AccessIn addition to receiving exclusive primary care access, fully insured members of Physicians Health Plan of Northern Indiana will have access to an integrated care team, chronic condition management, and provider-dispensed medication. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                15 Feb 2023
                  Employer-Sponsored Health Plans Pay More for Drugs than MedicareFive of the most used physician-administered drugs cost over 200 percent higher for employer-sponsored health plans than for Medicare. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                14 Feb 2023
                  New Humana Community Partnerships to Strengthen Health EquityThe payer has announced a new health equity strategy that centers around forming community partnerships to tackle healthcare barriers and social determinants of health, such as food insecurity. Continue Reading By- Sarai Rodriguez
 
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                News
                13 Feb 2023
                  Out-of-pocket Costs for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Varied by PayerIn 2020, the mean out-of-pocket cost for opioid use disorder medication paid for by self-pay patients was $8.44 compared to $0.10 for prescriptions paid for by Medicaid. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                10 Feb 2023
                  Centene Managed Care Plans Will Pay Medi-Cal $215M for OverchargesCentene saved its managed care plans $2.70 per prescription drug claim through its pharmacy benefit manager contracts, but did not pass on these discounts to Medi-Cal, according to the settlement. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                09 Feb 2023
                  High Deductible Health Plan Enrollment Hit Record High in 2021High deductible health plan (HDHP) enrollment reached record levels in 2021, with some states seeing over 60 percent of their private-sector workers covered through an HDHP. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                09 Feb 2023
                  Humana Maintains Primary Care Access for Medicare Advantage MembersHumana Medicare Advantage members will continue to have access to ChenMed’s medical center brands, which provide primary care at more than 120 locations across 50 states. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                08 Feb 2023
                  Most Employers Will Enhance Services to Improve Employee WellbeingMost employers plan to enhance their current employee wellbeing programs by adding more services, while almost a quarter are considering switching to a new vendor partner. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                08 Feb 2023
                  Employers Emphasize Quality of Care When Assessing Health PlansEmployers remained dissatisfied with their health plans in 2022, but those who had higher health plan satisfaction indicated that their payer’s quality of care emphasis was a key driver. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                07 Feb 2023
                  ACHP Addresses Proposed Rule on Substance Use Disorder Patient DataThe CARES Act’s substance use disorder patient data requirements should be more aligned with HIPAA standards, ACHP and its co-signees argued. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                06 Feb 2023
                  How a Growing, Changing Medicare Population Will Impact PayersAs Medicare takes on an aging, sicker population, payers need to ensure they are meeting evolving member expectations and using data to drive their strategy for member satisfaction. Continue Reading By- Real Time Medical Systems
 
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                News
                03 Feb 2023
                  Health Savings Account Balances, Contributions Grew in 2021The average health savings account balance and total contribution were higher for those that received funds from employers in 2021. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                02 Feb 2023
                  Aetna Funding Improves Healthcare Access for Domestic Violence SurvivorsThe funding will help domestic violence survivors and their children enroll in healthcare coverage through Medicaid, CHIP, or other health plans while maintaining confidentiality. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                30 Jan 2023
                  Cigna’s Integrated Health Plan Reduced Care Costs for EmployersWhen individuals with a diabetes diagnosis were enrolled in the integrated health plan, employers saved $2,500 per member per year. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                25 Jan 2023
                  Employer-Sponsored Health Plans Face High Costs for SUD TreatmentAlcohol- and opioid-related use disorders were the most prevalent substance use disorders and posed some of the highest per-enrollee costs for employer-sponsored health plans. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                25 Jan 2023
                  Elevance Health Will Acquire BCBSLA, Improve Care Access in LAIn addition to improving care access, the proposed acquisition will create a foundation that aims to support local communities, address complex care needs, and reduce health inequities. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                23 Jan 2023
                  Medicare Pays Medicare Advantage Plans 6% More Than FFS MedicareMedicare Advantage plans have seen growing enrollment in recent years, but they have also seen persistent coding intensity problems that lead to excess payments. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                19 Jan 2023
                  Tufts Health Plan, Harvard Pilgrim Collab Boosts Access to LGBTQ+ CareFully insured commercial members will have access to integrated LGBTQ+ care, including gender-affirming physical and mental healthcare, behavioral health services, and social support groups. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                19 Jan 2023
                  Private Payers Reimbursed Telehealth, In-Person Care Equally in 2020Private health plan claims show that the average telehealth claims were generally within ten percent above or below the in-person care cost at the beginning of the pandemic. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                17 Jan 2023
                  BCBSRI Grants $740K to Improve Health Equity, Access to Stable HousingThe funding will help improve access to stable housing for Rhode Islanders by supporting organizations that focus on building and renovating homes and increasing homebuyer education. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                11 Jan 2023
                  Deductibles, Copayments, OOP Max Trends Indicate Cost-Sharing GrowthBetween 2013 and 2020, employees experienced higher cost-sharing for many medical services, although some shifts depended on plan type and union employment. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                10 Jan 2023
                  Provider Orgs Join Full-Risk Value-Based Care Contracts with BCBSMBCBSM’s full-risk value-based care contracts aim to improve members’ healthcare experience by boosting care quality and reducing costs. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                04 Jan 2023
                  Women with Employer Sponsored Health Insurance Face Affordability IssuesNearly 4 percent of women with employer-sponsored health insurance reported unaffordability for medical care compared to 2.7 percent of men. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                30 Dec 2022
                  CA, AZ Payers Boost Care Access for Active-Duty Service MembersActive-duty service members will have access to Blue Shield of California’s and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona’s provider networks during their service and after transitioning to Veterans Affairs eligibility. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                28 Dec 2022
                  Court Says BCBSIL Cannot Exclude Coverage of Gender-Affirming CareBCBSIL is a third-party administrator for an employer-sponsored health plan that denied coverage of gender-affirming care for an employee’s transgender son. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                Answer
                28 Dec 2022
                  How Payer, Provider Alignment Enables Simplified Medical Billing FormatAfter years of working toward this goal, the payer and provider partners introduced a simplified medical billing format, in part made possible due to their joint venture model. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                22 Dec 2022
                  Harvard Pilgrim, Tufts Health Plan Increase Caregiver Support for MembersCommercial members will have access to caregiver support tools starting in January 2023, including care coordinators and an online peer network. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                21 Dec 2022
                  Blue Cross MN Value-Based Contract Reduced Cancer Care CostsThe value-based contract, which focuses on utilizing care coordination to prevent unnecessary hospital visits, reduced cancer care costs by more than ten percent for patients with Blue Cross employer group coverage. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                20 Dec 2022
                  How Coverage and Costs Vary Within Different Types of Health PlansDifferent types of health plans, such as health maintenance organizations and preferred provider organizations, can lead to varying out-of-pocket expenses, monthly premiums, and annual deductibles for members. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                19 Dec 2022
                  93% of Employees Satisfied with Employer Sponsored Health InsuranceEmployees described their employer-sponsored health insurance as affordable, high-quality, and comprehensive. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                15 Dec 2022
                  Nonprofit Sues GA for Refusing to Cover Transgender-Related HealthcareThe lawsuit aims to prevent the Georgia State Health Benefit Plan, which provides health insurance coverage for over half a million Georgians, from excluding coverage for transgender-related healthcare. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                15 Dec 2022
                  SCAN Group, CareOregon Plan to Combine, Form HealthRight GroupThe new combined company that SCAN Group and CareOregon form would continue to serve Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                14 Dec 2022
                  ACAP Health Plans Will Identify Birthing-Friendly Hospitals in DirectoriesIncluding the birthing-friendly hospital designation in provider directories will help ACAP health plan members identify facilities that deliver quality maternal healthcare. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                13 Dec 2022
                  Payer Announces Partnership to Offer In-Home Care with Flexible HoursThe partnership allows members to access in-home care after normal primary care office hours any day of the week. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                12 Dec 2022
                  Aetna Grants $9.3M to Support Behavioral Health for Youth in Foster CareThe funding supports Aetna’s goal of helping children in foster care transition to home- or community-based settings and receive behavioral health services. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                12 Dec 2022
                  Heat-Related Illness Diagnoses Among Private Payer Members Are IncreasingPayers should be aware that heat-related illness diagnoses are increasingly prevalent among males and older privately-insured populations. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                09 Dec 2022
                  High Deductibles Create Barriers to Screening Mammograms, Follow-Up TestsMore than 20 percent of women said they would skip follow-up tests for a screening mammogram if they knew they would face a high deductible. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                08 Dec 2022
                  Elevance Health ACO Generated Cost Savings Among Fully Insured MembersUnder Elevance Health’s ACO model, cost savings ranged from -$25.42 per member per month in 2016 to -$44.08 per member per month in 2020 for fully insured members. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                06 Dec 2022
                  Behavioral Health Treatment was Associated with Lower Healthcare CostsThe mean per member per month healthcare cost for individuals who received outpatient behavioral health treatment was $571 compared to $686 for those who did not receive treatment. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                05 Dec 2022
                  CareFirst Funds Community-Based Orgs to Boost Behavioral Healthcare AccessThe community-based organizations are working to improve behavioral healthcare access for youth and strengthen the provider workforce in low-income and rural areas. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                02 Dec 2022
                  Payer Sees Significant Mental Healthcare Utilization, Network Size GrowthBlue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts shared data on mental healthcare utilization and network size shifts that reflected the payer’s mental healthcare expansions. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                01 Dec 2022
                  Health Insurance Price Growth Rises to 20%, Outpacing Other Medical CareExperts anticipated high health insurance prices, but it remains unclear whether high prices in the rest of the nation’s goods and services will push health insurance prices even higher. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                30 Nov 2022
                  Gold Carding Has Mixed Effects on Streamlining Prior Authorization ProcessesGold carding is a relatively new approach to streamlining prior authorization processes that appealed to many health plans but may not consistently deliver on its promises. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                29 Nov 2022
                  Health Insurance Coverage Disruptions Tied to Higher Mortality RisksThe link between health insurance coverage disruptions and high mortality risks highlights the importance of including coverage disruption assessments in social risk screenings. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                28 Nov 2022
                  SCAN Health Plan Expands Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan in CAThe payer’s Fully Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan includes zero-dollar copays for prescription drugs, free access to virtual behavioral health services, and dental coverage, among other benefits. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                23 Nov 2022
                  35% More MA Plans Offering Home-Based Supplemental Benefits in 2023The number of Medicare Advantage plans to offer primarily health-related supplemental benefits increased from 824 in 2022 to 1,111 in 2023. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                22 Nov 2022
                  Health Insurance Is Expensive, But Americans Intend to Keep Their Plans in 2023Seven out of ten Americans plan to stay in their current health plan in 2023 even as healthcare costs escalate, but many also have a threshold for how much more they are willing to pay. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                22 Nov 2022
                  Medicare Advantage Premiums Rise, Zero-Dollar Premium Plan Uptake DeclinesData from the first half of the 2023 open enrollment season is revealing departures from the last three years’ open enrollment trends. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                17 Nov 2022
                  Top 5 States with the Highest Levels of Healthcare SpendingHealthcare spending was highest in South Dakota, Louisiana, West Virginia, Florida, and Wyoming. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                17 Nov 2022
                  CareSource Addresses LGBTQA+ Housing Social Determinants of Health BarriersThe payer will help pay for the construction of an inclusive housing setting for LGBTQA+ seniors who often face discrimination and social determinants of health barriers when seeking housing. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                16 Nov 2022
                  ERIC: Allow Employer Sponsored Health Plans to Electronically Deliver AEOBIf employer sponsored health plans could deliver advanced explanation of benefits materials electronically, it could improve costs and members’ healthcare literacy. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                15 Nov 2022
                  50% of Coronavirus Hospitalizations Covered by ESI Cost Over $25KCoronavirus hospitalizations could cost between $10,000 and more than $38,000 in employer-sponsored health plans, depending largely on whether the hospitalization included an ICU stay. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                10 Nov 2022
                  How Massachusetts’ Benchmark Impacted Healthcare Cost GrowthAccountability mechanisms that accompanied the state’s benchmark legislation, including Cost Trends Hearings and Performance Improvement Plans, did little to constrain healthcare cost growth, stakeholders noted. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                09 Nov 2022
                  Community Health Plans Lowered Consumer Healthcare Spending in 2022Community health plans improved healthcare spending in a variety of ways, but largely through their drug pricing advocacy and premium adjustments. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                09 Nov 2022
                  Elevance Health Will Acquire Specialty Pharmacy To Treat Chronic DiseasesThe payer has already shared plans to improve the specialty pharmacy’s speed and expand its services to encompass a wider scope of chronic diseases. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                07 Nov 2022
                  Banner|Aetna Health Plan Streamlines Bill Format to Improve Medical BillingGiven how confusing medical billing can be for members, Banner|Aetna reformatted the medical bill that patients receive and implemented automated billing along with other solutions. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                07 Nov 2022
                  37% of People Switched Health Insurance Plans During Perinatal PeriodIndividuals covered by Medicaid or Medicaid managed care were more likely to switch health insurance plans during the perinatal period than those with private insurance. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                04 Nov 2022
                  Report Urges CMS to Increase Oversight of Medicare Advantage MarketingThe Senate Finance Committee report urged CMS to conduct regular oversight of Medicare Advantage marketing materials and prohibit plans from contracting with deceptive agents and brokers. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                04 Nov 2022
                  AMA: 79% of Medicare Advantage Markets Have Little CompetitionAMA found that around a third of Medicare Advantage markets in 2021 had one insurer with a market share of 50 percent or more, indicating low competition levels. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                03 Nov 2022
                  Better Access to Health Insurance Coverage Boosted Healthcare UseGen Z and Millennials were more likely to say that premium subsidies and Medicaid provisions, which improved access to health insurance during the pandemic, led to increased healthcare use compared to older generations. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                03 Nov 2022
                  Employers Juggle High Healthcare Spending, Hiring Challenges in 2022Employers are turning to whole person care, high-cost claims management, hospital quality and price transparency as they seek to control healthcare spending. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                02 Nov 2022
                  Medicare Advantage Offers Better Access to Behavioral Healthcare Than FFSBehavioral healthcare services are crucial for seniors, but fee-for-service Medicare may not provide enough coverage. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                01 Nov 2022
                  2022 Employee Contributions Trends in Employer Sponsored Health PlansEmployee contributions to healthcare costs in employer sponsored health plans will vary based on the size of the company and the type of coverage. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                31 Oct 2022
                  Dialysis Triples Healthcare Spending for Members with Chronic DiseasesPrivate health plan members with chronic diseases that require dialysis demonstrate a dramatic spike in healthcare spending when they start dialysis. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                31 Oct 2022
                  Cigna Expands Value-Based, In-Home Primary Care Services in Medicare AdvantageThe payer sought to expand access to in-home primary care services in order to improve healthcare spending and quality of care in its Medicare Advantage plans. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                24 Oct 2022
                  Blue Cross NC Scholarship Program Aims to Diversify Health Insurance IndustryThe program aims to lower cost-related barriers for minorities and women seeking to enter the health insurance industry. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                21 Oct 2022
                  Humana Expands 2023 Medicare Advantage Dental Benefits in FloridaHumana Medicare Advantage members in Florida will have access to new dental benefits in 2023, including higher annual allowances of up to $6,000 that can be used for out-of-pocket dental, vision, or hearing expenses. Continue Reading By- Victoria Bailey, Xtelligent
 
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                News
                19 Oct 2022
                  UHC Supports Health Equity for Disabled Members Through Program InvestmentsUnitedHealthcare put $5 million toward an organization that addresses employment opportunities and healthcare support for Texans with disabilities. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager
 
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                News
                18 Oct 2022
                  Subsidies Drive Individual Health Insurance Marketplace EnrollmentIndividual health insurance marketplace enrollment has grown in recent years, largely driven by subsidized coverage on the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Continue Reading By- Kelsey Waddill, Managing Editor and Multimedia Manager