Author's posts
Air ambulance charges rise 28% in four years, analysis finds
Costs linked to helicopter air ambulance services among commercial insurers have risen 27.6% since 2017, a substantial increase that has inflated costs from $19,210 to $24,507 in 2020, according to a new analysis from FAIR Health.
Centene growing Medicare Advantage footprint by 26% in 2022
Centene, like other insurers before it, will be broadening its reach in the Medicare Advantage space in 2022, expanding into 327 new counties and three new states: Massachusetts, Nebraska and Oklahoma.
In all, this represents a 26% expansion of Centene…
Cigna expands Medicare Advantage plans for third consecutive year
For the third straight year, health insurer Cigna is expanding its Medicare Advantage plans, growing into 108 new counties and three new states — Connecticut, Oregon and Washington — which will increase its geographic presence by nearly 30%.
UnitedHealthcare to expand Medicare Advantage footprint in 2022
UnitedHealthcare, which already has significant market control with its Medicare Advantage plans, will strengthen its foothold in the space by expanding its MA plans in 2022, adding a potential 3.1 million members and reaching 94% of Medicare-eligible …
Merck says new COVID-19 medication cuts the risk of hospitalization and death
In an effort to push back against the still-ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, Merck, in partnership with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, is touting the benefits of an investigational oral antiviral medication known as molnupiravir, saying it reduces the ris…
Surprise billing interim final rule gets mixed reaction from industry
The American Hospital Association claims the rule is a windfall for insurers, while BCBSA calls it a “win for patients.”
Biden Administration advances new protections against surprise medical bills
The Biden Administration, through the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, Treasury and the Office of Personnel Management, has issued an interim final rule with a comment period to further implement the No Surprises Act, introducing a disp…
CDC releases health advisory to increase vaccination rates among pregnant people
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a health advisory meant to increase rates of COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant people, in light of data showing that only 31% of pregnant people were vaccinated as of September 18.
The low vac…
AMA: Nearly three-quarters of metropolitan areas are concentrated health insurance markets
About 73% of metropolitan statistical areas in the U.S. are concentrated health insurance markets, meaning large health insurers control the market in nearly three-quarters of the country, according to a new analysis from the American Medical Association.
SAMHSA awards $825 million in grants to community mental health centers
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) will invest $825 million in funding to 231 Community Mental Health Centers across the country, the organization announced this week.
