Jeff Lagasse

Author's posts

OIG: Prior authorization denials raise concerns about Medicaid Advantage

The Office of Inspector General has released a report examining prior authorization patterns from seven managed care companies, and based on the findings is urging increased oversight of prior authorization denials in Medicaid Advantage.

Dr. LaShawn McIver named new CHEO at AHIP

AHIP has named Dr. LaShawn McIver as its new chief health equity officer, effective immediately. The insurer group is framing the hire as part of its efforts to advance health equity.
McIver will lead AHIP’s health equity initiatives, setting and drivi…

HHS distributes $47.8 million to expand access to opioid use disorder medications

The Department of Health and Human Services, through its Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is announcing awards in five grant programs devoted to combating multiple facets of substance misuse and the nation’s overdose epidemic….

Colorado the latest to liquidate Friday Health Plans

Due to the financial instability of Friday Health Plans of Colorado and growing concerns about healthcare providers refusing to treat Friday enrollees, the Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI), part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), is a…

FTC withdraws healthcare enforcement policy statements

The Federal Trade Commission has signaled the withdrawal of two antitrust policy statements related to enforcement in healthcare markets: Statements of Antitrust Enforcement Policy in Health Care, published in August 1996, and

Former Optum exec returns to helm company

Dr. Amar Desai, who had previously spent years in various leadership roles at Optum Health, has returned to the company and will take over the role of CEO, according to a message Desai posted on LinkedIn.

Elevance Health reaches $1.9B in profits in strong Q2

Elevance Health posted a strong second quarter, achieving about $1.9 billion in revenue, good for 13.2% growth over the previous year’s $1.6 billion haul, according to the company’s latest earnings report.
Revenues also grew 12.7%, hitting $43.7 billio…

Pharmacy leaders meet with White House on Medicare prescription drug benefits

On Tuesday, U.S.

FTC sues to block IQVIA’s acquisition of Propel Media

The Federal Trade Commission is seeking to block IQVIA, the world’s largest healthcare data provider, from acquiring Propel Media (PMI), alleging in an administrative complaint that the proposed acquisition would give IQVIA a market- leading position i…

M&A activity returning to pre-pandemic levels

The second quarter saw an increase in merger and acquisition-related transactions – 20 overall, as compared to 15 transactions in Q1. This, according to a new Kaufman Hall analysis, brought Q2 in line with pre-pandemic levels.