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Dr. David Brailer joins Cigna as executive vice president, chief health officer

Insurer Cigna has announced that healthcare industry leader Dr. David Brailer will join the company as executive vice president and chief health officer in early September.
As Cigna’s first chief health officer, the company said Brailer will focus on b…

Evernorth, Cigna partner with Bicycle Health on opioid use treatment

Evernorth’s behavioral health network will now incorporate Bicycle Health’s virtual opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment, and will be available to all Evernorth clients, as well as Cigna health plan customers who receive health coverage through their em…

Walgreens finalizes CareCentrix majority stake acquisition

Walgreens Boots Alliance has completed its majority share acquisition of CareCentrix, a home-centered platform that coordinates care to the home for health plans, patients and providers.
Walgreens expects the majority investment will accelerate its hea…

Administration overhauling Medicaid, CHIP enrollment

In an effort to improve healthcare access, the Biden Administration has proposed a new rule that would overhaul the enrollment processes for Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Basic Health Programs (BHPs), and eliminate what …

Higher Medicare Advantage premiums not linked to better quality, says RAND

Seniors who pick Medicare Advantage plans with higher premiums don’t necessarily receive better-quality healthcare, according to new findings from RAND.
Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the study said that rather than looki…

Medicare Shared Savings Program saved Medicare $1.6 billion in 2021, says CMS

The Medicare Shared Savings Program, by working with Accountable Care Organizations, saved Medicare $1.66 billion in 2021 compared to spending targets, the fifth consecutive year the program has generated overall savings, according to the Centers for M…

Value-based care still a small fraction of medical revenue, MGMA finds

While there’s very little consensus when it comes to the definition of “value-based care,” the healthcare industry continues to move away from fee-for-service – slowly.

Substance use disorder coverage would only slightly increase Medicare spending

Adding substance use disorder coverage for residential and intensive outpatient programs would only have a nominal net impact on Medicare spending, at about $362 million per year, according to a new analysis by the Legal Action Center. By contrast, tot…

Cigna entering ACA exchanges in three new states in 2023

Health insurer Cigna will be expanding the reach of its ACA Marketplace exchange plans during the upcoming Open Enrollment period that begins in November. Cigna health plans will be available on the individual exchange in three new states – Texas, Indi…

Administration distributing $98.9 million in Navigator grant funding

The Department of Health and Human Services is serving up $98.9 million in grant funding to 59 returning Navigator organizations for the 2023 Open Enrollment Period.