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November 29, 2023

November 29, 2023 No Comments

Cigna and Humana Exploring A Merger Stunning news on the health plan front with speculation that Cigna and Humana are entertaining a merger.  This explains reports not too long ago that Cigna was thinking about giving up its Medicare Advantage (MA) line of business.  The merger seems like a match made in heaven.  Cigna is a commercial powerhouse, but its MA line is much smaller than Humana’s. Its MA line is struggling from a Star perspective. It sold its only Medicaid assets a few years ago. Humana is second only to United in MA and has a growing Medicaid line. Both plans have some provider assets as well. And Express Scripts, Cigna’s PBM and one of the nation’s big three, would be a huge asset for Humana. Humana has a subscale PBM asset. Earlier mega mergers (Aetna-Humana and Cigna-Anthem) fell apart due to federal and state pushback and footprint overlaps. 

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November 28, 2023

November 28, 2023 No Comments

Innovation In State And Federal ACA Exchange Programs Interesting article on policy brief from the Commonwealth Fund on various innovations occurring in the state-based and federal Exchange programs.  As of 2023, 20 states operate a state-based marketplace and 30 rely on Healthcare.gov for sign-ups. Some state-based exchanges use the federal website for enrollment. States are experimenting with enrollment campaigns, simplified enrollment, auto-enrollment programs, health-equity requirements, and more.  Article at link.  The actual study is here: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2023/nov/policy-innovations-affordable-care-act-marketplaces #aca #obamacare #exchanges #commonwealthfund Link to Article Mark Cuban’s Firm Partners With Expion Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs (CPD) is partnering with Expion to tackle the high costs of specialty drugs.  A press release says CPD will integrate into Expion’s dynamic pricing technology. It says “consumers can be confident they are getting a fair price and the convenience of medication mailed directly to their homes.”  #cuban #costplusdrugs #drugpricing #expion Link to Article Healthcare Bankruptcies

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November 27, 2023

November 27, 2023 No Comments

Pro Publica Article on Health Plans Not Covering Mandated Services Pro Publica article recounts where health plans have not covered mandated services in state laws.  It is easy to sensationalize mistakes, but health plans every day are approving treatments timely. (May require subscription.) #plandenials #healthplans Link to Article Will New Marketing Rules Hurt Big Plan Performance? Interesting article that says the new Medicare Advantage (MA) marketing rules could mean smaller plans now have a fighting chance against bigger ones, which seemed to enter into the variable and extraordinary compensation with agents and other entities to attract members.  A new marketing clampdown in the 2025 rule would stop most of this. Note, too, a plan official saying that there may be loopholes in the new proposed rule. (May require subscription.) #marketing #medicareadvantage Link to Article Per Worker Healthcare Costs Increased 5.2% in 2023 More evidence that inflation is increasing for employer-provided

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