Anthem Health Plans has been ordered to pay back 446 Virginians, who filed claims between 2021 and 2024, $216,964 because the insurer charged a copay to customers for a contraceptive deemed necessary by their doctor. Virginia requires insurance companies to cover preventive services without charging co-pays. Cigna Healthcare was ordered to reimburse 457 customers about $404,000; the company had told them it would lower the amounts it paid, based on the level of Medicare coverage patients had. Virginia prohibits that.
Cigna Group has appointed Brian Evanko as president and COO of the company, effective March 31. Evanko has been serving as CEO of Cigna Healthcare since January 2024, with oversight of all Cigna Healthcare businesses. Evanko also serves as CFO of Cigna Group, a role he has held since 2021. In his new position, Evanko will oversee all of the company’s business lines. He will report to chairman and CEO David Cordani.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma is requiring that its covered patients who have severe asthma to inject themselves with their medicine rather than asking a clinic or doctor for assistance. Patients who take injections like Xolair, Tezspire, Fasenra and Nucala, no matter their age, are at risk. Brad Traverse with Infusion Providers Alliance says the policy change "is purely a money reason."
Traditional healthcare is rooted in generalized care plans, third-party payers and overwhelmed providers and is not built to meet the individual needs of today's patients. Direct-to-consumer healthcare companies, also called direct-to-patient or on-demand care, are taking advantage of this market gap to connect patients directly with providers for more affordable, personalized care.
The number of measles cases associated with an outbreak in western Texas has grown to 259, with 36 cases reported over the last three days, according to new data released Friday. Almost all of the cases are in unvaccinated individuals or in individuals whose vaccination status is unknown. Two cases have occurred in persons vaccinated with two doses, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Breakthrough infections, when a vaccinated person is infected are rare, as the measles vaccine provides up to 97% protection after 2 doses.
Hospitals say AI is helping their nurses work more efficiently while addressing burnout and understaffing. But nursing unions argue that this poorly understood technology is overriding nurses' expertise and degrading the quality of care patients receive.