Jeff Lagasse
There are no test-out options and no exemptions, apart from medical exemptions, a move geared to protecting the health of a stretched-thin workforce.
The current results stand in contrast to recent studies that found most mergers do not improve quality or safety.
CEO says aggressive pricing from marketplace rivals has played a role in the new projections, shifting the focus to business-wide profitability.
CMS expects the changes to improve beneficiaries' experiences with MA and Part D, calling it a "higher standard" of benefits and health equity.
AMA said the new recommendations are confusing and potentially risk further spread of the virus.
The deal will allow for increased access to behavioral healthcare at a time when many are struggling, Centene says.
Aside from COVID-19 tests, spending for all other tests as a group decreased by about $1.2 billion in 2020, a 15.9% dip from 2019.
The new option will help states integrate mobile crisis-intervention services into their Medicaid programs, administration says.
The agreement includes staffing and pay improvements and paves the way for nurses to return to work by the end of the month.
The protections ban surprise billing in private insurance for most emergency care and many instances of nonemergency care.