Medicare & Medicaid
The plan provides flexibility for veterans to see in-network local doctors and fill prescriptions at nearby pharmacies, outside the VA system.
Blue Shield criticized DHCS for intending to award contracts to national, for-profit companies, singling out Kaiser Permanente in particular.
What inspired the move is a growing view from within the federal government that the healthcare directory landscape is fragmented, CMS says.
Significantly, 37 plans earned 2.5 stars, compared to just two last year, while four plans earned two stars.
CMS is expected to release the star ratings "on or about October 6."
The court estimates the alleged overpayments far exceeded $100 million over a span from 2014 to 2018.
UHC is characterizing its offerings as providing better ancillary benefits, lower prescription drug costs and improvements to core benefits.
The funding is intended to improve service delivery, promote the adoption of healthy behaviors and reduce existing health disparities.
Cost-sharing limit for insulin is $35 a month and recommended adult vaccines will be at no additional cost.
The idea is to ensure more eligible people retain Medicaid coverage; the initiatives coincide with the Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health.