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Weekly Digest

This Week

Jun 10, 2023

Apple rolls out mental health tracking, vision assessment as new Health app features

Pharma giant Bayer moves deeper into digital health with new business unit

Home health bidding wars heat up: Optum makes $3B unsolicited offer for Amedisys

Judge grants Cigna's request for preliminary injunction against former exec Amy Bricker

Younger people driving more high-cost claims for employers: survey - Paige Minemyer

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Apple rolls out mental health tracking, vision assessment as new Health app features

By Annie Burky

Apple brings its Health app to the iPad while offering new vision and mental health features with its suite of devices.

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Pharma giant Bayer moves deeper into digital health with new business unit

By Heather Landi

Pharma giant Bayer is launching a precision health unit as it ramps up its investment in consumer-facing digital health tools.

Home health bidding wars heat up: Optum makes $3B unsolicited offer for Amedisys

By Heather Landi

.Just one month ago, Amedisys agreed to be bought by another healthcare company, Option Care Health, a provider of post-acute care and infusion services.

Judge grants Cigna's request for preliminary injunction against former exec Amy Bricker

By Paige Minemyer

A federal judge has granted Cigna a preliminary injunction against former executive Amy Bricker, barring her from joining rival CVS Health as a noncompete case is resolved by the courts.

Younger people driving more high-cost claims for employers: survey

By Frank Diamond

Self-insured employers face a fairly new development: More younger people are driving high-cost claims, according to a new survey.

Cityblock restructures operations, cuts 12% of workforce as it plots plans for growth, profitability

By Heather Landi

Six-year-old Cityblock Health, a startup that has raised nearly $900 million to date, has restructured its business as it focuses on ramping up payer partnerships and accelerating its path to profitability. As part of the restructuring plans, the company is laying off 155 employees, or 12% of its workforce.

Bon Secours Mercy Health, Anthem BCBS feud over contract negotiations

By Paige Minemyer

Bon Secours Mercy Health is sparring with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield over reimbursement, the latest acrimonious contract negotiation to go public.

CMS launches new pilot program to test out value-based primary care in 8 states

By Heather Landi

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services aims to advance value-based primary care, especially in rural areas and among underserved populations, with a new pilot project.

Massachusetts provider's unexpected closure prompts class action alleging negligence

By Dave Muoio

Compass Medical closed its doors to patients May 31 without prior warning to the community or its employees, which the complaint's plaintiff said was negligent and could lead to interruptions in care.

How insurtech Friday's shutting down might impact other health plans, policyholders

By Frank Diamond

Friday Health Plans announced that it’s shutting down, but insurance officials in different states who are overseeing that process are taking different approaches that could impact other health plans and policyholders.

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Resources

Whitepaper

The State of Vision Health 2023

The Harris Poll recently conducted a survey to explore key experiences, challenges, and desires for vision care among U.S. adults. The survey revealed reasons why those that have benefits don’t always use them, pointing to the need for a better consumer experience with clearer information, more transparent cost structures, and broader access to coverage. Download more insights from The Harris Poll’s study here.