Payer Roundup—Walgreens, Humana partner on senior healthcare; LePage open to hospital tax

Walgreens, Humana team up on senior healthcare

Humana and pharmacy chain Walgreens are teaming up to better educate seniors on Medicare and insurance. 

The companies announced last week that under the joint effort, Humana will operate senior-focused on-site clinics inside two Walgreens stores in the Kansas City area which will offer patients information about insurance and Medicare.

“This unique partnership supports Humana’s multifaceted approach to healthcare in this community and is a continuation of our senior-focused care strategy, which is centered on integrating care through clinical programs that intersect health and lifestyle,” Humana CEO Bruce Broussard said in a statement.

The companies added that they might eventually expand the collaboration into other markets. (Release)

Physician, nurses convicted over home health fraud scheme

A federal jury found one physician and two nurses guilty of healthcare fraud for their roles in a home health fraud scheme.

The Department of Justice said according to evidence, the three engaged in a scheme to defraud Medicare by submitting and causing the submission of false and fraudulent claims. The agency added that the physician certified Medicare patients, whom he had never seen, for unnecessary home health services that were not provided. 

Additionally, one physician and one nurse were also found guilty of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud for their roles in the scheme. (DOJ)

LePage might raise taxes to pay for Medicaid expansion

There are whispers in Maine that Gov. Paul LePage may be open to raising taxes to pay for Medicaid expansion.

Earlier this month a federal judge ordered LePage, a longtime critic of Medicaid expansion, to follow through on a voter-approved Medicaid expansion law.

While LePage is currently appealing the ruling, the governor is considering a new tax on hospitals to pay for the expansion, according to the Miami Herald. (Miami Herald)