The FEHBlog, already stoked by the Nationals 3-0 advantage over the Cards, was excited to read this Medpage article headlined “Senator: Surprise Billing Law Will Pass Congress Within Weeks
“I’m telling you, this will be decided soon,” says Louisiana’s Bill Cassidy, MD.”  Sen. Cassidy, although a Republican, favors the use of baseball arbitration to resolve surprise billing disputes. The FEHBlog is concerned that the use of baseball arbitration, instead of maximum rates, will encourage providers to stay out of network. Undoubtedly, the use of baseball arbitration, although a boon for the legal profession, will not lower healthcare costs.

Healthcare Dive informs us that UnitedHealthcare reported $60 billion third quarter 2019 revenue. Revenues were “up 6.7% year over year, was primarily driven by double digit growth in its health services arm Optum, the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based healthcare behemoth reported Tuesday. Optum reported revenue of $28.8 billion, up 13.3% year over year.”  Wow.

Speaking of billions of dollars, the Wall Street Journal reports that

Three major drug distributors are in talks to pay $18 billion to settle sweeping litigation brought by state and local governments blaming them for fueling the opioid crisis, people familiar with the discussions said, potentially marking a broad resolution to lawsuits that have shaken the pharmaceutical industry.

The three distributors— McKesson Corp. , AmerisourceBergen Corp. , and Cardinal Health Inc. —would collectively pay $18 billion over 18 years under the deal currently on the table, the people said. Johnson & Johnson is also involved in the discussions to contribute additional money, some of the people said. 

It’s not a done deal though.

In response to the FEHBlog’s post last Sunday about the ability of FEHBP annuitants over 65 to suspend their FEHBP coverage in order to try Medicare Advantage coverage, a reader noted that the FEHBlog’s supporting link was not  useful In that event, feast your eyes on this OPM regulation

During an Open Season * * * (ii) An annuitant or survivor annuitant who suspended enrollment under this part to enroll in a Medicare-sponsored plan under sections 1833, 1876, or 1851 of the Social Security Act, or to enroll in a Medicaid or similar State-sponsored program of medical assistance for the needy, or to use Peace Corps or CHAMPVA or TRICARE (including the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan) or TRICARE-for-Life coverage instead of FEHB coverage, may reenroll.

5 C.F.R. Sec. 890.306(f)(1).  What’s more, Aetna for 2020 is offering a Medicare Advantage plan in the FEHBP nationwide.