Modern Healthcare Staff

Nona Tepper

Reporter/Chicago

Insurance

Nona Tepper covers health insurance for Modern Healthcare in Chicago. She previously worked at Built In, Growing Community Media and Crain's Chicago Business. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, Smithsonian Magazine, VICE and elsewhere. In 2018, the Illinois Press Association awarded her second- and third-place in her division for innovative use of FOIA in her reporting. Nona earned her bachelor's degree in journalism in 2012 from Indiana University, and her master's in journalism in 2017 from Northwestern University.

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Recent Stories

Kaiser sues Merck over alleged 'pay-for-delay' deal

Kaiser alleges the lack of competition caused it to overpay by "hundreds of millions" of dollars for cholesterol medications Vytorin and Zetia.

UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Aetna all unveil new policies restricting biologics use

UnitedHealthcare, Aetna and Cigna have all unveiled policies this year that force patients to switch to biosimilars or restrict the biologic drug dosage an individual can receive.

Northwell Health loses $1.25B bid for property insurers to cover COVID-19 costs

Northwell Health failed to prove that its property insurers breached their contract and violated good faith by denying Northwell's claims.

Highmark Health launches digital transformation consultancy

Highmark's subsidiary will focus on helping customers identify automation opportunities and employees navigate operational changes.

Insurers leaning on AI to identify social needs for unlikely customers

In response to employers' demands, insurers are leaning on tech to inform new benefits structures, although some question the validity of the data these companies rely on.

Anthem, Humana drop nearly $140 million to launch new PBM tech

The insurers will hold a minority stake in the new joint venture, named DomaniRx, which is being championed by SS&C Technologies.

CommonSpirit mired in another contract dispute with Blues plan

CommonSpirit Health's CHI Memorial Health Care System and Blue Cross and Blue Shield Tennessee's dispute could leave at least 38,000 patients out of network.

BCBS Kansas City sues national COVID-19 testing lab over alleged 'disaster profiteering'

BCBS Kansas City's lawsuit represents the nation's first payer complaint against a coronavirus testing provider, AHIP said.

Cigna paying members to use biosimilars draws providers ire

As more biosimilar medications enter the market, other payers are watching Cigna's $500 offer and may introduce similar enticements if enough of the insurer's members switch.

COVID-19 test providers are 'gouging' insurers, AHIP says

Out-of-network providers charge higher prices for COVID-19 testing and are performing a growing share of tests billed to commercial insurers, according to the insurance trade group.

Insurer confusion over digital health tools creates new market for startups

Collective Health launched its Premier Partner program, which aims to help self-insured employers select, integrate and evaluate digital health companies.

Digital health companies seeking FDA approval must weigh access versus price

As this $9 billion industry matures, payers should look beyond FDA approval when reviewing the efficacy of digital tools, with a federal imprimatur becoming solely a decision about how to market a product.