Cigna exits ACA exchanges despite dramatic profit growth in Q1

The Latest

• 

  UHS reaffirms 2026 volume targets, despite seasonal hits in Q1

  A weaker-than-expected respiratory season paired with winter storms caused UHS’ volumes to decline in the first quarter. Executives said they expect growth in the second half will help the operator meet earnings targets this year.

  Hospitals

• 

  Frequency of medical liability lawsuits is declining, but risk remains for doctors: AMA

  The risk of being sued is higher among certain specialties like surgeons, and increases the longer doctors practice medicine, according to the medical association's new report.

  Updated April 29, 2026

  Hospitals

• 

  Centene hikes 2026 profit guidance after buoyant Q1

  The insurer, a mainstay in government programs like Medicaid and the ACA exchanges that have been wracked by higher spending, successfully controlled costs in the quarter, leading to $1.5 billion in profit.

  Payer

• 

  Profile

  With ultrasound on a chip, Butterfly Network aims for global reach

  Butterfly, which makes handheld imaging machines, hopes to make the technology accessible to more patients with its pricing and AI features.

  Health IT

• 

  Insurers making progress on standardizing prior authorizations

  Aligning electronic data submission requirements for prior authorizations is one prong of the insurance industry’s commitment to reform the unpopular preapprovals.

  Payer

• 

  CFOs feel healthcare pain rising as GLP-1s stretch budgets: Mercer

  Average healthcare costs for U.S. employers are expected to rise 6.7% this year, hitting a 15-year high.

  Payer

• 

  ACA subsidy lapse cost HCA Healthcare $150M in Q1

  The hit was in line with HCA’s expectations. The hospital operator is the first of its peers to detail financial impacts from the expiration of more generous subsidies in Affordable Care Act plans.

  Hospitals

• 

  Medicare AI prior authorization pilot delaying care in Washington: report

  The report compiled by Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., found procedures in the state that were previously approved in two weeks now take four to eight weeks to be authorized.

  Updated April 27, 2026

  Payer

• 

  FTC, US Anesthesia Partners reach settlement in Texas price collusion case

  The private equity-backed anesthesia provider bought and bullied its way to market dominance in Texas, driving up prices for patients, the FTC alleged. The parties have now reached a deal, though USAP will not admit liability.

  Government

• 

  Molina controls costs in Q1 but future Medicaid spending in doubt

  The insurer beat analyst expectations for adjusted earnings in the first quarter. But steeper Medicaid membership losses than expected could saddle Molina with higher costs down the line.

  Payer

• 

  CMS, FDA unveil speedier Medicare coverage pathway for breakthrough devices

  The pathway is designed to reduce the delay between FDA authorization and Medicare coverage for certain Class II and Class III breakthrough medical devices.

  Payer

• 

  AMA urges lawmakers to implement safeguards on AI chatbots

  Though chatbots could have some benefits for mental health access, the physician lobby argued “immediate attention is required” to avoid harming patients looking for support.

  Health IT

• 

  Flagging first-quarter volumes dragged CHS’ earnings

  Executives said consumer fears and aggressive denials from payers fueled declining volumes in the quarter, leading CHS to a $58 million loss. Still, the hospital operator expects volumes to pick up in the back half of the year.

  Hospitals

• 

  Elevance perks up in 2026 though Medicare Advantage payout could ding profits

  The Indianapolis-based insurer raised its 2026 earnings guidance after posting a better first quarter than Wall Street expected. Still, Elevance lodged a $935 million expense to cover what it might owe the CMS over faulty data reporting.

  Updated April 22, 2026

  Payer

• 

  Prices rose after No Surprises arbitration for some care: analysis

  The data compiled by the Brookings Center on Health Policy shows that average arbitration prices for some services like imaging were seven times higher than Medicare prices.

  Payer

• 

  Amazon One Medical launches weight management program including GLP-1 drugs

  The company argues the offering is a more comprehensive approach to weight management, allowing patients to receive ongoing support care and transparent pricing on prescriptions.

  Health IT

• 

  Moderna, after losing US funding, rebounds to start mRNA bird flu vaccine trial

  A program that got caught up in HHS’ decision to abandon mRNA research was revived by a public-private coalition and is now beginning a large, late-stage test that could support a future approval.

  Government

• 

  UnitedHealth hikes profit outlook after better-than-expected first quarter

  Premium hikes, plan redesigns and other efforts from the Minnesota-based company to wrangle medical spending bore fruit in the first quarter. UnitedHealth’s stock jumped accordingly.

  Payer

• 

  Providers push back on 340B rebate model

  Hospitals and clinics told regulators that switching to rebates in the 340B drug discount program would impose costs that would outweigh the program’s benefits.

  Hospitals

• 

  Blue Shield of California taps chief pharmacy officer

  Hayley Park will oversee BSCA’s prescription drug programs. The insurer has worked to overhaul its pharmacy management model in a bid to lower drug costs.

  Payer

• 

  QuikTrip to sell urgent care clinics after 6 years in business

  The retailer, which at one point had 14 MedWise sites, is divesting its nine-location network to Saint Francis Health System.

• 

  RFK Jr. defends HHS tenure, 12% proposed budget cut

  Republicans largely praised the HHS secretary’s track record during a marathon of House hearings last week, but some GOP lawmakers raised concerns about proposed budget cuts to the National Institutes of Health.

  Government

• 

  Physician burnout is improving but some specialties lag, the AMA finds

  The influential physician association surveyed thousands of doctors and found that burnout last year was lower than in 2024 or 2023. Still, certain specialties, especially those on the front lines of care, face an elevated risk of burning out.

  Hospitals

• 

  Judge dismisses Aetna’s No Surprises fraud suit against Radiology Partners

  The insurer accused the radiology group of gaming the No Surprises Act to reap higher reimbursement. A judge tossed the case last week, saying Aetna needed to raise its complaints during the dispute resolution process.

  Payer

• 

  Stakeholders urge Labor Department to finalize PBM transparency rule

  Employers, lawmakers and more said regulators should hustle to get disclosure mandates for the controversial drug middlemen across the finish line, while PBMs slammed the rule as illegal, unnecessary and anticompetitive.

  Payer

More stories