The Latest
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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 -
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Sponsored by Microsoft3 ways AI is humanizing patient care
Microsoft Dragon Copilot reduces documentation burdens and gives healthcare professionals more time to focus on patient care.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Courtesy of UnitedHealth Group
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.
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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.
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Courtesy of Blue Shield of California
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.
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Retrieved from QuikTrip.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Permission granted by GE Healthcare
GE HealthCare, RadNet expand AI mammography collaboration
The partnership adds access to a workflow for second reads of complex cases and other software features made by RadNet subsidiary DeepHealth.
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CMS proposes repeal of add-on payment path for breakthrough devices
The agency said it developed concerns about the limited evaluation process for the devices after gaining experience with the alternative pathway.
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ACA exchanges will continue to shrink as fewer enrollees pay premiums, analysis suggests
About 14% of ACA enrollees didn’t pay premiums in January, a higher rate than usual and one that suggests ACA enrollment will continue to decline, according to Wakely.
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Erica Schwartz, ex-deputy surgeon general, picked to be next CDC director
If confirmed by the Senate, Schwartz could finally fill a void for an agency that’s cycled through multiple leaders over the last year.
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Abridge partners with medical journals to expand AI clinical decision support
The AI scribe company said information from the New England Journal of Medicine and the JAMA Network will allow providers to more easily access the latest medical research.
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More employers considering medical, pharmacy vendor switch amid rising healthcare costs, survey finds
Healthcare affordability continues to keep employers up at night. More businesses are shopping for new healthcare vendors as a result, according to the Purchaser Business Group on Health.
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Walmart expands digital health platform’s weight loss offerings, including GLP-1 prescribing
Customers can now connect to third-party providers for weight management services through Walmart’s digital health platform, then turn around and fill GLP-1 prescriptions at its retail pharmacy.
Updated April 17, 2026 -
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FDA moves toward easing restrictions on certain peptides
The agency’s decision to hold an advisory committee meeting on the topic comes after HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told podcaster Joe Rogan he’s a “big fan” of peptides.
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Alamy
Surprise BillingCalifornia judge tosses Elevance’s surprise billing suit in win for providers
It’s a major victory for controversial billing intermediary HaloMD, which cheered the court’s decision. Elevance said it plans to appeal.
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Courtesy of ChristianaCare
ChristianaCare names successor after CEO retires
Dr. Janice Nevin will step down in September after more than 12 years in the health system’s top role. ChristianaCare’s former chief legal counsel will take her place.
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More insurance claims denials are being overturned upon appeal, study finds
Study authors, who reviewed data from New York, said rising rates of overturned claims suggest that insurers’ claims review processes might not be working as intended, and policymakers should consider getting involved.
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VA deploys Oracle EHR at four Michigan medical centers
The rollout marks the first deployment of the records system at a VA medical center in years after technical problems plagued the project. In total, 13 medical centers are scheduled to receive the Oracle EHR in 2026.
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Alamy
With health costs ballooning, workers turn to wellness and the internet, ADP finds
When workers delay care because of cost, it could hurt employers more in the long run, other research suggests.
