Finances: Page 2
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UnitedHealth revenue climbs in 2025, though profit continues to fall
The healthcare behemoth posted its lowest profits since 2018 last year, largely thanks to continued Medicare Advantage challenges. Executives warned how regulators’ “disappointing” rate update might further contract MA.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Jan. 27, 2026 -
Sponsored by Elavon
Is your billing system costing you too much?
Across healthcare, operating expenses have been climbing faster than revenues for more than a decade.
Jan. 26, 2026 -
Insurance CEOs’ no good, very bad day on the Hill
The chief executives of UnitedHealth, CVS, Cigna and Elevance were pilloried for care denials, vertical consolidation and sky-high executive compensation during two House hearings Thursday.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Jan. 23, 2026 -
Congress eyes tackling healthcare consolidation
“I think there’s common ground here,” one Republican congressman said during a House Budget Committee hearing. Squaring up against healthcare monopolies would be a major pivot for the GOP.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Jan. 22, 2026 -
UnitedHealth pledges to return ACA profits to customers
The announcement came one day before CEO Stephen Hemsley testified on healthcare affordability in front of two congressional committees.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Jan. 21, 2026 -
Medicare Advantage overpayments will total $76B this year: MedPAC
The findings are “very depressing,” one commissioner said. Still, it’s a smaller sum than in 2025, thanks to the continued phase-in of a new risk adjustment model.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Jan. 16, 2026 -
MedPAC steps away from advocating doctor pay be tied to inflation
The advisory group wants Congress to approve a 0.5 percentage point increase for doctors in Medicare next year. But some commissioners dissented over MedPAC’s about-face on underlying payment reform.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Jan. 16, 2026 -
UnitedHealth commits to changes after independent review
The healthcare behemoth released results of three highly anticipated external reviews that drilled down on a number of areas for improvement.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Dec. 22, 2025 -
Optum Rx says 100% of network community pharmacies in cost-based contracts
PBMs are pivoting reimbursement models to protect pharmacies from what they say is an unsustainable status quo.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Dec. 18, 2025 -
Healthcare services M&A could rise in 2026: PwC
Dealmaking in the sector is poised to increase next year after a lull in 2025, as companies use technology, like artificial intelligence, to attract buyers, according to the report.
By Emily Olsen • Dec. 18, 2025 -
Cencora takes majority stake in cancer care platform OneOncology for $5B
The drug distributor has been steadily building up its specialty support assets as it looks to increase access to drugs.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Dec. 16, 2025 -
Deep Dive
Goliath v. Goliath
A Medicare Advantage network spat between Optum and Humana in Washington state appears to be benefiting UnitedHealthcare at the expense of its biggest rival. Antitrust experts are alarmed.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Dec. 16, 2025 -
Sponsored by Brault
Emergency medicine reimbursement in 2026: Navigating a system under pressure
Is your EM practice ready for 2026? Get the latest on Medicare physician payments, commercial payer trends and how to navigate the reimbursement headwinds.
Dec. 15, 2025 -
CVS to launch ‘engagement’ platform in gamble on consumer, industry interest
CVS is bringing together its disparate businesses onto one platform, and giving its rivals the option to add their products and services as well. The goal is to improve consumers’ health engagement while generating more revenue.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Dec. 10, 2025 -
Covert watchdog testing finds ACA vulnerable to subsidy fraud
The Government Accountability Office successfully enrolled 18 out of 20 fake applicants in subsidized ACA plans. Republicans jumped on the report as ammunition in the debate over expanded subsidies.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Dec. 4, 2025 -
Humana appeals Medicare Advantage star ratings loss to 5th Circuit
The insurer continues to try to prove that regulators acted arbitrarily in downgrading its quality scores for 2025, despite numerous setbacks in the courts to date.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Dec. 1, 2025 -
Sponsored by Zelis
Four ways to improve claims accuracy without losing provider trust
Improve claims accuracy and provider trust with four strategies that reduce friction.
Dec. 1, 2025 -
Premier closes $2.6B take-private deal
The healthcare services and group purchasing organization stopped trading on Nasdaq Tuesday after more than a decade on the public markets.
By Emily Olsen • Nov. 26, 2025 -
Mayo Clinic doubled its operating income in Q3
Strong patient demand helped lift Mayo Clinic’s operating income by more than 250% year over year.
By Susanna Vogel • Nov. 25, 2025 -
Sponsored by Claritev
Empowered patients, competitive markets: How transparency will transform healthcare
See how price clarity can unlock value and advance genuine patient empowerment.
Nov. 24, 2025 -
Health tech venture capital investment rebounds in 2025: report
Funding through the third quarter surpassed last year’s total, according to PitchBook. Meanwhile, average deal sizes are skyrocketing as high valuations — especially for AI startups — drive larger rounds.
By Emily Olsen • Nov. 20, 2025 -
Employers, workers to face healthcare ‘affordability crunch,’ Mercer warns
A “sharp growth” in prescription drug spending, including pricey GLP-1 weight-loss medications, helped fuel the increase, the consulting firm said.
By Ginger Christ • Nov. 19, 2025 -
Urban safety-net hospitals vulnerable to Medicaid cuts: analysis
Though the impact on rural facilities has received more focus from lawmakers, the majority of hospitals that are most susceptible to the funding cuts operate in urban communities, according to the report.
By Emily Olsen • Nov. 19, 2025 -
Cleveland Clinic sees profits jump in Q3
The academic medical system cited strong patient volumes and new Medicare Advantage agreements as driving increased revenue.
By Susanna Vogel • Nov. 19, 2025 -
CommonSpirit continues to operate at a loss
The health system blamed its performance for the quarter ended Sept. 30 on continued payer denials and cost challenges.
By Susanna Vogel • Nov. 18, 2025