Though Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are more likely to have coverage of vision, dental and hearing services, they are not more likely to use these services than their peers in traditional Medicare, a study published Jan. 14 in JAMA Network Open found. 

Optum Rx will pass 100% of the rebates it negotiates for drugs onto its consumers by the end of 2028, UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty told investors.

UnitedHealth Group's new CEO, Andrew Witty, said the company is committed to reducing prior authorizations and improving customer satisfaction on the company's first investor call since the murder of UnitedHealthcare's previous CEO, Brian Thompson. 

Centene's 'Ohana Health Plan has partnered with homeless services provider Hope Services Hawaii on a new residential program for integrated clinical care. 

UnitedHealth Group reported record revenue in 2024, but profits declined as the company continues to grapple with costs associated with the February cyberattack on Change Healthcare and headwinds within its insurance business, according to the company's year-end earnings report released Jan. 16.

Two relatively new insurers in the Medicare Advantage market saw spikes in enrollment for 2025 

Payer executives are focused on staying adaptable in 2025. 

Imagine360, a health plan for self-funded employers, has purchased Ardent Health's third-party administrator, HealthFirst.

CMS is facing at least a half-dozen lawsuits over its 2025 Medicare Advantage star ratings. 

HHS has rescinded a proposal to require ACA plans to cover over-the-counter contraceptives, Politico reported Jan. 14. 

CMS will implement policies meant to crack down on fraud in the ACA marketplace. 

Solera Health has received $40 million in Series E financing, co-led by Health Care Service Corp., Cobalt Ventures, Horizon Mutual Holdings, and Adams Street.

Nevada has received federal approval to implement public health insurance plans on its ACA exchange, becoming the third state to do so after Colorado and Washington. 

Texas has the highest Medicaid spending as a percentage of total state expenditures, while Wyoming has the lowest, according to KFF.

UPMC Health Plan has named Chester (Chet) Ho, MD, as chief medical officer.

Alignment Healthcare has promoted Dawn Maroney to president. 

Anthem Blue Cross and its foundation have pledged an initial $10 million in grants for disaster response efforts amid the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County. 

Blue Shield of California is the latest Blue Cross Blue Shield company restructuring to keep up with the rapidly evolving payer landscape. 

The Supreme Court said Jan. 10 it would hear the landmark case that challenges a federal task force's authority to require insurers to cover preventive care services under the ACA.

CMS is proposing a more generous increase in payments to Medicare Advantage plans in 2026 than in previous years.