Recent content from Christopher Snowbeck
Minnesota health insurers warn of 'dire' premium spikes, lost coverage in 2026
Insurance company CEOs ask the state's congressional delegation for help extending enhanced tax credits via MNsure. The subsidies are set to expire at the end of next year.
Justice Department sues to block UnitedHealth's $3.3 billion deal to acquire Amedisys
The complaint marks the second time since 2022 that DOJ has challenged deals in the Minnetonka-based company's Optum division for health care services.
UnitedHealthcare, Essentia Health agree to network contract for 2025
The Duluth-based health system alleged earlier this year high rates of denied claims and payment delays by the nation's largest health insurer.
Second Trump presidency raises big questions for Minnesota health care
Observers say Trump administration may make changes to the Affordable Care Act, while Kennedy will seek government data on vaccine safety and other topics.
UnitedHealthcare, HealthPartners reach network deal on Medicare Advantage plans in Minnesota
The Minnetonka-based health insurer says the new contract "ensures continued, uninterrupted network access" to hospitals and clinics at the Bloomington-based health system.
Legal maneuvers fail to keep UnitedHealthcare in state Medicaid program in 2025
UnitedHealthcare won't return to Minnesota Medicaid market in 2025
Humana, UnitedHealthcare post inaccurate network lists for Medicare Advantage plans
Insurers list North Memorial, HealthPartners as in-network next year, but health system owners say that's wrong — there's no network contract yet.
Blue Cross of Minnesota agrees to legal settlement for better mental health coverage
The insurer will be required to pay a $300,000 stayed civil penalty if a court finds Blue Cross violates settlement terms with Attorney General Keith Ellison.
Foreclosure auction looms for part of Normandale Lake Office Park as lender alleges $73M owed
A sheriff's sale for the 8500 Tower was previously scheduled for Oct. 10 but is now set for late November.
Report: UnitedHealth Group tops list of Medicare Advantage insurers receiving billions in questionable payments
Federal watchdog questions fees based on health assessments and chart reviews where patients apparently didn't get care.
Cyberattack at UnitedHealth subsidiary Change Healthcare affected 100M Americans
The scope of the February data breach is apparently a record and fits within the range previously suggested by the company's CEO.
Allina may exit Humana's Medicare Advantage network in 2025, affecting 18,000 Minnesotans
The move would mean thousands more seniors in Minnesota must weigh changing their insurance versus diminished access to doctors.
Minneapolis firm acquires Plymouth campus leased by Allina Health
Health care real estate firm Davis paid $72 million to acquire three buildings in a deal that closed in mid-October.
UnitedHealth Group falls on report of high medical costs, dampened outlook
Quarterly profit of $6.06 billion at the Minnetonka-based company beat analyst estimates on a per-share basis as revenue grew 9% over last year.
How to shop for the best deal on Medicare health and drug plans in 2025
A $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket drug costs in Part D plans is one of the big new benefits consumers will see during open enrollment.
Minnesota seniors face Medicare dilemma: Stick with doctors or health plans?
Five health systems with Minnesota operations say they'll go out of network next year with certain Medicare Advantage health insurers.
Ramsey County, St. Paul schools considering options for retirees caught in Medicare Advantage disruption
Ramsey County, St. Paul Public Schools float plan to let retirees buy Medicare Supplement policies at a higher price.
Mayo Clinic tells hundreds of Medicare Advantage patients to obtain new insurance to keep getting care
Mayo says patients can look for insurance plans in which the clinic is in-network. The change affects fewer than 600 Minnesotans.
Medicare Advantage disruptions hit another 5,900 seniors in Minnesota
North Memorial, Avera Health says the seniors won't be in-network for Humana next year. These and other recent network changes will affect nearly 60,000 Minnesotans.
Blue Cross of Minnesota snagged in multimillion-dollar Nigerian fraud scheme
Nigerian nationals allegedly 'spoofed' website and executive emails of local health system to wrongly collect $13 million in payments from three health insurers, indictment says.
Minnesota health insurers hiking premiums in 2025
Most carriers in the state's individual and small markets are raising rates by roughly 9% to 15%.
Union doctors demand Allina fix issues after lab work is outsourced to Quest Diagnostics
Doctors say problems go beyond rollout logistics, saying that delayed test results and reduced services are raising costs and slowing access to care.
University of Minnesota, Fairview delay deadline on pact for hospital sale
A February letter of intent called for a definitive agreement by Sept. 30, but officials say they need more time.
Minnesota AG seeks court oversight in dissolution of Rainbow Health
Attorney General Keith Ellison says the nonprofit group might not have enough money to fully satisfy its debts and obligations including payments to employees.
Union doctors call Allina lab transfer a 'disastrous, chaotic mess'
Allina acknowledges trouble but stresses improvement; doctors describe long waits for blood draws and widespread confusion about how to order tests;
FTC sues Optum Rx, rival pharmacy benefit managers over insulin pricing
UnitedHealth Group division calls the action "baseless" and that it shows "profound misunderstanding" of drug pricing.
UnitedHealth's Optum cuts more than 800 jobs this year, the latest in New Jersey
The company has not announced any cuts in Minnesota, but under law had to report the cuts in New Jersey, California and Ohio.
No easy answer on whether University of Minnesota should own its teaching hospital
As deadline nears for Fairview deal, new U president's inaugural health care panel highlights benefits of control at University of Michigan.
Klobuchar says courts should uphold law for Medicare drug price negotiations
Democratic lawmakers filed an amicus brief in an appeals case as the pharmaceutical industry fights a "pile-up" of losses in legal challenges.
Rally outside Optum HQ spotlights debate over pharmacy benefits managers
About 50 people gathered in Eden Prairie to allege biggest players in industry are ballooning drug costs while running independent pharmacies out of business, a claim that Optum denies.
As deadline looms, 'big, complex' deal to buy U of M Medical Center still unresolved
The U is deciding whether to reacquire the complex from Fairview; there could be wiggle room in the timeline.
Essentia Health wins arbitration dispute over control of Fosston hospital
Community leaders in northwest Minnesota town opposed the Duluth-based health system's decision to close labor and delivery services.
Essentia Health to drop from Medicare Advantage networks at UnitedHealthcare, Humana
Duluth-based health system cited high rates of claim denials and delayed payments as the reason for exiting the plans.
'This is not a bill': How to decipher explanations of benefits and pay for your medical care
From huge charges and enormous discounts to 'reason codes' for insurance coverage denials, perplexing paperwork is a common side effect with health care.
Medicare patient wrongly sent to collections in dispute between two UnitedHealth Group entities
The Minnesota-based insurer said he owed $275. The surgery center in St. Cloud wanted another $3,300. UnitedHealth owns both and is now apologizing.
CentraCare spending $228M on expansion projects in St. Cloud, Sartell
Health systems are investing in construction as financial results improve following pandemic slowdown.
Sanford Health dropping out of Humana Medicare Advantage network, affecting up to 10K Minnesotans
Word of the change comes one month after HealthPartners said it would leave the Medicare Advantage network at UnitedHealthcare next year.
Blue Cross of Minnesota paying $83K penalty over denied claims for sleep treatment
Eagan-based health insurer cites coding issue with vendor for the problem, which it says is now fixed.
Minnesota hospitals showing signs of financial recovery, but still not at pre-COVID levels
Five large health systems are seeing stronger financial results this summer, although most said margins still fall short of what's needed.
Rainbow Health, which provided services to LGBTQ community, dissolving with $900K in liabilities
The nonprofit, which shut down operations in July, filed its dissolution papers with the Attorney General's Office.
Four children ages 11-13 shot in Minneapolis while riding in stolen car
Police chief called the incident "outrageous" and said young people stealing cars are getting caught up in other serious crimes.
UnitedHealth has begun informing patients affected by major data breach
Data from 1 in 3 Americans may have been involved in the cyberattack on a subsidiary of the Minnetonka-based UnitedHealth earlier this year.
Minnesota seniors feel like pawns in HealthPartners, UnitedHealthcare dispute
Conflicting messages, unanswered questions as 30,000 patients face disruption in choosing doctors next year.
UnitedHealthcare sues Minnesota over ban on for-profit HMOs in Medicaid
Minnetonka-based health insurance giant is the first and only for-profit managed care plan in state programs for lower-income residents.
St. Paul school retirees caught in HealthPartners, UnitedHealthcare dispute
The district says it's exploring options because about 2,300 retirees are directly affected.
'It was just shocking': Rainbow Health workers push for answers on abrupt shutdown
Dozens of union workers at Rainbow Health lost their jobs and still don't understand what happened.
HealthPartners leaving United's Medicare Advantage network
The Bloomington-based hospital and clinical operator alleges too many denials or delays of payment; United says HealthPartners' allegations are untrue.
Children's Minnesota adding more clinic services in Twin Cities suburbs
The latest phase of the $8.2M project is expanding services in Lakeville, Rogers and Woodbury.
Rainbow Health abruptly shuts down services in Minneapolis
The union representing about 60 workers says staff were given no advance notice about closure at nonprofit that advocated for LGBTQ patients.
Cyberattack costs growing at UnitedHealth Group, but profit still better than expected
Adjusted earnings in second quarter came in at $4.22 billion, lower than last year.
Protesters say 11 arrested outside UnitedHealthcare HQ in Minnetonka
Critics have held a series of events highlighting what they describe as a pattern of improper coverage denials by the nation's largest health insurer.
How to shop for a health insurance plan in Minnesota
Insurance options can vary considerably depending on age, income, geography, employment status and the market. So don't be afraid to seek help when confronting this complicated decision.
South Dakota-based Sanford Health to merge with Marshfield Clinic in Wisconsin
The combined health system would be a large rural health care provider, with 56 hospitals and more than 250 clinics.
University of Minnesota closing nurse practitioner clinic in downtown Minneapolis
The clinic, closing Oct. 31, required more than $3 million in subsidies since opening in Downtown East in 2015.
FTC report slams pharmacy benefit managers, says firms inflate drug costs, squeeze competitors
A trade group for the companies, including two large players based in the Twin Cities, blasted the commission's interim report.
Minnesota wants fixes for Blue Cross plan after alleged contract breach
The state has issued a corrective action plan for the HMO after feds questioned Medicaid payment suspensions and timely fraud reporting.
Minnesota health insurers seek premium hikes for individuals up to 12.75%
The proposed increases are the steepest since 2021 in the individual market. Big jumps could also be on the horizon for small-business coverage.
Allina Health outsources some of its lab work to for-profit company Quest Diagnostics
The deal comes more than a month after the Minneapolis-based nonprofit health system transferred 2,000 workers to Optum.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota operating profit dropped 40% last year
The Eagan-based health insurer saw enrollment decline in its business managing care for Medicaid beneficiaries.
Clock is ticking on deal for U to buy teaching hospital from Fairview
Official says the university and Fairview Health Services are still working to finalize a sale agreement by the end of September.
Minnesota receiving $10.5 million in talc powder settlement with Johnson & Johnson
Attorneys general in 42 states alleged the New Jersey-based company deceptively promoted and misled consumers about talc powder products.
Minnesota AG pushing for U.S. Supreme Court review on pharmacy benefit manager rules
He's leading a group of attorneys general in defense of state regulations against "blatant abuses" by the industry.
CEO pay up at Duluth-based Essentia, slightly down at St. Cloud-based CentraCare
Final 2022 figures show four of 12 CEOs at state's largest nonprofits earned more than $3 million each.
Bloomington-based HealthPartners just broke even in 2023
While health care businesses delivered a small profit, investment income surged to $272 million.
UCare spent $5.5 million on legal fight with University of Minnesota
Combined with the university's fees, litigation rang up more than $7.7 million in expenses overall.
Police investigating two homicides in north Minneapolis
The victim, a 25-year-old man, was left on the ground ouside a vehicle just before noon on Saturday. Another was found on a sidewalk Saturday night.
Police halt south Minneapolis crime spree with three arrests
Juveniles are in custody following foot pursuit and the recovery of four handguns.
No injuries after South St. Paul police shoot at man brandishing a weapon
The suspect was jailed on probable cause second-degree assault following the Friday night incident.
U.S. senator seeks investigation of cybersecurity lapses at UnitedHealth Group
The finance committee chair wants reviews by the FTC and SEC. The company says it's strongly committed to security.
For-profit HMOs will, again, be blocked from Minnesota's Medicaid program
Legislative change partially restores market protections for nonprofit health plans that were dropped in 2017.
UnitedHealth Group acquires large mental health group in Twin Cities
The company's Optum division now owns three outpatient mental health providers in Minnesota.
Kansas denies UCare's bid for Medicaid contract
The Minneapolis-based HMO previously failed with an expansion effort to manage care for patients in Iowa.
Emptying state institutions was supposed to help fix mental health care. What happened?
Why the system for community mental health care did not get fully built.
Minnesota fines UnitedHealthcare $450K over alleged mental health parity violations
The settlement is third in a series where insurers did not admit or deny allegations. HealthPartners and Medica previously agreed to pay fines.
How to make sense of a college financial aid package
With FAFSA woes delaying aid offers, these tips can help families make comparisons on a tight deadline.
