Recent content from Christopher Snowbeck
Big medical expenses drove $176 million operating loss last year at Medica
Minnetonka-based nonprofit health insurer's new strategic plan builds on market exits in Arizona, Illinois and Kansas at the start of 2025.
University of Minnesota heart specialists question proposed Essentia Health merger
The university has spent more than $4 million on consultants for its shifting health care plans over the past 14 months.
UnitedHealth Group stock closes down 22%, erasing nearly $120B in market value
Eden Prairie-based health care giant's first-quarter profit and revenue fell short of expectations, a rare miss on financial results.
Fairview says it lost more than $7 million from cyberattack at UnitedHealth Group subsidiary
Health system lawsuit alleges negligence and breach of contract, seeks restitution and more than $75,000 in damages.
Facing financial jeopardy, clinics sue to stop UnitedHealth from collecting on emergency loans
Eden Prairie-based company insists it's been flexible with collections following Change Healthcare cyberattack.
Charges outline negotiation with armed Hopkins man who threatened to shoot UnitedHealthcare building
An internal memo from UnitedHealth Group on Tuesday directed workers to employee assistance program and access to counseling after the arrest of Ian Stanley Wagner on Monday.
Fairview made money on its health care services for the first time in six years
Operating profit show major financial turnaround for the Minneapolis-based health system.
Minnesota Blue Cross parent company's operating profit fell 73% last year
Eagan-based health insurer says the decline in earnings stemmed from "historically high" use of medical services.
DOJ urges judge to keep alive whistleblower lawsuit against UnitedHealth Group
A new filing objects to a special master's report in March that found "complete failure" of evidence by the government.
UCare 'doing everything possible' to avoid layoffs after $504M operating loss
Minneapolis-based health insurer says it's implementing a multi-year strategic plan to turn around financial results.
Allina's $230M sale of its medical lab helped it avoid operating loss last year
The price of the deal was disclosed for the first time in bond filings, showing how it helped flip a net operating loss last year to a net profit at the Minneapolis-based health system.
More than 350,000 notices sent over $69M class action settlement at UnitedHealth Group
Emails and letters were sent by March 24 to current and former workers who invested in certain 401(k) investment options.
UnitedHealth Group scrubs DEI from some company webpages
Eden Prairie-based health company was still posting Friday its most recent sustainability report promoting diversity, equity and inclusion goals.
Lawsuit alleges securities fraud, profit-boosting scheme at UnitedHealth Group
Eden Prairie-based health care giant blasts the complaint, saying it substitutes "page volume for substance" and misreads stock trades by top executives.
Health insurers made $41B the year COVID landed. Why are they raising rates now?
Analysts say current cost trends, including use of popular weight loss drugs, are pushing premiums up following a period of moderate rate increases.
Pay starts flowing when nonprofit CEOs leave the job
In recent years, Medica and Blue Cross of Minnesota provided millions in pay to their chief executives at the end of the road.
University of Minnesota offers to buy Fairview's stake in large clinic and surgery venture in Minneapolis
The Minneapolis-based health system and University of Minnesota Physicians have been in arbitration over unspecified disputes.
Mayo Clinic's $1.3B operating profit sets new yearly record
Rochester-based health system has seen double-digit growth since 2022 in outpatient visits, hospital admissions.
Report finds 'complete failure' of evidence against UnitedHealth Group in whistleblower case
A court-appointed special master says the Justice Department hasn't developed "any evidence" for key claims. Her recommendation now goes to a federal judge.
What is Medicaid, and what could federal cuts mean for Minnesotans?
Congressional Republicans are eyeing changes to the nation's largest health insurance program, which 1.2 million Minnesotans rely on.
Top Senate Republican demands answers on Medicare Advantage billing from UnitedHealth Group
U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley says health plans 'continue to defraud' taxpayers in letter asking questions of Eden Prairie-based health care giant.
One year later, UnitedHealth still sending breach notices from massive hack at Change Healthcare
Letters this month are telling patients that last year's cyberattack "may have involved your data." Lawsuits are moving forward.
DOJ investigating Medicare Advantage billing practices at UnitedHealth Group: Report
Eden Prairie-based health care giant says it's not aware of the launch of any new Justice Department activity as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
As alleged CEO killer heads to court, UnitedHealth spars with surgeon, investor in coverage dispute
A Texas physician says she was called out of surgery to argue coverage and an influential investor believes her. The insurer is pushing back against what it regards as online misinformation.
UnitedHealth Group begins offering employee buyouts, could resort to layoffs
Eden Prairie-based health care giant says 'voluntary option' is ongoing as workforce keeps growing.
Lawsuit alleging UnitedHealthcare used faulty AI to deny coverage advances in federal court
Minnetonka-based health insurer says lawsuit is based on "unfounded allegations" and insists medical directors make decisions, not artificial intelligence.
UnitedHealthcare fined $3.4M by insurance regulators in North Carolina
Minnetonka-based health insurer did not admit findings or violations of law alleged in a report on patient grievances and claims processing.
University of Minnesota Regents encourage talks with Fairview on Essentia merger
U President Rebecca Cunningham is continuing to push a concept the Minneapolis-based Fairview health system rejected earlier this week.
University of Minnesota offered Fairview $600M to buy back its teaching hospital
Minneapolis-based health system said the sum wouldn't cover debts; the U then developed proposal with Essentia Health.
Fairview Health Services says no to University of Minnesota plan for merger with Essentia Health
Minneapolis-based health system says it must maintain independence, but could support a "strategic partnership" involving the university and the Duluth-based health system.
UnitedHealth paying $20.25M to settle lawsuit alleging improper denial of certain medical claims
The U.S. Department of Labor alleged wrongful denials for ER and urinary drug screening; Eden Prairie-based company says processes are no longer in place.
UnitedHealth rebuts Justice Department allegations in $3.3B Amedisys deal
Eden Prairie-based health care giant says Amedisys acquisition would boost efficiency, innovation and quality in hospice, home care markets.
UnitedHealth drops motion to dismiss DOJ's antitrust case in $3.3B Amedisys deal
The Eden Prairie-based company said its motion is now "moot" after the Justice Department's filing in late January.
Eagan's Prime Therapeutics hit with $10.3M judgment in price-fixing case
Safety net provider alleged pharmacy benefit manager collaborated with a rival to set low payment rates to pharmacies.
UnitedHealth Group, two Blues plans had highest denial rates for ACA health plans in 2023
Eden Prairie-based health care giant blasts finding based on just Affordable Care Act plans; researchers note limitations with data.
1 in 2 Americans affected by UnitedHealth cyberattack, new disclosure shows
Updated tally at Change Healthcare, owned by the Eden Prairie-based health care giant, nearly doubles the number of people affected by the massive data breach.
University of Minnesota, Essentia Health propose $1B partnership on academic medicine
The U announced a "proposed framework" for a nonprofit entity with the Duluth-based health system, but the connection to Fairview's University of Minnesota Medical Center is unclear.
Marc Gorelick retires as CEO of Children's Minnesota after seven years
Gorelick led Minnesota's largest pediatric hospital through COVID-19 and the aftermath of George Floyd's murder.
Insider named as new CEO for UnitedHealthcare insurance business
Tim Noel joined the company in 2007 and most recently ran the business for Medicare health plans.
MNsure sets record as more than 167,000 Minnesotans sign up for health insurance
Individuals who don't get coverage from employers or government programs tap federal tax credits via the state's health exchange.
UnitedHealth Group shrinks urgent care business
All Minnesota locations are now closed as leaders at the Eden Prairie-based health care giant cite a strategy shift to full-service clinics.
Medicare to negotiate lower prices for popular weight-loss drugs
Wegovy, Ozempic added to list of drugs where the federal government will try winning discounts from manufacturers.
Faith-based investor group pushes UnitedHealth Group to study claim denials in wake of CEO murder
Investors seek "introspection" at Eden Prairie-based company with report on the patient impact from prior authorization rules.
Minnesota says Sanford Health illegally cut hours, denied leave for pregnant worker
South Dakota-based health system agreed to pay penalties, add training and follow laws under consent order, but disputed the state's findings.
Lawsuit in Minnesota deepens pharmacy benefit manager pushback against state regulations
The plaintiffs argue federal law lets employers structure medicine benefits in ways the 2019 state law threatens.
Mayo Clinic sues Sanford Health Plan over $700K in unpaid medical bills
Rochester-based hospital says Sanford's misrepresentations have stuck the clinic with the bills; Sanford counters that Mayo is "looking to shift blame for its mistakes."
Nebraska AG sues UnitedHealth Group over health data breach at Change Healthcare
The Nebraska litigation is believed to be the first from a state attorney general and follows lawsuits earlier this year from patients and health care providers.
UCare says 8,400 patients can't visit HealthPartners clinics next year
People with state-sponsored and Medicare Advantage coverage can switch health plans to keep seeing doctors at the Bloomington-based health system.
UnitedHealth Group agrees to $69 million settlement over low-performing retirement plan options
Minnetonka-based health care giant denies allegations in case where judge saw evidence of "hand in the cookie jar."
Slain UnitedHealthcare executive is remembered amid the fury sparked by his death
Brian Thompson became a poster boy for the failings of U.S. health insurance, but coworkers said he was smart, charitable and concerned about people.
UnitedHealth Group CEO acknowledges need to better explain how insurance decisions are made
Company says 90% of medical claims are paid upon submission, less one percent are scrutinized for medical or clinical reasons.
Suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO did not have insurance coverage from the company
Minnetonka-based healthcare company confirmed the disclosure by New York police about suspect Luigi Mangione.
U searching for new health care chief as negotiations continue on hospital deal
Interim leader would join the university in early 2025; no word on a purchase price for University of Minnesota Medical Center.
UnitedHealthcare CEO's slaying brings criticism of U.S. insurance industry to a boiling point
Greater transparency from health insurers is sought as costs of insurance continue to grow faster than wages.
UCare closing offices amid safety concerns after UnitedHealthcare CEO's killing
Minnetonka-based Medica previously announced temporary HQ shutdown as health plans move to protect workers.
UnitedHealth Group CEO calls colleague's killing 'profoundly shocking and disturbing'
Message to workers comes as health insurers admit to feelings of vulnerability and concern with the death of chief executive Brian Thompson. Investigators found a backpack in Central Park like the one that had been carried by the shooter, police said.
Police reveal person of interest as Minnesotans who knew murdered UnitedHealthcare CEO mourn
Those who knew Brian Thompson struggled to make sense of what authorities described as a targeted attack on him in New York City.
Motive unknown in 'brazen, targeted attack' that killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in NYC
New York Police Department still searching for the shooter; executives were meeting for investor conference, which was closed abruptly.
FAQ: Everything you need to know about Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare, the nation's largest insurer, is owned by parent company UnitedHealth Group. UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot Wednesday.
McGovern's Pub in St. Paul open for business after roof fire
Officials said the fire, which was quickly extinguished, might have stemmed from downed power lines. No one in the building was injured.
Opaque drug discount program delivered $630 million last year to safety net hospitals, clinics in MN
First-of-its-kind report brings new transparency to a lucrative funding stream for certain health care providers, raising questions about how they use it.
Allina Health dropping Humana Medicare Advantage health plans, impacting 17,000
Minneapolis-based health system becomes the fifth with operations in MN to say it's going out-of-network with Humana for 2025.
Mayo Clinic expands charity care, writes off $90 million in patient debts
New policy follows questions about whether large nonprofit medical centers provide enough community benefits to justify their tax exemptions.
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.
