Recent content from Christopher Snowbeck
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.
What's a fair price for University of Minnesota Medical Center?
U, Fairview entering key valuation phase in potential deal to sell the teaching hospital in Minneapolis.
Minnesota AG Ellison brings charges in Faribault area Medicaid fraud scheme
Co-conspirators are accused of fraudulent billing for transportation, interpreter and specialty clinic services.
Congress slams UnitedHealth's cybersecurity, calls company 'a monopoly on steroids'
Andrew Witty is on Capitol Hill today, answering questions about the health giant's data breach.
UCare saw $82.1M operating loss last year as patients returned for care
Red ink occurred after unusually profitable 2022 for HMOs in Medicaid and other public health insurance programs.
AG Ellison calls on UnitedHealth to provide more help in cyberattack
Attorneys general in 22 states signed a letter calling the response thus far "inadequate" and questioning if company-owned clinics have received more assistance than others.
Fairview sees financial upturn despite $189M operating loss last year
Fifth year of red ink reported as health system CEO cites progress on deal to return teaching hospital to U of M.
UnitedHealth reveals hackers may have stolen data on a sizable number of Americans
The Minnetonka-based health care giant will offer identity protection and credit monitoring as preliminary investigation suggests hack affected data for a "substantial proportion" of Americans.
Burnsville woman's sinus surgery went great — until she got the $32,449 medical bill
Billing dispute provides a window on tensions between insurers and health care providers over coverage denials.
Cyberattack could cost UnitedHealth Group up to $1.6B this year
Minnetonka-based health care giant still beat first quarter earnings beat expectations after excluding one-time costs, including those related to the hack.
How to save money at the pharmacy counter
Health insurance benefits are the first tool, but shopping around, paying cash and accessing coupons are strategies to consider, as well.
Mpls. therapy clinic sues over cyberattack at UnitedHealth subsidiary
Class action lawsuit is one of about two dozen filed thus far. Minnetonka-based company says it is restoring Change Healthcare systems that were sidelined to contain the threat.
A new skyway is 823 feet long — but is it the longest skyway in Minnesota?
A new flying corridor at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis nearly stretches the length of three football fields — but is that a record?
Minnesota report finds uninsured rate hits all-time low in state, but health care costs still barrier
Health Department report suggests the share of state residents lacking coverage improved slightly last year compared with 2021.
Bright Health CEO's bonus grew to $1.95M amid slashed workforce
The company, which was founded in Minnesota, cut its workforce by more than half after exiting the health plan business.
North Memorial's Maple Grove Hospital expansion plans still on hold due to issues in Robbinsdale
The health system must solve the financial challenges at its flagship hospital in Robbinsdale first, even though Maple Grove is operating at overcapacity levels.
Report: Tax breaks for Mayo, other hospitals outweigh community benefit
Hospitals say the study is "deeply flawed" for not factoring research, teaching and Medicaid expenses.
North Memorial laying off 103 workers, cutting outpatient mental health
Health system cites lower pay from government-sponsored health plans, recent funding cut from Hennepin County.
UnitedHealth says it's doled out $2B to health care providers after cyberattack
Minnetonka-based health care giant is asking clinics and hospitals to seek financial help after reports of problems receiving payments.
Minnesota health care groups struggling to find UnitedHealth financial aid
Minnetonka-based health care giant says thousands are being helped across the country after cyberattack, even as frustration builds.
Lawsuit alleging UnitedHealth caught with 'hand in cookie jar' to go to trial
Trial coming on allegations the health care giant kept low-performing Wells Fargo funds as key 401(k) option due in part to 'balance of trade' with the bank.
What you should know about the UnitedHealth cyberattack
Patients will need to watch medical bills closely in the coming weeks and months as the billing mess gets sorted out. Risks from stolen data are unclear.
UnitedHealth Group expects mid-March recovery for systems affected by cyberattack
Pharmacy systems are operating again, the company says, and other repairs are coming soon. Health care providers say mess remains, warn of 'financial cliff.'
Medical providers say UnitedHealth cyberattack fallout 'a mess' that threatens their financial health
Lawsuits in Minnesota claim the Minnetonka-based health care giant didn't do enough to prevent an attack that continues to stymie health care providers. The company reports progress on fixes.
University of Minnesota faces big choices on medical programs, and its new leader is a doctor
Regents said they hoped Rebecca Cunningham's experience in medicine and higher education administration would help the U of M at a pivotal time.
Fallout grows from cyberattack at UnitedHealth Group subsidiary
Hospitals say they might need financial support; small clinics aren't sure if they can make payroll.
Mayo Clinic operating profit jumps to $1.1B as staffing woes recede
Pay increases helped with recruitment and retention, setting the stage for another salary bump starting next month.
Report: Justice Department opens antitrust investigation at UnitedHealth Group
DOJ previously lost its 2022 attempt to block a UnitedHealth acquisition on allegations the deal would harm competition.