Cigna’s profits jump thanks to employer-sponsored plans

The Latest

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  UHS flags rising uninsured volumes in Q2

  “Virtually everyone” losing Affordable Care Act coverage is going insured, one UHS executive said. The hospital operator expects to lose $10 million more than expected as a result this year.

  Hospitals

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  Is your healthcare data center actually ready for AI?

  Is your healthcare infrastructure limiting AI potential? Modernize your data center for the speed, security and reliability AI workflows need.

  Health IT

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  Included Health to acquire Firefly Health

  Included is hoping that Firefly’s offerings will help set it apart in a crowded employee benefits space, especially as employers become increasingly open to alternative health plan arrangements.

  Payer

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  ICHRA adoption slowed by ACA exchange costs, instability

  Many employers are considering the coverage arrangements, but worries about the ACA marketplaces — including potentially high costs for workers — are making them hesitant to move forward, according to a survey.

  Payer

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  ‘Back on track’: Centene swings to more than $1B in profit in Q2

  The managed care giant raised its 2026 earnings outlook for the second time this year following the results, which its CFO called “fantastic.”

  Payer

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  Previous vaccinations shouldn’t bar worker’s religious vaccine exemption request, 9th Circuit says

  The update is the latest in a COVID-19 vaccine mandate case brought by a former consultant against Kaiser Permanente's medical group.

  Hospitals

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  Intermountain acquires 2 Idaho hospitals from Surgery Partners

  The regional nonprofit and the surgical facility operator have co-owned the facilities since 2023. But Surgery Partners, which expects to net almost $800 million from the deal, is looking to reorient its portfolio towards outpatient care.

  Hospitals

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  Almost all of HCA’s Affordable Care Act patients are going uninsured. Here’s how that affected Q2

  People formerly covered by the ACA exchanges are remaining uninsured almost on a one for one basis. “For us, obviously, it’s not a good thing,” CEO Sam Hazen said.

  Hospitals

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  Tracker

  Tracking healthcare data breaches

  A breach at a medical billing and services company may have exposed the data of about 1.3 million people.

  Updated July 28, 2026

  Hospitals

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  Tenet raises 2026 outlook after weathering ACA headwinds

  The hospital operator recorded a $65 million hit from turbulence on the Affordable Care Act exchanges in the second quarter, but avoided the worse repercussions slamming some of its peers.

  Hospitals

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  HHS appeals invalidation of 2025 ACA rule

  The Trump administration is fighting to restore controversial provisions that a judge threw out last month, including shorter sign-up windows and heightened eligibility verification.

  Payer

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  FDA names Dexcom as first participant in digital health pilot

  Selected devices will be exempt from certain pre-market requirements while manufacturers collect real-world data through Medicare.

  Health IT

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  Rise of uninsured patients hits CHS’ finances in Q2

  CHS’ financial results fell below internal expectations as the hospital operator served more uninsured patients and surgery volumes declined, executives said.

  Hospitals

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  No Surprises disputes continue to swell, CMS finds

  Providers and payers initiated 16% more disputes in the second half of 2025 compared with the first half, according to new federal data. But arbiters are closing challenges more quickly and tackling a backlog of disputes.

  Payer

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  Molina plans additional ACA cuts in 2027

  Molina’s second quarter was complicated, with stability in Medicaid and outperformance in Medicare Advantage overshadowed by problems in the ACA exchanges. The trend was “unfortunate,” according to the insurer’s CEO.

  Payer

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  CMS appeals Clover MA stars lawsuit

  Last week’s appeal is the latest development in Clover’s legal saga to get the CMS to recalculate its Medicare Advantage star ratings.

  Updated July 24, 2026

  Payer

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  CMS moves to codify limits on Medicaid provider taxes

  The new proposed rule is meant to prevent states from guaranteeing providers will be refunded for their taxes, and should save Washington $246 billion over the next decade, regulators said.

  Hospitals

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  Nabla names new CEO as AI scribe looks to scale

  Brian Manning, who previously worked at health tech companies like Bamboo Health and Zocdoc, has replaced the AI company’s co-founder and former CEO Alex LeBrun.

  Health IT

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  Labor Department proposes rule expanding disclosure e-delivery for employer plans

  The rule pitched Wednesday would make it easier for group health plans regulated by ERISA to share mandatory notices with their members. A DOL official called the proposal a “big step forward.”

  Payer

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  1 in 4 workers stay in unwanted jobs for health coverage, survey finds

  More Americans are keeping jobs they would otherwise leave for fear of losing their insurance, as healthcare costs rise and non-employer coverage seems less affordable, according to a new poll.

  Payer

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  Intermountain Health, AdventHealth plan joint venture in Denver

  AdventHealth is expected to have a majority interest in the partnership, which will unite Denver-area hospitals and clinics owned by the two nonprofits. The deal is expected to close early next year.

  Hospitals

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  Trump administration pauses $1B in Medicaid payments to California, Minnesota

  The HHS halted more Medicaid funding to the states on Tuesday, citing concerns about fraud. Critics have slammed the “attack first, ask questions later” strategy of the deferrals, which have only impacted blue states to date.

  Payer

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  GE HealthCare inks 10-year, $500M alliance with Catholic Health

  The deal is the latest in a series of pacts that GE HealthCare has made with health systems, including Sutter Health and UC San Diego.

  Hospitals

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  Cardinal inks 2 acquisitions in bid to expand at-home services

  The company agreed to buy a diabetes health business and medical supplier Strive Medical to boost its growing in-home solutions unit.

  Medical Groups

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  Novo sues Lilly, alleging ‘misleading’ advertising of obesity drugs

  The lawsuit follows a cease-and-desist request and argues Lilly is using “deceptive” ads to claim its GLP-1 products are broadly superior to Novo’s medicines. Lilly countered that its campaign is “truthful.”

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  Clinic and physician practice bankruptcies spike in 2026 so far

  The bankruptcies come as the healthcare sector faces looming financial pressures, including cuts to Medicaid, according to the report by Gibbins Advisors.

  Finances

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