Rebecca Pifer

The governors of Oregon, California, Maine, New York and Virginia don’t think it’s possible for states to meet the Jan. 1 deadline to stand up work requirements while protecting beneficiaries.

About 20.8 million Medicare beneficiaries will receive a $90 direct deposit or check this month, the latest in a growing list of cash payments promised by the White House in advance of the November midterm elections

On Monday, the HHS and Labor and Treasury Departments finalized a rule meant to strip out junk cluttering cost disclosures, among other reforms. Employers cheered the changes, which are a mixed bag for insurers.

About 80% of hospitals are having their Medicare payments shaved down because of the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program this fiscal year, compared to 78% the year prior, according to CMS data.

The insurer is gearing up for growth in more lucrative MA markets next year. Dive Brief:

Joining forces could give the two Chicagoland systems a leg up in the region's fragmented and competitive hospital market — if regulators approve.

The proposed changes would implement key healthcare provisions in a government funding package from February. The brunt of the reforms would go into effect in 2028.

The major insurers are entering new Affordable Care Act markets as others are leaving the exchanges en masse, though in the cases of Centene and UnitedHealthcare, they paper over larger state exits.

States jacked up their Medicaid rates in July, a positive development for the insurer. Elevance now thinks its Medicaid margin will be slightly better than -1.75% this year.

Another trade association is taking the HHS and CMS to court over their decision to lock out new agents and brokers from participating in open enrollment for 2027 Affordable Care Act plans.