Christopher Snowbeck
Reporter
BusinessSince 1994, Snowbeck has covered health care stories at four newspapers including the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Daily Progress of Charlottesville, Va. He lives in St. Paul with his wife, two daughters and two cats. He graduated from Carleton College as a history major with a concentration in medieval studies. He serves on the board of directors for the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists. He's also a runner.
Latest from Christopher Snowbeck
Health Care
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.
September 13, 2024
Health Care
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.
September 12, 2024
Business
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.
September 11, 2024
Business
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.
September 10, 2024
Business
‘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.
September 9, 2024
Business
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.
August 31, 2024
Business
CentraCare spending $228M on expansion projects in St. Cloud, Sartell
Health systems are investing in construction as financial results improve following pandemic slowdown.
August 28, 2024
Health Care
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.
August 28, 2024
Business
‘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.
September 9, 2024
Business
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.
August 31, 2024
Business
CentraCare spending $228M on expansion projects in St. Cloud, Sartell
Health systems are investing in construction as financial results improve following pandemic slowdown.
August 28, 2024
Health Care
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.
August 28, 2024