Recent content from Christopher Snowbeck
Allina selects site for $150 million replacement hospital in Cambridge, Minn.
New facility in Isanti County comes as the health system has construction projects in the south metro, too.
How the 'Father of the HMO' helped make Minnesota a model for health care reform
Dr. Paul Ellwood's Minnesota think tank advised presidents and left an indelible mark with alumni, including the founder of UnitedHealth Group. Back then, HMOs "were the rebels pushing for change."
Ridgeview adding hospital beds for orthopedic cases to campus in Chaska
Joint venture with Twin Cities Orthopedics follows state approval to reclassify 20 beds previously used for rehabilitation
As states ban abortion, Minnesota's employers weigh medical travel benefits
After the Supreme Court's decision, state's largest companies with operations in multiple states — such as Medtronic, 3M and Ecolab — face decisions on health plans.
Fired workers sue Mayo Clinic over COVID-19 vaccine mandate
More than two dozen former workers allege the clinic wrongly denied them religious exemptions.
UnitedHealthcare, Mayo Clinic reach network agreement for Medicare Advantage patients
Seniors in UnitedHealthcare plans across the country will have in-network access to the Rochester-based clinic
Health insurers seek premium increases up to 6% in individual market in Minn.
The range of proposed changes is lower than what carriers sought last summer for 2022 coverage.
UnitedHealth Group unit paying $1.5B for UK tech company
The deal would extend Optum's work for nearly 20 years with the National Health Service in the United Kingdom.
Minnesota extends Medicaid coverage to 12 months after giving birth
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced approval of the state's plan.
What happened to those 2020 pay cuts? Final CEO pay numbers mixed in Minnesota
Some cuts in salary, bonus were offset by increases in "other" pay at hospitals; compensation jumped at health insurers
Minnesota's largest hospitals saw revenue rebound in 2021 — but uncertainty remains
Patients returned in 2021 after $1 billion in financial support kept health systems break-even during the pandemic's first year.
Minnesotans still get surprise medical bills even after Congress tried to stop them
The federal No Surprises Act provides more protection for consumers, but consumers need to be on guard.
Young peregrine falcons learn to fly over Mayo Clinic in Rochester
The Rochester clinic is marking the 35th anniversary of a program to host a nesting pair atop one of its towering buildings.
Labor costs cut into first quarter operating income at Rochester-based Mayo Clinic
Expenses grew faster than revenue due in part to contract labor and temporary premium pay for workers
Medtronic closes on deal to acquire Intersect ENT
The announcement came one day after the Federal Trade Commission imposed conditions on the acquisition.
FTC says Medtronic must divest subsidiary of device maker it wants to acquire
Medical device manufacturer is trying to buy Intersect NET Inc., a maker of sinus implants, in a $936.2 million deal.
Prime Therapeutics paying $1.35 billion for Magellan Health's pharmacy business
The Eagan-based pharmaceutical benefits manager is acquiring Magellan Rx, a specialty drug manager for complex patients including those covered by Medicaid
Medica paid nearly $233 million for majority stake in Wisconsin health plan
The Minnetonka-based health insurer recently disclosed financial details of the 2021 deal in a financial statement.
Bright Health Group reports progress on claims processing, risk adjustment
Bloomington-based health insurer projects exiting small markets will help save $100 million.
Blue Cross parent's operating income slipped to $28.3 million in 2021
One-time factors impacted earnings for a third consecutive year at the state's largest nonprofit health insurer
Minnesota seeks $1.25 million fine against CVS Caremark over pharmacy rules
Civil money penalty is the largest the Commerce Department has sought under new state regulations for pharmaceutical benefit manufacturers.
UnitedHealth Group founder to retire from the board after more than 40 years
Richard Burke launched the company that became UnitedHealth Group and was CEO through 1987. The health care giant is now America's fifth-largest public company.
UnitedHealth Group offers $236M to buy Massachusetts medical group
With more than 690,000 adult and pediatric patients, Atrius Health would become part of UnitedHealth's Optum division for health care services.
Minnesota reports lowest-ever uninsured rate, but racial disparities worsened
One in 10 Minnesotans of color and American Indians lacked coverage, even as the statewide uninsured rate dropped to 4%.
Fairview Health Services lost nearly $133 million last year amid COVID challenges
Investment income and government aid carried the Minneapolis-based health system through a third consecutive year of operating losses.
HealthPartners income surges to $150 million with rebound in patient care
The Bloomington-based health insurer and hospital operator saw record claims for health care services in 2021.
Mayo Clinic investing $49 million to expand lab operation in Rochester
Construction is underway at a facility that saw a surge in demand for testing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
$1B in government aid helped financial performance at Minnesota hospitals
Hospitals saw a median operating margin of 1.2% during the first year of the pandemic — results that would have been much worse without emergency assistance.
Bloomington-based Bright Health to exit individual market in six states for 2023
Health insurer says the markets are expected to contribute less than 5% of total revenue this year.
UnitedHealth Group boosts outlook as quarterly profit exceeds $5 billion
The Minnetonka-based company saw growth in Medicare Advantage health plan membership and in its network of outpatient health care centers.
Bloomington-based Bright Health fined $1 million in Colorado over operational missteps
The Colorado Division of Insurance said it received more than 100 complaints from consumers and health care providers about the health insurance company.
Savings from Minnesota insulin safety net program jumped to $6.9 million in 2021
The total value of insulin received by state residents from manufacturers tripled during program's first full year.
Deanna Mills, leader of safety-net clinics in the Twin Cities who saw health care as a matter of social justice, dies at 67
As executive director at three different community health centers, she forged collaboration among clinics across the Twin Cities.
UnitedHealthcare partners with Twins on 'Sensory Suite' at Target Field
New space at ballpark for 'neuroatypical' ticket holders is meant to be a resource for those with autism and other developmental differences.
Minnesota seniors face deadline for making switches in Medicare Advantage health plans
The three-month period for changes that ends Thursday can help seniors who've found coverage problems.
UnitedHealth Group paying $5.4B for Louisiana-based home health firm
The deal is the latest example of the company's push into direct patient care in settings outside hospitals.
St. Louis Park-based Allina Health Aetna names new CEO
Dr. Robert Wieland has been part of executive leadership at the joint venture health insurer since its founding in 2018.
Mayo-backed nonprofit Civica Rx plans to make low-cost insulin starting in 2024
The Rochester-based clinic was one of nine founding health systems that helped launch the manufacturer. It plans to sell insulin for a fraction of current prices.
North Memorial buys Fairview Health's stake in Maple Grove Hospital
The deal came six months after North Memorial's CEO described a "frustratingly slow" effort to agree with Fairview on expansion plans for the hospital.
UnitedHealth Group wins reversal in landmark case on behavioral health coverage
A federal appeals court found that the health insurer's interpretation of employer-sponsored health plan terms was "not unreasonable."
MNsure opens special enrollment period for Salvasen Health enrollees in Minnesota
About 550 Minnesotans must find new coverage after buying it from a Texas firm that wasn't licensed to sell health insurance in Minnesota.
UCare names new CEO amid growth in Minnesota's public health insurance programs
Hilary Marden-Resnik is named chief executive as the Minneapolis-based nonprofit reports record enrollment.
Albert Lea seniors caught in insurance quagmire, with limited access to new clinic
Residents are asking the Minnesota attorney general to help resolve the issue.
UnitedHealth Group blasts DOJ arguments in lawsuit over Change Healthcare deal
The Minnetonka-based health care giant says the government has "no basis in fact or law" for blocking the $13 billion acquisition.
Bright Health Group general counsel stepping down, second executive departure in 2022
Bloomington-based health insurer has announced two exits by top executives in two months amid plunging share price.
Minneapolis-based UCare looks to expand into Iowa health insurance market
If successful, the nonprofit's bid for Medicaid business would continue a trend of Minnesota insurers seeking growth in the Hawkeye state.
Minnesota-based Bright Health cutting about 150 jobs following large losses
The health insurer says it's trimming approximately 5% of its 3,000-person workforce
Risk adjustment, claims processing woes still troubling Bright Health Group
Bloomington-based health insurer's share price dropped 20% in early trading after releasing fourth-quarter results.
Blue Cross claims 'profiteering' by lab in COVID-19 testing
Litigation seeks to recover more than $10 million in alleged overpayments, but GS Labs calls the complaint an example of "strong-arm gamesmanship" by health insurers.
Mayo Clinic's operating income soared to $1.2B last year
More patients visited Mayo's clinics in Minnesota, Arizona and Florida in 2021 — and when hospitalized, they stayed longer.
The 'Mask Nerd' of Minneapolis wants you to be safe
Testing the quality of masks has made Aaron Collins a social media star and go-to source for wisdom on personal protective equipment.
Abbott Northwestern planning new 10-story hospital building in Minneapolis
Construction of the approximately 500,000-square-foot addition to the medical center campus would begin in late 2022 or early 2023.
Justice Department sues to block UnitedHealth Group acquisition of Change Healthcare
The government alleges the proposed $13 billion acquisition would harm competition among health insurers and in the health care technology market.
Mayo Clinic spending $785 million to expand, replace hospitals in Florida, Minnesota and Wisconsin
The clinic is enlarging or enhancing medical centers in Mankato, La Crosse, and Jacksonville, Fla.
Minnesota health insurers passing more COVID costs to patients
Health plans are now treating the financial consequences of the infectious disease like other ailments.
Mayo Clinic raises pay increases more than previously planned, citing inflation concerns
Minnesota's largest employer announced guaranteed minimum wage increases of 4%, up from the previously announced 2%.
Mayo stops scheduling some Medicare Advantage patients
Seniors in UnitedHealthcare plans are among those no longer getting clinic appointments due to capacity concerns. But the change also hints at a financial dispute.
Rating agency cites 'governance concern' in lowering outlook for Blue Cross of Minnesota
Moody's points to "lack of track record" among top executives plus low profitability and membership declines.
Counties begin distributing KN95 masks throughout Minnesota
Health agencies are giving out about 650,000 masks, primarily to people with limited access to higher-quality ones.
Blue Cross of Minnesota to settle with 'Pharma Bro' Martin Shkreli's former drug company
Firm once led by "Pharma Bro" to pay insurers, including Eagan-based Blue Cross, up to $28 million under terms of the settlement
How to get your free N95 mask in Minnesota
The federal government's free N95 respirators are arriving in the state. What you need to know.
Free N95 masks from government trickling in across Minnesota
Pharmacies say high-filtration face coverings are starting to arrive with more expected in Minnesota as soon as today.
Want at-home COVID tests for free? Avoid these coverage pitfalls in Minnesota
Health plans have added plenty of fine print to the government mandate for coverage of rapid tests administered at home.
Bigger tax credits drive 10% jump in MNsure sign-ups across Minnesota
More than 134,000 sought insurance coverage through the state's health exchange during open enrollment.
UnitedHealthcare partners with Walmart on free at-home COVID tests
Insurer says the cost of federally mandated testing might be offset by lower health care use with pandemic surges.
Health plans begin coverage for at-home COVID tests in Minnesota
State says consumers need to check first with insurers for details on how to access the new benefit.
With no federal mandate, large Minn. employers consider vaccine requirements
Employers with diverging camps in their workforces — the vaccine hesitant and the exposure averse — will now have to choose their battle.
Omicron's speed drives shift in Minnesota's COVID-19 mindset
Infections might seem inevitable, but health officials stress that prevention still works — and is crucial in the near term.
Employers adjust plans after court halts vaccine mandate
Private employers have more control over their corporate vaccination policies, but health care providers will still need to meet the federal mandate requirements.
Mayo dropping 700 workers for lacking COVID vaccination
Rochester-based health system says about 1% of employees did not comply with vaccine mandate.
Minnesota study provides more evidence of COVID-19 vaccine safety for pregnant women
The report from Bloomington-based HealthPartners and other centers found that COVID-19 vaccines have not caused preterm or small-for-gestational-age births.
Crowding prompts Minnesota to halt walk-in COVID testing at MSP
Appointments now needed for Minnesota Department of Health testing site at the airport.
Minnesota's COVID-19 rate drops to 30th amid U.S. omicron surge
Positivity rate of COVID-19 testing has increased as Minnesota weighs impact of holidays, latest variant.
State's vaccine pioneers reflect on pandemic's rollercoaster year
Twelve months after becoming among the first to get vaccinated, health care workers worry about what may come next with COVID-19.
Children's Minnesota plans to shift ICU capacity to Minneapolis campus
St. Paul campus will lose pediatric intensive care at some point in 2022 while adding an inpatient psychiatric unit.
