Recent content from Christopher Snowbeck
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.
Minneapolis-based UCare seeks to continue growth, vying for Medicaid business in Kansas
Following months of prep work, nonprofit health insurer expects to learn results from bidding process in April.
Report: Notorious ransomware group launched cyberattack on UnitedHealth Group
A group called "Blackcat" targeted a network for filling prescriptions that's operated by the company's Change Healthcare subsidiary, sources told Reuters.
Cyberattack hits UnitedHealth Group unit by actor with suspected 'nation-state' ties
Network interruption includes systems used by pharmacies to file coverage claims with health insurers.
HealthPartners building a new $80M Como Clinic, the St. Paul site that started it all
After pandemic delays, a replacement structure is planned for the founding clinic at the Bloomington-based health system.
After big loss, Allina Health reports signs of financial turnaround
Minneapolis-based health system lost $317.8 million on operations last year, but saw a small profit during the fourth quarter.
Road to baggage claim re-opened after damage at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport
The road to the Terminal 1 baggage claim was closed late Saturday after a truck hit and damaged an overhead sign.
Teenager shot in St. Paul, hospitalized with serious wound
The shooting occurred early Saturday morning in the city's North End.
Skater injured during 'Disney on Ice' show at Target Center in Minneapolis
The performer was taken to a local hospital. Her condition was not immediately available.
Infant found dead at casino hotel near Granite Falls
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is assisting with the investigation.
University of Minnesota intends to buy teaching hospital from Fairview
Regents at the U approved a letter of intent to repurchase its teaching hospital from the health system more than 25 years after it transferred ownership.
UnitedHealth Group president and chief operating officer to retire
Dirk McMahon held a series of leadership positions at the Minnetonka-based company over the past two decades .
Task force offers support for University of Minnesota health center plans — with an asterisk
Group calls for strategic plan across training programs and funding to address workforce shortages.
Minnetonka-based Medica lays off 162 workers
The health insurer's move is to "align our resources with business priorities."
Allina Health deal shifting 2,000 workers to Optum
Health system announces 10-year agreement on IT, revenue cycle management with UnitedHealth Group unit
Nonprofit health insurers keep making money in Minnesota
DFL lawmakers question whether HMOs should continue managing care in the state's Medicaid program
Median nonprofit CEO pay in Minnesota jumps 25% in compensation comeback
The state's health systems say they're paying incentives to retain executives during tough times
Mayo Clinic selling its stake in Abu Dhabi medical center for $150M
The purchase price is reportedly about $150 million for an ownership stake that dates to 2019.
