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CMS announces obesity drug coverage in Medicare, Medicaid
On Tuesday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced a proposed rule for coverage of obesity drugs in Medicare and Medicaid, starting in 2026.
After notice and comment rulemaking, the rule would need to be finalized under the Trump Admi…
UnitedHealthcare wins lawsuit over star ratings
UnitedHealthcare has won its lawsuit against the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services over the calculation of Medicare Advantage star ratings.
A federal court in Texas on Friday ordered CMS to recalculate UnitedHealth’s 2025 star ratings without …
Senators urge action on physician payment cut before end of lame duck session
With only three weeks left in the legislative calendar, 41 senators have signed a letter urging Senate leaders to prevent the 2.8% physician pay cut scheduled to go into effect on January 1.
Express Scripts, Caremark, OptumRx fight back in lawsuit against FTC
Express Scripts, Caremark and OptumRx are suing the Federal Trade Commission for trying to “upend present day drug rebate contracts.”
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday, Nov. 19 in federal court in Missouri.
It stems from an FTC lawsuit against the same PBM…
CVS announces Dr. Sreekanth Chaguturu as president, Health Care Delivery
Oak Street Health cofounder Mike Pykosz, president of CVS’ healthcare delivery arm, is departing CVS.
CVS released the news Tuesday, when it announced that Dr. Sreekanth Chaguturu will replace Pykosz and become president, Health Care Delivery, in addit…
Trump picks Dr. Mehmet Oz to head CMS
TV celebrity, cardiothoracic surgeon and former Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz is president-elect Donald Trump’s pick to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Elevance, UnitedHealth among insurers accused of alleged price fixing
Orthopedic providers have filed a lawsuit against Elevance, UnitedHealthcare and other insurers alleging they entered a multibillion-dollar price-fixing scheme with MultiPlan.
The complaint claims the scheme was aimed at suppressing payment rates to do…
Tenet to deploy AI platform across its physician network
Tenet Healthcare is deploying an ambient AI platform across Tenet Physician Resources.
Tenet has partnered with Commure for Commure Scribe, a platform that will integrate clinical workflows. This is expected to reduce administrative burden by streamlin…
Telehealth prescribing of controlled drugs extended through 2025
For the third time, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services has extended telemedicine flexibilities for the prescribing of controlled medications and certain narcotic drugs.
The extension is through December …
Trump picks RFK Jr. to lead HHS
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, according to Reuters.
