ELV (US)


December 17, 2025

Obamacare Subsidy Developments: Lots of Movement but Still in Same Place for Now; Path Remains for Subsidy Deal in 1Q

By Beth Steindecker

Today’s news that four House Republicans joining House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ (D-NY) discharge petition for a straight three-year extension of the enhanced Obamacare subsidies – and with House GOP leadership narrowly passing its own…

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November 26, 2025

Medicare Advantage Tech Changes Proposal: RFI Eases Risk Adjustment Concerns, Star Rating Changes Afoot [HUM, ALHC, UNH, CVS, ELV, PRVA, ASTH]

By Beth Steindecker

Our read of the proposed Contract Year 2027 Policy and Technical Changes regulation for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D (fact sheet here), confirms our expectations for a positive regulatory backdrop for 2027 for MA [HUM, ALHC,…

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November 9, 2025

Obamacare HIX Fix: HSAs for All or Compromise on Subsidy Changes? We Still Think the Latter [OSCR, CNC, ELV, MOH, UNH, HQY, WBS, EHTH]

By Beth Steindecker

President Trump’s Truth Social posts over the weekend, along with that of other Republicans, suggest an existential threat for Obamacare insurers [OSCR, CNC, ELV, MOH, UNH] and potentially other commercial health insurers [CI, CVS] while…

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November 7, 2025

Obesity Drug Pricing Deal: Devil in the Details

By John Leppard

As outlined by the Trump administration, we view yesterday’s obesity drug pricing deal with NVO and LLY as a modest near-term positive (potentially better for LLY), with the $245 / mo. price point for Medicare…

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November 5, 2025

Medicare Advantage: Still Expecting Light Regulatory Touch for CY27 [HUM, ALHC, AGL, UNH, CVS, ELV, CNC, PRVA]

By Beth Steindecker

Listening to recent earnings calls held by various Medicare Advantage (MA) insurers and value-based care providers [HUM, ALHC, AGL, UNH, CVS, ELV] leaves us with the following thoughts on the MA regulatory policy environment for…

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October 15, 2025

PBMs: Policy Headwinds Persist with Some New Developments [CVS, CI, UNH, ELV]

By Beth Steindecker

Policy headwinds facing pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) [CVS, CI, UNH, ELV] remain entrenched despite shifting details since this spring. Recent developments, like California’s PBM law, White House drug pricing efforts, and the FTC litigation, underscore…

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October 14, 2025

[HUM] Stars Rating Litigation Likely Brings Chapter to Close

By Beth Steindecker

We think this morning’s court ruling against Humana (HUM) in its Medicare Advantage (MA) Stars litigation is likely the end of the road in its efforts to secure a higher score for its 2026 payment…

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October 6, 2025

Still Optimistic on Obamacare Subsidy Fix with Reforms, But Less So on Age Rating and Reinsurance [OSCR, CNC, ELV, CYH, THC, HCA, UHS, ACHC]

By Beth Steindecker

Nearly a week into the government shutdown, with the parties dug in, we continue to expect Congress to “fix” the enhanced Obamacare subsidy cliff, benefiting exchange insurers, hospitals, and behavioral health providers. The questions remain…

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September 29, 2025

Medicare Advantage: CMS’ Stable Message Eclipsed by Falling Enrollment Forecast, But A Wait and See Attitude Is Appropriate

By Beth Steindecker

While reports over the weekend about CMS’s Friday release of the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Plan (PDP) premium, deductible and other information for the 2026 plan year focused on the 2.6% projected cut…

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September 26, 2025

Medicare Advantage RADV Audits in Legal Limbo, But Don’t Discount Its Resurrection [HUM, UNH, CVS, CNC, ELV, ALHC]

By Beth Steindecker

Medicare Advantage (MA) insurers [HUM, UNH, CVS, CNC, ELV, ALHC] received some positive legal news that for now neutralizes the concern of widespread Medicare audits and potential concomitant recoupments. However, yesterday’s federal district court ruling…

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