UNH (US)


November 12, 2024

(UNH, AMED) Reported Threat of DOJ Complaint Brings Overhang and Extended Invitation to Negotiate

By Beth Steindecker

Key Takeaways: We continue to expect that UNH’s acquisition AMED will be completed, despite reports that the DOJ is preparing to sue to block the $3.3B deal on antitrust concerns. While clearly a setback, this…

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November 3, 2024

[AMED, EHAB, PNTG]: Final CY25 Medicare Home Health Rates In-Line and Foreshadow Future CMS Rate Pressures

By Beth Steindecker

Key Takeaways:  Changes to Medicare home health payments live up to expectations of a minimal increase, but with future negative adjustments following CMS’s release of its CY25 final rule Friday. As we wrote in mid-October,…

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October 21, 2024

Managed Care Policy Puts and Takes

By Beth Steindecker

Key Takeaways: We remain optimistic about the long-term policy outlook for the managed care industry, despite the puts and takes for different business lines associated with the outcome of the upcoming elections on Nov. 5….

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October 17, 2024

[AMED, EHAB, PNTG]: History Suggests Slight Home Health Medicare Rate Increase, But Risk of a Cut Remains Unappreciated

By Beth Steindecker

Key Takeaways:  Medicare reimbursement history suggests home health agencies are in store for a very low single-digit increase YoY in overall Medicare payments and their 30-day base rate when CMS issues its final CY25 payment…

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October 11, 2024

Negative Tone Confirmed for CY25 Medicare Advantage Stars and Beyond as Goalposts Continue to Move

By Beth Steindecker

Key Takeaways: As we expected, CMS’s release of the CY25 Medicare Advantage (MA)/Part D star ratings continues to limit program “largesse,” making bonus awards more selective and ratings harder to maintain YoY. For CY25, fewer…

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October 8, 2024

Negative Tone Ahead for Medicare Advantage Stars While Awaiting CY25 Awards

By Beth Steindecker

Key Takeaways: Developments involving Humana (HUM) and UnitedHealth (UNH) last week show CMS remains intent on limiting the financial “largesse” insurers receive in its Medicare Advantage (MA)/Part D (PDP) star rating quality bonus program by…

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