Recent content from Christopher Snowbeck
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.
MNsure breaks open enrollment record with 146,000 signups
The previous peak came two years ago when more than 134,000 people enrolled in coverage via Minnesota's health insurance exchange.
Bright Health is moving its HQ from Minnesota to Florida, changing name
After shedding the health insurance business that drove massive growth, the company will change its name to NeueHealth, once a small part of its business.
Feds sue Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota over health care provider tax payments
The U.S. Department of Labor alleges the nonprofit insurer served its own interests over those of certain employer health plans that it administers.
UnitedHealth reports rising medical costs from RSV vaccines, seasonal illness
The Minnetonka-based health care giant saw fourth-quarter earnings grow 15% to $5.46 billion.
State task force debates need for new University of Minnesota hospital
Former Govs. Dayton and Pawlenty support launching a fund for the new medical center, but some task force members want to pump the brakes.
Essentia Health, Marshfield Clinic call off merger
The Minnesota and Wisconsin health systems say the proposed combination is "not the right path forward for our respective organizations."
Edina patient scrambles after delay in shipping cancer meds
A FedEx package with $18,000 worth of medicine was placed in a mailbox and removed by the U.S. Postal Service. It took a week for it to resurface back at the pharmacy.
UnitedHealth Group cutting losses with sale of health care business in Brazil
The deal next year is expected to bring a $7 billion charge for the Minnetonka-based health care giant.
MNsure hits enrollment record with 132,000 sign-ups since November
Open enrollment for individual coverage continues through mid-January at the state's health insurance exchange.
How to use — and not lose — your FSA dollars as the end of year approaches
FSAs can be a great way to save money on certain medical expenses, but research suggests that roughly 50% of workers each year wind up forfeiting funds.
Minnesota attorney general brings charges in large Medicaid fraud case
Keith Ellison's office says three people will be arrested and charged with 24 counts totaling $11 million in fraud.
University of Minnesota seeking up to $80M from state for health care programs
The request comes as the University continues negotiating with Fairview Health Services.
Drugs, inflation driving higher health plan costs across U.S. — including Minnesota
Annual employer survey points to a second consecutive year of 5.2% increase, with spending on new weight-loss drugs helping drive the increase.
UnitedHealth Group forecasts growth despite 'price cut' in Medicare Advantage
The Minnetonka-based health care giant expects a profit of more than $24 billion next year on $400 billion in revenue.
Ex-Govs. Pawlenty, Dayton urge Fairview, University of Minnesota to resolve dispute
U's interim president tells state task force it won't be seeking an appropriation for a new East Bank hospital in the coming legislative session.
Fairview tells U it does not want to renew current partnership
The move comes weeks before a Dec. 31 deadline for either party to signal opposition to an auto-renewal of the U-Fairview affiliation after 2026.
HealthPartners plans new Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater
No financial details were provided, but the health system says similar projects cost about $400 million.
Lawsuit accuses UnitedHealth of using faulty AI to deny Medicare patient claims
Minnetonka-based health care giant says there's no merit to the new class action lawsuit, which claims the company is using artificial intelligence to override physician determinations.
Hospitals across Minnesota report more financial stress
Beyond rising labor expenses, one-third of hospitals surveyed said supply and service costs are growing by more than 10%.
Fairview's recent layoffs include significant cut to chaplain program
Workers say staff chaplain layoffs are concentrated at University of Minnesota Medical Center. Fairview says "dozens" will continue meeting patient spiritual needs.
Bright Health fined $1M over alleged denied claims errors, including for newborn care
Nebraska insurance regulators reported thousands of problems with claims processing, including improper denials and late payments to medical providers.
Minnetonka-based Medica names new CEO
Lisa Erickson had been chief financial officer at the health insurer, which has grown through an acquisition and expansion into new states.
Minneapolis-based Fairview is eliminating 250 jobs through layoffs, attrition
Workers are being notified Thursday of cuts driven by financial challenges like those facing many hospitals and clinics.
Minnesota restoring Medicaid coverage for 12,745 state residents
Insurance will re-start by the end of November. The move follows a call for changes by the federal government in Minnesota and 28 other states.
The care was crucial. He had insurance. His hospital bill? A whopping $155,493.
One Woodbury man's story shows how patients can get stuck in the middle when insurers and hospitals fight over coverage details.
Vikings, C.J. Ham fight stigma on mental health: 'I struggle, too'
The Vikings' mental health campaign highlights stories from players and employees about everything from anxiety and depression to mental well-being.
UnitedHealth Group raises alarm on price of new weight-loss drugs in U.S.
"Innovation that is not affordable is not innovative," CEO says as the Minnetonka-based health care giant reported a third-quarter profit of $5.84 billion, up 11% from the same period last year.
Minnesota AG Ellison to review mergers proposed by health systems in Duluth and Wisconsin
Essentia Health has proposed merging with Marshfield Clinic while St. Luke's has a deal to combine with a different health system based in Wausau.
Through floods and tornado, mayor led Granite Falls for more than 25 years
David Smiglewski helped his western Minnesota community recovery from disasters while celebrating its natural history.
UnitedHealthcare to sell individual health plans in Wisconsin, three other states
With these new offerings, the Minnetonka-based insurance company will sell coverage via government-run marketplaces in 26 states next year.
Task force to study if University of Minnesota health programs need more money
The group's chair expects to wade into whether the University of Minnesota needs to own and replace its teaching hospital — but not into business details with Fairview.
Minnesota health plan rates for individuals to rise as much as 5.5% next year
MNsure estimates that federal tax credits will drive out-of-pocket premium reductions of about 5% on average next year for qualifying households.
HealthPartners to build $50.5 million specialty clinic in Woodbury
The project comes as Allina is planning a large hospital building in Minneapolis and Fairview is starting construction on a mental health facility in St. Paul.
Feds say Minnesota must restore Medicaid coverage, pause disenrollments
Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia must improve auto-renewals to see if beneficiaries can maintain health insurance without more paperwork.
Bloomington-based Bright Health's chief operating officer leaving with $2.25M severance
Leadership change comes as company is trying to pivot after the loss of its core health insurance business.
