08 Apr Health Data News Roundup: Medicare Advantage Rates Disappointment; Gen AI Impact on Payers; and Fast-Growing UnitedHealthcare Plan

Welcome to the Health Data Weekly News Roundup from IMAT Solutions. As the power of data continues to grow in the healthcare arena, today’s care organizations need to be on the forefront of all news and trends to help ensure that their data analytics efforts deliver accountable and informed care. Each week, we will provide you with the actionable news you need to meet these goals.

Health Insurer Stocks Slide as Final Medicare Advantage Rates Disappoint
Last week, shares of U.S. health insurers fell after the Biden administration didn’t boost payments for private Medicare plans as much as the insurance industry and investors had hoped, according to this CNBC article.

Patients Benefit When Providers, Payers and Vendors Work Together
Forming collaborative healthcare ecosystems between health systems, insurers and IT developers helps supports the goal of delivering cost-effective preventive care, says Adam Chee, associate professor, National University of Singapore, in this Healthcare IT News video.

HHS Extends Special Enrollment Period for Former Medicaid Beneficiaries
HHS has extended the temporary special enrollment period to facilitate marketplace enrollment for beneficiaries who lost Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage following eligibility renewals.

CMS Final Rule Improves Access to Affordable Care Act Marketplace Coverage
CMS has finalized policies to increase access to marketplace coverage and expand essential health benefits (EHBs) in the HHS 2025 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters final rule.

How Price Transparency Could Affect U.S. Healthcare Markets
Price transparency rules, and complementary industry innovations, could better align U.S. healthcare cost and quality, according to this recent McKinsey analysis.

Payers and Providers Anticipate Greatest Impact of Gen AI on Health Outcomes and Member Experience
The majority of U.S. health plans and health systems believe that vertical integration and generative AI (gen AI) will have a positive impact on payer-provider friction and consumer experience and engagement, according to this new study.

UnitedHealthcare’s Fastest Growing Commercial Plan
UnitedHealthcare’s Surest is the organization’s fastest growing commercial health plan, boasting no deductibles and a shoppable healthcare experience built around price transparency, according to this recent Becker’s Payer Issues article.