Major U.S. health insurers say they will streamline controversial process for approving care

Major U.S. health insurers say they will streamline controversial process for approving care

UnitedHealthcare signage is displayed on an office building in Phoenix, Arizona, on July 19, 2023. Patrick T. Fallon | Afp | Getty Images Health plans under major U.S. insurers said Monday they have voluntarily agreed to speed up and reduce prior authorizations – a process that is often a major pain point for patients and … Read more

Healthy Returns: What to know about the FDA’s plan to speed up some drug reviews

Healthy Returns: What to know about the FDA’s plan to speed up some drug reviews

FILE PHOTO: The headquarters of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seen in Silver Spring, Maryland November 4, 2009.  Jason Reed | Reuters A version of this article first appeared in CNBC’s Healthy Returns newsletter, which brings the latest health-care news straight to your inbox. Subscribe here to receive future editions. The Food … Read more

Taking on Goliath: Brain surgeon’s clash with UnitedHealthcare shows insurer’s hardball tactics

Taking on Goliath: Brain surgeon’s clash with UnitedHealthcare shows insurer’s hardball tactics

Dr. Catherine Mazzola, a pediatric neurosurgeon, runs a practice she says is in serious jeopardy because of recent moves by UnitedHealth Group. Zach Gross for NBC News Dr. Catherine Mazzola, a pediatric neurosurgeon, runs a practice in New Jersey that treats low-income children on Medicaid. Since 2008, she has cared for boys and girls with cerebral palsy, … Read more

How UnitedHealthcare became the face of America’s health insurance frustrations

How UnitedHealthcare became the face of America’s health insurance frustrations

Flags fly at half staff outside the United Healthcare corporate headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota, Dec. 4, 2024. Stephen Maturen | Getty Images News | Getty Images It took six months, countless hours on hold and intervention from state regulators before Sue Cover says she finally resolved an over $1,000 billing dispute with UnitedHealthcare in 2023. … Read more

Jim Cramer’s top 10 things to watch in the stock market Monday

Jim Cramer’s top 10 things to watch in the stock market Monday

My top 10 things to watch Monday, May 19 1. Bonds are crushing stocks this morning, with the 30-year Treasury yield north of 5% and the 10-year Treasury yield topping 4.5%, in response to Moody’s downgrading its rating on U.S. sovereign debt. The S & P 500 is on track to open lower by about … Read more

UnitedHealth Group shares plunge 18% on reported DOJ probe into possible Medicare fraud

UnitedHealth Group shares plunge 18% on reported DOJ probe into possible Medicare fraud

Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Shares of UnitedHealth Group plunged more than 18% on Thursday following a report that the Justice Department is conducting a criminal investigation into the health-care giant over possible Medicare fraud. The DOJ is focusing on the company’s Medicare Advantage business practices, but the exact nature of the potential criminal … Read more

UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty steps down, company suspends annual forecast

UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty steps down, company suspends annual forecast

Andrew Witty, CEO of UnitedHealth Group, testifies during the Senate Finance Committee hearing titled “Hacking America’s Health Care: Assessing the Change Healthcare Cyber Attack and What’s Next,” in the Dirksen Building in Washington, D.C., on May 1, 2024. Tom Williams | Cq-roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images UnitedHealth Group on Tuesday announced the surprise exit … Read more

UnitedHealthcare sued by shareholders over reaction to CEO’s killing

UnitedHealthcare sued by shareholders over reaction to CEO’s killing

Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare. Courtesy: UnitedHealth Group A group of investors sued UnitedHealthcare Group on Wednesday, accusing the company of misleading them after the killing of its CEO, Brian Thompson. The class action lawsuit — filed in the Southern District of New York — accuses the health insurance company of not initially adjusting their 2025 … Read more

Healthy Returns: Trump seeks to change Medicare drug price negotiations in a win for pharma

Healthy Returns: Trump seeks to change Medicare drug price negotiations in a win for pharma

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 21, 2025. Leah Millis | Reuters A version of this article first appeared in CNBC’s Healthy Returns newsletter, which brings the latest health-care news straight to … Read more

UnitedHealth’s stock is plunging on higher medical costs. That may mean trouble for more insurers

UnitedHealth’s stock is plunging on higher medical costs. That may mean trouble for more insurers

The logo of UnitedHealth appears on the side of one of its office buildings in Santa Ana, California, on April 13, 2020. Mike Blake | Reuters UnitedHealth Group‘s stock sank 20% on Thursday after the company slashed its annual profit forecast, citing higher-than-expected medical costs in its privately run Medicare plans.  Those bleak results from … Read more