Jakob Emerson

Chicago

Associate News Director at Becker's Hospital Review

Assoc. News Director @beckershr | @depaulu alum | Chicago lover | NorCal raised

Articles

Elevance assures investors with reaffirmed 2025 earnings guidance

1 week ago | beckerspayer.com | Jakob Emerson

Elevance Health is reaffirming that shareholders’ adjusted net income guidance for full year 2025 will be $34.15 to $34.85 per diluted share. The company said in an April 17 regulatory filing that its first quarter results will reflect medical cost trends that are in line with its original expectations, including within its Medicare Advantage business. Elevance noted that MA costs have remained high, but it still expects to enroll 2.2 to 2.25 million MA members by the end of 2025.
UnitedHealth feels 'better than pretty good' about pharma tariffs - Becker's Payer Issues

1 week ago | beckerspayer.com | Jakob Emerson

UnitedHealth Group is feeling “better than pretty good” about the potential for pharmaceutical tariffs and the resulting possible impact on its businesses. President Donald Trump has threatened tariffs on pharmaceutical imports, with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick saying April 13 that the tariffs will be implemented “in a month or two.”“When we look at our potential exposures, we feel pretty good.
UnitedHealth cuts earnings guidance amid rising Medicare Advantage costs

1 week ago | beckerspayer.com | Jakob Emerson |Rylee Wilson

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Anthem reaches settlement in mental health parity case: 3 notes - Becker's Payer Issues | Payer News

1 week ago | beckerspayer.com | Rylee Wilson |Jakob Emerson |Andrew Cass

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Alignment names AI, chief experience leaders

1 week ago | beckerspayer.com | Rylee Wilson |Jakob Emerson |Andrew Cass

Alignment Healthcare has promoted two executives to lead its AI and member experience efforts. Arta Bakshandeh, DO, has been named president of AVA, the company’s AI clinical insight platform, according to an April 15 news release. Dr. Bakshandeh was most recently Alignment’s chief medical informatics officer, according to his LinkedIn profile. Alignment also promoted Aly Duzich to chief experience officer.
Humana loses star ratings appeal

1 week ago | beckerspayer.com | Rylee Wilson |Jakob Emerson |Andrew Cass

CMS has denied an appeal from Humana to raise its 2025 star ratings, the company disclosed in an April 15 court filing. Humana saw its Medicare Advantage star ratings drop significantly from 2024 to 2025, which will hurt the company’s 2026 revenues. Star ratings determine the bonuses CMS pays to MA plans. Humana filed its lawsuit in October 2024 challenging the ratings in federal district court in Texas.
Medicare Advantage coding differences drove $33B in extra payments: Study

1 week ago | beckerspayer.com | Jakob Emerson |Andrew Cass |Rylee Wilson

Differential coding practices led to a significant increase in Medicare Advantage risk scores and an estimated $33 billion in additional payments to plans in 2021, according to a March study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The study analyzed 697 MA contracts across 193 insurers using data from CMS for calendar years 2015 through 2020, covering a total of more than 27 million lives.
300 PAs sue Michigan Medicine claiming gender pay discrimination - Becker's Hospital Review | Healthcare News & Analysis

1 week ago | beckershospitalreview.com | Erica Carbajal |Laura Dyrda |Mariah (Handy) Taylor |Jakob Emerson

More than 300 current and former physician assistants have filed a lawsuit against Ann Arbor-based Michigan Medicine, alleging the academic health system dismissed years of gender-based wage gaps between male and female PAs. The lawsuit was filed April 15 in the Washtenaw County Circuit Court and claims “systematic and long-standing gender-based disparities” violate Michigan’s Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act, as well as other state and federal laws, according to local news reports.
2 Permanente Medicine groups affiliate

1 week ago | beckershospitalreview.com | Laura Dyrda |Mariah (Handy) Taylor |Jakob Emerson |Alan Condon

Two medical groups caring for Kaiser Permanente members have forged a closer alignment to increase patient access and improve quality of care. Northwest Permanente in Oregon and The Permanente Medical Group of Northern California formally unveiled their affiliation April 16, shortly after the Oregon Health Authority’s Healthcare Market Oversight Program approved the transaction April 11.
Indiana governor signs 9 healthcare executive orders, will reform Medicaid - Becker's Hospital Review | Healthcare News & Analysis

1 week ago | beckershospitalreview.com | Jakob Emerson |Alan Condon |Anna Falvey

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed nine executive orders April 15 that will implement Medicaid eligibility reforms, initiate nutrition studies related to chronic disease, and make changes to SNAP benefits.