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August 8, 2026

Takeaways from the most recent news in the technology and policies shaping healthcare.

Payers

Humana to Exit MA Plans Covering 600,000 Members in 2027

By Healthcare Technology News ·

Humana expects to exit Medicare Advantage plans covering about 600,000 members in 2027, deepening a retreat that reflects mounting cost pressure across the MA business. The move was disclosed on the insurer's July 29 second quarter earnings call, according to Becker's Hospital Review.

CFO Celeste Mellet said Humana will try to hold on to some of those members by steering them into other plans. "We will work to recapture a significant portion of that volume as we did in 2025," she said. In 2025, the company recaptured just over half of the members hit by earlier exits, a benchmark for how much of the 2027 volume it might retain.

The decision fits a broader industry pattern. Insurers are trimming unprofitable MA plans and geographies as medical costs rise and star ratings tighten, prioritizing profitability over raw enrollment. For members, exits mean shopping for new coverage; for providers, they can reshuffle networks and payer mix heading into 2027.

Sources

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Payers

CVS Caremark Names Keith Reynolds Chief Growth Officer

CVS Caremark named 25-year company veteran Keith Reynolds as chief growth officer as Chief Sales Officer Jim Fowler retires.

Why it matters: CVS Caremark is one of the largest PBMs in the US, and its growth strategy shapes drug costs for millions as regulators scrutinize the industry.

Payers

Medicaid's Rocky Summer: 6 States Signal What Comes Next

A year after HR 1, Medicaid faces looming eligibility checks and work requirements, with six states serving as bellwethers for coverage and financial impact.

Why it matters: Medicaid churn drives uncompensated care and margin pressure for hospitals while reshaping insurer enrollment ahead of 2027 rule changes.

Payers

UnitedHealthcare Tightens Reimbursement on Five Lab Tests

UnitedHealthcare is adding reimbursement limits on five lab test categories across its major plan lines, with most policies effective Sept. 1.

Why it matters: New payer limits mean more denials and documentation burden for labs and physicians ordering these tests.