loader from loading.io

70. With The Cigna-HCSC Sale, Who Is Right About Medicare Advantage?

The Healthcare Labyrinth

Release Date: 04/11/2025

87. 2024 Medicare Advantage and Part D Program Audit Enforcement Report Out: What Does It Tell Us? show art 87. 2024 Medicare Advantage and Part D Program Audit Enforcement Report Out: What Does It Tell Us?

The Healthcare Labyrinth

CMS’ Medicare Advantage (MA) program audits are getting tougher and more detailed every year.   About The Podcast: Millions of Americans feel confused and frustrated in their search for quality healthcare coverage. Between out-of-control costs, countless inefficiencies, a lack of affordable universal access, and little focus on wellness and prevention, the system is clearly in dire need of change. Hosted by healthcare policy and technology expert Marc S. Ryan, the Healthcare Labyrinth Podcast offers accessible, incisive deep dives on the most pressing issues and events in American...

info_outline
86. Will The New 100% RADV Audits Be Fair To Medicare Advantage Plans? show art 86. Will The New 100% RADV Audits Be Fair To Medicare Advantage Plans?

The Healthcare Labyrinth

While justified, there is some question about whether the new RADV audits will be fair to MA plans. About The Podcast: Millions of Americans feel confused and frustrated in their search for quality healthcare coverage. Between out-of-control costs, countless inefficiencies, a lack of affordable universal access, and little focus on wellness and prevention, the system is clearly in dire need of change. Hosted by healthcare policy and technology expert Marc S. Ryan, the Healthcare Labyrinth Podcast offers accessible, incisive deep dives on the most pressing issues and events in American...

info_outline
85. Healthcare Developments Beyond The One Big Beautiful Bill show art 85. Healthcare Developments Beyond The One Big Beautiful Bill

The Healthcare Labyrinth

The Big Beautiful Bill buried some other important healthcare developments. About The Podcast: Millions of Americans feel confused and frustrated in their search for quality healthcare coverage. Between out-of-control costs, countless inefficiencies, a lack of affordable universal access, and little focus on wellness and prevention, the system is clearly in dire need of change. Hosted by healthcare policy and technology expert Marc S. Ryan, the Healthcare Labyrinth Podcast offers accessible, incisive deep dives on the most pressing issues and events in American healthcare. Marc seeks to help...

info_outline
84. The One Big Beautiful Bill Passes show art 84. The One Big Beautiful Bill Passes

The Healthcare Labyrinth

The one big beautiful bill has passed. Listen in to learn about how it happened and the impact of healthcare reductions. About The Podcast: Millions of Americans feel confused and frustrated in their search for quality healthcare coverage. Between out-of-control costs, countless inefficiencies, a lack of affordable universal access, and little focus on wellness and prevention, the system is clearly in dire need of change. Hosted by healthcare policy and technology expert Marc S. Ryan, the Healthcare Labyrinth Podcast offers accessible, incisive deep dives on the most pressing issues and...

info_outline
83. Are There Smarter Healthcare Cuts? show art 83. Are There Smarter Healthcare Cuts?

The Healthcare Labyrinth

There are smarter healthcare cuts and sensible reforms that could be made and spare major impacts to coverage. About The Podcast: Millions of Americans feel confused and frustrated in their search for quality healthcare coverage. Between out-of-control costs, countless inefficiencies, a lack of affordable universal access, and little focus on wellness and prevention, the system is clearly in dire need of change. Hosted by healthcare policy and technology expert Marc S. Ryan, the Healthcare Labyrinth Podcast offers accessible, incisive deep dives on the most pressing issues and events in...

info_outline
82. Will Health Plan Pain Continue? show art 82. Will Health Plan Pain Continue?

The Healthcare Labyrinth

As bad as health plans have had it the past few years, trends seem to show the pain continuing. About The Podcast: Millions of Americans feel confused and frustrated in their search for quality healthcare coverage. Between out-of-control costs, countless inefficiencies, a lack of affordable universal access, and little focus on wellness and prevention, the system is clearly in dire need of change. Hosted by healthcare policy and technology expert Marc S. Ryan, the Healthcare Labyrinth Podcast offers accessible, incisive deep dives on the most pressing issues and events in American...

info_outline
81. How Mighty Big Healthcare Has Fallen show art 81. How Mighty Big Healthcare Has Fallen

The Healthcare Labyrinth

The mighty big healthcare companies have fallen, in this case a victim of their own financial mismanagement and shenanigans. About The Podcast: Millions of Americans feel confused and frustrated in their search for quality healthcare coverage. Between out-of-control costs, countless inefficiencies, a lack of affordable universal access, and little focus on wellness and prevention, the system is clearly in dire need of change. Hosted by healthcare policy and technology expert Marc S. Ryan, the Healthcare Labyrinth Podcast offers accessible, incisive deep dives on the most pressing issues...

info_outline
80. Republicans Are In Stealth Mode On Healthcare Coverage Cuts, But The Impact Is Real show art 80. Republicans Are In Stealth Mode On Healthcare Coverage Cuts, But The Impact Is Real

The Healthcare Labyrinth

The GOP is not following the same overt repeal of healthcare coverage as it did in 2017, but the stealth approach still has real impact. About The Podcast: Millions of Americans feel confused and frustrated in their search for quality healthcare coverage. Between out-of-control costs, countless inefficiencies, a lack of affordable universal access, and little focus on wellness and prevention, the system is clearly in dire need of change. Hosted by healthcare policy and technology expert Marc S. Ryan, the Healthcare Labyrinth Podcast offers accessible, incisive deep dives on the most...

info_outline
79. Managed Care Enters New Cycle; Medicare Advantage Needs To Pivot To Thrive show art 79. Managed Care Enters New Cycle; Medicare Advantage Needs To Pivot To Thrive

The Healthcare Labyrinth

Managed care is entering a new conversion cycle just as Medicare Advantage plans have to pivot to thrive. About The Podcast: Millions of Americans feel confused and frustrated in their search for quality healthcare coverage. Between out-of-control costs, countless inefficiencies, a lack of affordable universal access, and little focus on wellness and prevention, the system is clearly in dire need of change. Hosted by healthcare policy and technology expert Marc S. Ryan, the Healthcare Labyrinth Podcast offers accessible, incisive deep dives on the most pressing issues and events in American...

info_outline
78. The Budget Reconciliation Saga show art 78. The Budget Reconciliation Saga

The Healthcare Labyrinth

The House has passed the budget reconciliation bill, but the Senate intends to put its mark on the bill and there are competing forces as in the House. Final passage is some time off still. About The Podcast: Millions of Americans feel confused and frustrated in their search for quality healthcare coverage. Between out-of-control costs, countless inefficiencies, a lack of affordable universal access, and little focus on wellness and prevention, the system is clearly in dire need of change. Hosted by healthcare policy and technology expert Marc S. Ryan, the Healthcare Labyrinth Podcast...

info_outline
 
More Episodes
With the recent sale of Cigna’s Medicare business to Big Blue HCSC, there is a noticeable split in the Medicare Advantage (MA) industry. Who is right about MA’s future?
 
About The Podcast:
 
Millions of Americans feel confused and frustrated in their search for quality healthcare coverage.
 
Between out-of-control costs, countless inefficiencies, a lack of affordable universal access, and little focus on wellness and prevention, the system is clearly in dire need of change.
 
Hosted by healthcare policy and technology expert Marc S. Ryan, the Healthcare Labyrinth Podcast offers accessible, incisive deep dives on the most pressing issues and events in American healthcare.
 
Marc seeks to help Americans become wiser consumers and navigate the healthcare maze with more confidence and certainty through The Healthcare Labyrinth website and his book of the same name.
 
Marc is an unconventional Republican who believes that affordable universal access is a wise and prudent investment. He recommends common-sense solutions to reform American healthcare.
 
Tune in every week as Marc examines the latest developments in the space, offering analysis, insights, and predictions on the changing state of healthcare in America.
 
About The Episode:
 
On this episode, Marc discusses the recent sale of Cigna’s Medicare business to Big Blue HCSC. There is a noticeable split in the Medicare Advantage (MA) industry. Who is right about MA’s future?
 
Key Takeaways:  
 
Cigna sold its Medicare assets, including 700K Medicare Advantage lives, to HCSC, a Midwest Big Blue.
 
HCSC now has about 950,000 MA lives and has a national footprint.
 
It now is the 7th largest MA plan.
 
Cigna was frustrated with MA and did not want to stay in the line. It is investing in its services business, Evernorth, and its commercial insurance line.
 
The industry is split between MA doubters and MA cheerleaders.
 
Cigna and some Blues plans doubt the ongoing viability of MA.
 
Most large national plans, despite some financial woes, believe in staying in MA. This is the case with other Blues’ plans too.
 
MA has been hit with some poor rates, over-zealous regulation, reining in of risk adjustment, and major utilization hikes.
 
Some of the financial woes were caused by plans’ bad management, poor Star scores, and over-expansion when there were clear warning signs.
 
HCSC actually had a rating downgrade after the sale.
 
Both sides have points, but MA has always bounced back from periodic financial issues. Plans realign financially.
 
MA will be bolstered by the ongoing value proposition against the traditional program as well as aging in America.
 
Connect with Marc
 
 
 
 
Resources