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Newsletter | Executive Insight HubIn the News: Rite Aid Updates and Carle Health Layoffs

CVS leads as Rite Aid sells off 1,000+ stores in Chapter 11 restructuring and Carle Health retreats from commercial insurance, cutting 600+ jobs

Jan 29, 2026

Podcast | Strategy CatalystThe Strategist in Brief: January 29, 2026

This week's episode covers key takeaways from the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, the bipartisan healthcare reform package in Congress, insights from our webinar on payviders, PE, and distributors, and Zarminali Pediatrics' expansion into new markets.

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Report | Strategy CatalystFour Predictions for Medicare Advantage: What to Expect in the Next 2-3 Years

This brief has the essential insights extracted from our Medicare Advantage (MA) webinar.

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Newsletter | Academy IQExecutive Edge: August 26, 2024

Welcome to the Executive Edge – our quick read on the market to help your teams stay up-to-speed on the latest happenings across healthcare.

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Expert Insight | Executive Insight HubChief Strategy Officer (CSO) Persona​

Discover the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) persona—tasked with defining a health system’s long-term strategic direction and collaborating across the C-suite to drive growth, performance, and transformation.

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Strategist | Strategy CatalystHumana and UHG will lose $1B+ with MA star ratings declines, as both sue

On Oct. 10, CMS released next year’s star ratings for Medicare Advantage plans. Overall, the share of beneficiaries enrolled in plans earning 4+ stars (eligible for bonus payments) fell from 74% in 2024 to 62% in 2025, a 12-percentage-point drop.

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Report | Strategy CatalystPayvider Profiles

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Strategist | Strategy CatalystTwo predictions for 2026: Payvider rebounds, and Trump’s second phase

Health systems weathered a challenging mix of financial headwinds, policy surprises, and market volatility in 2025. As the page turns on a new year, we’re thinking about what’s going to change and what will stay the same in 2026.

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Strategist | Strategy CatalystUnitedHealth’s $3.3B acquisition of Amedisys closes

By bringing more of the post-acute continuum under Optum’s umbrella, UnitedHealth can more tightly control referral pathways.

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Newsletter | Executive Insight HubInside The Rise of the Patient Payer

As consumers face more financial responsibility, new opportunities in health insurance, ancillary financing, and cash-pay services are emerging. Health systems that adapt to these changes with transparent pricing and consumer-driven options will stand out.

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Newsletter | Executive Insight Hub HHS Proposal Aims to Shore Up Public Health, Payer Data Sharing

HHS and ONC's proposed rule aim to improve health data transparency, interoperability, and security by requiring certified health IT in certain contracts, but concerns about implementation timelines and provider adaptability remain.

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Strategist | Strategy CatalystHumana’s CenterWell opening 23 clinics at Walmart locations

Humana announced plans to lease clinical space and open 23 senior-focused primary care clinics at Walmart stores in the first half of 2025. Financial terms were not disclosed.

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Strategist | Strategy CatalystArkansas passes law banning PBMs from owning pharmacies

The law primarily targets the “Big Three” PBMs—CVS Caremark, Cigna’s Express Scripts, and UHG’s Optum Rx—who collectively control 80% of the U.S. prescription market.

Academy 360 | Academy 360Payer Strategy Playbook | Reducing Friction to Restore Focus: 8 Key Strategies

Struggling with payer friction? Ensemble Health’s Payer Strategy Playbook offers 8 actionable tactics to boost revenue, improve patient experience, and win smarter with AI-powered denial appeals and contract strategies.

Academy 360 | Academy 360Member Developments | May 18, 2025

Member activities from McKinsey & Company, Zelis, NRC Health, and Arcadia

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Strategist | Strategy CatalystFTC to sue major PBMs over drug rebate tactics

The FTC is preparing a lawsuit against the three largest PBMs—OptumRx, Express Scripts, and CVS Caremark—over allegations that they steered patients to more expensive drugs in exchange for manufacturer rebates.

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Strategist | Strategy CatalystPharmacy woes: CVS and Walgreens continue to pull back as CVS replaces CEO

Negative headlines have continued to plague the struggling retail pharmacy sector.

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Strategist | Strategy CatalystPayvider roundup: UHG’s new gold card program, CVS cuts 2024 forecast

Headwinds from MA utilization and Medicaid disenrollment are continuing to put a drag on payer profits, and policymakers are increasingly focused on prior authorization.

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Newsletter | Executive Insight HubUpdates at UnitedHealthcare

Learn about recent updates at UnitedHealthcare and how they signal trends in the payer landscape