# medicare advantage (blogs) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 5 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover medicare advantage. Page: Feed: --- ## [Long COVID Prevalence: Current Evidence](https://schaeffer.usc.edu/research/long-covid-prevalence-current-evidence/) _2026-08-20 · Rika Kanaoka · USC Schaeffer_ About 10 million Americans have experienced severe limitations in daily activities due to long COVID, underscoring the need for effective therapies and continued surveillance. The post Long COVID Prevalence: Current Evidence appeared first on USC Schaeffer . ## [IRS Probes UnitedHealth Group Over Foreign Money Transfers](https://healthcareuncovered.substack.com/p/irs-probes-unitedhealth-group-over) _2026-08-20 · Wendell Potter · HEALTH CARE un-covered_ New STAT reporting reveals the IRS is seeking back taxes from UnitedHealth Group over foreign subsidiary transactions — adding to the conglomerate’s growing list of federal headaches. ## [The AI in Your Living Room Just Stopped Asking for a Subscription](https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/alexa-on-fire-tv-free/) _2026-08-20 · Anna Louis · Global Brands Magazine_ Alexa+ on Fire TV is now free for every US customer, with no Prime needed. Here is what Alexa+ on Fire TV can do, what still costs money and where it works. ## [M&S Is Giving Up Being Special to Win the Weekly Shop](https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/ms-shopping-list-retailer/) _2026-08-20 · Anna Louis · Global Brands Magazine_ M&S says it wants to be a shopping list retailer, and pet food is the proof. Here is what the shopping list retailer plan costs the brand, and who must answer. ## [The Tuition Bill Now Takes Venmo. Read the Small Print First](https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/paypal-tuition-payments/) _2026-08-20 · Anna Louis · Global Brands Magazine_ PayPal tuition payments have gone live at five US universities. Here is how PayPal tuition payments work at checkout, and the fee families should check first. ## [Surfing Just Got a Clock, Eight Teams and One Pay Cheque for Everyone](https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/surfing-super-league/) _2026-08-20 · Anna Louis · Global Brands Magazine_ The Surfing Super League will pay all 48 athletes the same. Here is how the Surfing Super League format works, the eight teams and the plan for a 2028 launch. ## [4 Workflow Efficiency Practices Salvatix Limited Applies to Cross-Functional Project Delivery](https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/workflow-efficiency-practices-cross-functional-salvatix-limited/) _2026-08-20 · Austin · Global Brands Magazine_ Key Takeaways: Clear handoff standards help teams define the required format, context, decision status, quality threshold and timing before work moves between teams. Assigning clear decision owners, using structured sync points and formally communicating scope changes can reduce delays, rework and confusion across cross-functional projects. Cross-functional project delivery has a way of looking… ## [6 Signals Tarfion Limited Uses to Identify When a Brand Identity Has Stopped Supporting Growth](https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/tarfion-limited-brand-identity-stopped-supporting-growth/) _2026-08-20 · Austin · Global Brands Magazine_ Key Takeaways: Differences between sales and marketing messaging, mismatched customer segments, and difficulty communicating the brand internally can signal that a brand identity is no longer aligned with the company’s current growth. Regularly reviewing competitive positioning, visual and verbal identity, and brand visibility can help identify identity drift early and prevent growing marketing… ## [Shop in Oxfordshire, Unpack in Dubai. Emirates Just Shortened the Journey](https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/emirates-delivers-bicester/) _2026-08-20 · Anna Louis · Global Brands Magazine_ Emirates Delivers now ships Bicester Village purchases to the UAE. Here is how Emirates Delivers handles storage, customs and doorstep delivery for shoppers. ## [Best Wyoming LLC Formation Services: 6 Providers Worth Considering](https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/best-wyoming-llc-formation-services-6-providers-worth-considering/) _2026-08-19 · Austin · Global Brands Magazine_ Key Takeaways: Look beyond the initial LLC filing by considering registered-agent support, business addresses, compliance assistance, and ongoing administrative services. Choose a formation provider based on your specific business needs, including legal support, remote operations, international ownership, document requirements, and ongoing assistance. An LLC Formation Service Should Do More Than… ## [Licensed Dispensaries, Pay with Crypto (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/wiR3KlMeyOIu) _2026-08-19 · **Sponsored**_ Search verified licensed dispensaries and pay with Bitcoin, Lightning, or stablecoins. ## [Prior Auth Is Costing Billions and Delaying Care. A New Report Says Ban It.](https://healthcareuncovered.substack.com/p/prior-auth-is-costing-billions-and) _2026-08-19 · Wendell Potter · HEALTH CARE un-covered_ New research from the American Economic Liberties Project (AELP) is making the case for banning the practice of prior authorization as we know it. ## [Modular Van Conversions Built Like Lego Just Won $5 Million and a Factory](https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/modular-van-conversions-5m/) _2026-08-19 · Anna Louis · Global Brands Magazine_ Grounded's $5M seed round and a new 50,000 sq ft Detroit plant push modular van conversions into commercial fleets, from mobile clinics to coffee service vans. ## [Free AI Subscriptions Became a Business. Now the First Bills Land](https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/free-ai-subscriptions-telecom/) _2026-08-19 · Anna Louis · Global Brands Magazine_ Telecoms worldwide now hand out free AI subscriptions to win customers. We verify 10 deals across 4 AI providers and India's first data on what survives. ## [Contrail Avoidance Begins: Why Atlantic Flights Will Shift Up to 2,000 Feet](https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/contrail-avoidance-atlantic/) _2026-08-19 · Anna Louis · Global Brands Magazine_ Google and the UK have launched Operation Blue Skies, a 30-month contrail avoidance programme nudging some North Atlantic flights by up to 2,000 feet. ## [Top 10 Luggage Brands in the World (2026)](https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/luggage-brands-in-the-world/) _2026-08-19 · Austin · Global Brands Magazine_ Our 2026 ranking of the top 10 luggage brands in the world, from Samsonite and Rimowa to Tumi, Briggs & Riley, Away and Monos. ## [Costco Medicare Plans Are Coming, and a Membership Is the One Thing They Can’t Include](https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/costco-medicare-plans-scan/) _2026-08-19 · Anna Louis · Global Brands Magazine_ Costco Medicare plans are coming: Costco and SCAN will co-brand Medicare Advantage in two states plus a supplement plan in a third. Here is the full detail. ## [What Happens When Your Hospital Is Also Your Insurance Company? We’re Starting to See The Effects](https://schaeffer.usc.edu/research/when-your-hospital-is-also-your-insurance-company-effects/) _2026-08-18 · Jason Millman · USC Schaeffer_ New research offers modest evidence that insurers affiliated with hospital may be able to game Medicare Advantage regulations to extract more taxpayer money. The post What Happens When Your Hospital Is Also Your Insurance Company? We’re Starting to See The Effects appeared first on USC Schaeffer . ## [The FTC Continues to Let Big Insurers’ PBMS Off the Hook](https://healthcareuncovered.substack.com/p/the-ftc-continues-to-let-big-insurers) _2026-08-18 · Wendell Potter · HEALTH CARE un-covered_ The FTC’s deal with CVS Caremark requires changes to its drug-pricing practices but comes with no fine, no admission of wrongdoing and no breakup of the health care giant. ## [A recent historic drop in drug prices is largely driven by market forces, Joyce explains](https://schaeffer.usc.edu/research/a-historic-drop-in-drug-prices-is-largely-driven-by-market-forces-joyce-explains/) _2026-08-17 · Jason Millman · USC Schaeffer_ The post A recent historic drop in drug prices is largely driven by market forces, Joyce explains appeared first on USC Schaeffer . ## [Universities Must Start Graduating More Good Citizens](https://schaeffer.usc.edu/research/universities-must-start-graduating-more-good-citizens/) _2026-08-13 · Jason Millman · USC Schaeffer_ A civics requirement could help restore confidence in U.S. higher education and democracy itself. The post Universities Must Start Graduating More Good Citizens appeared first on USC Schaeffer . ## [Stream Torrents and IPTV Instantly (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/S0EQ4veyhu2s) _2026-08-13 · **Sponsored**_ Search, index, and play music, movies, books, and live TV in your browser. ## [The VA’s Largest Community Care Administrator Has a Mental Health Problem](https://healthcareuncovered.substack.com/p/the-vas-largest-community-care-administrator) _2026-08-13 · Russell Lemle · HEALTH CARE un-covered_ Veterans were promised quality options. Optum's clinic closures and provider shortfalls are failing them — and the VA is letting it happen. ## [$50 Billion Won’t Fix Rural Maternity Care Without State Reform](https://schaeffer.usc.edu/research/50-billion-wont-fix-rural-maternity-care-without-state-reform/) _2026-08-12 · Jason Millman · USC Schaeffer_ To address maternal care shortages, states should use new federal funding to expand access to lower-cost settings that provide safe, high-quality care. The post $50 Billion Won’t Fix Rural Maternity Care Without State Reform appeared first on USC Schaeffer . ## [ACA Premiums Are Going Up Again and Patients are Paying the Price](https://healthcareuncovered.substack.com/p/aca-premiums-are-going-up-again-and) _2026-08-12 · Rachel Madley, PhD · HEALTH CARE un-covered_ After 2026 premium hikes pushed millions out of ACA coverage or into higher-deductible plans, insurers are seeking another round of double-digit increases while spending billions on stock buybacks. ## [Big Insurers Are Pouring Millions Into the 2026 Midterms](https://healthcareuncovered.substack.com/p/big-insurers-are-pouring-millions) _2026-08-11 · Zena Wolf · HEALTH CARE un-covered_ The Health Insurance Influence Tracker (HIIt) shows insurers are on pace to surpass recent campaign spending, with donations targeting leaders and key lawmakers in both parties. ## [I’m Using Not-FDA-Approved Software to Manage My Diabetes. I’ve Never Felt Better](https://schaeffer.usc.edu/research/im-using-not-fda-approved-software-to-manage-my-diabetes-ive-never-felt-better/) _2026-08-10 · Jason Millman · USC Schaeffer_ Rapid-fire improvements in medical software, often engineered by AI, are leaving regulators in the dust. The post I’m Using Not-FDA-Approved Software to Manage My Diabetes. I’ve Never Felt Better appeared first on USC Schaeffer . ## [AI makes skeptical reading more important](https://www.petercai.com/ai-makes-skeptical-reading-more-important/) _2026-08-10 · Peter Cai · Peter Cai_ AI has made it infinitely easier to produce persuasive writing. Reading skeptically is now more important than ever. ## [Fixing the Funnel: Stakeholder Insights on Alzheimer’s Disease Trial Recruitment](https://schaeffer.usc.edu/research/improving-alzheimers-clinical-trial-recruitment-stakeholder-insights/) _2026-08-07 · Rika Kanaoka · USC Schaeffer_ Interviews with stakeholders across the Alzheimer’s clinical trial ecosystem explored barriers, emerging practices and opportunities to improve recruitment. The post Fixing the Funnel: Stakeholder Insights on Alzheimer’s Disease Trial Recruitment appeared first on USC Schaeffer . ## [Skin Substitutes: How a $10 Billion Business Is Buying Its Way Out of Medicare Reform](https://healthcareuncovered.substack.com/p/skin-substitutes-how-a-10-billion) _2026-08-06 · Zena Wolf · HEALTH CARE un-covered_ The industry and its biggest players have deeper ties to the Trump Administration than previously reported, even as its executives and customers face billion-dollar fraud charges. ## [The CEO Who Built Modern Cigna](https://healthcareuncovered.substack.com/p/the-ceo-who-built-modern-cigna) _2026-08-05 · Wendell Potter · HEALTH CARE un-covered_ David Cordani transformed Cigna into a $275 billion health care giant. His 17-year tenure mirrored the rise of PBMs, corporate consolidation and mounting legal scrutiny. ## [Fourth Court Rejects Insurers' No Surprises Act Litigation Campaign](https://healthcareuncovered.substack.com/p/fourth-court-rejects-insurers-no) _2026-08-04 · Wendell Potter · HEALTH CARE un-covered_ Judge dismisses Elevance affiliate's lawsuit with prejudice, finding Congress intended independent dispute resolution—not federal courts—to settle payment disputes. ## [Home Internet From Space (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/GfVGklHbYi9F) _2026-08-04 · **Sponsored**_ Residential satellite internet that brings connectivity to homes beyond conventional networks ## [Effects of Medicare Advantage on Health Care Use and Outcomes Among Retired State Employees in 5 States](https://schaeffer.usc.edu/research/effects-of-medicare-advantage-on-health-care-use-and-outcomes-among-retired-state-employees-in-5-states/) _2026-08-03 · Jason Millman · USC Schaeffer_ Medicare Advantage successfully shifted care away from expensive hospital beds to outpatient and home settings without negatively affecting short-term mortality or time spent at home. The post Effects of Medicare Advantage on Health Care Use and Outcomes Among Retired State Employees in 5 States appeared first on USC Schaeffer . ## [Pharmaceutical Spending Is Shifting Away From ‘Me-Too’ Drugs](https://schaeffer.usc.edu/research/pharmaceutical-spending-shifts-to-innovative-drugs/) _2026-08-03 · Jason Millman · USC Schaeffer_ Drug spending has become increasingly concentrated on innovative medicines, largely due to greater patient use rather than higher prices. The post Pharmaceutical Spending Is Shifting Away From ‘Me-Too’ Drugs appeared first on USC Schaeffer . ## [Most Hospitals With Vertically Integrated MA Plans Charge Similar Prices to Affiliated and Unaffiliated Plans](https://schaeffer.usc.edu/research/most-hospitals-with-vertically-integrated-ma-plans-charge-similar-prices-to-affiliated-and-unaffiliated-plans/) _2026-08-03 · Jason Millman · USC Schaeffer_ At most hospitals with a vertically integrated Medicare Advantage plan, there was little difference in prices across plans. However, prices differed between affiliated and unaffiliated plans at a sizable minority of hospitals. The post Most Hospitals With Vertically Integrated MA Plans Charge Similar Prices to Affiliated and Unaffiliated Plans appeared first on USC Schaeffer . ## [Despite recent reforms, Joyce says PBMs may simply adapt business practices to generate revenue](https://schaeffer.usc.edu/research/despite-recent-reforms-joyce-says-pbms-may-simply-adapt-business-practices-to-generate-revenue/) _2026-07-31 · Jason Millman · USC Schaeffer_ The post Despite recent reforms, Joyce says PBMs may simply adapt business practices to generate revenue appeared first on USC Schaeffer . ## [The Hospitals That Close, and the Hospitals That Open, Are Not in the Same America](https://healthcareuncovered.substack.com/p/the-hospitals-that-close-and-the) _2026-07-30 · Wendell Potter · HEALTH CARE un-covered_ New analysis shows hospitals are increasingly closing in poorer communities while new facilities are built in wealthier ones, reshaping access to care along economic lines. ## [Why I Wrote a Letter to the Wall Street Journal About Medicare Advantage](https://healthcareuncovered.substack.com/p/why-i-wrote-a-letter-to-the-wall) _2026-07-29 · Wendell Potter · HEALTH CARE un-covered_ The Wall Street Journal's readers deserved the full story about Medicare Advantage. ## [Starting at Sigma Squared, leaving Privy](https://www.petercai.com/starting-at-sigma-squared/) _2024-10-20 · Peter Cai · Peter Cai_ I'm joining Sigma Squared as VP of Engineering. ## [My AWS Architect Associate exam cheat sheet](https://www.petercai.com/aws-architect-associate-cheat-sheet/) _2024-09-13 · Peter Cai · Peter Cai_ A study guide I built while I was studying for the AWS Architect Associate exam at the end of 2023. ## [Leave a paper trail](https://www.petercai.com/leave-a-paper-trail/) _2024-09-03 · Peter Cai · Peter Cai_ Writing things down is an underutilized super power.