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Bertha Coombs

@berthacoombs.cnbc.com

4.2K followers 80 following 980 posts

CNBC Senior Health Care Reporter #RedSoxFan #Chocoholic #HealthcareNerd https://www.cnbc.com/bertha-coombs/

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Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · Nov 19

#CNBC #LiveAmbitiously started for me around age 7. I though then that I wanted to be President of the U.S. when I grew up. I subsequently thought being born in Cuba was my only disqualifier.
When I worked on a campaign, I realized journalism was more my speed.
www.cnbc.com/video/2024/0...

Bertha Coombs: There are so many possibilities

"My ambition is to pay it forward and help other people achieve their goals." CNBC Senior Health Care Reporter Bertha Coombs shares what ambition means to her and how her family's sacrifices helped he...

www.cnbc.com

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Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · 6h

Aetna Pres. Steve Nelson in statement says 63% of members to be 4.5-star plans: "Stars is an important financial and quality milestone, and I am encouraged to see our momentum continue to build with more than 81% of members in a 4-star plan for the third year in a row."
CVS is year's best gainer.

Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · 6h

Leerink's Whit Mayo notes that 100% Alignment Health's 2026 plans earned 5-star ratings, while Elevance "saw solid improvement with 55% of members now in 4+ Star plans, up from 39%."
Clover Health lost 4-Star rating for contract that represents 97% of its members.

Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · 6h

Evercore's Elizabeth Anderson says results as expected:
Humana ~20% of members in 4+ star rated plans
CVS ~81% in 4+ star rated plans
UNH ~77% in 4+ star rated plans, consistent with earlier commentary.
Centene saw biggest recovery up 17%

Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · 7h

Due to the shutdown, CMS has put up the data, but not provided a release or fact sheet summarizing the ratings.

Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · 7h

2026 Star Ratings data files are out... among the top 20 5-star rated plans, UnitedHealth has two, Alignment Health has two, and Elevance has three.

Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · 7h

CVS is the biggest mover after hours.

Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · 7h

2026 Star Ratings data files are out... among the top 20 5-star rated plans, UnitedHealth has two, Alignment Health has two, and Elevance has three.

Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · 15h

Because when you “follow the money” it naturally leads to health care…

Exclusive | Microsoft Tries to Catch Up in AI With Healthcare Push, Harvard Deal

The company seeks to move away from dependence on its partner OpenAI and build a consumer base for its Copilot chatbot.

www.wsj.com

Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · 1d

Re: cost-shifting on drugs. Dr. Oz says he told pharma players “we have to actually provide a level of transparency”… says TrumpRx will be a transparent exchange “where you can actually see what things cost”… says will also use GoodRx and @mcuban.back.social Cost Plus for reference.

Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · 1d

Dr. Oz says places regionals can make a difference is MAHA… being curious about improving care.. says end of life is a place regionals can really make a difference.

Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · 1d

Dr. Oz on national vs regional plans: says there are places that regional plans have an advantage over the large scale plans. Says they have finger on the pulse of communities & relationships. “I look for the nimbleness you bring to the market.”

Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · 1d

Dr. Oz on leveraging tech: I can envision within a year folks will have very functional apps… and companies will get paid to deliver outcomes, not for engagement… and those are models we’re working on right now.”

Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · 1d

CMS Admin. Dr. Oz tells @achp-org.bsky.social this morning that he wants CMS to improve efficiency and “be the best payer out there.” But adds that “we have to move the ship in a very precise way” because with rising costs “we’re basically becoming one big healthcare system with a small country.”

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Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · 2d

Maybe its a Prime Day special?

Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 2d

> @mikezaccardi.bsky.social

$XRT

Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · 2d

From CNBC's @erindoherty.bsky.social: 'Collins told reporters Monday that she has a draft of a proposal to get out of the shutdown, which she has shared “selectively”...
Her draft “suggests that there be a conversation on the ACA extension ... after we reopen government,” she said...'

Republicans face pressure to consider Democrats' health care demands as shutdown drags on

Democrats have refused to vote for any funding legislation unless it includes an extension of Obamacare subsidies, which are due to expire before January.

cnb.cx

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Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · 2d

Watch this space: Novo Nordisk shares lower today. Ozempic is right now under IRA Medicare price negotiations for 2027.
I can't help but wonder whether Dr. Oz is trying to leverage that negotiated price beyond Medicare in the same way the Trump admin. pushed for $35 insulin in the first term...

Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · 2d

I got a chance to speak with Dr. Oz about his priorities at CMS at @aspeninstitute.bsky.social on Monday.
We talked about a lot of things, but it got really interesting when we talked about GLP-1s for weight loss in Medicare...

CMS Administrator Dr. Oz on GLP-1 for weight loss in Medicare: You’ll be hearing more soon | Bertha Coombs

CMS administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz has an ambitious list of things he wants to accomplish at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid to help improve the nation’s health system. Tackling drug prices is near...

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Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · 3d

Coming up from @aspeninstitute.bsky.social I’ll be chatting with CMS administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. The session will be available live on C-SPAN.

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Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · 5d

The irony of these pictures. Everyday people in real life standing in stark contrast to the status bags they’re holding, which cost more than most people’s mortgages.

Doctor Bags Are the Cure for Your Fall Style Rut

Elegant yet utilitarian, doctor bags can go anywhere—including the Swiss Alps.

www.wsj.com

Reposted by Bertha Coombs

The Wall Street Journal @wsj.com · 6d

A healthcare-staffing business and labor unions are suing the Trump administration over huge new fees for H-1B visas, saying the president doesn’t have the authority to demand $100,000 for every new application in the popular program for foreign professionals.

Healthcare and Education Groups Sue Over Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee

The lawsuit marks the first major challenge to the new worker-visa fees and argues that the president doesn’t have the power to impose them.

on.wsj.com

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Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · 6d

‘‘Tis the season: #AEP
Watched 90s SNL reruns on cable and saw adds for
- Aetna MA plans
- Oak Street Health
- eHealth MA navigation
- Humana MA plans to
- an online GLP-1 compounder

Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · 6d

Here’s the math: Shutdown Day 3 vs 28 days to ACA OEP.
“aides are discussing proposals to extend the enhanced subsidies for Affordable Care Act health-insurance plans, the officials said…Republicans say they will only hold negotiations with Democrats on the matter after the government is reopened.”

White House Senses Political Risk on Healthcare Despite Shutdown Bravado

Aides to President Trump are discussing proposals to extend enhanced Obamacare subsidies on which millions of Americans rely.

www.wsj.com

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Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · 8d

An amazing woman. A life well-lived.

NBC News @nbcnews.com · 8d

Dr. Jane Goodall, who will be remembered as an advocate for animals and a renowned chimpanzee researcher, died due to natural causes, the Jane Goodall Institute announced.
nbcnews.to/48bAFgj

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Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · 8d

But overall, UNH shares have to make up the losses since April, when the health care giant slashed guidance, announced a CEO change along with other management changes, and undertook an overhaul of the company's business.

Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · 8d

For UnitedHealth, the stakes are high to get open enrollment right as it tries to get its Medicare program back to profitability.
UNH shares rebounded in Q3 with Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway buying a stake in the company...

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Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · 8d

That should say taking a page FROM its peers' playbooks...

Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs.cnbc.com · 8d

Medicare insurers are lifting the veil on their 2026 MA plans. Taking a page fomr CVS & Humana's playbooks last year, UnitedHealth is exiting 16 markets and cancelling 100 plans which impact 600K members. Will offer new HMO plans in 2/3 of those markets.

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