Anna Wilde Mathews
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Reporter for the Wall Street Journal covering health insurers and reimbursement policy. Reach me at anna.mathews@wsj.com
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Articles by Anna Wilde Mathews
Buyer Beware: New Medicare Plans Have Fewer Benefits, Higher Costs
It is going to be a tough year for seniors shopping for Medicare coverage. If you don’t choose wisely, you might get hit with surprise bills for your medications, or learn too late that your doctors are out of network. Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
UnitedHealth Charts Continued Turnaround
By Anna Wilde Mathews UnitedHealth Group reported earnings that came in above analysts' expectations and again raised its projection for the year, as the healthcare company continued charting a financial turnaround. The announcement comes more than a year after Chief Executive Stephen Hemsley returned to the top job, promising major changes after a meltdown that cut the company's valuation by hundreds of billions of dollars.
美国员工医保支出攀升，明年情况将更糟
飙升的医疗保健成本正沉重打击着美国雇员，而且明年的情况只会更糟。到2027年，雇主们可能将面临至少20年来最大的医疗保险费用涨幅。 福利咨询公司怡安(Aon)的最新估算显示，今年，通过公司获得医保的美国人在医疗健康方面的平均支出为5,297美元，较2025年增加388美元。这笔支出包括从工资中扣除的保费，以及免赔额和共付额等自付费用。 Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
US workers are paying more for healthcare, and next year will be worse
Surging healthcare costs are walloping U.S workers, and they will only worsen next year. For 2027, employers may be facing the biggest health-insurance increase in at least two decades. Americans with workplace coverage spent an average $5,297 this year on healthcare, $388 more than 2025, according to a new estimate from benefits-consulting firm Aon. The spending represents a combination of payroll deductions for premiums and out-of-pocket charges like deductibles and copays.
U.S. Workers Are Paying More for Healthcare, and Next Year Will Be Worse
For 2027, employers face their biggest health-insurance increases in at least two decades Michelle Gustafson for WSJ Surging healthcare costs are walloping U.S. workers, and they will only worsen next year. For 2027, employers may be facing the biggest health-insurance increase in at least two decades. Americans with workplace coverage spent an average $5,297 this year on healthcare, $388 more than 2025, according to a new estimate from benefits-consulting firm Aon.
Costco Sells Vacations, Gas and, Soon, Medicare Plans
In some markets, the retailer’s insurance products will integrate pharmacy, vision and hearing benefits Costco has been looking to increase sales and make membership more valuable to shoppers. David Paul Morris/Bloomberg News Costco sells its dedicated members everything from travel packages to gasoline. Now the retail giant is gearing up to enter a huge new market: Medicare. The warehouse chain plans a limited rollout of Costco-branded Medicare plans, working with SCAN Group, a nonprofit insurer.
Costco sells vacations, gas and, soon, Medicare plans
Costco sells its dedicated members everything from travel packages to gasoline. Now the retail giant is gearing up to enter a huge new market: Medicare. The warehouse chain plans a limited rollout of Costco-branded Medicare plans, working with SCAN Group, a nonprofit insurer.
Luigi Mangione pleads guilty to federal charges in killing of insurance executive
NEW YORK—Luigi Mangione, whose coldblooded killing of an insurance executive on a Manhattan sidewalk rattled the nation and struck fear into Corporate America, pleaded guilty Friday to two federal stalking charges in the death of UnitedHealthcare leader Brian Thompson. “On the morning of Dec. 4, 2024, I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan and he died,” Mangione solemnly told the judge during a court hearing.
Luigi Mangione pleads guilty to federal charges in killing of insurance executive
NEW YORK—Luigi Mangione, whose coldblooded killing of an insurance executive on a Manhattan sidewalk rattled the nation and struck fear into corporate America, pleaded guilty Friday to federal stalking charges for the death of UnitedHealthcare leader Brian Thompson. “On the morning of Dec. 4, 2024, I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan,” Mangione solemnly told the judge during a court hearing.
Luigi Mangione Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges in Killing of Insurance Executive
The 28-year-old admits in court to killing UnitedHealthcare leader Brian Thompson, but state murder trial still looms Updated Aug. 14, 2026 4:09 pm ET In a courtroom sketch, Luigi Mangione stands between defense lawyers as he is sworn in for a hearing in his federal murder trial.
Trump administration reveals new guidelines for autism therapy
The Trump administration is releasing new guidelines that would bolster Medicaid's oversight of autism therapy, focusing on a rapidly growing business that is drawing scrutiny from federal investigators. The recommendations, from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, are aimed at state Medicaid agencies, but they will likely draw close attention from private insurers and employers as well.
Trump Administration Reveals New Guidelines for Autism Therapy
Federal Medicaid agency taking closer look at rapidly growing therapy known as applied behavior analysis Updated Aug. 4, 2026 5:27 pm ET A nurse supports an autistic boy using sensory toys to enhance motor abilities. Getty Images The Trump administration is releasing new guidelines that would bolster Medicaid’s oversight of autism therapy, focusing on a rapidly growing business that is drawing scrutiny from federal investigators.
The rising number of uninsured patients starts to hit hospitals
Suzanne Mercer and her husband Kip lost their Affordable Care Act plan this year because they couldn't afford to pay more than $4,000 a month for the coverage. The couple, who manage a condominium complex in the Florida Keys, have stopped going to see their doctors. Mercer, 59 years old, also hasn't gotten a follow-up scan that a doctor ordered after a mammogram in December turned up a concerning spot. “It's awful, you just cross your fingers,” she said.
The Rising Number of Uninsured Patients Starts to Hit Hospitals
Millions of Americans dropped Affordable Care Act plans after higher subsidies expired and now struggle to pay Hospital companies are citing growing costs from treating patients who don’t have health coverage. Getty Images Suzanne Mercer and her husband Kip lost their Affordable Care Act plan this year because they couldn’t afford to pay more than $4,000 a month for the coverage. The couple, who manage a condominium complex in the Florida Keys, have stopped going to see their doctors.
特朗普政府将终止美国联邦医疗保险药物计划补贴
特朗普政府计划终止一项补贴计划，该计划旨在帮助控制美国联邦医疗保险(Medicare)药品计划的保费。此举可能导致许多老年人明年面临更高的处方药保险费率。 此举将取消一项旨在缓解美国联邦医疗保险处方药计划(即Part D)保费上涨的计划。今年，该计划为保险公司提供了约36亿美元的补贴。据政府官员称，该计划将在2026年后终止。 Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
Trump Administration to End Medicare Drug Plan Subsidy
Program that held down premiums not renewed for 2027, resulting in higher costs for some seniors High drug costs are a perennial issue, and healthcare affordability is expected to be a focus in the midterm elections. George Frey/Bloomberg News The Trump administration plans to end a subsidy program that helped hold down premiums for Medicare drug plans, a move that could leave many seniors facing higher rates for their prescription coverage next year.
Trump administration to end Medicare drug plan subsidy
The Trump administration plans to end a subsidy program that helped hold down premiums for Medicare drug plans, a move that could leave many seniors facing higher rates for their prescription coverage next year. The move will eliminate a program that is giving insurance companies an estimated $3.6 billion in subsidies this year to blunt increases in premiums for the Medicare prescription plans, known as Part D. The program will end after 2026, according to administration officials.
Medical Billing Arbitration Paid Out $15 Billion to Providers in Surprise Bill Disputes
No Surprises Act awards tripled in 2025, compared with year earlier THOMAS CORDY//USA TODAY Network/Reuters A controversial process for arbitrating medical billing disputes awarded nearly $15 billion in payouts to healthcare providers last year, according to new federal data analyzed by The Wall Street Journal, more than triple the total for 2024.
UnitedHealth Results Handily Beat Wall Street Expectations
Healthcare company substantially raises full-year earnings projection UnitedHealth has promised a turnaround. Michael Nagle/Bloomberg News UnitedHealth Group reported results well above analysts’ expectations and substantially raised its earnings projection for the year, moves likely to bolster Wall Street’s belief in the healthcare company’s financial turnaround. Shares of UnitedHealth were up 6% in premarket trading Thursday. Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
UnitedHealth results handily beat Wall Street expectations
Anna Wilde Mathews UnitedHealth Group reported results well above analysts' expectations and substantially raised its earnings projection for the year, moves likely to bolster Wall Street's belief in the healthcare company's financial turnaround. Shares of UnitedHealth were up 6% in premarket trading Thursday.
Obamacare Insurers Seek Big Rate Hikes, Again
Affordable Care Act plans cite rising healthcare costs and falling enrollment The federal website HealthCare.gov sells Affordable Care Act plans. Patrick Sison/AP Rates for many Affordable Care Act plans rose by double digits this year. Insurers want to do the same next year. Some of the biggest Obamacare companies are seeking hefty premium increases for 2027, often for the second year in a row. In Washington state, Centene is asking for a 28% hike, after boosting rates by 35% in 2026.
Obamacare insurers seek big rate hikes, again
Rates for many Affordable Care Act plans rose by double digits this year. Insurers want to do the same next year. Some of the biggest Obamacare companies are seeking hefty premium increases for 2027, often for the second year in a row. In Washington state, Centene is asking for a 28% hike, after boosting rates by 35% in 2026. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Illinois wants 15%—on top of a 28% increase this year.
犹他州试点“AI医生”，真人医生们坐不住了
围绕人工智能(AI)医生的交锋已经展开，而犹他州正处于这场争议的最前线。 这一切始于初创公司Doctronic的技术。今年1月，犹他州启动了一项试点项目，允许该公司的AI服务为患者续开处方，希望借此提高患者获取药物的便利性。 Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
This State Is Testing Out AI Doctors—and Actual Doctors Aren’t Happy About It
Utah’s pilot program to have AI chatbots refill prescriptions has angered doctors who worry it isn’t safe June 18, 2026 10:41 am ET Daisy Korpics/WSJ, iStock The clash over AI doctors has begun, and its front line is in Utah. It started with technology from the startup Doctronic. The state launched a project in January that will allow the service to renew prescriptions for patients. The hope is it will improve medication access.
Big Medicare Insurers Often Deny Requests for Nursing-Home Stays
New federal investigation shows some of the biggest insurers had some of the highest denial rates A new study shows which insurers reject nursing-home stays more than others. Getty Images If you’re a senior, the Medicare plan you choose may have a major impact on whether you can get nursing-home care when you need it—and a new federal investigation shows the largest insurers had some of the highest denial rates.
Five Takeaways From the WSJ’s Autism Billing-Abuse Investigation
Insurers’ fraud warnings, a nearly $1 million surprise therapy bill and the back story of a visit to the Brooklyn-based provider the Perfect Child Carolina Lopez, with her son Ezekiel, was billed $911,400 for services her insurer denied. Sasha Maslov for WSJ Autism-therapy spending has become one of the fastest-growing healthcare expenses for many private insurance plans, say insurers, employers and auditors.
WSJ: Autismiravi bisnis buumib – arveterror samuti
Loe kokkuvõtet Carolina Lopez otsis teraapiat oma autistlikule pojale. Ezekiel oli tollal 3 aastat vana. Kõikjalt vaatasid vastu ootejärjekorrad. «Ma olin üsna nõutu,» ütles Lopez (33), pangatöötaja New Jerseyst. Autismiteraapia, mida veel hiljuti peeti nišiteenuseks, on Ameerika tervishoius paisunud üheks kiiremini kasvavaks ja kallimaks kulureaks. Turule on tulvanud kümned tuhanded uued teenusepakkujad ja investorid, kes tegutsevad vähese järelevalve all.
CVS’s Results Add to Positive Momentum for Health-Insurance Industry
Pharmacy and insurance giant reports improved margins and cost controls CVS attributed much of the improvement to a turnaround at its insurance unit, Aetna. Jimin Kim/SOPA Images/ZUMA Press CVS Health CVS -1.61%decrease; red down pointing triangle beat Wall Street’s earnings expectations and upgraded its full-year projections, adding to a string of stronger results from health insurers.
UnitedHealth to make it easier for patients to get a range of procedures Microsoft Cares About Your Privacy
Anna Wilde Mathews UnitedHealth Group plans to stop requiring doctors to get approvals for an array of procedures, tests and services, cutting back on a process that has long been detested by physicians and patients. UnitedHealth, parent of the biggest U.S. health insurer, said the changes will slash the number of reviews by nearly a third starting later this year.
Medicare Delays Full Obesity-Drug Program Rollout After Insurers Push Back
Without big Medicare insurers, future of program to cover popular obesity drugs had been in question An Eli Lilly Zepbound injection pen. Shelby Knowles/Bloomberg News The Medicare agency will extend a short-term program that will pay for weight-loss drugs such as Eli Lilly’s Zepbound and Novo Nordisk’s NOVO.B -4.19%decrease; red down pointing triangle Wegovy, guaranteeing access to the popular medications will continue for seniors next year.
UnitedHealth Shows Improvement; Stock Jumps
UnitedHealth looks like it's regaining its footing. The healthcare giant reported first-quarter results that substantially overshot Wall Street expectations and raised its annual guidance, signaling progress in its financial turnaround. The announcement is likely to build investor confidence in the company's current direction, a year after it announced an earnings shortfall that touched off an unprecedented share meltdown for the company.
UnitedHealth Shows Signs of Turnaround With Strong Quarterly Results
April 21, 2026 5:55 am ET Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
Losing health insurance? Here are ways to cut medical bills
Anna Wilde Mathews More Americans are dropping health coverage because they can't afford it. David Contorno is uninsured by choice. Contorno is one of a small cohort of people who opt to buy healthcare largely on a cash basis. His family of six hasn't had conventional insurance in eight years. He is keeping his bills down using services that he promotes to others through his business as a health-benefits consultant.
Losing Health Insurance? Here Are Ways to Cut Medical Bills
More Americans are dropping health coverage because they can’t afford it. David Contorno is uninsured by choice. Contorno is one of a small cohort of people who opt to buy healthcare largely on a cash basis. His family of six hasn’t had conventional insurance in eight years. He is keeping his bills down using services that he promotes to others through his business as a health-benefits consultant.
Around 14% of enrollees in ACA plans failed to make payments, data shows
Anna Wilde Mathews One in seven people who signed up for Affordable Care Act plans this year failed to pay after premium costs rose sharply, according to an analysis that provides the first comprehensive look at the impact of expiring federal subsidies . Nationally, around 14% of those who enrolled in ACA plans this year didn't pay their first monthly bill for January coverage.
Around 14% of Enrollees in ACA Plans Failed to Make Payments, Data Shows
Decline in January payments is driven by loss of federal Affordable Care Act subsidies Number of people who signed up for Affordable Care Act plans, by year 25 million 14% of enrollees failed to pay their first premium* 20 15 10 5 0 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 2026 25 million 14% of enrollees failed to pay their first premium* 20 15 10 5 0 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 2026 25 million 14% of enrollees failed to pay their first premium* 20 15 10 5 0 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 2026 25...
Health-Insurance Stocks Rally on Boost to Medicare Payments
Medicare insurers’ shares surged Tuesday morning, as a substantial rate increase from the Trump administration convinced investors that the industry’s political prospects are looking up. Shares of UnitedHealth, Humana, CVS Health and Elevance Health were sharply higher after the Medicare agency announced a 2027 payment boost of 2.48% on Monday night, a bigger increase than some analysts had expected.
Medicare Insurer Payments to Rise 2.48% in 2027, Higher Than Some Analysts Expected
Move is a marked improvement to the proposal in January, which held rates roughly flat The final 2027 rates for the Medicare Advantage program came in higher than some analysts’ expectations. Dado Ruvic/REUTERS The Trump administration will raise payments to Medicare insurers by 2.48% next year, a significant improvement for the health-insurance industry after an earlier proposal torpedoed shares of the largest companies.
Justice Department files antitrust lawsuit against NewYork-Presbyterian
Anna Wilde Mathews, Dave Michaels The Justice Department filed an antitrust lawsuit against the prominent hospital system NewYork-Presbyterian, alleging that it used restrictions in its contracts with insurers to limit price competition and block lower-cost healthcare options. The suit, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, was filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Justice Department Plans to File Antitrust Lawsuit Against NewYork-Presbyterian
DOJ has been investigating prominent hospital system’s contracts with insurers New York Presbyterian Columbia University Hospital in Manhattan. Vanessa Carvalho/Zuma Press The Justice Department plans to file an antitrust lawsuit against the prominent hospital system NewYork-Presbyterian, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
Millions of Americans are going uninsured following expiration of ACA subsidies
Anna Wilde Mathews Nearly one in 10 people who had Affordable Care Act plans last year dropped health insurance altogether, after premium costs rose sharply because of the expiration of federal subsidies, according to a new survey .Most of those who remained in ACA plans reported larger out-of-pocket healthcare expenses in the form of higher copays, coinsurance or deductibles, according to the survey from health-research nonprofit KFF.
Millions of Americans Are Going Uninsured Following Expiration of ACA Subsidies
Nearly a third of those enrolled in Affordable Care Act plans last year have left the market after costs rose sharply Enhanced ACA subsidies lapsed at the start of this year, leading to higher premium costs for millions of enrollees. Nate Ryan for WSJ Nearly one in 10 people who had Affordable Care Act plans last year dropped health insurance altogether, after premium costs rose sharply because of the expiration of federal subsidies, according to a new survey.
Five takeaways from the WSJ investigation of the autism therapy business
Christopher Weaver, Anna Wilde Mathews Autism therapy has become the fastest-growing area of spending for Medicaid, the state-run program for low-income people. In 2023, states paid autism-therapy providers $2.2 billion, up from just $660 million four years earlier, a Wall Street Journal analysis of billing records found.
Five Takeaways From the WSJ Investigation of the Autism Therapy Business
Medicaid data shows how autism-therapy providers outpaced regulators to extract high payments from the cash-strapped public insurance program The Crawfordsville, Ind., branch of Piece by Piece Autism Centers, the state’s top biller in terms of spending per patient in 2023. Jamie Kelter Davis for WSJ Autism therapy has become the fastest-growing area of spending for Medicaid, the state-run program for low-income people.
The boom in autism therapy is Medicaid's fastest-growing jackpot
Christopher Weaver, Tom McGinty, Anna Wilde Mathews When Meghann Mitchell first launched her autism-therapy business in 2019, she took aim at an unlikely source of profit: Indiana's taxpayer-funded Medicaid program, the public insurance system for the poor. The bet paid off. In 2023, the state paid Mitchell's company, Piece by Piece Autism Centers, $29 million to provide therapy to just 84 patients—about $340,000 a child—according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of Medicaid billing records.
The Boom in Autism Therapy Is Medicaid’s Fastest-Growing Jackpot
When Meghann Mitchell first launched her autism-therapy business in 2019, she took aim at an unlikely source of profit: Indiana’s taxpayer-funded Medicaid program, the public insurance system for the poor. The bet paid off. In 2023, the state paid Mitchell’s company, Piece by Piece Autism Centers, $29 million to provide therapy to just 84 patients—about $340,000 a child—according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of Medicaid billing records.
Seniors paid billions in extra premiums due to alleged Medicare overpayments
Christopher Weaver, Anna Wilde Mathews The average American senior's Medicare premiums last year were about 10% higher, or more than $200 annually, because of alleged overpayments to private Medicare Advantage plans, congressional investigators found.
Seniors Paid Billions in Extra Premiums Due to Alleged Medicare Overpayments
A congressional committee finds that controversial practices like adding diagnoses in Medicare Advantage triggered higher bills Medicare Advantage has faced growing bipartisan scrutiny. Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press The average American senior’s Medicare premiums last year were about 10% higher, or more than $200 annually, because of alleged overpayments to private Medicare Advantage plans, congressional investigators found.
UnitedHealth chief made private side bets on healthcare startups
Mark Maremont, Anna Wilde Mathews Stephen Hemsley, leader of giant UnitedHealth Group, for years has made private investments in healthcare startups, including firms that do business with—or compete against—UnitedHealth. The investments, involving tens of millions of dollars and stretching back at least seven years, weren't announced by the healthcare companies that he was investing in, and UnitedHealth never told its shareholders about them.
CVS Health Earnings Beat, but Medicaid Costs and Medicare Advantage Pose Issues
CVS Chief Financial Officer Brian Newman said the Aetna insurance unit’s Medicaid business was seeing cost trends that were high CVS Health reported earnings that beat analysts’ expectations and kept its 2026 profit guidance unchanged.
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