This episode features an interview with Cone Health CSO Chris Cornue about the system's decision to join Risant Health, driven by their long-term shift into value-based care and their pluralistic physician model that gained buy-in from both employed and affiliated providers across 14 specialties. The episode also covers resumed merger talks between Humana and Cigna that could create the second-largest payer, declining CMS Medicare Advantage star ratings affecting 62% of beneficiaries, and retail pharmacy struggles including CVS CEO Karen Lynch stepping down and Walgreens closing 1,200 stores while facing massive healthcare services losses.
