1. Optum, SSM Health announce broad collaboration targeting care, affordability  Full story

2. Walmart taps former UnitedHealth leader as new health, wellness exec  Full story

3. Anthem sued for alleged air ambulance coverage denial  Full story

4. The end of underpayments — Here's what a next-gen payer appeals process looks like.

5. Teladoc rolls out virtual primary care service for payers  Full story

6. Why 11 hospitals were hit with credit downgrades  Full story

7. Insurers say New York prior authorization suspension will up healthcare costs  Full story

8. HCA shrinks Georgia footprint, sells 5 hospitals for $1.6B  Full story

9. Fraudulent transactions come in many disguises. Here's how payers are staying ahead of them.

10. Top 10 most trusted health system brands  Full story

11. 5 recent lawsuits, settlements involving payers  Full story 

12. 15 people in healthcare among Forbes' 400 richest people in America  Full story 

13. Employer health benefit costs expected to rise next year: 29 numbers to know   Full story 

14. States could lose Medicaid expansion incentive funds; fallback programs considered  Full story 

15. More people now getting boosters than first doses of COVID-19 shots, CDC finds  Full story