Latest news with #Humana
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Progyny Adds Distinguished Healthcare Executive Elizabeth Bierbower to Board of Directors
NEW YORK, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Progyny, Inc. (Nasdaq: PGNY), a global leader in women's health and family building solutions, today announced the addition of healthcare veteran Elizabeth Bierbower to its Board of Directors. "As we continue to round out our board's experience, Elizabeth's extensive leadership with some of the largest health plans and deep financial expertise will be invaluable as we scale and innovate across the women's health and family building spectrum," said Pete Anevski, CEO of Progyny. "Her insights will support our strategy to deliver even more value to our members, clients, and shareholders as we expand our reach and impact." Bierbower brings more than 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry, having held leadership roles across health plans, provider services, and care innovation. She most recently served as Chairman and CEO of Friday Health Plans and held various senior positions at Humana, including Segment President, President of the Employer Group Segment, and Chief Operating Officer of the Specialty Benefits division. Prior to Humana, she held leadership roles at Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Coventry Health Care. Bierbower's depth of healthcare experience also includes serving on the board of directors of numerous companies including Option Care Health, the largest national independent provider for infusion therapy, as well as the boards of several privately held companies, including BlueSprig, Quest Analytics, Paradigm Corp., and Point32Health. 'Progyny is setting the standard for what comprehensive, outcomes-based women's health and family building benefits should look like in today's workforce,' said Bierbower. 'I'm joining the board at an exciting time as the company continues its expansion of both products and reach, and I look forward to contributing to the team's objective of advancing access to high-quality care for women and families.' For more information about Progyny and its Board of Directors, please visit About ProgynyProgyny (Nasdaq: PGNY) is a global leader in women's health and family building solutions, trusted by the nation's leading employers, health plans and benefit purchasers. We envision a world where everyone can realize their dreams of family and ideal health. Our outcomes prove that comprehensive, inclusive, and intentionally designed solutions simultaneously benefit employers, patients, and physicians. Our benefits solution empowers patients with concierge support, coaching, education, and digital tools; provides access to a premier network of fertility and women's health specialists who use the latest science and technologies; drives optimal clinical outcomes; and reduces healthcare costs. Headquartered in New York City, Progyny has been recognized for its leadership and growth as a TIME100 Most Influential Company, CNBC Disruptor 50, Modern Healthcare's Best Places to Work in Healthcare, Forbes' Best Employers, Financial Times Fastest Growing Companies, Inc. 5000, Inc. Power Partners, and Crain's Fast 50 for NYC. For more information, visit For Further Information, Please Contact: Investors:James Hartinvestors@ Media:Alexis Fordmedia@ in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
U.S. could have best health care. But not if profit-driven private sector keeps control.
Kay Tillow, with Kentuckians for Single Payer Health Care, led a rally against Medicare Advantage plans Oct. 11, 2023 outside the Humana headquarters in Louisville. (Photo by Deborah Yetter) Ours is the only nation in the industrialized world that has turned health care over to the private sector, subjecting all of us to life expectancy five years below the norm in other wealthy countries. More of our babies die in the first year of life and more of our moms die in childbirth than in any other industrialized country. We spend twice as much per person on health care in the United States as peer countries, yet we have the highest rates of death for conditions that are treatable. On the congressional agenda are cuts to Medicaid of more than $600 billion over 10 years. Hundreds of thousands Kentuckians are among those in the line of fire. The results will be deadly. Administration officials are determined to offset the tax cuts that will benefit the wealthiest even though it means loss of health care for millions of Americans. People are in the streets to stop the catastrophic damage to Medicaid. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that 10.3 million people would lose their Medicaid coverage by 2034 under the GOP bill. Med Pac, the independent agency that advises Congress, predicts the projected cuts will throw 8 million onto the uninsured rolls. Med Pac has also informed Congress that the privatized Medicare plans, misnamed Medicare Advantage, that were supposed to save money are instead costing us $84 billion a year more than if those patients were in traditional Medicare. So this looks like an easy fix. Leave Medicaid alone. Cut out the Medicare Advantage plans, placing those patients onto the better coverage of traditional Medicare, saving more than enough money over 10 years than is needed to offset the tax cuts. Problem solved! But in health care things are seldom simple. The Medicare Advantage patients who gained access to traditional Medicare would find themselves faced with unaffordable monthly premiums for the prescription drugs and supplemental coverage they would need. The Medicaid patients who were rescued from the firing squad will continue to suffer at the hands of the private Medicaid managed care companies that regularly deny 12% of claims, a rate double the awful rate in Medicare Advantage. Medicaid patients would still have a hard time finding specialists. Their rural hospitals would continue to close as the Medicaid payments are insufficient to maintain the necessary infrastructure. Billions of the public funds provided for Medicaid patients would be siphoned into the coffers of the insurance companies as care, by law, is secondary to profit, in this privatized Medicaid system. Those fortunate enough to have health care through their employers will continue to find the premiums, deductibles and co-pays beyond their means. The average family plan is now over $25,000 a year. The 15 years since the passage of health care reform have left 100 million of us in medical debt in what the Commonwealth Fund accurately calls a failing health care system. Over 130 national and local organizations have called for a national day of action on Sat., May 31, to 'Demand Health Not Profit: Put Single Payer on the Nation's Agenda.' On that day in 25 cities from Detroit to Houston and Seattle to Charlotte, people will gather to advocate against cuts in an already failing system and in favor of enhanced Medicare for all. The protesters are demanding passage of a publicly financed, national single-payer program that would provide comprehensive coverage to everyone. In Kentucky, the Rally for Health Not Profit will be at noon Saturday at the Mazzoli Federal Building in Louisville. The people there will be fighting for all of those on the firing lines and insisting that, this time around, we can remove the profits from health care and enact a plan that cares for all of us. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Globe and Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Elevance Looks Cheap Now: But is it Time to Buy or Dodge?
Elevance Health, Inc. ELV, a leading U.S. health benefits provider, appears to be trading at a discount. Its forward 12-month P/E ratio stands at just 10.35X, significantly below its five-year median of 13.46X and the industry average of 13.86X. Compared to peers, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated UNH and Humana Inc. HUM, which trade at 12.06X and 14.73X, respectively, ELV looks attractively valued. It currently holds a Zacks Value Score of A, highlighting strong valuation fundamentals. But is this discount a sign of hidden opportunity, or a red flag? Let's explore the drivers behind Elevance's valuation and its long-term outlook. Tailwinds Fueling Elevance's Growth Headquartered in Indianapolis, Elevance is well-positioned for sustained growth, underpinned by strategic initiatives across its commercial and government segments. Elevance continues to see steady growth in its commercial segment. In 2024, risk-based and fee-based commercial memberships grew 4.6% and 1% year-over-year. Its Individual Commercial business is especially strong, reporting a 14.2% surge in the first quarter of 2025 alone. By exiting underperforming markets, Elevance has streamlined its government business, improving overall efficiency. It also has room to expand its Medicare Advantage footprint in underpenetrated states, which could unlock future and dental memberships continue to witness growing momentum. With a Return on Invested Capital of 9.94%, far above the industry average of 5.79%, Elevance demonstrates superior capital deployment. Its $84.1 billion market cap gives it the scale to pursue strategic acquisitions and reallocations toward higher-margin businesses. ELV remains committed to returning capital to shareholders. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, it repurchased $880 million worth of shares and had $8.4 billion remaining under its buyback authorization. Its dividend yield of 1.82% also exceeds the industry average of 1.40%. Stable Market Performance Amid Volatility Despite headwinds in the broader market, ELV shares have gained 1.9% year to date, outperforming both the industry and the S&P 500. In contrast, UnitedHealth and Humana have posted declines, reflecting broader sectoral pressure. Price Performance – ELV, Industry, S&P 500, UNH & HUM ELV's Estimates & Surprise History The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Elevance's 2025 and 2026 EPS implies a 4.2% and 13.8% uptick, respectively, on a year-over-year basis. The estimates remained stable over the past week. Moreover, the consensus mark for 2025 and 2026 revenues suggests an 11.2% and 7.1% increase, respectively. The company beat earnings estimates in three of the past four quarters and missed once. This is depicted in the figure below. Elevance Health, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise ELV's Risks & Headwinds to Watch Despite its strengths, Elevance faces some notable challenges. A key concern is the decline in Medicaid and Medicare Supplement membership, leading to both overall membership losses and reduced revenues. A drop in government funding could put additional pressure on profitability. Increasing medical costs pose a massive challenge as industry players continue to struggle with rising utilization and squeezing margins. The company's benefit expense ratio, measuring the portion of premiums spent on claims, has been increasing, rising from 87% in 2023 to 88.5% in 2024. Our estimate suggests it could reach 88.7% in 2025, signaling further pressure on earnings. Policy shifts such as the Most Favored Nation drug pricing model introduced by the Trump administration have rattled the Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) industry. With major PBM exposure, Elevance — like UnitedHealth, CVS and others — faces uncertainty in this space. Conclusion Elevance Health offers an appealing valuation and demonstrates strong fundamentals in its commercial business, capital efficiency and shareholder returns. However, ongoing pressures from rising medical costs, government program headwinds, and regulatory uncertainties temper the bullish case. With a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), the stock reflects a balanced risk-reward profile. It may not be a screaming buy at the moment, but it remains a solid name to watch, especially for long-term investors seeking stability, value and consistent execution in the healthcare space. Patience may be warranted until clearer signals on regulatory outcomes emerge. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Only $1 to See All Zacks' Buys and Sells We're not kidding. Several years ago, we shocked our members by offering them 30-day access to all our picks for the total sum of only $1. No obligation to spend another cent. Thousands have taken advantage of this opportunity. Thousands did not - they thought there must be a catch. Yes, we do have a reason. We want you to get acquainted with our portfolio services like Surprise Trader, Stocks Under $10, Technology Innovators, and more, that closed 256 positions with double- and triple-digit gains in 2024 alone. See Stocks Now >> UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH): Free Stock Analysis Report Humana Inc. (HUM): Free Stock Analysis Report Elevance Health, Inc. (ELV): Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Network to Code Launches NautobotGPT: AI-Powered Co-Pilot for Network Engineers to Accelerate Automation
NautobotGPT Provides the Fastest Path from Network Idea to Automation - Reducing Testing, Creation and Troubleshooting Tasks from Hours to Minutes NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / May 28, 2025 / Network to Code, the global leader in network automation, today announced the launch of NautobotGPT, the first and only AI assistant built for network teams using its open source Network Source of Truth and Automation Platform, Nautobot. Designed for network engineers to accelerate automation workflows, NautobotGPT brings the agility and speed of low-code, the depth of full-code, and AI intelligence to every phase of network automation to make it more accessible, reliable and scalable. As the industry continues to evolve around AI, NautobotGPT removes the friction from building and scaling enterprise-class network automation-from core concepts to advanced customization. It acts as an on-demand expert for everything Nautobot, turning questions into Nautobot Jobs, and errors into actionable solutions all through natural language. With NautobotGPT, teams can ask questions to: 'Many teams are experimenting with AI, but few have embedded it directly into real-world automation workflows. NautobotGPT is built to close that gap,' said Jason Edelman, Founder & CTO, Network to Code. 'NautobotGPT brings AI to the front lines of network engineering. We are empowering engineers of all skill levels to break down the barriers that slow teams down-steep learning curves, large amounts of dedicated time, fragmented documentation, and limited Python expertise across teams-to make automation faster, smarter, and more accessible.' Often, small groups with specialized skills manage the whole network automation process in an enterprise. By explaining Jobs, errors, data models, and architectural choices, NautobotGPT helps novice users create value and supports skill development alongside productivity gains. It also speeds innovation from engineers that have ideas but historically haven't had the cycles to execute them through traditional development efforts. What used to take 10-20 hours of Python development to ideate, test and create can now be done in 10-20 minutes. Similarly, troubleshooting automation errors that took hours can now be done in minutes. Even non-technical users can now query NautobotGPT to quickly pull network data and reports without tying up network engineers. 'Building a full Network Source of Truth can take months, but leaders expect visible progress within 30 to 60 days,' said Matthew Schwen, Associate Director of Network Automation Engineering, Humana. 'NautobotGPT delivers on those expectations. We're already using it to validate data and generate reports far faster than manual methods, and we plan to use it to streamline device onboarding and integrate with ServiceNow soon. It's changing how we deliver services, helping engineers move from idea to implementation faster. NautobotGPT amplifies expertise, reduces rework, and drives more confident, informed decisions across the team.' About Network to Code Network to Code is the foremost expert in network automation strategy and has deployed more network automation projects than any other company in the world. Our network automation solutions help organizations transform the way their networks are deployed, managed, and consumed. Through software and services, NTC deploys data-driven network automation based on NetDevOps principles to improve reliability, efficiency, and security while reducing costs. NTC is the creator and sponsor of Nautobot, the leading open source Network Source of Truth and Automation platform. Get started at Media Contact: Danielle Dougan York IE for Network to Code [email protected] SOURCE: Network to Code press release
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Digital Marketing ROI: From Clicks To Causality
Rahul Wankhede, Director Data Science and Marketing Analytics, Humana. getty Digital marketing is an indispensable engine for growth. Year over year, big brands allocate a significant portion of their annual marketing budget toward digital channels and—with an ever-increasing digitally savvy and available audience—effective strategies can promise precision, personalization and reach. While it's easier to spend in digital channels than traditional ones, proving return on investment (ROI) at both the top and bottom of the funnel is complicated. That complexity is further amplified when you think of the impact on brand awareness or recall, which may not always yield immediate conversions. The real question is incrementality: Did the ad cause the action, or would you expect it to occur organically? To understand the trade-offs, think of measurement approaches as a funnel, ranging from simplest at the top to more complex—and possibly more accurate—methods at the bottom. With each layer, you can expect more rigor but also more stringent data requirements, sophisticated models, investment, deeper analytical expertise and patience. Here are a few different approaches for measuring the ROI of digital marketing efforts: At the top of that funnel is last-touch attribution, a model that assigns full credit for a conversion to the last interaction before the action. Since it's easy to implement and interpret, last-touch remains a popular method. However, the methodology ignores all other touchpoints that may have influenced the customer along their path to conversion. The method doesn't include the causal impact of interactions like first touch, linear or time decay. That's where multi-touch attribution (MTA) comes in. MTA attempts to use user-level data and models to assign fractional or partial credit to each touchpoint. The approach attempts to account for the full customer journey, offering a more granular view of performance. This method typically includes large volumes of granular data such as cookies, device IDs and timestamps across multiple channels. The model is also becoming more difficult to manage, with the world moving toward more stringent privacy laws and cookie deprecation. Ultimately, even with the data stack available, MTA is prone to bias. Some consumers who view your ads are likely to inherently be more engaged or loyal, while some may just be online more, potentially leading to overstated impact. Without proper controls, MTA could mistake correlation for causation. To supplement attribution, marketing mix models (MMMs) are a popular technique that leverages aggregated data—typically at the geographic and weekly level—to estimate the impact of marketing on sales. MMM can capture both online and offline media impact and is valuable when you add saturation curves to assist with long-term planning and budget optimization. While MMM does not require user-level data, which makes it resilient to privacy changes, results can skew heavily based on model specifications, assumptions and data quality. It also tends to smooth over short-term fluctuations and isn't necessarily useful for more tactical-level optimizations. Randomized control trials (RCTs) remain the gold standard in measuring the incremental impact of marketing. They work by comparing outcomes between a treatment group (those exposed to the marketing) and a control group (those not exposed), isolating the causal effect of the campaign. There are several ways to do this: • Randomization can occur at the market, geographic level or individual user level, where users are assigned to either a treatment or control group. • You can use synthetic controls after a campaign, which constructs a comparison group based on modeled data when a true control group wasn't established in advance. Running and implementing RCTs at scale, where reach remains such a crucial factor, is a challenge. You also run into issues with exposure bias; for example, being in the treatment group doesn't necessarily mean they saw the ad. Other factors, like viewability and fraud, can skew results. Conversely, control users might inadvertently be exposed to the ad due to retargeting, low match rates or media leakage. These issues can compromise the validity of the test. One solution is the implementation of placebo or ghost ads, which appear as real ads to the user but promote unrelated content, serving as a true control. With ghost ads, the control group is selected at the time of the bidding process, solving the question of ad exposure. This method requires a robust internal data infrastructure—including impression logs, user IDs, clean conversion data and analytical expertise. Many organizations don't have the engineering resources to deploy these tests at scale. Still, despite these challenges, well-executed experiments can validate and supplement predictive models, inform bidding strategies and answer key questions about channel effectiveness. When paired with MMM or MTA, RCTs act as a calibration layer, bringing rigor to existing methods. While much of marketing measurement focuses on conversions, upper funnel metrics like brand awareness, consideration and recall are equally critical. Though harder to measure, these indicators play a significant role in driving long-term growth. Surveys remain a primary tool to measure brand awareness, comparing consumer perceptions before and after ad exposure. Modern brand lift studies use randomized control designs to capture these shifts more accurately, while longitudinal brand equity trackers monitor changes over time to link campaigns with brand health. These methods offer insights that performance metrics alone can't answer, essentially the emotional connection with an audience the brand is trying to win. They also come with challenges: response bias, sampling variability and difficulty with linking surveys to actual exposure. Each approach—attribution, experimentation, modeling, surveys—has trade-offs. The key is integrating them into a unified strategy aligned with business goals, campaign needs and data maturity. Success lies in using the right mix at the right time, validating results without unnecessary complexity and building on insights over time. While machine learning will help automate and surface patterns, human expertise remains essential. The complexity is real—but so is the opportunity. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
