With the recent sale of Cigna’s Medicare business to Big Blue HCSC, there is a noticeable split in the Medicare Advantage (MA) industry. Who is right about MA’s future?   About The Podcast:   Millions of Americans feel confused and frustrated in their search for quality healthcare coverage.   Between out-of-control costs, countless inefficiencies, a lack of affordable universal access, and little focus on wellness and prevention, the system is clearly in dire need of change.   Hosted by healthcare policy and technology expert Marc S. Ryan, the Healthcare Labyrinth Podcast offers accessible, incisive deep dives on the most pressing issues and events in American healthcare.   Marc seeks to help Americans become wiser consumers and navigate the healthcare maze with more confidence and certainty through The Healthcare Labyrinth website and his book of the same name.   Marc is an unconventional Republican who believes that affordable universal access is a wise and prudent investment. He recommends common-sense solutions to reform American healthcare.   Tune in every week as Marc examines the latest developments in the space, offering analysis, insights, and predictions on the changing state of healthcare in America.   About The Episode:   On this episode, Marc discusses the recent sale of Cigna’s Medicare business to Big Blue HCSC. There is a noticeable split in the Medicare Advantage (MA) industry. Who is right about MA’s future?   Key Takeaways:     Cigna sold its Medicare assets, including 700K Medicare Advantage lives, to HCSC, a Midwest Big Blue.   HCSC now has about 950,000 MA lives and has a national footprint.   It now is the 7th largest MA plan.   Cigna was frustrated with MA and did not want to stay in the line. It is investing in its services business, Evernorth, and its commercial insurance line.   The industry is split between MA doubters and MA cheerleaders.   Cigna and some Blues plans doubt the ongoing viability of MA.   Most large national plans, despite some financial woes, believe in staying in MA. This is the case with other Blues’ plans too.   MA has been hit with some poor rates, over-zealous regulation, reining in of risk adjustment, and major utilization hikes.   Some of the financial woes were caused by plans’ bad management, poor Star scores, and over-expansion when there were clear warning signs.   HCSC actually had a rating downgrade after the sale.   Both sides have points, but MA has always bounced back from periodic financial issues. Plans realign financially.   MA will be bolstered by the ongoing value proposition against the traditional program as well as aging in America.   Connect with Marc   Marc on LinkedIn   Marc on Twitter   THL Podcast   Resources   THL’s Newsfeed   THL’s Blog   The Healthcare Labyrinth: A Guide to Navigating Health Plans and Fixing American Health Insurance