CMS drops appeal of UnitedHealth’s MA star ratings case, STAT reports

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has abruptly withdrawn from a legal battle with UnitedHealth (UNH) Group, the nation’s largest Medicare Advantage insurer, just three days after signaling its readiness to proceed, STAT’s Bob Herman reports. The sudden decision to drop the appeal in UnitedHealth’s lawsuit against CMS coincides with the Trump administration’s freeze on federal health agency communications, scientific research meetings, and certain litigation activities, Herman writes, adding thatthis move is expected to enable the health insurer to boost its profits from the taxpayer-funded program.