Dear John,

Independent medical review is a source of data to illuminate the insurance coverage landscape.

In an ahead-of-print article published this month, Grace A. Lin and coauthors explore how almost one-half of health plan coverage denials that were appealed to independent medical review were overturned.

This article will be featured in our January 2026 issue. Become a subscriber today to never miss out on an upcoming issue.

The Latest on Drug Policies

Join Health Affairs on January 21 for an exclusive Insider virtual event exploring the latest drug policies with the University of Utah’s Joey Mattingly. 

Mattingly will join Health Affairs’ Laura Tollen to get Insiders up to speed on the latest drug policy developments and what to expect later in 2026. 

Addressing Low-Value Care In Traditional Medicare

Michael E. Chernew and A. Mark Fendrick

A MAHA Check-Up: Is The United States Getting Healthier?

Ada Peters and Richard Hughes IV

Senate Fails To Extend Enhanced ACA Subsidies; Focus Turns To House

Katie Keith

part of our Health Policy At A Crossroads series

Converting ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Into HSA Contributions Would Worsen Affordability, Experts Say

Adrianna McIntyre et al.

Medicaid Financing And The Health Care Safety Net: Preparing For Challenges Ahead

Michael C. Wang and Paula Chatterjee

part of our Medicaid Financing series

To Mitigate The Health Impacts Of Mis- And Disinformation, States Should Mandate Digital Watermarking

Pranay Narang et al.

UnitedHealthcare’s Remote Monitoring Rollback Misreads The Evidence And Jeopardizes Care

Katharine Lawrence et al.

The Costs Are Too Damn High: Responding To Affordability Pressures In ACA Markets

Scott Heiser et al.

part of our Health Policy At A Crossroads series

The Race To Create Human Eggs In The Lab Is Outpacing Policy

Emily Packard Dawson

Hospice, Heal Thyself

Ira Byock

All The News That’s Sick To Print

Merrill Goozner

part of our Health Affairs Reads series

Critical Access Pharmacy Designations Could Strengthen Access To Pharmacies

Emily Gravlee et al.