Urbana, Ill. – Carle Health today announced that as of Jan. 1, 2026, subsidiaries Health Alliance and FirstCarolinaCare will cease operating all lines of business except Medicare Advantage. Throughout the remainder of 2025, the health plans will maintain operations to support claims processing and meet ongoing business needs, regulatory mandates and contractual obligations.
Today, Health Alliance announced one-year outcomes from its partnership with Virta Health, the leader in diabetes reversal and sustainable weight loss with a nutrition first approach.
As the autumn colors peak and the air turns crisp, a significant period approaches for many people in the United States. The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) for Medicare, held from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, is a critical time for those with Medicare, those assisting a friend or family member, or individuals who have recently retired and are now looking for a Medicare plan. This period is crucial in securing coverage that aligns with individual health needs, lifestyle interests and financial realities.
“We are always looking for ways to lower drug costs while maintaining the best medical outcomes for our members,” Brian Smolich vice president of Health Alliance™ Pharmacy and Medical UM and Systems, says. That is why in early 2023, when several biopharmaceutical companies launched biosimilars for adalimumab as a substitute for Humira®, Smolich and others saw it as a potential game-changer for many patients diagnosed with certain types of arthritis and other inflammation-related diseases.
The proverbial saying, “the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence,” is typically used to caution against comparing your current situation to a rosy, overly optimistic view of something new or different. It seems to say, “Be happy with what you have.” But, what if the grass really might be greener somewhere else?