Healthcare news for October 13, 2026
Flu hospital stays nearly tripled in a month, and people 65 and older are being hit hardest New CDC numbers show flu sending far more people to the hospital than usual for early October. A different strain, H1N1, is driving most cases this year. The CDC says everyone 6 months and older should get a flu shot, ideally by the end of this month.
In 30 seconds
- If you haven't had a flu shot yet, get one now. Flu is spreading early, and people 65 and older can ask for a high-dose or boosted version made for seniors.
- Social Security announces the 2027 raise on Wednesday. Forecasts are just estimates until SSA posts the official number.
- Medicare open enrollment starts Thursday. Hang up on anyone who calls out of the blue about your plan, and never give your Medicare or Social Security number to a stranger.
- On a Medicare Advantage plan? Read your plan's change notice closely. Many plans are cutting dental benefits or the Part B giveback for 2027.
Medicare & Seniors
Many Medicare Advantage plans trim dental and Part B givebacks for 2027
An analyst review of plan data found dental cuts reaching almost 70% of UnitedHealthcare members, and smaller Part B givebacks for 62% of Humana members. Some plans also raised out-of-pocket limits, so compare carefully before Dec. 7.
Healthcare DiveInsurer sues Medicare over its 2027 star ratings
Alignment Healthcare says only a quarter of its members will be in four-star-or-better plans next year, down from all of them. It argues CMS scored plans improperly and wants its ratings recalculated. The case is still pending.
Fierce HealthcareBetter Business Bureau warns of Medicare open enrollment scams
Scammers pose as Medicare staff, insurers or 'enrollment specialists' and send links to fake look-alike sites. Go straight to Medicare.gov, or get free help from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
WBBJ
Insurance & ACA
ACA enrollment fell for the first time in seven years
Paid sign-ups dropped from 21.8 million to 19.2 million after extra tax credits ended. People who kept the same plan saw net premiums more than double on average, and insurers are asking for about 15% more for 2027.
KFFWho gets the $500 ACA refund checks, and how
Delaware says about 7,200 residents may qualify. The checks go to HealthCare.gov enrollees who paid full price with no subsidy. No application is needed, and each eligible person in a household can get one.
State of DelawareWashington approves a 22.2% average increase for 2027 exchange plans
State regulators signed off on next year's individual-market rates. Shoppers can compare plans and check for help paying when open enrollment begins Nov. 1.
Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner
Medicines & FDA
Amazon Basic Care extra-strength acetaminophen recalled
More than 112,000 bottles of the 500 mg tablets are being pulled after customers reported discolored pills. Check the lot number on 200-, 500- and 1,000-count bottles, and ask your pharmacist if you have one.
The HealthyFDA approves an immunotherapy combo after surgery for one type of colon cancer
Tecentriq plus chemotherapy is now approved for stage III colon cancer with a certain genetic marker (dMMR). In the trial, it cut the risk of the cancer coming back or death by half compared with chemo alone.
FDANovartis pill approved for hives caused by scratching the skin
Rhapsido, a twice-daily pill, is now approved for symptomatic dermographism in adults whose itching continues despite antihistamines. Itch relief showed up within about two weeks in the study.
HCPLive
Staying Well
Flu hospitalizations nearly triple since early September
The CDC says activity is higher than usual for this time of year but still within normal seasonal swings. Adults 65 and older have the highest hospital rate.
Becker's Hospital ReviewKentucky passes 100 measles cases this year
The state has counted 105 cases and nine hospital stays, most of them reported in August and September. Nearly half were school-age children.
WSMVDon't ask an AI chatbot which blood pressure cuff to buy
In an early study, four popular chatbots often mislabeled which home monitors are clinically validated, and gave different answers when asked again. Check a validated-device list or ask your doctor or pharmacist.
American Heart Association
Policy & Law
HHS launches a new push on vaccine injury reports
Medicare proposed paying doctors for time spent filing VAERS reports, health records will be required to log vaccine reactions, and NIH opened a clinic for people with problems after vaccination. The AMA backs safety monitoring but says it must stay free of politics.
HHSQueens pharmacy owner charged in $31 million HIV drug scheme
New York's attorney general says the owner paid Medicaid patients cash to fill HIV prescriptions, then bought the drugs back and resold them. He was arrested at LaGuardia and is presumed innocent.
New York Attorney General
Hospitals & Business
Brigham nurses hold off on an open-ended strike
Nearly 4,000 nurses at Brigham and Women's in Boston had planned to walk out Oct. 14. They will vote on the hospital's final offer instead, and any strike would need a new 10-day notice.
Becker's Hospital ReviewUPMC patients report portal glitches after a records-system switch
After 15 Pittsburgh-area hospitals moved to Epic, some patients couldn't log in to MyUPMC, saw missing information or faced longer waits. UPMC expects fixes over the coming days and weeks.
Becker's Hospital Review