Healthcare news for October 29, 2026
HHS opens the door for pharmacies to make six popular 'wellness' peptides, including BPC-157, without FDA approval The Department of Health and Human Services says it will not take action against licensed pharmacies and doctors that compound six unapproved peptides sold online for healing, skin and longevity: BPC-157, TB-500, epitalon, MOTS-c, KPV and semax. They will need a prescription written for you, and the policy sets conditions such as tested ingredients from FDA-registered makers and reporting side effects to FDA. HHS says the goal is to steer people away from risky black-market products, but it stresses this is not FDA approval and does not mean the peptides are proven safe or effective. No published human trials show these six work for any condition, and some FDA staff had advised against easing the rules. The notice is due in the Federal Register Oct. 30 and is a draft open to public comment for two weeks. If you're curious about peptides, talk with your doctor first and avoid 'research use only' products sold online.
In 30 seconds
- Thinking about peptides like BPC-157? HHS will let pharmacies make six of them with a prescription, but they are not FDA-approved or proven to work. Talk to your doctor and skip 'research only' products sold online.
- About 4.3 million people on Medicare will see their Medicare Advantage or drug plan end after 2026. If you got a plan-ending letter, choose a new plan by Dec. 7 (or by Dec. 31 at the latest) to avoid a gap.
- Flu is arriving early, driven by a changed H1N1 strain. This season's shot should still help, and it takes about two weeks to kick in, so get it now. If you're 65+ and get sick, ask about antivirals within 48 hours.
- Buy your own coverage? ACA sign-up opens Saturday. Cigna is leaving the marketplace in all 11 of its states, so if you have a Cigna plan you'll need to pick a new one.
Medicare & Seniors
More than 4 million people will lose their Medicare Advantage or drug plan at the end of 2026
A KFF analysis counts about 3.1 million people in Medicare Advantage drug plans and 1.2 million in stand-alone drug plans whose coverage ends after this year. Humana and UnitedHealth account for the most Advantage members affected, and CVS's SilverScript Choice is the biggest drug plan ending. If your Advantage plan ends and you pick nothing, you'll go to Original Medicare, and you get a guaranteed right to buy a Medigap policy.
KFFCentene sues Medicare over its 2027 star ratings
Centene, which runs Wellcare plans, says CMS used 17 improper measures to score its Medicare Advantage contracts, and two of its contracts now carry a 'low performance' warning on Medicare's plan finder. It's the third insurer to sue this year. Industry-wide, the share of members in 4-star-or-better plans fell to 12% from 16%. Star ratings are one useful clue when comparing plans, along with doctors, drugs and costs.
Healthcare DiveTexas seniors: Blue Cross and Memorial Hermann are dropping Medicare Advantage plans
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and Houston's Memorial Hermann are both ending their Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, so members need to choose new coverage before the year ends. ACA marketplace shoppers in Texas also face higher prices next year, as insurers nationally proposed increases averaging about 15%.
Spectrum News
Insurance & ACA
Cigna is leaving the ACA marketplace in all 11 of its states for 2027
KFF's updated tracker shows 11 insurers pulling out of some or all of their ACA markets next year while seven are expanding into new states. Cigna, which had more than 350,000 marketplace members early this year, is exiting entirely. In states losing several insurers, shoppers may have fewer choices. If your insurer is leaving, you'll need to pick a new plan during open enrollment.
KFFNew York's open enrollment runs Nov. 1 to Jan. 31, with a path back for people who lost the Essential Plan
About 450,000 New Yorkers earning 200% to 250% of the poverty level lost Essential Plan eligibility in July because of the federal budget law, and about 60% were moved into other coverage. Others can return and pick a plan now. Oscar is leaving, so its 4,800 members must choose a new insurer. Sign up by Dec. 15 for Jan. 1 coverage; free help is at 1-855-355-5777.
New York State Department of Health
Medicines & FDA
FDA approves at-home starter doses of Skyrizi for Crohn's disease
Adults with moderate to severe Crohn's can now begin Skyrizi with an on-body injector at home instead of IV infusions at a clinic. In the AFFIRM trial, 55% of patients were in remission at 12 weeks versus about 30% on placebo, with even better results in people who hadn't tried other biologics. Ask your gastroenterologist whether the home option fits you.
HealioPfizer's Talzenna plus Xtandi approved earlier for advanced prostate cancer with certain gene changes
The FDA cleared the pill combination for men with metastatic prostate cancer and HRR gene mutations whose cancer still responds to hormone therapy. In a 599-patient trial, adding Talzenna cut the risk of the cancer worsening or death by 52%. A genetic test is needed to qualify, so ask your oncologist about testing.
CUREReminder: 4.8 million cartons of store-brand eye drops recalled over sterility
K.C. Pharmaceuticals recalled lubricating and redness-relief drops sold under 27 labels, including Walgreens, Kroger, Equate, up&up, Publix, H-E-B and Clear Eyes, because sterility can't be assured. The FDA rates it Class II. Check your 0.5-ounce bottles against the FDA's lot list and stop using any match.
The Healthy
Staying Well
Flu season is starting early, and a changed H1N1 strain may be why
CDC estimates flu is growing or likely growing in 44 states, and 5.7% of flu tests came back positive in mid-October, compared with under 1% a year ago. Most cases are H1N1 with a new mutation that may dodge some existing immunity. Experts say this year's shot should still protect, though perhaps less. Antivirals work best within 48 hours of symptoms, especially for people 65 and older.
NBC10 PhiladelphiaMeasles cases this year are more than double all of 2025
CDC has confirmed 4,588 U.S. cases as of Oct. 22, across 47 jurisdictions, with about 96% tied to outbreaks. In a typical year before recent outbreaks, the U.S. saw fewer than 200. Two doses of MMR vaccine are the best protection, especially before travel.
FOX 5 New York
Policy & Law
Iowa's Medicaid work rules start Dec. 1
Iowa Medicaid members ages 19 to 64 will need 80 hours a month of work, school, job training or volunteering, unless exempt. Exemptions include people who are medically frail or disabled, pregnant or recently gave birth, caregivers of young children or disabled people, and those in addiction treatment. Iowa HHS will mail letters to those affected, so watch your mail.
KCRGWhat HHS's peptide policy does and doesn't do
The interim policy is a draft enforcement decision, not a law or FDA approval, and HHS says it can revisit it if safety problems arise. It lasts until FDA finishes rules on which ingredients pharmacies may use. A patient-safety group urged HHS to hold off. Comments are open for two weeks after the Oct. 30 notice.
Becker's Hospital Review
Hospitals & Business
HCA says ACA coverage losses cost it $400 million last quarter
The nation's largest hospital chain says uninsured patients made up 10.5% of its volume, and visits by ACA-covered patients fell 19% from a year ago after the extra subsidies expired. HCA expects about $1 billion to $1.2 billion in ACA-related losses this year. It's another sign that more people are going without coverage.
Healthcare DiveMass General Brigham scales back its hospital-at-home program as layoffs begin
The Boston system will cap home hospital patients at about 30, down from roughly 70 in 2024, and pause the service at Salem, Newton-Wellesley and Faulkner hospitals. The program loses about $30 million a year, and officials blame rising costs and payments that haven't kept up.
WROR