Reporter | Business

Since 1994, Snowbeck has covered health care stories at four newspapers including the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Daily Progress of Charlottesville, Va. He lives in St. Paul with his wife, two daughters and two cats. He graduated from Carleton College as a history major with a concentration in medieval studies. He serves on the board of directors for the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists. He's also a runner.


UnitedHealthcare reducing some 'prior authorization' requirements

The Minnetonka-based insurer says it will eliminate nearly 20% of restrictions to boost convenience for doctors, patients — the latest national insurer to adjust its requirements.


Minnesota's mental health crisis: Our methodology

How the Star Tribune selected and calculated payment rates using newly available data.


Desperate search for care reveals Minnesota's mental health crisis

Newly available data analyzed by the Star Tribune reveals how medical insurers and Medicaid pay hospitals for psychoses treatment at a much lower per-day rate than other common physical conditions.


Bright Health paid executives $3.77 million in bonuses as the business foundered

A health care strategist calls it "pay-for-failure." The Bloomington-based health insurer said its incentives formula called for bigger bonuses.


University of Minnesota says $300 million is 'upper limit' for Fairview hospital

University officials questioned whether the institution would need to pay anything for the transfer.


New documents show fracture between U, Fairview on merger

University of Minnesota executives questioned the leadership of Fairview's "highly compensated" CEO; Fairview said the U wasn't taking shared responsibility for financial problems, in letters obtained by the Star Tribune.


Mayo Clinic's operating income fell by half last year on rising labor costs

Rochester-based Mayo reports $595 million in operating income in 2022, a more than 50% reduction as costs rise.


U of Minnesota seeks $950M to acquire, operate hospitals in Minneapolis

University officials to ask state lawmakers for funds to repurchase primary medical teaching facilities amid Fairview-Sanford merger talks.


CEO looks forward as Blue Cross of Minnesota marks 90th anniversary

Labor shortages at health care providers and for-profit competition among carriers are among the challenges facing the state's largest nonprofit health insurer.


Sanford-Fairview merger plan includes $500M for Minnesota sites

Benefactor Denny Sanford has pledged to make Sanford Health the primary beneficiary of his estate so long as headquarters remains in Sioux Falls, S.D.