About Us

Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

A Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Social Media

Bluesky • Facebook • Instagram • LinkedIn • YouTube

Meet the Laser Focus World Team

Editorial

Sales

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology
My Watchlist
Indicators
Industrial Laser Index
Markets
Stocks
ETFs
Tools
Markets:
Overview
News
Currencies
International
Treasuries

Best’s Special Report: Eligibility Redeterminations Put Pressure on Medicaid Managed Care Segment

By: via Business Wire

Eligibility redeterminations in the Medicaid managed care segment following the end of the public health emergency period is leading to a mismatch between acuity and rates, according to a new AM Best report.

During the public health emergency from COVID-19, the segment experienced significant enrollment growth in 2020-2022 due to the lack of Medicaid eligibility redeterminations. The Best’s Special Report, “Medicaid Redeterminations Put Pressure on Segment,” states that since the provision expired on March 31, 2023, and states resumed the process of eligibility redeterminations, Managed Medicaid insurers have seen steep declines in enrollment, with Idaho leading the way with a 38% enrollment drop and 15 other states experiencing a drop of more than 20%. Lagging rate increases have created a mismatch between acuity and pricing.

“The majority of disenrolled Medicaid members tended to be healthier members, resulting in higher acuity in the segment,” said Kaitlin Piasecki, industry research analyst, AM Best. “Current pricing still reflects the healthier risk pool, and so necessary rate increases have lagged the acuity level and led to margin pressure in the segment.”

Because of the disconnect between pricing and risk profiles, according to the report, the ratio of incurred claims to direct premium has risen by more than seven percentage points through third-quarter 2024 to 92.0 from the 2020 pandemic low point of 84.8. Managed Medicaid is a high-volume business with narrow margins, and although industry earnings have been consistently positive, margins have been tightening. The report notes that nearly all managed Medicaid filing entities are single-state writers. At year-end 2023, 70% of companies reported a decline in underwriting profitability in their managed Medicaid business.

“Profitability may be difficult for some carriers, but many of the well-known health insurers have been challenged before and have demonstrated their ability to withstand difficult operating conditions,” said Jason Hopper, associate director, Industry Research and Analytics, AM Best.

The segment recorded a $1.8 billion underwriting gain through third-quarter 2024, compared with $5.3 billion for all of 2023. Despite the rate adequacy concerns, managed Medicaid profitability is expected to improve in 2025 and into 2026, as rate increases better reflecting the recent acuity profile and trends for the currently enrolled population are implemented. However, uncertainties related to federal funding cuts to the program remain.

To access the full copy of this special report, please visit http://www3.ambest.com/bestweek/purchase.asp?record_code=352423.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2025 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Managed Medicaid insurers have seen steep declines in enrollment, with Idaho leading the way with a 38% enrollment drop and 15 other states experiencing a drop of more than 20%.

Contacts

More News

View More
3 of the Most Overbought Stocks in the Market Right Now
Via MarketBeat
Topics Artificial Intelligence
Tickers AVAV IREN KTOS RKLB
5 Stocks Congress Quietly Bought in Q3—Should You Follow?
Via MarketBeat
Topics Artificial Intelligence
Tickers AMD JPM PLTR UBER UNH
Why Amazon’s Prime Day May Be the Catalyst for a Year-End Rally
Via MarketBeat
Tickers AMZN
Let the Good Times Roll: 2 Stocks Showing No Signs of Slowing
Via MarketBeat
Topics Artificial Intelligence World Trade
Tickers ATRO INOD META
Café Culture Revival? 3 Stocks to Watch After Chick-fil-A’s Move
Via MarketBeat
Tickers CMG MCD SBUX YUM
Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.