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HealthPartners has appointed Sarah Karlgaard as senior vice president and chief legal officer, effective 18 May. She will oversee legal, clinical risk management, integrity and compliance, physical security and sustainability functions. Karlgaard brings 20 years of legal experience, including six years as general counsel. Most recently, she served as vice president, general counsel and secretary for FUJIFILM Holdings America Corporation, where she led the legal function across 23 subsidiaries in the United States, Canada and Latin America. The Minneapolis-based nonprofit operates hospitals, clinics and health plans, serving over 1.4 million patients in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Karlgaard holds a law degree from Drake University Law School and a business degree from Concordia College.

HealthPartners names Sarah Karlgaard chief legal officer. May 18, 2026 BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - HealthPartners today announced that Sarah Karlgaard will join the organization as senior vice president and chief legal officer beginning May 18. Karlgaard will oversee legal, clinical risk management, integrity and compliance, physical security and sustainability. She will work closely with executive and operational leaders to advance strategic priorities while ensuring strong legal and regulatory stewardship. "We're excited to welcome Sarah to the HealthPartners team," said Andrea Walsh, HealthPartners president and CEO. "She is a collaborative leader with strong expertise in navigating complex legal and regulatory environments. Her perspective and partnership will help us advance our mission while continuing to innovate and improve the care experience." Karlgaard brings 20 years of legal experience, including six years as a general counsel. Throughout her career, she has provided legal and compliance guidance and served as a strategic partner on innovation and transformation initiatives across health services, care delivery and medical device organizations. Most recently, Karlgaard served as vice president, general counsel and secretary for FUJIFILM Holdings America Corporation. In that role, she led the legal function across 23 subsidiaries serving consumer, health care and business-to-business markets throughout the United States, Canada and Latin America. She was responsible for legal and governance matters across the organization. Karlgaard earned her law degree from Drake University Law School and a bachelor's degree in business from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. She lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two children. About HealthPartners HealthPartners is a nonprofit organization with a mission of improving health and well-being in partnership with its members, patients and community. An integrated system of care and coverage since its founding in 1957, HealthPartners operates hospitals and clinics, health plans, and a research and education institute. The Minneapolis-based organization serves more than 1.4 million patients in Minnesota and Wisconsin and 1.4 million medical and dental health plan members nationwide. For more information, visit healthpartners.com.

HealthPartners outlines progress, strategic priorities, and next steps to simplify and reduce health care costs. HealthPartners highlights ongoing progress, key priorities, and future actions to advance simpler, more affordable health care. Amid a persistent rise in both medical and pharmacy costs, HealthPartners is stepping up its efforts to make health care more accessible, understandable and financially sustainable for its members and patients. During its 2026 Annual Meeting, the nonprofit, consumer-governed health care organization outlined its ongoing progress and future strategy, emphasizing innovation, personalization, improved access and a strong commitment to affordability in an increasingly complex health care environment. At the heart of the organization's strategy is a focus on simplifying both care delivery and health coverage while continuing to invest in advanced technologies and patient-centered solutions. Andrea Walsh, president and CEO of HealthPartners, reinforced that these priorities are deeply rooted in the organization's founding principles. "From the beginning, HealthPartners was built on the belief that people want better health and need care they can easily access, afford and understand," Walsh said during the meeting. She highlighted that the Annual Meeting serves as an opportunity to demonstrate how these guiding principles continue to shape decision-making and strategic investments. According to Walsh, HealthPartners remains committed to fostering trust, transparency and high-quality service, even as it adapts to ongoing changes in the health care landscape. One of the central themes of the meeting was the growing role of personalized medicine in improving patient outcomes. Walsh pointed to the success of the myGenetics community health research program, which has already helped more than 80,000 participants gain deeper insights into their genetic predispositions. Through this initiative, individuals have been able to better understand their risks for conditions such as hereditary high cholesterol as well as breast, ovarian and colon cancers. By equipping both patients and clinicians with actionable genetic information, HealthPartners aims to enable earlier interventions and more targeted care plans. Beyond genetic research, HealthPartners is also leveraging advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to enhance clinical care. For example, cancer care teams within the organization are using AI-driven tools to improve the early detection of lung cancer. These technologies also help identify suitable candidates for clinical trials, ensuring that patients have access to cutting-edge therapies. This integration of digital innovation into care delivery reflects a broader trend across the health care sector, where data-driven approaches are increasingly being used to improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes. In addition, HealthPartners is expanding its partnerships with community-based pharmacies to better support individuals managing chronic conditions such as diabetes. Through these collaborations, members are receiving assistance with adopting continuous glucose monitoring systems, which can significantly improve disease management and quality of life. The organization is also enhancing its digital ecosystem with tools like the "My dashboard" platform. This personalized interface is designed to guide patients and members through their care journey, helping them access services when they need them and better understand their options. Another key focus area highlighted during the meeting was simplifying access to care. HealthPartners has introduced new health plan offerings aimed at making coverage more transparent and cost-effective. One such product, Simplica, is a copay-only health plan designed to incentivize high-quality care. By providing upfront cost information and enabling members to compare providers based on quality and outcomes, the plan seeks to empower more informed decision-making. Employers may also benefit from cost savings of up to 15% compared to traditional plan options. In parallel, HealthPartners has launched CareConnect HQ, a self-funded plan option tailored for large employers. Developed in partnership with Quartz, a Wisconsin-based community health plan, this offering is expected to expand coverage options starting July 1, 2026. These new products underscore HealthPartners' commitment to creating flexible and user-friendly solutions that address the evolving needs of employers and members alike. The organization is also investing significantly in its physical infrastructure to ensure that patients have access to high-quality care facilities. Plans are underway to break ground on a new Como Clinic in St. Paul, scheduled to open in the fall of 2027. Meanwhile, construction is progressing on the new HealthPartners Lakeview Hospital & Specialty Center, which is expected to open in early 2028. Additionally, emergency department expansions are currently taking place at Regions Hospital and Hutchinson Health Hospital, reflecting increased demand for acute care services. While these advancements highlight progress, HealthPartners also acknowledged the financial challenges facing the health care system. The organization reported its 2025 financial results, which included an operating loss of approximately 1% on total revenue of $9.3 billion. Despite this loss, HealthPartners maintained strong cash reserves, supported by solid investment income and disciplined cost management. The financial data revealed several key trends contributing to cost pressures. Total claims payments exceeded $4.1 billion, while overall medical costs rose by 11%. Of this increase, 8% was attributed to higher utilization of health care services, indicating that more patients are seeking care. Common conditions driving demand included cancer, diabetes and mental health disorders, all of which require ongoing and often complex treatment. Pharmacy costs also continued to climb, presenting an additional challenge. The average cost of generic medications rose by 8.7% compared to the previous year, while specialty drugs saw an even higher increase of 10.4%. These rising pharmaceutical expenses are a major concern across the industry, particularly as specialty medications become more prevalent in treating chronic and rare conditions. Despite these financial pressures, HealthPartners reaffirmed its commitment to its nonprofit mission by investing approximately $1 billion in community benefits during 2025. These contributions include providing care without full reimbursement, as well as funding programs that expand access and improve health outcomes. A significant portion of these efforts is directed toward Medicare and Medicaid populations, who often face greater barriers to care. The organization emphasized that these investments are essential to strengthening the communities it serves, even in the face of mounting economic challenges. By continuing to prioritize community health and equitable access, HealthPartners aims to uphold its mission while navigating a rapidly changing health care environment. As a consumer-governed nonprofit, HealthPartners places a strong emphasis on transparency and accountability. Its Annual Meeting is a key mechanism for engaging members and keeping them informed about organizational performance and future plans. By sharing detailed updates on its initiatives and financial results, HealthPartners seeks to build trust and maintain a strong connection with the communities it serves. Looking ahead, the organization plans to continue advancing its strategic priorities, with a focus on innovation, affordability and patient-centered care. The integration of technology, expansion of care options and ongoing investments in infrastructure and community health will all play a crucial role in shaping its future. A recording of the 2026 Annual Meeting will soon be made available online, providing members and stakeholders with further insight into HealthPartners' vision and progress. About HealthPartners HealthPartners is a nonprofit organization with a mission of improving health and well-being in partnership with its members, patients and community. An integrated system of care and coverage since its founding in 1957, HealthPartners operates hospitals and clinics, health plans, and a research and education institute. The Minneapolis-based organization serves more than 1.4 million patients in Minnesota and Wisconsin and 1.4 million medical and dental health plan members nationwide.