Blue Cross Blue Shield Association recently unveiled a new action plan to improve healthcare quality and keep rising healthcare costs down. According to the press release on their website, BCBSA has designed a comprehensive plan that is interconnected to transform healthcare as we know it. It ultimately moves away from a fee-for-service model to a [...]
Archive for the ‘health care reform’ Category
Ohio Health Insurance Fighting Reform
Health care reform continues to be a hot topic throughout the nation, and Ohio health insurance is taking a stand. The article “Ohio’s Battle for Health Care Freedom” by Ed Meese and Jack Painter on Politico.com talks about what is driving Ohioans to fight against Obama’s health care reform bill. A recent poll shows that [...]
Health Premium Tax May Increase Coverage Rates
Everyone is expecting to see health insurance rates increase somewhat, but individuals who purchase health insurance through small-employer markets may see an increase as high as 3.7% over the next decade simply due to a new tax that takes effect in 2014. This information is based on a study completed by US insurance companies according [...]
US Health Care Scorecard – 64 Out of 100
It’s no secret that the US has some work to do on health care systems and health insurance programs. The article “US Scores 64 out of 100: Commonwealth Fund Commission National Health Care Scorecard” from the Medical News Today website, details the third national scorecard report completed by the Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High [...]
Part of Health Care Law Has Been Suspended
There have been some major changes to Obama’s health care law which have some people very confused. MSNBC reports that the Obama Administration announced a suspension of one important piece of health care reform. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, advised Congress that the CLASS Act (Community Living Assistance Services and Supports), was [...]
Medicare Changes Surprise Seniors
A recent survey shows that about two-thirds of seniors are unaware that the Medicare enrollment period has been moved. This could end up costing them if the information doesn’t get to them in time. The Medicare enrollment period opens October 15th instead of November. If beneficiaries do not enroll by December 7th, they will have [...]
Medicaid in Texas Facing Possible Changes
Supplemental Medicaid payments are at risk in Texas for private hospitals, including about 21 facilities owned by publicly traded Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). There is a state proposal to revamp the health care structure for individual health insurance in Texas. This includes the health care program for the poor and if it’s approved, Medicaid [...]
Health Insurance for Small Businesses: Ways to Cut Costs
The cost of covering employees’ health insurance continues to rise and no one is feeling this more than small businesses. Many smaller businesses have completely eliminated any benefits programs for their staff because the costs are just too high and they keep increasing. Even though the rate of the increases is slowing down, it’s still [...]
Louisiana Facing Insurance Commissioner Election
Election season is upon us and Louisiana is definitely feeling the pressure as they get ready to vote for the insurance commissioner. Louisiana has struggled with insurance issues for decades, and usually it’s been about homeowners insurance following Hurricane Katrina and other disasters. This year, Louisiana health insurance and auto insurance are facing serious challenges and [...]
Health Insurance Coverage for Young Adults Increases
Young adults are gaining health insurance coverage at surprising rates since the health care reform bill was signed according to the article “Young Adults Make Gains in Health Insurance Coverage” by Kevin Sack on the New York Times site. Three recent surveys show that young adults under the age of 26 increased their health care [...]
