Doling Out Pain Pills Post-Surgery: An Ingrown Toenail Not The Same As A Bypass
As the opioid epidemic rages, a Johns Hopkins surgeon and researcher is leading an effort to curb overprescribing by offering procedure-specific guidelines to ensure that post-surgical patients leave the hospital with enough, but not too much, pain medication.
‘Holy Cow’ Moment Changes How Montana’s State Health Plan Does Business
Other states are watching to see if controlling how much hospitals get paid can continue to hold down costs in “Big Sky Country.”
Administration Eases Way For Small Businesses To Buy Insurance In Bulk
The Trump administration issued the final rule on association health plans, which supporters say will make coverage more affordable for some employees but led others to warn about “junk insurance.”
Administration Challenges ACA’s Preexisting Conditions Protection In Court
The Trump administration is arguing that since Congress is repealing the penalty for not having insurance, the federal health law’s protection for people who have illnesses is unconstitutional.
How The Farm Bill Could Erode Part Of The ACA
A provision of this massive legislation would provide funding to help agricultural groups set up association health plans — a longtime GOP-favored mechanism to reduce health insurance costs for small groups.
Hospitals Lure Diabetes Patients With Self-Care Courses, But Costs Can Weigh Heavily
Self-management classes can help the tens of millions of Americans now diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. But the education can come with a high price tag.
No-Go For Idaho: Back To The Drawing Board On State-Based Health Plans
The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services advised the state that its plan to offer state-based insurance plans falls short of the Obamacare rules and could result in penalties for insurers.
¿Necesitas un procedimiento médico? Elije el proveedor correcto y recibe dinero
Los planes de salud para empleados estatales fueron los pioneros en esta estrategia comercial: ofrecer incentivos en forma de efectivo o tarjetas de regalo, para que los consumidores los elijan para sus estudios médicos.
Need A Medical Procedure? Pick The Right Provider And Get Cash Back
Incentives to encourage health care consumers to shop around gain momentum as a means to rein in spending.
La administración Trump propone norma para planes de salud de corto plazo
Estos planes durarían doce meses. Son más accesibles, pero su cobertura es más limitada. Y pueden rechazar a personas con condiciones preexistentes.
Trump Administration Proposes Rule To Loosen Curbs On Short-Term Health Plans
The policy change is likely to entice younger and healthier people from the general insurance pool by allowing a range of lower-cost options that don’t include all the benefits required by the federal health law.
Idaho Blue Cross Jumps Into Controversial Market For Plans That Bypass ACA Rules
Focus turns to whether the Trump administration will challenge Idaho’s move to allow such plans to be sold to individuals.
Despite Changes That Undermined ACA Enrollment, Marketplaces ‘Remarkably Stable’
A report issued by the National Academy for State Health Policy shows a small decrease in sign-ups last fall, but states running their own marketplaces did better than those that don’t.
Idaho ‘Pushing Envelope’ With Health Insurance Plan. Can It Do That?
Many eyes are on the Trump administration to see how officials respond to Idaho’s approach to health insurance, which flouts some aspects of the Affordable Care Act.
Trump Administration Rule Paves Way For Association Health Plans
Proponents say the proposed regulation will give some consumers more affordable insurance options. Critics warn that the coverage could be less comprehensive.
Arthritis Drugs Show How U.S. Drug Prices Defy Economics
Drugs that treat rheumatoid arthritis started out costing about $10,000 a year. Ten years later, they list for more than $40,000.
Biosimilars, Biologics And New Legal Challenges For RA Treatments
As biosimilar products reach the market and rival more established RA treatments, the players are exploring legal challenges involving antitrust and anti-competitive behavior.
Consumers Who Froze Their Credit Reports Could Hit A Glitch Enrolling In Insurance
The federal marketplace generally uses credit reports to help verify identities, but that doesn’t work if consumers have put a security freeze on them — as some did after the Equifax breach this year. Workarounds for this issue exist, but they make the process more time-consuming.
Brokers Tout Mix-And-Match Coverage To Avoid High-Cost ACA Plans
But buyer, beware. Cobbling together “packages” designed to cover gaps in high-deductible health plans could shortchange consumers, warn advocates.
Desperate For Coverage: Are Short-Term Plans Better Than None At All?
As stopgap health plans gain attention as possible alternatives to Obamacare, consumers are advised to read the fine print.
