After Much Scrutiny, HHS Releases Health Insurance Exchange Rules
Industry and consumer groups are poring over more than 200 pages of long-awaited proposed federal rules on state-based insurance exchanges, a critical element of the federal health law.
Obesity Rate Ballooning, Report Says
Americans are continuing to supersize – adult obesity rates increased in 16 states last year and did not go down in a single state – raising health risks and ultimately adding to the cost of health care, according to a study out today. Just four years ago, only one state had obesity rates above 30 […]
Insurance brokers won a round in their battle over the future of sales commissions on Thursday when a key committee of state insurance regulators voted to endorse a controversial bill now before Congress. The task force of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners said they would endorse the bill — sponsored by Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich. […]
Analyst: Nonprofit Blues Have Huge Reserves
Nonprofit Blue Cross Blue Shield plans are sitting on piles of cash – and consumers might see “premium holidays” or lower-than-expected increases as a result, a Wall Street analyst says in a report Wednesday. Nationwide, 33 nonprofit plans have almost $29 billion in capital reserves, according to analyst Carl McDonald of Citi Investment Research & […]
‘Double’ Chest Scans Increase Costs And Exposure To Radiation
Many hospitals are performing unusually large numbers of a type of CT scan experts say should be done sparingly.
Blue Shield Of California Sets Profit Cap Other Insurers May Not Imitate
Blue Shield of California’s decision to cap profits at 2 percent was widely applauded, but other health insurers aren’t likely to follow suit.
Health Insurance Rate Hikes Face Tougher Scrutiny
The Obama administration issued final rules Thursday requiring insurers to justify rate increases of 10 percent or more.
States Seek to Soften Rule on Insurers’ Profits, Millions Of Dollars In Consumer Rebates At Stake
Nine states are pushing the Obama administration to ease a requirement that insurers spend 80 percent of their premium revenues on medical care
Some Employers Already Sending Workers To Exchanges to Buy Health Insurance
Entrepreneurs create new private marketplaces
Health Insurance From Both Sides: KHN Interview Of Aetna CEO Bertolini
Mark Bertolini knows the insurance industry inside out. Both he and his son have had life-threatening health crises. He says he wouldn’t qualify for an individual policy and talks with KHN about how Aetna is reacting to the health law.
CBO: Seniors Would Pay Much More For Medicare Under Ryan Plan
Health care entitlement programs are targeted for major overhauls under the House GOP budget proposal, says the Congressional Budget Office.
Hospitals And Insurers Face Growing Antitrust Scrutiny
Recent lawsuits show the government is cracking down on suspected anti-competitive actions in the health care and insurance industries.
Brokers Seek To Preserve Role In Health Insurance Marketplace
Insurance agents fear the health reform law threatens their livelihood and want changes in rules to protect their commissions and guarantee them a role in the new health exchanges.
Haley Barbour Draws Fire For Medicaid Changes In Mississippi
Mississippi Gov. Barbour’s ways to control the rising costs of Medicaid are sometimes controversial, but he maintains that states need more freedom to run the program.
Regulators Penalize Some Maryland Hospitals For Complication Rates
A Maryland program to curb hospital infection rates is showing signs of success, but nine hospitals still fell short last year and were penalized a total of $2.1 million.
Health Programs On The Chopping Block As States Gird For Drop In Federal Aid
Hundreds of thousands of Americans are at risk of losing access to health services as states prepare to make yet another round of budget cuts.
States May Face Showdown With Feds Over Cutting Medicaid Rolls
Arizona has already asked for permission to trim back the program, and other states may follow as enhanced funding from Washington expires.
Obama Administration’s Balancing Act: Health Insurance Benefits Vs. Costs
Advocacy groups are lobbying as government advisory panel tackles key question: What benefits must insurers cover?
Effort To Reward Medicare Advantage Plans Draws Criticism
MedPac assails Medicare plan to extend quality bonus payments – meant for top-performing health insurers – to those with lower scores.
New Rules Would Require Insurers To Justify Double-Digit Rate Increases
The Obama administration’s proposed rule would require health insurers to explain in detail any rate increase of 10 percent or more in 2011.
