Federal Retiree Weighs Whether To Keep FEHB Or Switch To Medigap
Insurance columnist answers readers’ questions about federal workers’ best deal on supplementing Medicare and signing up for Medicare if you’re living abroad.
Insurance Dependents Can Face Special Challenges On Privacy
The health law may create new challenges for maintaining dependents’ medical confidentiality.
Health Plan Open Season Brings Rising Premiums And More Expensive Dependent Coverage
As employees review their health plan options for 2013, they can expect changes.
Often Overlooked In Nursing Home Admission Paperwork Is An Arbitration Agreement
Signing the form means that if a problem can’t be amicably resolved, the patient or family agrees to take the dispute to a professional arbitrator rather than file a lawsuit.
Shingles Vaccinations Not Covered For Some Medicare Beneficiaries
Answers to readers’ questions about how seniors can qualify for coverage for the inoculations, whether parents are required to keep young adults on their plan and getting pregnancy care for dependents.
HHS Says Health Plans Cannot Discriminate Against Transgender People
In a letter, federal officials say employers, insurers and others cannot deny coverage or benefits based on “gender identity.”
Health Law Has Gaps In Men’s Care
At the urging of women lawmakers and advocacy groups, the overhaul provides coverage for some specific preventive care, especially for sexual and reproductive health, but men’s coverage is more limited.
Health Law Prompts Review Of Some Medigap Plans; Defining Who Gets Dependent Status
In responses to readers’ questions, columnist Michelle Andrews looks at efforts to curb spending by Medigap insurance. In addition, she explores how health plans determine who can be on your coverage.
Many People Would Like To Know Their Risk Of Developing Alzheimer’s Disease
Current testing provides only limited information and is generally discouraged by experts. In addition, health insurance generally doesn’t cover it.
Some Plans Deny Pregnancy Coverage For Dependent Children
Although group health plans must cover workers or their spouses if they become pregnant, they don’t have to extend that insurance to children.
New Federal Transportation Law Encourages Stricter Teen Driving Regs
Efforts by states over the past decade have cracked down on young drivers and tried to curb distractions, but safety experts say more still needs to be done.
Forget The Company Plan-The Boss Wants You On Dad’s Insurance
Employers can encourage young adults to forego the office’s plan and take advantage of health law provision allowing them to join their parents’ policy.
Health Insurance Prices For Women Set To Drop
Any woman who has bought health insurance on her own probably didn’t find herself humming the old show tune, “I Enjoy Being a Girl.” That’s because more than 90 percent of individual plans charge women higher premiums than men for the same coverage, a practice known as gender rating. Women spend $1 billion more annually […]
Even After Changing Policies, Some Consumers May Get A Rebate
Readers ask for guidance on questions involving health insurance rebates, coverage for same-sex spouses and benefits for pregnancy.
New Guidelines On Obesity Treatment Herald Changes In Coverage
The recommendation by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force that people who are obese get “intensive, multicomponent” intervention offers support for consumers, but it is not clear that employers and insurers welcome the change.
Rating Doctors Is Tricky, But Consumer Reports Does It In Mass.
Physicians are often nervous about patient reviews but they supported this effort.
Retail Health Clinics Expanding
President of MinuteClinic, the nation’s largest chain, says his facilities help fill the void caused by a shortage of primary care doctors. But they also help patients find physicians and coordinate care.
Workplace Clinics Are Expanding Focus Beyond Injuries, Preventive Care
Some big employers are beefing up their clinic offerings with a host of new services, including physical therapy, dental and vision exams, mental health counseling and even acupuncture and massage.
Biggest Mass. Insurer Tightens Rules On Some Painkillers
Blue Cross Blue Shield will require a review after 30 days to reduce addiction risks and keep the drugs from teenagers and others for whom they weren’t prescribed.
New Screening Tool Could Increase The Use Of Virtual Colonoscopies
Medical experts seek ways to raise the number of consumers who get tested, and a procedure that doesn’t include the normal preparation might be less troublesome.
