Latest Morning Briefing Stories
Clients Save, Insurers Get Boost From Affordable Care Act
As enrollment continues for some, insurers like Independence Blue Cross in Pennsylvania are busy trying to show new customers how to use their policies.
Nevada Offers Rare Bet: Year-Round Sales Of Health Plans
It is the only state to mandate that insurers who sell individual plans outside the online marketplace must keep sales open throughout the year. The health law allows insurers to offer individual plans even outside the open enrollment period, but in most areas few companies appear interested.
Kit Bond Works Missouri Capitol’s Halls On Medicaid Expansion
The former governor has been meeting with legislators, some of whom weren’t born when he first came to Jefferson City as state auditor in 1970.
When Connecting With A Dentist Doesn’t Mean An Office Visit
Teledentistry experiment in California aims to bring care to needy patients in schools and nursing homes. Consulting with dentists over the Internet, hygienists and dental assistants offer preventive treatment and education.
Los Angeles County Audit Finds Backlog Of Nursing Home Complaints
The Los Angeles County Auditor/Controller determined that there were more than 3,000 open investigations, including 945 that have been open for more than two years.
A Reader Asks: Does My Swedish Health Plan Meet ACA Requirements?
KHN’s consumer columnist reports that foreign insurance policies must meet HHS standards for “minimum essential coverage” to be considered a replacement for marketplace plans.
State Exchange Executives Face Tough Questions From House Subcommittee
For some states, like California, things have gone well. But the rollout in states like Maryland and Oregon has been rocky. Mary Agnes Carey and CQ Roll Call’s Emily Ethridge discuss what we’ve learned about why some did better than others.
What Happens Next On The Health Law?
As the first open enrollment period draws to a close, here are seven things to watch for clues about what the health law’s future might hold.
Insurance Agents Enroll More Than 4,000 Haitian-Americans in South Florida
A group of Haitian-American insurance agents have seized the opportunity to bring health coverage to their own South Florida communities, where they estimate seven out of 10 people are uninsured.
Colorado Health Exchange’s Marketing Budget Draws Enrollees, Critics
Colorado officials on both sides of the aisle are arguing over the effectiveness of the $8 million marketing spend the state’s insurance marketplace.
3 Million And Counting: Final Push Underway To Enroll Californians In Health Plans
But some residents remain unconvinced they need coverage, and others say they can’t afford it even with financial help.
Connecticut Customers Rush To Retail Store To Buy Insurance
Obamacare business is picking up at a storefront in New Haven, where some customers are getting insurance for the first time and others are hoping to lower their premiums.
What Went Wrong With Minnesota’s Insurance Exchange
Here is an in-depth look at what went wrong at MNsure, the Minnesota exchange that has been plagued by miscommunication, technology failures and management mistakes.
Marketing Mistakes Hurt Latino Enrollment In California
Research shows that certain sales strategies resonate with American Latinos, but California’s insurance exchange didn’t try any of them initially.
Health Workers’ Union Pushes Hospital Cost Control In California
The SEIU is gathering signatures to put two hospital questions to voters in November. The union wants hospital charges capped at 25 percent above costs and CEO salaries at nonprofit hospitals capped at $450,000 per year.
Tough Road for States Seeking Customized Medicaid Expansion
Each of the states currently weighing expansion of Medicaid has a different idea of what it would look like.
Conn. Tries To Sell Its Obamacare Success To Other States
Selling Affordable Care Act insurance is going well in Connecticut, so the state is offering “Exchange In A Box” services to other states that are still stumbling.
Lend Us Your Ears: Note Takers Help The Elderly At The Doctor
Several groups dedicated to helping seniors stay in their homes provide the service for members who may need a record of the doctor’s office visits.
Tales Of Obamacare: From Elation To Frustration
Chicago-area consumers navigate the health law’s new insurance exchanges.
Mass. Patients Can ‘Shop’ For Health Care — At Least In Theory
Part of the state’s health care cost control law requires hospitals and doctors tell patients how much things cost, if they ask.
