Latest News + Info
The latest information relating to the health insurance industry.
Healthcare.gov CEO says insurance marketplace’s complexity argues for agents
According to The Advocate: "The Affordable Care Act is confusing and complicated, which means that health insurance agents and brokers are needed to help consumers pick the best plans for them, Kevin Counihan, chief executive officer of Healthcare.gov, said Monday....
Coming soon to your mailbox: An Obamacare tax form
According to The CT Mirror: "Even if you don’t get your health insurance through Obamacare, you’re likely to get something related to the health law in the mail in the coming weeks: A new tax form. Known as Form 1095, it’s part of the way the federal government...
Humana to Record 2016 Obamacare Shortfall, Membership Drops
According to Bloomberg Business: "Humana Inc. is the latest insurer to run into trouble in Obamacare’s individual health-insurance markets. The health insurer said that it probably won’t collect enough money to cover costs for some customers who bought individual...
Feds tighten when people can enroll in Obamacare plans
According to USA Today: "Bowing to pressure from insurers, federal officials on Tuesday tightened the conditions under which people can sign up for plans on the HealthCare.govexchange outside open enrollment. The move by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services...
Here’s What Medicare Part B Costs and Covers in 2016
According to The Motley Fool: "Learn how this part of the Medicare program works. Retirees rely on Medicare to help them with their healthcare expenses, but getting a better understanding of how the program's different components can be challenging. Medicare Part B...
CMS Proposes Health Insurance Exchange Changes for 2017
California Healthline Reports: "On Friday, CMS released a proposed rule that would require minimum network standards for health plans sold through the federal exchange in 2017, Modern Healthcare reports. Proposed Rule's Network Standards Under the rule, states would...
With Michigan Closure, More Than Half of Obamacare CO-OPs Have Now Failed
Energy & Commerce Reports: "WASHINGTON, DC – The number of failed Obamacare CO-OPs grew to one dozen today as Michigan became the latest to announce it was closing. To date, 12 of the original 23 CO-OPs have closed, bringing the total cost to taxpayers at more...
Blue Cross, UnitedHealthcare return to Illinois Obamacare exchange
Crain's Chicago Business Reports: "Aetna is returning to sell plans on the Illinois health insurance exchange after taking a year off. Also returning are giants Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Illinois, the dominant insurer in the state; UnitedHealthcare, which is...
Blue Cross, Advocate team up on new health insurance plan
Crains Chicago Business Reports: "Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Illinois and Advocate Health Care are teaming up to offer a health plan that will be one of the cheapest options the insurer offers on and off the Obamacare exchange. The plan, called BlueCare Direct,...
Healthcare.gov CEO says insurance marketplace’s complexity argues for agents
The Advocate Reports: "The Affordable Care Act is confusing and complicated, which means that health insurance agents and brokers are needed to help consumers pick the best plans for them, Kevin Counihan, chief executive officer of Healthcare.gov, said Monday. “It’s...