Latest News + Info
The latest information relating to the health insurance industry.
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...
The ‘Affordable’ Care Act, another Christmas bah-humbug
The Hill Reports: "'Tis the season for giving—and for the Affordable Care Act, it’s become the season for giving bad news. For the third year in a row, open enrollment has given millions of hardworking Americans news that their health insurance will have higher...
Canadian Health Care: Patients Waiting Longer Than Ever For Treatment
Investors Business Daily Reports: "Socialist Medicine: Canadians love their hockey and have historically been happy with their government-run health care system. Hockey is thriving. The country's health care system, though, is a wreck and getting worse. It could be...
Millions choose IRS fines as more affordable than health coverage
The New York Times Reports: "Despite a 29 percent increase in the number of people enrolled in Obamacare, plenty of healthy holdouts remain, and their resistance helps explain why insurers are worried about the financial viability of the exchanges over time. The New...
What you need to know about Obamacare tax forms
CBS Rports: Tax filing is getting even more complicated. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires employers and health insurance companies to give the IRS information about your income and health insurance coverage. So, the IRS has created three new tax forms, and...