Latest News + Info
The latest information relating to the health insurance industry.
Judges Offer Mixed View on Health Law
The Wall Street Journal reports: "ATLANTA—A federal appeals court Wednesday took up the most significant legal challenge to last year's health law, with judges giving mixed signals on the central issue of whether it was constitutional to require people to carry...
News from the Blues
Blue Cross and Blue Shield reports: "Coming Aug. 1: New Member ID Cards with Bar Code Technology As you may recall, we last changed the format of our member ID cards in 2008, as part of a Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association ID card standardization initiative. At...
Maximum HSA Contribution to Rise Slightly in 2012
Business Insurnace.com reports: "The maximum contributions that can be made to health savings accounts in 2012 will rise slightly, the Internal Revenue Service said on May 16. Under IRS Revenue Procedure 2011-32, the maximum contribution that can be made to an HSA in...
Parties In Va. Health Care Suit File More Briefs
The Associated Press reports: "RICHMOND, Va. -- A federal statute that generally bars lawsuits challenging taxes before they are paid does not prohibit a federal appeals court from deciding two Virginia suits seeking to dismantle the Obama administration's health care...
Quick Guide to New Preventive Services Covered by Medicare
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has made several improvements to Medicare preventive services, many of which are available at no cost to the member. The one-time "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit is still covered within the first 12 months that a person has...
News from the Blues
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois reports: "Implementation Update: Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act [All Markets] Beginning today, June 1, 2011, the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act (PA 96-1513) takes effect. In...
Medicare To Be Broke By 2024, Report Says
Insurance News Net reports: "The bad economy is worsening the already-shaky finances of Medicare and Social Security, draining the trust funds supporting them faster than expected and intensifying the need for Congress to shore up the benefit programs, the government...
Slow Recovery Worsens Financial State of Medicare
The New York Times reports "WASHINGTON — The financial outlook for Medicare deteriorated in the last year because of the sluggish economic recovery, and the program’s hospital insurance trust fund will be exhausted in 2024, five years earlier than projected last year,...
Health Care Costs Explode
Insurance Networking News reports: "The Annual Milliman Medical Index (MMI) contains some grim tidings for health insurers and others concerned by the rising cost of health care, as for the fourth straight year costs rose by at least 7%. The MMI found that for 2011...
You Can’t Outrun Health Care Bills
Insurance News Net reports: "Medical costs are rising and the future of health care faces hot debate in Congress. What does that mean for baby boomers, like me? How do we avoid sliding into the poorhouse during retirement due to sky-high health expenses? Whatcom...