Feds tighten when people can enroll in Obamacare plans

by Eriksen Insurance | Jan 26, 2016 | Affordable Care Act, Health Insurance News, Open Enrollment

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...

Here’s What Medicare Part B Costs and Covers in 2016

by Eriksen Insurance | Jan 26, 2016 | Medicare

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....

Kraft Heinz pushes retirees to health exchanges

by Eriksen Insurance | Oct 20, 2015 | Exchange, Insurance Reform

Crain’s Chicago Business reports: “Kraft Heinz Co., which counts Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. as its largest shareholder, is pushing some of its retirees to health exchanges as the company cuts expenses. The foodmaker is eliminating some...

Is Blue Cross’ parent company too big, or not big enough?

by Eriksen Insurance | Jul 13, 2015 | Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Health Insurance Cost

Crain’s Chicago Business reports: “In health insurance, as in so many businesses, it helps to be big. Larger insurers enjoy many advantages over smaller rivals. They have more clout in pricing negotiations with doctors and hospitals, greater economies of...

Annual family health costs hit nearly $25K

by Eriksen Insurance | Jun 25, 2015 | Affordable Care Act, Family Health Insurance

Benefits Pro reports: “A family of four with employer-sponsored health coverage is shelling out substantially more since the advent of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The cost of family coverage also is rising so fast that even this standard...