Health Insurance

California Health Insurance Exchange Keeps Rate Hikes Low — Again

8:04pm July 27, 2015

Monthly premiums for health insurance plans in the Covered California marketplace will increase by an average of 4 percent for 2016. The price for some plans will drop.

State regulators will be scrutinizing health insurers rate proposals for 2016.

Administration Prods States To Scrutinize Insurers' Rate Hikes

8:29am July 24, 2015

by Julie Rovner

In a letter to state regulators, the Obama administration says rates shouldn't be allowed to go up as much as some insurers are proposing for plans sold to individuals on the health exchanges.

Anthem, headquartered in Indianapolis, is buying rival Cigna in a deal valued at $48 billion announced Friday.

Anthem To Buy Cigna, Creating Largest Health Insurer By Enrollment

8:25am July 24, 2015

by Scott Neuman

The combined company would have an estimated revenue of $115 billion and cover 53 million people in the U.S.

The IRS released preliminary figures that show about three-quarters of taxpayers indicated they had qualifying health insurance in 2014.

IRS: 7.5 Million Americans Paid Penalty For Lack Of Health Coverage

4:48pm July 21, 2015

by Phil Galewitz

Americans paid an average penalty of $200 for not having health insurance in 2014, the first year most Americans were required to have coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

One of the first signs drivers see on the way into Unionville, Mo. is this billboard advertising cardiology at Putnam County Memorial Hospital. Offering specialty services, like cardiology and psychiatry turned the hospital around, community leaders say.

Expanding, Not Shrinking, Saves A Small Rural Hospital

10:03am July 21, 2015

by Bram Sable-Smith

As least 55 hospitals across the rural U.S. have closed since 2010. But northern Missouri's Putnam County Memorial finds that adding high-quality specialty services lures patients and revenue.

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Health & Safety

Federal Audits Of Medicare Advantage Reveal Widespread Overcharges

5:03am July 10, 2015

by Fred Schulte

Internal audits, never before made public, provide striking evidence of billing mistakes in Medicare Advantage health plans. The Center for Public Integrity filed suit to obtain the records.

Birth control used to be a big part of young women's out-of-pocket health costs.

Women Are Saving Money Thanks To Expanded Birth Control Coverage

7:13am July 09, 2015

by Julie Rovner

The average user of birth control pills saved $255 in the first year after an Affordable Care Act requirement that insurers cover contraceptives without copays went into effect, a study finds.

Health insurance giant Aetna has announced a $37 billion plan to acquire rival Humana.

Aetna Announces $37 Billion Merger With Health Insurance Rival Humana

12:01pm July 03, 2015

by Scott Neuman

If the deal passes antitrust scrutiny, it would be the largest such acquisition in the insurance industry. It's the latest sign of consolidation in health insurance in the wake of Obamacare.

Health & Safety

Your Colonoscopy Is Covered, But The Prep Kit May Not Be

10:27am July 02, 2015

by Michelle Andrews

The Affordable Care Act requires insurers to cover a screening colonoscopy without any out-of-pocket costs for the test itself. But there can be surprising costs for consumers anyway.

Politics & Government

Autism Coverage Mandate Heading To NC House Floor

8:01pm June 30, 2015

by Michael Burke

Health insurance that covers autism diagnosis and treatment in North Carolina is a big step closer to being required.

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