Health Insurance

Coronavirus Conundrum: How To Cover Millions Who Lost Their Jobs And Health Insurance

9:24am May 04, 2020

Over 9 million Americans have lost both their job and health coverage. To help them, COBRA is an option, but it could cost buyers more than if subsidies were increased for Affordable Care Act plans.

Despite recent changes in insurance policy, some patients say doctors and insurers are charging them upfront for video appointments and phone calls — not just copays but sometimes the entire cost of the visit, even if it's covered by insurance.

Patients Are Being Billed For Some Phone Chats With Doctors That Used To Be Free

5:00am April 27, 2020

by Jay Hancock

As part of their social distancing policies, elected leaders suggested phone and video medical appointments would be covered by health insurance. So why are some patients paying $70 per virtual visit?

A January report found that 40% of U.S. counties don't have a single health care provider approved to prescribe buprenorphine, a medicine integral to helping many patients beat opioid addiction. Permitting more-distant doctors to evaluate patients online

Coronavirus Crisis Spurs Access To Online Treatment For Opioid Addiction

3:54pm April 20, 2020

by Phil Galewitz

The federal government has waived a law that required an in-person doctor's visit before patients could be prescribed drugs that quell withdrawal symptoms. That's a boon for patients, counselors say.

Former Vice President Joe Biden at a press conference in Wilmington, Del., in mid-March. His bid this week to allow 60-year-olds to get Medicare "reflects the reality," he says, "that, even after the current crisis ends, older Americans are likely to find

Biden's Health Play In A COVID-19 Economy: Lower Medicare's Eligibility Age To 60

5:00am April 11, 2020

by Julie Rovner

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden proposes letting 60-year-olds enroll in Medicare. He'd pay for the expansion out of general tax revenue, he says, not the Medicare fund.

Medical staff move bodies from the Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., Thursday to a refrigerated truck.

FACT CHECK: Money-To-Hospitals Plan To Treat Coronavirus Patients Could Face Problems

9:01pm April 02, 2020

by Dan Charles

Instead of reopening health care exchanges for those who don't qualify for Medicaid and don't have employer-based insurance, Trump is proposing paying hospitals directly. But it might not be enough.

Aetna was the first insurer to announce its plan to help shield patients with COVID-19 from high medical bills. But out-of-network charges and other surprise bills remain a risk, say advocates for patients.

Some Insurers Waive Patients' Share Of Costs For COVID-19 Treatment

6:56pm March 30, 2020

by Selena Simmons-Duffin

Aetna, Cigna and Humana now say they will waive most treatment costs associated with COVID-19 that would normally be picked up by patients enrolled in their health plans. Will other firms follow suit?

An expanding number of state health exchanges are reopening enrollment this month to help uninsured residents gain coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Health & Safety

9 States Reopen ACA Insurance Enrollment To Broaden Health Coverage

3:39pm March 20, 2020

by Carmen Heredia Rodriguez

Some state exchanges have begun allowing new enrollment to help ease consumers' worry about health care costs. It's also so the uninsured won't inadvertently spread the coronavirus by avoiding care.

In light of the spread of COVID-19, some U.S. health insurers have begun to allow patients to order a larger emergency supply of their routine medicines for diabetes, heart disease and other chronic conditions.

Health & Safety

How To Boost Your Emergency Supply Of Prescription Medicines

4:19pm March 09, 2020

by Patti Neighmond

Insurers have begun easing restrictions on refills of some prescription drugs, in light of coronavirus. Still, co-pays for stocking up on that bigger supply can be prohibitive, say consumer advocates.

Health & Safety

Blue Cross NC Will Cover Coronavirus Testing

11:33am March 09, 2020

by Neal Charnoff

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is expanding coverage for coronavirus testing. It's among a number of steps the company is taking to prepare for the spread of the virus.

Hartford is home to the Connecticut State Capitol and state legislature — as well as to major U.S. insurance firms. In 2019, those insurers spent what it took to defeat Connecticut's version of a "public option" in health care, despite strong support am

Insurers Sank Connecticut's 'Public Option.' Would A National Version Survive?

1:17pm February 26, 2020

by Shefali Luthra

Even in a solidly blue state where voters were demanding relief from the high cost of health care, the idea of a government-run public option for health insurance faced a "steam train of opposition."