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All health plans sold on HealthCare.Gov or one of state insurance exchanges are governed by Affordable Care Act rules. That means they have to provide comprehensive benefits to all applicants, regardless of their health or "preexisting conditions." But sh

Think Your Health Care Costs Are Covered? Beware The 'Junk' Insurance Plan

11:21am December 03, 2020

by Michelle Andrews

Whether you're looking for coverage online or through a broker, be sure to note the difference between a comprehensive health plan and a "junk" plan with limited benefits and coverage restrictions.

Headaches, lung issues and ongoing, debilitating fatigue are just a few of the symptoms plaguing some "long hauler" COVID-19 patients for months or more after the initial fever and acute symptoms recede.

Hey, COVID-19 Long-Haulers: Take Care In Shopping For Health Insurance

3:48pm December 02, 2020

by Julie Appleby

Anyone with lingering effects of COVID-19 should be extra careful in picking a 2021 health plan, specialists say. You now have a "pre-existing condition" that could increase medical expenses in 2021.

Sen. Mark Warner speaks alongside a bipartisan group of lawmakers as they announce a proposal for a $908 billion coronavirus relief bill on Tuesday.

Millions Face Bitter Winter If Congress Fails To Extend Relief Programs

11:20am December 02, 2020

A bipartisan group of senators is proposing a nearly $908 billion compromise relief bill with millions of Americans about to fall off a cliff when benefits expire this month.

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Housing activists gather in Swampscott, Mass., in October to call on the state's governor to support more robust protections against evictions and foreclosures during the pandemic.

Economy

More Americans Pay Rent On Credit Cards As Lawmakers Fail To Pass Relief Bill

5:20pm November 30, 2020

by Chris Arnold

Many Americans who've lost income in the pandemic are falling deeper into debt — forced to pay bills or even their rent on credit cards. It's a sign of trouble ahead for the economy.

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An error at the IRS caused thousands of non-Americans living overseas to mistakenly receive $1,200 stimulus checks last spring.

IRS Says Its Own Error Sent $1,200 Stimulus Checks To Non-Americans Overseas

10:17am November 30, 2020

by Sacha Pfeiffer

The IRS now says its own error caused thousands of non-Americans living overseas to mistakenly receive $1,200 stimulus checks — and the mistake could happen again if more stimulus money goes out.

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The pandemic shuttered day-care centers, after-school programs and camps this year, creating problems for some parents who put aside wages, pre-tax, to pay for those expenses.

Economy

Use It Or Lose It: Parents Set Wages Aside For Child Care. Now It's At Risk

6:22pm November 19, 2020

by Andrea Hsu

For many families, 2020 ended up being a year with fewer child-care expenses. Now parents with unspent funds in their dependent-care flexible spending accounts are trying to figure out what to do.

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The supply of previously owned single-family homes fell to a 2.4 months in October — the lowest since 1982, when the National Association of Realtors began collecting the data.

'We Need To Build More Homes': Prices Soar Amid Housing Shortage

3:03pm November 19, 2020

by Chris Arnold

It's not only low interest rates pushing up prices to record highs. A historic lack of homes for sale is a big part of it too. And it's making homeownership unaffordable for too many people.

Under President Trump, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau weakened a rule that aimed to protect people who get payday loans. Consumer advocates say they are looking forward to a Biden administration strengthening the agency.

Financial Watchdog Expected To Get Its Teeth Back Under Biden

3:54pm November 18, 2020

by Chris Arnold

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a powerful agency policing predatory or unfair practices. Trump hobbled it. But a court ruling allows Biden to appoint a new sheriff at the bureau.

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President-elect Joe Biden delivers remarks Monday in Wilmington, Del.

Biden Wants To Help Pay Some Student Loans, But There's Pressure To Go Further

4:59pm November 17, 2020

by Anya Kamenetz

The president-elect called for immediate action to help borrowers who are "having to make choices between paying their student loan and paying the rent."

Are There Too Many Political Appointees?

6:30am November 17, 2020

by Greg Rosalsky

There are so many appointees the government publishes a book to help keep track of them and that might not be enough.