Health

By Lacie Glover, November 6, 2014 Millions of Americans are about to enter the second annual open enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare. While many will be using a public insurance exchange for the first time, others will return to switch or renew policies. Renewing should be easy, consisting of logging in and updating your …

By Reed Abelson, November 4, 2014 Brian Adams, who sells fireplaces in Indianapolis, is like many of the nation’s small-business owners. As the cost of providing health benefits has climbed, he has struggled to afford coverage for his employees — a problem the new health care law was designed, in part, to address. But a year after the law’s introduction …

By Jayne O’Donnell, October 28, 2014 Now that many people finally have health insurance through the Affordable Care Act exchanges, some are running into a new problem: They can’t find a doctor who will take them as patients. Because these exchange plans often have lower reimbursement rates, some doctors are limiting how many new patients they take with these policies, …

October 29, 2014 As Ebola spreads further from its current epicenter in West Africa, American and British insurance companies have started to adjust their standard policies for hospitals and other vulnerable businesses to exclude the virus. According to insurance industry insiders, companies needing to insure business travel to West Africa or to cover losses following a quarantine may now deal …

By David Morgan, October 9, 2014 WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Obama administration officials said an improved HealthCare.gov website should be able to break its own record for online traffic next month, when consumers begin using the site to enroll in private health insurance for 2015. Andrew Slavitt, a top U.S. official working to implement the law known as Obamacare, said the …

By Bob Herman, October 6, 2014 The world’s largest retailer is jumping into the health insurance game, unveiling a program that will help its customers find and compare health plans.Wal-Mart Stores said Monday that it is teaming with online health insurance brokerage DirectHealth.com. Wal-Mart shoppers will be able to sign up in … Read More

These days, it’s easier than ever to feel good about making a big purchase. The Internet makes it simple to research the latest gadget you’ve had your eye on, read up on consumer reviews for the new yoga studio down the street, or find the safest, best-designed crib on the market for your family’s newest addition (as my wife and …

By Dan Verel, October 1, 2014 The world of health insurance is about to be turned on its head. Even with the well-known shifts brought on by the ACA, the fundamental business model for health insurers will change dramatically, shifting largely from serving employers and group business to serving individuals who demand a level of customer service not previously offered …

If you don’t know the statistics, they are alarming.  The United States Department of Health’s website, longtermcare.gov, states that 7 in 10 seniors will require long term care assistance prior to death.  That number is staggering if you consider the fact that the Boomer generation is turning 65 at a rate of 10,000 a day and will do so for …

By Caitlin Bronson, August 18, 2014 More than 300 patient advocacy groups took to pen and paper this week to tell Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell health insurers are discriminating against the sick, despite the goals of the Affordable Care Act. Insurer tactics, which the industry defends as legitimate cost control measures, are “highly discriminatory against patients …