Walmart health insurance acquisition talks underway with Humana

Walmart Health Insurance - Insurance Company Acquisition - Business

The largest retail chain in the world is reportedly in early-stage negotiations with the insurer. A new Walmart health insurance company may one day form if its acquisition of Humana is successful. The Wall Street Journal reported that the retailer was in talks with the insurer for precisely that purpose. Reuters soon after reported that the companies were working on a possible partnership without ruling out an acquisition. Humana’s shares skyrocketed by up to 13 percent during the trade hours following the reports. The Walmart health insurance talks also gave…

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California health insurance premiums may spike, analysis

California health insurance premiums - American and Californian flag

Covered California predicts a possible spike in rates residents are paying for policies. California health insurance premiums may sharply rise over the next few years. In fact, Covered California’s own analysis predicts a 35 percent increase by 2021. When compared to the current rates, Californian consumers may pay 35 percent more over three years. The state is among a total of 15 predicting average rate hikes of 35 percent by 2021 compared to their current rates. Across the United States, consumers purchasing coverage on an insurance exchange may pay more.…

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Health insurance expenses bring stress to uninsured American adults

Mental health insurance claims - young woman stressed

A new report shows uninsured people are hesitant to purchase a policy due to anticipated rising costs. Approximately 71 percent of uninsured American adults who were aware of the open enrollment period chose not to purchase a plan due to expected increasing health insurance expenses. They risk failure to comply with the Affordable Care Act to sidestep rising costs. This represents a potential shift in the level of confidence that the ACA will stay in effect. The research was conducted by the Commonwealth Fund. The results were published in a…

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Children’s Health Insurance Program funding slashed in Trump budget

Children’s Health Insurance Program

While that program is hacked down by 20 percent, millions more kids will be affected with the Medicaid reductions. President Donald Trump’s budget plans will take down the Children’s Health Insurance Program funds by at least a fifth of its current size within two years. At the same time, Medicaid, a program that covers millions of other kids, will also be axed down in size. Millions of families may watch their health plans disappear if the president’s proposed budget passes. The budget, entitled “A New Foundation for American Greatness,” would…

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Children’s Health Insurance Program funding may be in jeopardy

Children’s Health Insurance Program kids

Congress has to act on reauthorizing funding for CHIP Congress may need to act quickly if it wants to save the national Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The program’s funding scheme is set to expire soon and this could leave children throughout the United States without access to health insurance coverage. The program’s current funding will run dry next year, but relatively little has been done to address this issue. The burden of keeping CHIP alive is not for Congress alone, of course. States must begin working with insurers and…

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