Category: Health Care Reform

America’s health care system is undergoing many changes – it’s hard for insurance professionals to keep updated let alone consumers. Here we make it easy and publish daily articles on the changes and challenges that health care reform has ahead.

Medicaid health insurance coverage is gone for 400k Ohio residents

H. Cutner
Health Insurance - Ohio Flag - Medicaid

Since the “unwinding” of the pandemic rules, hundreds of thousands lost coverage. Since the pandemic enrollment rules have been unwound, around 395,000 Ohio residents have lost their health insurance through Medicaid, and that figure is expected to rise.  It has now been a year since the state ceased the “continuous enrollment” Within the year since the continuous enrollment in Medicaid health insurance – that had previously been a requirement under coronavirus relief legislation from the federal government – hundreds of thousands of people in Ohio lost that coverage.  According to…

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Biden limits Trump era “junk” short-term health insurance plans

Nordstrom
Short-term Health insurance - Reducing health costs - American Flag

The goal is to reduce the sale and use of the plans that can leave policyholders footing huge bills. The Biden administration is working on rolling back the short-term health insurance plans that rolled out during the Trump administration.  The purpose is to shrink the use of these “junk” plans that leave patients at risk of paying large medical bills out of their own pockets. The new rule was first proposed in the summer of 2023 This new strategy is a part of a broader effort to reduce the cost…

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Visible minorities in LA County face health care inequalities, survey

Logan B.
Health care - Inequality - Minorities

The research was conducted and results released by the Los Angeles County Department of Health The Los Angeles County Department of Health has released its 2023 health care survey results and determined that visible minorities faced a slew of inequities. The survey involved the participation of thousands of residents of the county There were 9,372 adults and 7,391 kids from LA county that participated in the wellness survey. The research examined a range of issues, including everything from health care to insurance access and from housing to the way these…

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Rogue Agents and Policy Switching – The Hidden Dangers for Consumers and Insurance Brokers

Logan B.
Policy Switching Warning - Health Insurance

Unscrupulous Practices Lead to Stolen Policies and Tax Headaches for Many In an alarming trend across several states, consumers covered by Affordable Care Act insurance plans are finding themselves unwitting players in a dangerous game. Without their knowledge or consent, their health insurance policies are being switched, leaving in their wake potential tax complications and vanished coverage. This epidemic of unsanctioned changes, predominantly observed in Florida, Georgia, and Texas, is stirring both consumer and industry unrest. Government and Industry Responses to Unauthorized Policy Switching and Changes Florida and Texas have…

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Many health insurance plans still won’t cover Wegovy despite new approval

H. Cutner
Health insurance - RX Meds Denied

Even though the drug has received approval for heart wellness use, not just weight loss, it’s frequently not covered. In the United States, Wegovy was previously only approved for use as a weight loss drug and was commonly not covered by health insurance plans.  Now, the headline-making drug has also been approved in the country for heart health, but this isn’t expected to broaden availability for its coverage. The Novo Nordisk drug is taken by injection on a weekly basis As a prescription weight loss drug – one of only…

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Could Substantial Incentives Trigger a Nationwide Expansion of Medicaid?

Loreen
medicaid us affordable care act

In the decade since the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) inception, a critical coverage gap remains in the health insurance landscape. This gap prevails in the 10 states withholding the ACA Medicaid expansion, affecting 1.5 million uninsured individuals. In this detailed analysis, we investigate who is affected, the potential for expanded coverage, and examine new economic incentives that may prompt a shift towards the adoption of Medicaid expansion in remaining states. Understanding the Health Insurance Coverage Gap The ‘Coverage Gap’ is a situation in some states where adults can’t get Medicaid…

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Virginia considers mandatory health insurance for PANS/PANDAS

H. Cutner
Health insurance - Mandatory in Virginia

The “devastating” childhood illness can cost affected families hundreds of thousands for treatment. A bill in Virginia is being studied by the state Health Insurance Reform Commission for the coverage of treatment for PANS/PANDAS, a mainly childhood neuropsychiatric disorder. The examination of the bill follows a unanimous tabling in a House subcommittee earlier this month. The legislation was proposed by House Delegate Patrick Hope (D-Arlington) and would require private health insurance and Medicaid to provide coverage for PANS/PANDAS treatment in order to lower the cost families must face upon diagnosis.…

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