Live Insurance News

California health insurance subsidies now apply to more middle-income families

October 16, 2019October 14, 2019 Julie Campbell

California health insurance subsidies - Covered California - YouTube

As the open enrollment period begins, more state residents will qualify for financial assistance. Open enrollment began as of yesterday, and a higher number of middle-income families will discover that they qualify for California health insurance subsidies for next year’s coverage. The open enrollment period for the Covered California exchange is October 15 to January 31. Families who have enrolled for their health plans by December 15, regardless of whether they qualify for California health insurance subsidies, will have coverage effective January 1, 2020. That said, their coverage will begin…

128K Tennessee children’s health insurance plans were cut and many parents have no idea

April 4, 2019April 4, 2019 Julie Campbell

Tennessee children’s health insurance - Child with parents

Thousands of kids were erased from the CoverKids and TennCare programs since 2017. About 128,000 children were purged from the CoverKids and TennCare Tennessee children’s health insurance plans over a period of two years. Unless they took their kids to the doctor’s office and were refused, parents had no idea it happened. TennCare and CoverKids are two government sponsored Tennessee children’s health insurance programs for low-income families. As over 100 thousand kids in the state were not covered by private insurance, the number of uninsured residents of Tennessee ballooned in…

Health insurance members gain exclusive access to the Fitbit Inspire

February 14, 2019February 13, 2019 Nordstrom

Health Insurance members - Fitness Tracker

The popular fitness tracker maker has launched a new device that you won’t find in stores. Fitbit has unveiled a brand new model of fitness tracker available only to health insurance members and employees. The Fitbit Inspire was developed for this exclusive use and won’t be sold in stores or on its own website. The launch was a quiet one this month, representing its first release that won’t be available to consumers. The Fitness Inspire was developed specifically for use by health insurance members and corporate employees. The concept behind…

Will dental insurance one day be key to mental health and Alzheimer’s prevention?

February 4, 2019February 1, 2019 Julie Campbell

Dental Insurance - Study - Dental Work - Dentist

A new study has potentially linked gum disease with the development of this form of dementia. When consumers purchase dental insurance, it’s usually to help to prevent cavities or cover expensive oral procedures. That said, a new study has potentially connected the Alzheimer’s disease risk with a bacteria associated with gum disease. The study was published in the Science Advances journal, presenting a new understanding of dementia. Thought it’s too early for consumers to start rushing to buy dental insurance to help preserve their future cognitive function, this study has…

School superintendant charged with health insurance fraud in heartbreaking case

January 28, 2019January 25, 2019 Julie Campbell

The Indiana educator attempted to seek medical treatment for a student by pretending he was her son. An Indiana school superintendant is now facing several health insurance fraud charges. According to police, the Casey Smitherman attempted to use her health plan to pay for a student’s medical treatment by using her son’s name. “My only concern was for this child’s health,” said Smitherman after charges were laid. Smitherman admitted to understanding that she was committing health insurance fraud. “I know this action was wrong,” she said, proceeding to say that…

Government shutdown stops worker pay but not heath care coverage

January 14, 2019January 13, 2019 Nordstrom

Government Shutdown - Sorry we're closed sign

As this record breaking ongoing shutdown continues, federal employees continue their health insurance. The government shutdown continues to stop 800,000 federal employees and others from receiving their paychecks. That said, as they go unpaid, many have questions about their employee health insurance and other health benefits. Workers are worrying about their health, vision, dental and long-term care coverage. For those who wonder about their insurance benefits, most will continue even while workers go unpaid. Federal employees, for the most part, don’t need to worry that the government shutdown will affect…

Former President Barack Obama aims to boost Obamacare enrollment with new video

December 12, 2018December 12, 2018 Nordstrom

The goal is to encourage more people – particularly young adults – to sign up before the deadline. In an attempt to give Obamacare enrollment a shot in the arm, former President Barack Obama released an almost ninety second video on his social media accounts. Obama hopes to correct the trend reversal in which fewer Americans have been signing up. Within the video, Obama urged Americans, particularly young adults, to head to healthcare.gov and start their Obamacare enrollment before the deadline on December 15. His video was shared on Facebook,…