Live Insurance News

Health insurance exchange website security gets a boost

October 12, 2015October 11, 2015 G. Turner

The Obama administration has responded to criticisms from civil liberties advocates with strengthened protection. Following criticism that the Obama administration has received from civil liberties advocates, it has now stated that it will be strengthening the security of its health insurance exchange website, just as a new open enrollment period is about to begin. The page will now feature a new “privacy manager” that will offer users additional control. According to a blog post by Kevin Counihan, the CEO of HealthCare.gov, the federal health insurance exchange website, the site will…

Health insurance premiums are a main issue for consumers

September 29, 2015September 27, 2015 H. Cutner

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A recent study has shown that Americans pay most attention to price when they shop for plans. Americans have made bargain shopping into an art form, and this habit has crossed over into the effort to purchase health insurance, as the cost of premiums are among the top factors that consumers consider when they buy, according to a new survey. Two thirds of consumers who switched plans on the insurance exchange said price was the deciding factor. Over half of all consumers who shopped around on the exchanges but didn’t…

Major change to Washington health insurance exchange could benefit consumers

September 25, 2015September 23, 2015 Nordstrom

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Consumers will now pay premiums directly to insurance providers Those purchasing health insurance coverage through the Washington exchange have begun paying their premiums directly to insurers. Previously, consumers were paying premiums to the exchange itself, which then issued these premiums to insurance companies. The change may be a boon for consumers, as many have reported problems in with premiums payments in the past. Trouble paying premiums has lead to some consumers having complications with their coverage and the state is looking to resolve this issue effectively. Many had reported problems…

Look out, health insurance marketplace, here comes Google

September 22, 2015September 19, 2015 Julie Campbell

The tech giant has now announced that it has made a massive investment into a coverage startup. Last week, Google announced that it had made an investment of $32.5 million into Oscar Health Insurance Corp, which is a startup that has been drawing considerable interest as its angle could disrupt the traditional form of coverage and could shake up the power of the market leaders in the U.S., such as Anthem and UnitedHealth Group. The current valuation that the deal brings to Oscar has been calculated to be at $1.75…

Health insurance rates to rise 6% for 300K Massachusetts consumers

August 31, 2015August 30, 2015 G. Turner

Insurers across the state will be increasing premiums for small businesses and individuals, next year. Health insurance rates in Massachusetts are about to rise by over 6 percent for individuals and small businesses, alike in 2016, which is making many people wonder if the cost of coverage may be heading into an upward trend. This rate increase has already received the approval of the Division of Insurance in the state. Now that it is moving ahead, it will mean that there will be a rise in health insurance rates that…

State run insurance exchanges face current and future financial struggle

July 29, 2015July 28, 2015 Julie Campbell

Lower enrollment and higher costs are causing disappointment for some of the marketplaces. Many of the state run insurance exchanges are facing some disappointing results after their first year and a half in fully operational existence, after lower than expected enrollment and high costs have led them to face a number of challenges. The issues being faced could lead these insurance marketplaces to make considerable changes. Among those changes may be that they will hand the control over the insurance exchanges to the federal government. It has also been suggested…

Affordable Care Act event may make health plans easier for migrant workers to find

July 16, 2015July 15, 2015 Julie Campbell

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The ACA open enrollment period has passed but North Carolina is hoping to assist fruit and vegetable pickers. Migrant workers – who are very common in agriculture, particularly when the harvesting seasons begin – are integral to the food production industry are receiving assistance from the Affordable Care Act in the form of an event that will make it easier for them to purchase health plans that will provide them with medical insurance coverage. This event is being run under the ACA and was sponsored by Get Covered America and…