Iowa employers to pay more for health insurance rate increases, but won’t stop

Health insurance rate increases - cost of health insurance - pills - money

Companies may be paying a great deal more, but they are still offering these benefits to their workers. Iowa employers who offer medical coverage as a part of their employee benefits will be facing far higher health insurance rate increases. That said, those companies are not dropping the benefit and are continuing to cover their teams of workers. The average Iowan employer will see health insurance benefits premiums rising by 8.4 percent. This figure was compiled by a survey conducted by consultant David P. Lind. They found that employers with…

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Nearly 9 out of 10 US consumers blame surprise healthcare costs on insurance companies

Surprise health costs - American Money

Recent survey results show 86 percent of consumers blame their insurers for unexpected bills. Most insurance beneficiaries place the blame of surprise healthcare costs directly on their insurance companies. This, according to the findings in a newly published consumer survey. The report suggested that health insurance companies need to boost their education and communication. As 86 percent of consumers feel that surprise healthcare costs are their insurance company’s fault, there survey results show a disconnect between policyholders and their insurers. The survey was conducted by NORC at the University of…

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Thousands in Arkansas fear lost health insurance benefits under new rules

Health Insurance Benefits - Time For Change - chalkboard

Medicaid changes in Republican led states are often aligning with Trump’s efforts to dismantle Obamacare. One state at a time, health insurance benefits are changing for those reliant on Medicaid and whose governors are Republican. As the GOP works to take Obamacare apart, many states now have stricter Medicaid regulations. Arkansas has become the first state to push the new health insurance benefits rule. It will require state residents to have to provide proof of their employment or volunteer status in order to keep their Medicaid coverage. As the law…

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Could health food insurance support preventative medicine and natural treatments?

Health food insurance - fruits and vegetables

Doctors and healthcare providers are increasingly pursuing food-based interventions. Health food insurance could one day be on its way to American plans. Just as health plans currently cover some prevention, prescriptions, procedures and doctor visits, they may one day cover certain foods. The idea is that food-based interventions can effectively prevent or treat certain conditions. The food-based intervention trend is rapidly expanding across the United States. In this way, doctors are recommending that patients prevent conditions by eating right. Similarly, some conditions can be treated more effectively when a patient…

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Colorado mental health insurance bill to help consumers navigate the system

Mental health insurance claims - young woman stressed

A new measure introduced this week may make it simpler for state residents to receive mental health care. A new Colorado mental health insurance bill introduced this week could make it easier for state residents to receive the care they need. The idea is to form a state ombudsperson’s office. The goal of the office is to assist Colorado residence in navigating the insurance system for mental health care. Many people struggle to understand their rights and to whom they should direct their questions. Individuals find the current Colorado mental…

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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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Health insurance program in danger of running out of funding

Health Insurance funds pay

Federal health insurance program is at risk of having funds run dry The Affordable Care Act may be running out of funding for one of the key programs set up throughout one of its most ambitious provisions. The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Program was set up through the Affordable Care Act as a way to ensure that those with pre-existing medical conditions have access to comprehensive health insurance coverage. The federal law requires that this insurance program be funded by the federal government itself, but the funds for the program are…

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