The Nebraska Insurance Department has issued a new report to state lawmakers concerning the state’s health insurance exchange. Nebraska has been exploring its options on how best to execute the exchange program, hoping to find a way for the program to benefit both consumers and insurance companies. The state has yet to make any definitive action on the program apart from investigating how much it will cost and how it can be made self-sustaining. The new report may cast some doubt on the future of the program. According to the…
Read MoreTag: senior health insurance
Cigna purchased HealthSpring Medicare provider in $3.8 billion deal
Cigna, a global health insurance company based in the U.S., has announced the acquisition of HealthSpring, a health insurer specializing in Medicare Advantage plans. Cigna is looking to expand its presence in the Medicare sector as well as its senior care services. The move may be inspired by an aging populace that will soon enter the ranks of seniority, enabling them to take advantage of new insurance plans. The acquisition is priced at $3.8 billion. HealthSprings serves more than 350,000 Medicare Advantage policyholders across 11 states. The insurer also boasts…
Read MoreCritical illness and accident insurance now available through HM Insurance Group
Highmark Insurance Group has just announced that individuals can now buy accident insurance and critical illness insurance from any of the eight retail facilities for Highmark Direct in Pennsylvania. HM Insurance group is a Highmark company and offers a wide range of protections for accidental injuries and illnesses. Highmark Inc. is Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association independent licensee based in Pittsburgh. According to the Highmark vice president of consumerism and retail marketing, Matt Fidler, accidental insurance and critical illness insurance are a good fit with the other standard health…
Read MoreEnroll America embarks on a crusade to raise awareness of health insurance
With election year rapidly approaching, the issue of health care is getting more attention. While reform of the health care system is already well underway, few may be aware of their eligibility for federal health insurance programs. In an effort to raise awareness, Enroll America, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group, is embarking on a new campaign to help people understand the working of the new health care system and how they might be able to receive affordable insurance coverage. The campaign brings together a multitude of hospitals, insurance companies, pharmaceutical…
Read MorePalm Beach County seeks to help the uninsured find coverage
Those without insurance are at a heightened risk of being unable to pay for medical treatment that could save their lives. In years past, the issue has been well documented but few lawmakers have made moves to find a solution. The Affordable Care Act was meant to remedy the problem by expanding people’s access to insurance coverage. However, in Palm Beach County, Florida, the County Commission is calling for more aggressive action to be taken to ensure that state residents have access to the coverage they need. This week, the…
Read MoreThe cost of health insurance for low income families
Although the Affordable Healthcare for America Act by the Obama administration was created in order to make certain that a larger number of Americans will have access to health insurance, many are finding that the premiums are still too costly to be able to afford them. The Act has already gone through some significant improvements since its first creation, especially in terms of Medicare, as it has assisted in lowering those costs. That said, many Americans are still struggling to afford their current health insurance rates or remain without any…
Read MoreMichigan Supreme Court rules in favor of insurance company denying coverage for stem cell surgery
Stem cell research is a controversial issue. While the issue is primarily comprised of its uses in medicine, the controversy extends well into the insurance industry. As new methods of treatment emerge, insurance companies must weigh the risks involved with such treatments and what implications could be made to their policies. Most insurers cringe away from covering medical procedures that have a limited history of use, arguing that the risks involved with such things as stem cell surgeries are immeasurable. The fears insurers harbor over the issue may have been…
Read More