Category: Treatment

KY governor revives the kynect health insurance exchange

October 18, 2021 Sharika Soukup

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, with help from U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, rolled out the reopening Friday of Kynect, the state-based health insurance exchange. Friday was the start of open enrollment for existing recipients of Medicaid, the government health plan for low-income people and those with disabilities. Open enrollment for private health…

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Health insurance terms to know as open enrollment begins : Life Kit : NPR

October 18, 2021 Sharika Soukup

Do you ever feel like health insurance is confusing on purpose? There is so much jargon and so many acronyms. It’s tempting to just close your eyes and point at a plan, hoping that it’s in your budget and covers the stuff you’ll need it for. But putting in a bit of time to learn…

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Insurance Focused on Virtual Visits? The Pros and Cons of a New Twist in Health Plans

October 18, 2021 Sharika Soukup

Julie Appleby, Kaiser Health News At the height of the covid-19 pandemic, people often relied on telemedicine for doctor visits. Now, insurers are betting that some patients liked it enough to embrace new types of health coverage that encourages video visits — or outright insists on them. Priority Health in Michigan, for example, offers coverage…

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Health Plan Premium Surcharges for the Unvaccinated?

September 15, 2021 Sharika Soukup

Editor’s Note Wade Symons, regulatory resources group leader at HR consultancy Mercer, recently told Forbes: “At the same time that [COVID-19] vaccination rates have stalled, we have received inquiries from at least 20 employers over the past few weeks who are giving consideration to adding health coverage surcharges for the unvaccinated…

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Insurance companies are now asking COVID-19 patients to share in the cost of their treatment

September 14, 2021 Sharika Soukup

The financial cost of remaining unvaccinated ⁠against COVID-19 is rising. Health insurance providers are now asking people who contract the disease to share the cost of treatment, which can get expensive if it requires a lengthy hospital stay. Early in the pandemic, most private insurers waived cost-sharing for patients under their plans or even covered…

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Pima County raises health insurance costs for unvaccinated employees

September 14, 2021 Sharika Soukup

TUCSON (KVOA) – Pima County employees who refuse to get the COVID-19 shot may face some difficulties in the workplace after the county’s supervisors voted 4-1 Tuesday to implement vaccine disincentives. Moments after Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich released a legal report that called the City of Tucson’s employee vaccine mandate “illegal,” Pima County Board…

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All the Ways to Get Health Insurance If You’re Retiring Early

September 14, 2021 Sharika Soukup

Where to look for health insurance in early retirement depends a lot on your income. Options include Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act’s marketplace. Continuing your existing coverage through COBRA could also be an option for some. Read more Personal Finance Insider coverage » Healthcare is a cost you simply can’t avoid in retirement. If…

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How to avoid mistakes switching to Medicare from exchange health plan

September 14, 2021 Sharika Soukup

Prostock-Studio | iStock | Getty Images If you get your health insurance through the public marketplace and are nearing age 65, don’t forget about Medicare. The general rule is that you must enroll when you reach that age unless you have qualifying coverage elsewhere — and plans through the exchanges (whether federal or state) do…

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