As employers try to control rising healthcare premium costs, their employees will continue to pay more for healthcare plans and face higher deductibles and copays, according to a recent survey from Wells Fargo Insurance, part of Wells Fargo & Co (NYSE: WFC). The survey of more than 70 insurance companies nationwide found that overall claim… Keep reading →
Insurance
Survey: Cost of Healthcare Claims Continue to Rise; Interest in Private Exchanges Increases
By businesswireThe National Retail Federation today urged Congress to pass the bipartisan Save American Workers Act, which would change the Affordable Care Act’s definition of full-time employment from 30 hours per week to 40 hours. NRF sent a letter to the House saying all votes related to the bill, H.R. 2575, would be considered key votes… Keep reading →
Study: Uninsured Americans Largely Skipped Affordable Care Act Sign-Ups Because of Cost, But Were They Making Informed Decisions?
By businesswireUninsured Americans not planning to sign up by today’s deadline for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) say they are basing that decision, at least in part, on the cost of coverage. However, most made that decision without visiting an exchange to get a price quote or to see if they were eligible… Keep reading →
Oklahoma Supreme Court Unanimously Upholds the CompSource Mutual Insurance Company Act
By businesswireCompSource Oklahoma announced that the Oklahoma Supreme Court unanimously upheld the legislation that will convert CompSource into a mutual insurance company. Jason Clark, President and CEO of CompSource Oklahoma, said, “We are very pleased the Oklahoma Supreme Court has confirmed CompSource will become a mutual insurance company independent from the state of Oklahoma on January… Keep reading →
Despite Recession, Children’s Health Care Spending Increased Every Year Between 2009-2012, Says New Report
By businesswireSpending on health care for children covered by employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) increased between 2009 and 2012, rising an average 5.5 percent a year, with more dollars spent on boys than girls, and higher spending on infants and toddlers (ages 0-3) than any other children’s age group, finds a new report released today by the Health… Keep reading →
A.M. Best Special Report: Health Care Industry Evolves; New Markets and Prospects Emerge
By businesswireThe Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), commonly referred to as health care reform, was on everyone’s mind in 2013, according to a special report by A.M. Best. Insurance companies continued to make preparations for changes that were about to become effective, January 1, 2014, many of which began in prior years. In planning… Keep reading →
Study: Consumers Active in Their Own Health Care but Face Financial Pressures and Are Unprepared for Health Care Costs in Retirement
By businesswireThe nation appears to be shifting away from the traditional model of health care, in which doctors have most of the decisionmaking authority. According to a newly released study, 9 out of 10 people want to have a say in important decisions regarding their health care. One-third would like to make a shared decision with… Keep reading →
Optimism for the nation’s economic outlook among U.S. business leaders plummeted 16 percentage points in fourth quarter 2013 to a net balance of 36 percent according to the latest data from the Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR), a survey of 3,300 business leaders in 45 countries. Hiring expectations in the United States declined for… Keep reading →
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) will release its analysis of the latest quality results in its State of Health Care Quality Report 2013. Findings include: Overuse of antibiotics still a problem In findings that echo and corroborate recent CDC warnings about overuse of antibiotics leading to antibiotic resistance, we see no progress on… Keep reading →
Today is the first day of Medicare’s annual Open Enrollment season, which runs until Dec. 7. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) encourages all people with Medicare to review their plan options and make an informed decision about their 2014 coverage. This year’s Open Enrollment coincides with two other events that may be confusing to… Keep reading →