All articles tagged with #healthinsurance
Approximately 22 million Americans who rely on ACA marketplace subsidies to lower their health insurance costs face losing these benefits by the end of the year, potentially increasing their expenses, with many unaware of the impending change amid ongoing political standoff.
Cigna Group is in advanced discussions to sell its Medicare Advantage business to Health Care Service Corp in a deal potentially worth $3 billion to $4 billion. The sale would indicate a strategic shift for Cigna, which has seen the U.S. government reduce reimbursement rates for health insurers. Cigna's Medicare Advantage segment represents a small portion of its overall revenue, with the bulk coming from its commercial and pharmacy benefits divisions. The deal is expected to be announced soon unless negotiations falter.
United Healthcare and Prisma Health failed to reach an agreement after months of negotiations, resulting in Prisma Health becoming out-of-network for United Healthcare patients. This change affects patients like Monte Stancil, who faces chronic pain and may now have to pay out-of-pocket or have his appointment canceled. United Healthcare accuses Prisma of demanding excessive price hikes, while Prisma has not yet responded to the latest developments. United Healthcare remains open to further discussions but is currently focusing on ensuring affected patients have access to necessary care.
WellNow Urgent Care has ceased accepting Excellus BlueCross BlueShield insurance after contract negotiations failed, despite Excellus's offer of increased reimbursement rates. WellNow had previously warned about dropping Excellus due to inadequate rates. As a result, starting January 1, WellNow is considered an out-of-network provider for Excellus members, potentially leading to higher costs for those seeking care at WellNow facilities. Members are advised to check their plan coverage online or contact customer care for more information.
Amanda Pehrson, an Alabama mother, decided to forego health insurance to save money, which led to a delayed diagnosis of stage four lung cancer after initially dismissing persistent symptoms as minor. Despite not being a smoker, Pehrson's condition was serious, and she now advocates for the importance of health insurance and seeking medical advice for persistent symptoms. Her story highlights the risks of being uninsured and the potential for non-smokers to develop lung cancer.
California is set to become the first state to offer health insurance to all undocumented immigrants through an expansion of its Medi-Cal program starting January 1. This final expansion will make an estimated 700,000 undocumented residents aged 26 to 49 eligible for full coverage. The move is part of California's stance on healthcare as a human right, despite criticism regarding the potential strain on the healthcare system. The state has allocated significant funding for this initiative, with $835.6 million for 2023-24 and $2.6 billion annually thereafter.