Four Ways to Control Your Health Care Costs
In this very interesting article from CNN.com, Jacque Wilson goes further into detail on ways the average American can help save money when it comes to helath care costs.
Health insurers to give rebates to consumers and employers this year; totaling more than $1B
They will do so under a provision of the federal health overhaul that forces them to offer refunds if they don’t spend enough of the premium dollars they take in on health care.
West Penn Allegheny amends legal complaints against UPMC
West Penn Allegheny originally sued UPMC and Highmark, accusing them of conspiring to stifle competition. West Penn Allegheny dropped Highmark from the lawsuit when the two agreed to merge.
Developing a Plan B for healthcare laws
The options being discussed include imposing state requirements that people get insurance, penalties for people who delay and automatic coverage enrollment.
UPMC health plan will soon give members a way to “comparison shop” for certain medical procedures
The concept of an insurance company giving members the means to shop around for the best price on a procedure is new, and UPMC is one of the first to try out WebMD’s program.
Insurance retail stores becoming more common
Health insurers increasingly want to make shopping for a new health plan as easy and convenient as dropping into a local retailer to buy a TV. In recent years, a number of them have opened stores where consumers can stop by to talk with a customer service representative about buying a plan or resolve questions about their current coverage.
Developments in the Highmark – West Penn Allegheny Health System proposed merger
According to documents just made public, two months before the state’s largest health insurer announced a deal to acquire West Penn, it advanced the financially troubled hospital network $25 million.
2.5 million young adults have gained health coverage since health care reform took effect
“The increase in coverage among 19- to 25-year-olds can be directly attributed to the Affordable Care Act’s new dependent coverage provision,” said a draft report from the Health and Human Services Department.
House bill poised for passage would ban insurance coverage for abortions in PA
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion) would prohibit insurance coverage of abortions for low-income people under health insurance exchanges that the federal health care law would establish in 2014.
Pennsylvania proceeds with state-run health insurance exchange
After months of study, the Corbett administration said Tuesday that it was moving forward with a key – and widely supported – option offered by the federal health-care overhaul: a state-run insurance exchange.