Tag: health insurance

Medicare Physician Reimbursement Cuts

Medicare Physician Reimbursement Cuts Threaten Patient Access to Care

With over 67 million Americans—nearly 20% of the population—relying on Medicare, the program plays a crucial role in ensuring access to quality healthcare. Unfortunately, looming Medicare physician reimbursement cuts threaten to undermine this vital service, potentially leading to reduced access to care and compromised patient outcomes Medicare physician reimbursement cuts, such as the proposed 2.8% […]
Coverage Denials

Survey Reveals Key Issues with Challenging Surprise Medical Bills and Coverage Denials

A new study by the health care system reveals a significant gap in consumer healthcare rights. Despite attempts to curb surprise medical bills, a large portion of insured Americans are still receiving unexpected charges. Adding to this problem is the high rate of coverage denials, leaving patients with substantial out-of-pocket costs and causing financial hardship […]
How-to-avoid-financial-burden-from-surprise-medical-bills

Financial planning for Surprise Medical Bills

Costly medical emergencies have the potential to impose a significant financial strain. It’s important to recognize that unexpected and expensive health issues can affect anyone. While we can’t predict when or if we’ll face an unforeseen health challenge, we can take steps to be financially ready. Below are some approaches to kick start your preparations. […]
New Healthcare Price Transparency Rule

The New House Bill’s Drive for Healthcare Price Transparency

The Lower Costs, More Transparency bill has been introduced by the House Energy and Commerce Committee to address healthcare cost transparency. The bill’s purpose is to enhance price transparency within the healthcare system. According to survey, over 60% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. This implies that they are at risk of facing a […]
Employer Healthcare Costs to Increase 8.5% in 2024

Employer Healthcare Costs to Increase 8.5% in 2024

A recent study conducted by a leading professional services firm revealed that the anticipated expenses borne by U.S. employers for their workforce’s healthcare will see a notable uptick of 8.5%, surpassing $15,000 per employee. This surge, assuming companies do not introduce augmented employee contribution methods or alternate cost-reducing strategies, stands almost twice as high as […]
Prior Authorization Reform Rule Proposals

CMS Unveils Contentious Prior Authorization Reform Rule Proposals

Physicians and healthcare experts are urging Medicare to lead reforms in the time-consuming prior authorization (PA) process, which often causes delays in patient care. However, they caution against excessive reform, as it could exacerbate the problem rather than improving it. The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have put forth two proposals for […]
PBMs-tend-to-Dominate-State-and-Local-Markets

PBMs tend to Dominate State and Local Markets

Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) tend to dominate state and local markets where they provide services to commercial health insurers across the United States. That could mean patients are stuck with higher prescription drug prices, according to new research published by the American Medical Association (AMA). The Policy Research Perspective report, “Competition in Commercial PBM Markets […]
Hospital-Expenses-Since-2016

Hospital Expenses Have Increased 23 Percent Since 2016

Supply chain issues, medication costs, and labor challenges sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to the spiking hospital expenses. Hospital expenses have increased 23 percent since 2016, a spike researchers attributed to continuous COVID-19 challenges, according to a recent analysis. By analyzing American Hospital Association data, investigators noticed hospital expenses increased 47 percent in 2020when […]