Julie Appleby

Author's posts

Shopping for ACA health insurance? Here’s what’s new this year

There’s finally been a fix to the “family glitch” that made marketplace health plans sometimes unaffordable. And although premiums are rising, subsidies are too, and more people are eligible.

Health insurance prices for care are now out there, but finding them is an ordeal

A dump of tens of thousands of colossal digital files from a single insurer is not unusual, and it’ll be weeks before data firms can put the information in a usable format for employers and patients.

Three things to know about health insurance coverage for abortion

Even before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, whether a health plan paid for abortion varied widely. Now it’s become even more complex, with conflicts and court challenges on the horizon.

How much health insurers pay for almost everything is about to go public

New government rules are forcing insurers to post on websites what they pay for care or be fined, allowing consumers and employers to comparison shop for health services or negotiate better rates.

The case of the $489,000 air ambulance ride

Diagnosed with aggressive leukemia on a Western trip, a young man thought his insurance would cover an air ambulance ride home to North Carolina. Instead, he got stuck with an astronomical bill.

Therapists say a new law requiring upfront cost estimates could discourage patients

Some mental health providers object to the new requirement, which is part of the No Surprises Act. They say giving detailed cost estimates could discourage patients from getting care.

Some insurance brokers enroll people in ACA plans without consent

Some consumers “have gone months” without realizing someone had improperly enrolled them in ACA health plans, with tax credits that may need repaying. A proposed new rule would stop the practice.

Hospitals Have Started Posting Their Prices Online. Here’s What They Reveal

Since January, hospitals were supposed to be disclosing true prices for their services, as a way to empower patients to shop around. Turns out, compliance is spotty and the data can be hard to find.

Surprise: The Charge For His Spine Surgery After A Car Crash Topped $700,000

Generous personal injury coverage on your auto insurance policy may not be enough to cover your medical bills. Patients can get financially blindsided when car and health insurance policies differ.

Hospitals Forced To Be More Transparent About Pricing. Will That Save You Money?

Under a rule that kicked in Jan. 1, hospitals must now make public the prices they negotiate with health insurers. But health policy experts have divergent views on what that will mean for patients.