Category: Health Insurance

Aetna offering new ‘transparent’ health plan

Aetna, part of CVS Health, has rolled out SimplePay Health, an alternative health plan that aims to simplify the member experience.
The plan, for self-insured clients, is intended to further reduce costs and improve outcomes and features a payment mode…

Election Outcome Could Bring Big Changes to Medicare

Democrats and conservatives are divided over whether the federal health program for people over 65 should be run almost entirely by the private sector. If Trump retakes the White House, the shift to Medicare Advantage may accelerate.

What’s at Stake: A Pivotal Election for Six Big Health Issues

In the final days of the campaign, stark disagreements between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump over the future of American health care are on display — in particular, in sober warnings about abortion access, the specter of future cuts to the Affordable Care Act, and bold pronouncements about empowering activists eager […]

HIMSSCast: Prior authorization as gatekeeper

Prior authorization does not work for patients, providers or even payers, according to Peter Ax, founder and CEO of UpScriptHealth.
The intention of prior authorization is to make an efficient use of health resources, Ax said. It has not worked.
“Prior…

Teladoc posts $640.5 million in revenue, stresses virtual care improvement

Teladoc Health put in a stronger-than-expected showing in the third quarter, bringing in $640.5 million in revenue, down 3% year-over-year (YOY), according to the company’s earnings results.

Steward Medical sold to Rural Healthcare Group 

Steward Medical Group and Steward Health Care Network have been sold to Rural Healthcare Group and have been rebranded as Revere Medical.

Trump Wants Harris To Pay a Political Price for Generous Immigrant Health Policies

Several Democratic-led states have expanded public insurance programs to cover immigrants in the U.S. regardless of legal status. Donald Trump is trying to blame Kamala Harris for the policies.

MSSP yielded $2.1 billion in net savings in 2023, CMS says

The Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) yielded more than $2.1 billion in net savings in 2023 – the largest savings in the program’s history, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

KFF Health News’ ‘What the Health?’: The Campaign’s Final Days

It’s the final days of the 2024 campaign, and Republicans are suddenly talking again about making changes to the Affordable Care Act if former President Donald Trump wins. Meanwhile, new reporting uncovers more maternal deaths under state abortion bans — and a case in which a Nevada woman was jailed after a miscarriage. Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call join KFF Health News’ Emmarie Huetteman to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner interviews Irving Washington, a senior vice president at KFF and the executive director of its Health Misinformation and Trust Initiative.

Bill would give physicians a pay increase, block Medicare cuts

A bipartisan bill introduced in the House would stop Medicare payment cuts from taking effect in January and give physicians a pay increase.
The Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act, introduced on Tuesday, would provide a 4.7% payment…