U.S. health insurers announce plans to simplify the disputed care approval process.
Changes to Pre-Approval Process by Major Insurance Companies In light of recent developments, a commitment has been made to expedite and simplify advance approvals in the health insurance sector. This decision was announced on Monday by major U.S. health plans. Advance approval, or pre-approval, allows healthcare providers to secure permission from a patient’s insurance before […]
A brain surgeon’s conflict with UnitedHealthcare reveals the insurer’s tough strategies.
Several attorneys interviewed by NBC News examined loan agreements purportedly established as bonding contracts involving Mazzola and other doctors. They noted that Mazzola faced loan repayments due to a cyber incident—triggered by Change Healthcare’s insufficient security—which skewed the terms heavily in favor of the lender. Consequently, the aggressive push by UnitedHealth Group for loan repayments […]
Oregon health insurers announce expected premium hikes for individuals and small businesses in 2026
Premium Increases for Oregonians’ Health Coverage Residents of Oregon who purchase health coverage through small businesses are facing premium increases next year. This change is part of the proposed adjustments from local health insurance companies for the 2026 Health Plan, with an average hike of around 10% for individuals and more than 11% for small […]
Kathy Hochul called on insurers to compensate victims of child sexual abuse
An advertising campaign is putting pressure on Governor Kathy Hochul to compel thousands of alleged victims of sexual assault to cover claims for various organizations, including churches, hospitals, schools, and the Boy Scouts, under the Child Victims Act. Victims who were reportedly abused as children decades ago have taken legal action against numerous organizations for […]
Health insurers seek higher health plan premiums due to increasing health care expenses.
Vermont Health Insurers Seek Premium Hikes Two health insurance companies in Vermont are aiming to increase premium rates for plans available in the state market for 2026. Specifically, Blue Cross Blue Shield is proposing a 23.3% hike for individual plans and 13.7% for small group plans. Meanwhile, MVP, another company operating on the exchange, is […]
U.S. Prosecutors Accuse Large Insurers of Paying Kickbacks for Private Medicare Plans – The New York Times
The Justice Department accused three of the nation's largest health insurance companies of paying illegal kickbacks in hundreds of millions of dollars over several years to insurance brokers who led people to private Medicare plans. Federal prosecutors also accused the two insurers of conspired with brokers to discriminate against people with disabilities by blocking enrollment […]
Climate change could deliver considerable blows to US corn growers, insurers: Study
Federal government corn crop insurance companies were able to see a jump of nearly 29% by the Middle Ages thanks to the 22% surge in claims filed by 2030 and the effects of climate change. Both US corn growers and their insurance companies say, according to a survey published Friday.Journal of Data Science, Statistics, Visualization. […]
UnitedHealth's stock is plunging on higher medical costs. That may mean trouble for more insurers – CNBC
UnitedHealth GroupShares sank 20% on Thursday after the company cut its annual profit forecast. According to some Wall Street analysts, these darkness stems from the healthcare giants considered the innate of the insurance industry, which could be a warning sign for other companies with so-called Medicare Advantage plans. It comes after turbulent 2024 for health […]
Jefferson, Penn, Temple join antitrust lawsuits against IBX and other Blue Cross insurers – The Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia's leading nonprofit Health System joined anti-trust lawsuits this month against IBX, Horizon and other Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance companies. Temple University Health System, University of Pennsylvania Health System, and Philadelphia Children's Hospital have eight A non-profit healthcare system with Philadelphia-area businesses that are suing in federal courts. Thomas Jefferson University and Mainline […]
Walz plan to keep health care costs lower shifts reinsurance to insurers – KSTP
Gov. Tim Waltz and Secretary of Commerce Grace Arnold spoke on Thursday afternoon about plans to keep individual plans more affordable and save taxpayers dollars. His proposal would shift some of the reinsurance, where the state is responsible for taxpayers to insurers. It applies to individual insurance markets for those who are not covered through […]