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Gov. Whitmer fears the impact of the ruling that free ACA screenings are unconstitutional

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer directed the state Department of Insurance and Financial Services on Monday to move immediately to protect Michiganders from the potential loss of health insurance coverage for preventive services, including colon and lung cancer screenings, and for preventive drugs for breast cancer, heart disease and HIV . Whitmer’s action comes after a federal judge in Texas struck down a provision in the Affordable Care Act that requires insurance companies to fully cover certain preventive health services, a ruling that could have major ripple effects in Michigan and across the country. US District Judge Reed O’Connor of the Northern…
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What is the Cost of a Data Breach?

A recent study found that the total average cost of a healthcare breach is $10.10 million. Can your healthcare practice afford a breach? We can help you stay on top of the latest news that affects your everyday life. Subscribe to stay up to date. (To subscribe to our blog click here). Can your healthcare practice afford a breach? Most healthcare entities cannot. Since 2020, healthcare breach costs have risen by 42%. As we know healthcare breaches are incessant, it is important to understand trends. The trends that have emerged over the past few years are: Repeat attacks. Many healthcare…
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Sources of financial aid and insurance for hearing aids

When you’re ready to purchase hearing aids, you don’t want to waste time finding out if you qualify for monetary assistance. Based on the way most people are provided with financial support, we have put together a prioritized list below to help uncover your options. Does health insurance cover hearing aids? Hearing aids are generally not covered by medical insurance, although insurers sometimes offer optional hearing/vision/dental plans that may include coverage for hearing tests and hearing aid fittings. Other options for paying for your hearing aids may include financing offered by your hearing care professional, credit from a third party…
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Do I Need an Emergency List?

We frequently have questions related to the practical and financial panic after a death in the family when accounts, passwords, and assets are unknown. Sometimes, a family knows an estate plan was done but they cannot find the plan and don’t even know the law firm that drafted the plan. An emergency list can help to avoid these issues. We can help you stay on top of the latest news that affects your everyday life. Subscribe to stay up to date. (To subscribe to our blog click here). We often see people lose their spouse, and have no idea how…
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Do I need travel insurance when traveling within Canada?

While the majority of Canadians recognize the significance of obtaining travel coverage such as cancellation and medical insurance for trips outside the country, many fail to acknowledge the need for medical insurance when traveling within Canada. In certain circumstances, failing to purchase medical insurance for domestic travel could come with consequences. The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) recommends that travelers consider purchasing travel protection. Here’s why. Not All Medical Expenses Are Covered By OHIP I’m sure if you asked, most Canadians assume that their provincial health coverage, such as OHIP for Ontarians, will cover any unexpected medical costs that…
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New contract remains elusive for Buffalo Schools, union

Buffalo Schools leaders and the Buffalo Teachers Federation have been at an impasse since 2019. The two sides met six times in the last month, hoping to have a new contract to announce at Wednesday’s board meeting. Despite the effort – which included back-to-back meetings earlier this week – there was no resolution. Two topics block the path to agreement: retiree health insurance and the length of the school year. The former was a particularly thorny issue, discussed for more than an hour Wednesday at the school board meeting at School 3 on the D’Youville-Porter campus. With their focus narrowed,…
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The Biden administration is asking employers to give more help to workers who are losing Medicaid

(AP) – The Biden administration on Thursday asked employers to give workers who lose Medicaid coverage more time to sign up for health insurance through their jobs. Medicaid is the state- and federally funded program that covers health care costs for people with low incomes. States have resumed checks for Medicaid eligibility this year after pausing the practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal officials have estimated that about 3.8 million people who lose Medicaid coverage may qualify for health insurance through their employers, which is how most people in the US get coverage. Employers typically give people 60 days to…
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Judge temporarily blocks Major Adams from switching NYC retires to Medicare Advantage

A trial court judge has temporarily blocked Major Adams from switching retired city workers to a cost-cutting Medicare Advantage Plan. Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Lyle Frank granted a temporary restraining order Thursday that, until he issues a final ruling, prevents roughly 250,000 city retirees and their dependents from losing their current health insurance. The retirees who brought the lawsuit “have shown that numerous promises were made by the City to then New York City employees and future retirees” about their coverage, according to court documents. The court found a likelihood of it ultimately ruling in their favour, and that any…