WASHINGTON — The uninsured rate in the US has fallen to a record-low 8.3%, but that percentage is expected to gradually increase as insurance protections from the COVID-19 pandemic wind down, according to officials from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) .
The temporary policies enacted in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic “have contributed to a record low insurance rate in 2023 of 8.3% and record-high enrollment in both Medicaid and ACA [Affordable Care Act] marketplace coverage,” said Caroline Hanson, PhD, principal analyst at the CBO, during a briefing sponsored by Health Affairs. “As those temporary policies expire under current…
health insurance companies
Major Mass. health insurance provider says customer data was ‘copied and taken’ in cyberattack
A pair of major Massachusetts and New Hampshire health insurance companies are warning subscribers that a cybersecurity ransomware incident in March and April has compromised some members’ personal information.
Point32Health, the corporate parent of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan, said in April that the threat impacted systems that are used to service customers, accounts, brokers, and providers, officials said. It proactively took certain systems offline to contain the threat out of an “abundance of caution” after “detecting an unauthorized party.”
“Unfortunately, the investigation identified signs that data was copied and taken from our Harvard Pilgrim systems from…
What You Need to Know About Licensing and Credentialing
Many of our clients have had questions or issues regarding their license or credentialing. New physicians and physicians who have been practicing for years can all encounter issues with their medical licenses. We help our clients work to get the answers and results they need.
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).
Depending on the issues that you may be having, there are different approaches to take in dealing with the Bureau of Professional Licensing and the Board…
Massachusetts’ Misguided Middle-Class Health Insurance Subsidy Expansion
Proposal to Expand Subsidies Up to $150,000 for a Family of Four Will Have Huge Unintended Consequences
The average annual family health insurance premium in Massachusetts costs more than buying a new compact car (over $21,000/yr), so it is understandable that some are calling for ways to shield patients from this ever-increasing expense. However, the latest proposal on Beacon Hill to expand insurance subsidies up to 500 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) (ie $150,000 for a family of four or $73,000 for an individual), could have long-term irreversible impacts that merit its rejection .
(Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty…
NC Senate budget revives Medicaid expansion debate, putting law in ‘conflict’ with House
The Senate budget unveiled Monday cuts state laws that regulate hospital competition, placing Medicaid expansion, and health coverage for thousands of low-income North Carolinaians, in conflict.
During last year’s Medicaid expansion negotiations, a key agreement between the House and the Senate was Certificate of Need laws, which limit where hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities can be built. The Senate wanted to pass expansion with Certificate of Need changes but the House did not.
But this year, there was a breakthrough, and in early March, the Senate and House announced that they had reached a compromise deal: Medicaid expansion…
Neighborhood health clinic plans to open in this northeast Wichita church and school
A neighborhood clinic opening Saturday at a northeastern Wichita church and school aims to offer close-to-home primary care and reduce costs for people without health insurance.
The grand opening of the Holy Family Fairmount clinic will be part of a community health fair that will include diabetes and blood pressure checks in addition to music, food and face painting from 10 am to 2 pm
The clinic, at Holy Savior Catholic Church and Academy, 3000 E. 13th St. N., will offer primary care services to patients of all ages. It is a satellite office of Holy Family Medical and offers…
Can Your Practice Afford a Data Breach?
Probably not.
A recent study found that the total average cost of a healthcare breach is $10.10 million.
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 entities have seen repeat attacks.…
Countless Florida residents could lose Medicaid health insurance coverage
Countless Florida residents are in jeopardy of being dropped from the Medicaid program, a federally subsidized health insurance designed for low-income individuals and families.
Experts say residents who receive Medicaid insurance should be on the look for an envelope with a yellow stripe or an email seeking information that will be sent 45 days prior to a recipient’s renewal date.
Those whom the state cannot renew because they lack up-to-date income information or because they are deemed ineligible will receive a 45-day notice by letter or email. They will then have 90 days to reapply if they believe they are…