A pair of new stories examining the increasingly common but shadowy US insurance industry practice of refusing to pay for certain treatments drew outrage Wednesday from patient advocates and Medicare for All proponents, who said the reporting further revealed the harms of for-profit healthcare.
The investigative outlet ProPublicafocused its attention on the “galling” secrecy around insurance companies’ claim denials, which frequently leave patients with massive medical bills and little clarity as to why their claims were rejected.
“How often insurance companies say no is a closely held secret,” ProPublica‘s Robin Fields reported. “There’s nowhere that a consumer or an employer…
health insurance plans
Does health insurance cover skin cancer screening? Dr. Mallika Marshall answers your questions
Does health insurance cover skin cancer screening?
Does health insurance cover skin cancer screening?
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BOSTON-Dr. Mallika Marshall is answering your medical questions. If you have a question, email her or message her on Facebook or Twitter.
Christine asks, “Is skin cancer screening covered under health insurance? I have light skin and want to protect myself from skin cancer.”
Most insurance companies do cover skin cancer screenings as part of your annual wellness visit but if you’re not sure, call and ask. Even better, ask if they will cover a skin exam by a dermatologist.
All adults should see a…
Criticism continues against Gov. Pritzker’s move closing health care enrollment for immigrants
Backlash continued to rain down on Gov. JB Pritzker Wednesday following his decision last week to close enrollment for a state-funded health insurance program for immigrants under 65 as other Illinois officials highlighted that a bill is sitting on the governor’s desk that would allow the state to issue regular driver’s licenses for noncitizens.
Though not connected, the two issues took center stage as Pritzker continued to push back against criticism from Latino lawmakers and immigrant advocates that his administration’s decision on the health insurance program was “immoral and fiscally shortsighted.” Pritzker has defended the move because program costs are…
Generali appeals against health insurance premium cap in Slovenia
June 19 (SeeNews) – Italian insurer Generali has filed an appeal with Slovenia’s Supreme Court demanding that the cap on supplementary insurance premium be scrapped, local media reported.
The 35.67 euro ($39.0) upper price limit for supplementary health insurance has a negative effect on the operations of the company, as it is not sufficient to cover all obligations amid the higher costs of medical services, the STA news agency quoted sources from Generali as say.
Earlier this year, Slovenia’s Appeals Court dismissed an appeal by Generali, Triglav and Vzajemna against the price limit, set by the Slovenian government in mid-April.…
Venezuela: Oil Sector Workers Protest for Health Insurance, Higher Wages
Caracas, June 8, 2023 (venezuelanalysis.com) – Dozens of oil industry workers have staged protests in walkouts in recent days to demand improved wages and labor rights.
Since June 1, employees from the Puerto La Cruz refinery in Anzoátegui state, eastern Venezuela, have demonstrated at the company headquarters and other oil industry facilities, as well as being taken to the streets.
While the refinery has been the epicenter of the mobilization, workers and union representatives from other affiliates of the state oil company PDVSA have also participated.
José Bodas Lugo, secretary-general of the Unitary Federation of Oil Workers (FUTPV), told Venezuelanalysis…
Aviva added more than 100,000 private health insurance customers in a year as the NHS struggled
Insurance firm Aviva has reported a 25% increase in the number of new health insurance policies taken out in the first three months of this year – as the NHS lists were lengthened and staff went on strike.
The Aviva boss was explicit in linking the rise in new policies to failings in the public health service.
The increase is “a consequence of what we’re seeing in the NHS and customers basically say that if they can take control over their health situation then they will,” chief executive Amanda Blanc said.
More individuals and companies are “attracted to the benefits…
Why Shouldn’t I Use an Online Will?
Online will often do more harm than good. Many people look to the internet when preparing estate planning documents, like wills and trusts, but this can set you up for disaster.
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Online will often ‘one size fits all’ documents that don’t account for your particular situation. Sometimes, they don’t account for the current laws in your state.
These documents may not even be legitimate and can lead to issues and misunderstandings…
Rochester family urges lawmakers to pass MinnesotaCare for undocumented Minnesotans
This story comes to you from Sahan Journal through a partnership with MPR News.
By Ansari Grant | Sahan Journal
Marco Loera Alvarez’s father, Daniel, started losing weight at an alarming rate after his family immigrated to Minnesota in 2004 from Guadalajara, Mexico.
Daniel Loera, 60, also became irritable and often experienced a sudden loss of energy.
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He was later diagnosed with diabetes and hyperthyroidism, and put on prescription medication to control the illnesses. But Loera has…