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JET Health Solutions introduces JET InsureFuse V3.0 for healthcare agents, underwriters and insurers

JET Health Solutions, the healthcare product and solutions division of AAJ Technologies, is premiering JET InsureFuse V3.0, an automated medical underwriting process system at LOMA's Health Underwriters Study Group Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

24 Apr 2010

CMS actuary: Health reform will cover more people, cost more than originally projected

"In the first comprehensive look by neutral experts" of the health law, The Associated Press reports that "More Americans will be covered, but costs are also going up. Economic experts at the Health and Human Services Department concluded in a report issued Thursday that the health care remake will achieve Obama's aim of expanding health insurance — adding 34 million to the coverage rolls.

24 Apr 2010

New user's guide to help consumers navigate details of new health care reform law

In the wake of President Obama signing health care reform into law, AARP Bulletin today released a new user's guide to help consumers navigate the details of the new law and how it will impact them both now and further down the road when it is fully implemented. This special section features must-know details, including changes to Medicare, employer insurance, taxes, and small businesses -- all boiled down to the basics of what YOU need to know.

23 Apr 2010

CBO: 4 million to face fines for not having health insurance in 2016

About four million people "could be fined for failing to buy health insurance when the health overhaul law is fully in force in 2016, the Congressional Budget Office forecast on Thursday," Reuters reports, adding: "Most individuals must buy health insurance under the landmark legislation passed by Congress last month, or face fines that will be phased in."

23 Apr 2010

First Edition: April 23, 2010

Today's headlines focus on the new health laws coverage estimates, costs and impact on the health care system.

23 Apr 2010

Mass. court orders state's two largest health insurers to submit insurance rates; N.C. Governor restores funding for some mental health programs

The Boston Globe: "A Suffolk Superior Court judge yesterday ordered two of the state's largest health insurers to submit April 2009 rates for insurance covering individuals and small businesses, the latest development in an ongoing dispute between the state and carriers over premium increases. Both companies said they would comply, even as they proceed with administrative appeals in an effort to charge higher rates.

23 Apr 2010

21% of Americans want no changes to health care legislation: CHPPR survey

Less than a quarter of Americans want no changes to the health care legislation signed into law by the president last month but there may be more common ground with other Americans than many think, according to the latest national survey by researchers from Indiana University's Center for Health Policy and Professionalism Research.

23 Apr 2010

Minorities, seniors see positives in health law; Worries persist about insurance costs

African Americans are hoping new health will improve their lives, but there's "a debate about whether the coming changes will actually ease the health disparities that black Americans face," NPR reports.

23 Apr 2010

Florida's Health Care Freedom Act receives approval

Today, Florida's Health Care Freedom Act (HJR 37/SJR 72), sponsored by Florida Representative Scott Plakon and Florida Senator Carey Baker, passed the House and Senate and will appear on the November ballot. And yesterday, Mississippi Representatives Alex Monsour and Steven Palazzo received preliminary approval to place the Health Care Freedom Act on the 2011 or 2012 ballot.

23 Apr 2010

Miss. lawmakers want voters to have say on health coverage mandate

Two Republican lawmakers in Mississippi want voters there to have the final say on whether purchasing health insurance should be required as mandated by the new federal health reform law. State Reps. Alex Monsour and Steven Palazzo are proposing a ballot initiative to ask voters the question.

23 Apr 2010

Report: Wellpoint targets breast cancer patients with policy rescissions

Reuters, in an exclusive report about the insurance industry practice of rescission: "That tens of thousands of Americans lost their health insurance shortly after being diagnosed with life-threatening, expensive medical conditions has been well documented by law enforcement agencies, state regulators and a congressional committee. Insurance companies have used the practice.

23 Apr 2010

Democrats, GOP continue to trade barbs over health reform, plan next moves

Politico: Democrats are following a call from President Barack Obama in daring Republicans to try to repeal the health care reform law. "And they started with what Democrats hope will become one of the most popular features of the overhaul plan, a provision that allow young adults to stay on their parents' insurance plans until age 26.

23 Apr 2010

CBO estimate: 4 million could pay health insurance penalty by 2016

The Associated Press: "Nearly 4 million Americans will have to pay a penalty if they fail to get health insurance when that element of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul law kicks in, according to congressional projections released Thursday." According to a Congressional Budget Office report, the average penalty in 2016 will be slightly more than $1,000 and the majority of people who pay the fine will be middle class.

23 Apr 2010

First Edition: April 22, 2010

Kaiser Health News staff writer Phil Galewitz, working in collaboration with USA Today, writes about the Money Follows The Person program: "Richard Hasselbach and Deborah Kadlec met in a nursing home and dreamed of a life together outside its walls. Their health conditions made living on their own a challenge: Hasselbach, 63, is disabled from a stroke and lost a leg to a blocked artery. Kadlec, 52, has multiple sclerosis. They both use wheelchairs and need help with chores such as bathing, cooking and remembering to take their medicines.

22 Apr 2010

Patient Protection and Affordability Act requirement goes into affect in September 2010: BCBSM

A diploma won't be the only thing carried away from high school and college commencement ceremonies in Michigan this spring. Young adults also will be carrying their parents' Blue Cross health insurance card.

22 Apr 2010

Young adults to remain on parents' plan, states Aetna

Aetna today released the following statement regarding its decision to work with customers to extend dependent coverage to young adults.

22 Apr 2010

Retired public employee's benefits in budget trimmers' sights

Miami Herald: "The [Florida] House dropped its plan to save $224 million by eliminating a monthly health insurance subsidy for about 300,000 retired public employees, many of them politically influential former teachers, police officers and firefighters. Axing the health subsidy for retirees had enraged public employee unions and Democrats, who accused Republicans of breaking a pact with public workers.

22 Apr 2010

Colorado Governor moves forward with implementing reforms; Nevada community health centers feel financial pinch

In Colorado, "Gov. Bill Ritter signed four bills he promised will rein in skyrocketing health care costs on Tuesday and appointed a director who will oversee 10 state agencies to implement the Obama administration's new health care plan.

22 Apr 2010

As more reform specifics emerge, so do questions, answers and impacts

As details of health reform policies shake out, questions, answers and consequences are emerging.

22 Apr 2010

Senate Democrats seek legislation to regulate insurer rate hikes

The New York Times: "Fearing that health insurance premiums may shoot up in the next few years, Senate Democrats laid a foundation on Tuesday for federal regulation of rates, four weeks after President Obama signed a law intended to rein in soaring health costs." Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., introduced legislation that would allow the federal health secretary to block "any rate increase found to be unreasonable," an authority that would be shared with some state insurance officials.

22 Apr 2010