Federal rules ensure that none of the millions of people who signed up for Obamacare can be denied insurance — but there is no guarantee that all health services will be covered. To help make sure a patient’s claims aren’t improperly denied, the Affordable Care Act creates national standards allowing appeals to the insurer and, if necessary, to a third-party reviewer. … Read More
Health law sign-ups on track to hit 7 million
WASHINGTON (AP) — Beating expectations, President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul was on track to sign up more than 7 million Americans for health insurance on deadline day Monday, government officials told The Associated Press. The 7 million target, thought to be out of reach by most experts, was in sight on a day that saw surging consumer interest as … Read More
Obamacare website fails as deadline arrives
People trying to apply and enroll for private health insurance through Obamacare before Monday’s midnight deadline discovered the website was “currently unavailable.” Healthcare.gov, the online marketplace bedeviled by bugs since its launch last fall, went down for several hours Monday morning, a statement from the Department of Health and Human Services said. It was back online later in the morning … Read More
Better late than never: a ‘simple’ explanation of the health care reform law
2014 is here – are you ready for Obamacare? Join the YouToons as they walk through the basic changes in the way Americans will get health coverage and what it will cost starting in 2014, when major parts of the Affordable Care Act, also known as “Obamacare,” go into effect. Written and produced by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Narrated by … Read More
An “uncovered” hidden Obamacare cost
November 30 has come and gone, meaning HealthCare.gov, the $630 million portal created by the Affordable Care Act that links all 36 federal online insurance marketplaces, should be running smoothly for the majority of users. However, that does not mean the marketplaces are easy to use, especially for individuals trying to compare how different policies cover drug costs. Costs can differ … Read More
Companies prepare to pass more health costs to workers
Companies are bracing for an influx of participants in their insurance plans due to the health-care overhaul, adding to pressure to shift more of the cost of coverage to employees. Many employers are betting that the Affordable Care Act’s requirement that all Americans have health insurance starting in 2014 will bring more people into their plans who have previously opted … Read More
Who gets a subsidy under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act?
The new availability of tax credits for qualified low-income people purchasing individual coverage through exchanges could be a game changer. Qualified individuals with family incomes between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) will be eligible for sliding-scale premium tax credits that will cap the amount they may pay for coverage. Individuals with family incomes at or below … Read More
Millions at high risk for lung cancer should be screened yearly, panel says
Barbara Mantel, NBC News — In a move that could affect millions of current and former smokers, a highly influential, independent panel of medical experts is recommending yearly screening for healthy adults between the ages of 55 and 80 at high risk for lung cancer. The screening would be done with low-dose computed tomography, commonly known as CT scans — … Read More
Share your experiences with the Affordable Care Act
This year, many Americans have signed up for health insurance through the federal or state marketplaces created under the Affordable Care Act. The New York Times and its journalists covering the law would like to hear from people who have this new insurance and whether they are finding it affordable. Click here to participate in this survey.
Five unpleasant ways employers are cutting back on healthcare costs
The Affordable Care Act, perhaps better known as Obamacare, set in motion a series of changes that are drastically altering the health-services landscape. The law itself was designed for a few purposes. Primarily, it was enacted in order to reduce the amount of uninsured citizens in this country, and to help spread the cost of medical care across a greater … Read More
The fee for not having health insurance “soars” in 2015
Diagnostic Imaging Services shares a news report on the significant increase in the penalty that will be levied on those people who do not have health insurance. According to the report, the maximum penalty per family in 2014 looks like a bargain now at $285, a hike of nearly 250%. The fee will continue to get stiffer in 2015 when it … Read More