Health Insurance

New Baby? Time to Update Your Estate Plan

Violin30/06/2023 45 Views

We often have clients ask us when the best time to do their estate plan is and the answer is usually, right now! This is especially true for people turning 18 years old, people who don’t have a plan, and people who have had recent life changes.

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One event that should trigger you to meet with an estate planning attorney is a new baby. When you are expanding your family,

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2 min read

Health Insurance

Pritzker signs bills altering Illinois’ health insurance market

Violin29/06/2023 45 Views

"Oh, I’m signed!” exclaims Mon. Laura Fine, D-Glenview, as she realized that her bill giving the Department of Insurance new oversight authority had been approved by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. — “Oh, I’m signed!” exclaims Sen. Laura Fine, D-Glenview, as she realizes that her bill giving the Department of Insurance new oversight authority had been approved by Gov. JB Pritzker.

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation Tuesday that will dramatically alter the health insurance market in Illinois.

The measures establish a state-based exchange for policies sold under the Affordable Care Act and give the Illinois Department of Insurance the authority to modify or reject proposed rate increases.

“Since day one of my administration, I’ve been committed to making health care more equitable and holistic and accessible,” Pritzker said at a

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4 min read

Health Insurance

California poised to spend $19 billion on Medicaid and other health care programs

Violin29/06/2023 48 Views

Once federal funds are factored in, the state will be able to spend north of $35 billion, said Jennifer Kent, a former administration official who helped the coalition propose a structure for the tax.

It would be the largest-ever investment in Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid system.

“We’re trying to serve a Medi-Cal program that’s the size of some states’ total population,” said Linnea Koopmans, CEO of the Local Health Plans of California, who was part of the coalition. “It takes an investment of this magnitude to have a meaningful impact.”

To pull it off, doctors and health plans, hospitals and organized

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5 min read

Health Insurance

Don’t forget to pack travel health insurance

Violin28/06/2023 49 Views

Minneapolis, MN, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — You remembered your toothbrush and other summer travel essentials, but what about travel health insurance? Policy analysts for medicareresources.org and healthinsurance.org are reminding consumers to know the limits of their health coverage in case of an illness or accident while traveling.

“Of all the things you want to take with you and make sure you bring back, good health and financial security top the list,” said Jenny Chumbley Hogue, an analyst for medicareresources.org. “Taking the time to make sure you’re covered can help you avoid large medical bills if you experience a

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4 min read

Health Insurance

The Dangers of the EHR

Violin28/06/2023 47 Views

Electronic Health Records can be an incredibly helpful tool. However, they are not without fault. A recent warning highlights that electronic health records (EHRs) are a top target of cybercriminals. They can also lead to inappropriate billing if they are not set up correctly.

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).

The Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3) issued a warning to healthcare entities regarding EHR vulnerabilities and protections.

Protected health information (PHI) continues to hold its …

3 min read

Health Insurance

UnitedHealth Buys Amedisys for $3.3 Billion

Violin27/06/2023 61 Views

Health insurance behemoth UnitedHealth Group (UNH) agreed to buy home health and hospice caregiver Amedisys (AMED) for $3.3 billion in an all-cash deal that will expand UnitedHealth’s home healthcare business.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

UnitedHealth Group has agreed to buy Amedisys, a home healthcare provider, for $101 per share.
Amedisys will pay a $106 million fee to terminate its merger with Option Care, which offered to buy Amedisys for $97.38 per share in an all-stock agreement in May.
Amedisys will merge with UnitedHealth’s subsidiary Optum after the deal gains shareholder and regulatory approval.

UnitedHealth will pay $101 per outstanding share of Amedisys

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2 min read

Health Insurance

Town of Massena retirees happy with new health insurance plan

Violin27/06/2023 51 Views

Jun. 24—MASSENA — Town of Massena retirees say they’re happy with a new health insurance plan that will kick in on Jan. 1.

Zachary Zuckerman, a group benefits consultant at USI Insurance Services in Syracuse, outlined the new plan for the Massena Town Board, with several retirees in attendance. Among them were some who had served on a town committee that examined potential retirement health insurance plans.

Mr. Zuckerman said he was no stranger to Massena, having worked with village officials as well as current Deputy Town Supervisor Patrick M. Facteau when he was the chief financial officer for the

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5 min read

Health Insurance

Wider access to health insurance via Medicaid expansion improved cardiac care, finds study

Violin26/06/2023 49 Views

An expansion of the Affordable Care Act that extends Medicaid eligibility to more people improved patient outcomes, prevention measures and screening access, according to a review of research published today in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

A provision of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 extended Medicaid eligibility to all adults with incomes of up to 138% of the federal poverty level in states that elect to participate, with the federal government covering 90% of the costs. Medicaid provides health insurance coverage for people with low income, and the expansion ensures that as of June

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5 min read