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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Shots - Health News

Health Exchange Activity Heats Up As Deadline Is Extended

Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman announced Thursday that his state will choose the federal health insurance exchange program.

November 15, 2012 Two Republican governors announced Thursday afternoon that they would not create exchanges in their states. A Democratic governor chose a hybrid model for her state. Then, the federal government pushed back the states' decision deadline, again.

Summary

Shots - Health News

Computer Issues May Complicate Launch Of Health Insurance Exchanges

Problems with a computer system could delay work on health insurance exchanges.

November 15, 2012 KHNState insurance regulators learned recently that an electronic system most insurers will use to submit their policies for state and federal approvals won't be ready for testing next month. The unexpected problem could delay work on the exchanges by three months.

Summary

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Shots - Health News

High-Deductible Health Plans Can Cost Patients A Discount

Health insurance plans that require consumers to pay more in out-of-pocket medical expenses may have hidden costs.

November 13, 2012 KHNPeople hoping to save a few dollars by choosing insurance with low upfront costs may be losing out. Hospitals and other health care providers sometimes fail to apply discounts when individuals, rather than insurers, are paying the bills.

Summary

Shots - Health News

Health Insurance Exchanges Explained

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam said last week the state could design its own health insurance exchange required under President Obama's health care law. But resistance in the Republican-controlled General Assembly may cause the state to hand that power off to the federal government.

November 13, 2012 The exchanges — one for every state — are not only where people will go to choose plans, they're also where people will go to see if they qualify for help in affording that care. States have until Friday to tell federal officials if they plan to launch their own exchanges.

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On Morning EditionPlaylist

Thursday, November 08, 2012

Shots - Health News

Obamacare Is Here To Stay, But In What Form?

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper signs a bill in June 2011 to pave the way for a health insurance exchange in the state.

November 8, 2012 With President Obama's re-election, states that had postponed creating health insurance exchanges required by the sweeping federal health law will now have to scramble to set them up. These marketplaces are supposed to make it easier for people to shop for health coverage.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

Monday, October 08, 2012

Shots - Health News

For Families Of Medicare Recipients, Insurance Choices Are Tricky

Bruce Osterweil, 59, of San Francisco has long relied on his wife's employer-sponsored health plan for coverage, but she recently turned 65 and signed up for Medicare. She's going to retire in January and now Bruce is on his own to find a plan on the individual insurance market.

October 8, 2012 KHNWhen a relative signs up for Medicare, it is often perplexing — and unnerving — for the rest of the family who may have grown used to cushy employer-sponsored coverage.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

Tuesday, October 02, 2012

Shots - Health News

How Some Parents Could Learn Adult Daughters' Birth Control Habits

An insurer's note could tip parents to their adult daughter's use of the pill.

October 2, 2012 KHNUnder the federal health law, adult children can remain on parents' insurance plans until they reach age 26. Parents may find out about their daughters' prescriptions for birth control pills from notices of insurance benefits.

Summary

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Shots - Health News

Branding Health Care Exchanges To Make The Sale

Peter Lee, executive director of the California Health Benefit Exchange, discusses California's health care plans in Sacramento in July.

September 25, 2012 KXJZIn the process of creating its health insurance exchange, California wants to rename the marketplace. But it's tough to find a name that appeals to all Californians and explains the marketplace at the same time.

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On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

Shots - Health News

Insurance Picks At Work Will Cost You More

It will take a bigger money pile to pay for your health insurance again.

September 25, 2012 KHNHealth premiums are going up for 2013, though not quite as much as in 2012. Even so, the tab will likely be bigger for most people who get health coverage at work. Employers are asking workers to shoulder a bigger portion of the costs.

Summary

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Shots - Health News

Challenges To Health Law Just Keep Coming

Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, seen at a news conference in early 2011 before he took office, promised to file a lawsuit soon after he was sworn in. He did.

September 20, 2012 Oklahoma's attorney general claims that an IRS rule to implement the federal health overhaul law's subsidies for some insurance exchanges exceeds the agency's authority. The Congressional Budget Office says more people than previously estimated may have to pay a penalty for not having health coverage.

Summary

Planet Money

Insurance Companies Send Out Rebate Checks; Economists Get Nervous

Health insurance

September 20, 2012 Nearly 13 million Americans are getting rebate checks from their health insurance companies. But as is sometimes the case, what is popular with the people is not so popular with economists.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Shots - Health News

More Americans Have Health Insurance, But Not Many More

Census Bureau chart showing trends in health insurance coverage since 1999.

September 12, 2012 The Census Bureau reported a decline in the number of Americans without coverage in 2011. But the ranks of the uninsured remain pretty high.

Summary

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Shots - Health News

Insurance Costs Rise, But More Slowly

Heath coverage will cost you more than last year, but not as much as it might have.

September 11, 2012 Annual family health insurance premiums rose about 4 percent to an average of $15,745 this year, a new survey finds. While the increase is less than the one seen last year, it exceeds both inflation and wage gains.

Summary

Wednesday, September 05, 2012

Shots - Health News

Insurer's Files Show Big Cost Differences For Same Illnesses

September 5, 2012 KHNSome of the cost variations from a UnitedHealthcare database are startling. For treating a basic asthma episode, cases in the 10th percentile of distribution cost $98 each while those in the 90th percentile the cost was $1,535 per case.

Summary

Tuesday, September 04, 2012

Shots - Health News

More Employers' Health Plans Include Benefits For Transgender People

September 4, 2012 KHNMedical groups, such as the American Medical Association recommend coverage of services for transgender people. Some companies have moved ahead with benefits, but others have held back. One of their big worries is cost.

Summary

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