Monthly Archives: June 2018
Fixing Medicare, Medicaid a top priority for new national coalition
Healthcare industry heavy-hitters are partnering to form a new coalition that generally aims to “improve what’s working in health care and fix what’s not,” especially in Medicare, Medicaid, and other government programs, according to a recent press release. The American Medical Association (AMA), Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), Federation of American Hospitals, America’s Health […]
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2018 health care costs for the typical family: $28,000
Health care costs have been increasing at the lowest rate in the past two decades. The result? The total costs for a typical family of four insured by the most common health plan offered by employers will top $28,000 this year, according to the annual Milliman Medical Index. The estimate includes the average cost of health insurance […]
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CMS releases guidance to states on how to use Medicaid to battle opioid crisis
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on Monday released guidance aimed at helping states leverage Medicaid to combat the opioid epidemic. Specifically, the guidance focused on information related to covering services for infants born exposed to opioids and how to enhance federal funding for telemedicine and programs that keep tabs on patients’ prescriptions. […]
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IMMUNIZE SOUTH CAROLINA WEEK – August 13-19, 2018
South Carolina immunization providers, stakeholders, and community advocates are encouraged to utilize the following materials and resources in the communication toolkit during a week-long campaign initiative to help promote the importance message that immunizations reduce the risk of death and that citizens should check with physicians, pharmacists, and health departments to determine whether they are […]
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ACA provisions are unconstitutional, Justice Dept. says
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Justice Department said on Thursday that the part of Obamacare requiring individuals to have health insurance is unconstitutional, an unusual move that could lead to stripping away some of the most significant and popular parts of the law. In a brief filed in a federal court in Texas, the department […]
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CVS introduces Rx delivery as it braces for Amazon’s possible disruption
CVS Health is rolling out delivery for prescription drugs — before Amazon. Customers will appreciate it, CVS believes, but it’s clear the move is an attempt to stay ahead of Amazon. The e-commerce giant’s possible entry into the space has kept drugstores on edge, but it’s inaction so far has given them time to prepare. Customers […]
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CMS scorecard for Medicaid and CHIP draws scrutiny from state directors
CMS Monday released a scorecard that reports quality metrics voluntarily reported by states for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as federally reported measures, but the association that represents state Medicaid directors expressed some concerns with the scorecard’s data and what sorts of conclusions may be drawn from them, given the […]
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Trump administration inaugurates new Medicaid scorecard for state programs
The Trump administration is embarking on a basic change to Medicaid that for the first time evaluates states based on the health of millions of Americans and the services they use through the vast public insurance program for the poor. Seema Verma, administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, announced on Monday […]
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Labor Dept. announces final rule on association health plans
The Trump administration on Tuesday announced an expansion of health insurance plans that do not meet all ObamaCare requirements, in an effort to allow customers access to cheaper insurance options. The plans, called association health plans, allow small businesses and other groups to band together to buy health insurance. The move is part of a broader […]
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WellCare recognized among the 50 most community-minded companies in the U.S.
TAMPA, Fla., June 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Today, WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) was named to The Civic 50 by Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service. This marks the second consecutive year WellCare has been recognized as one of the 50 most community-minded companies in the U.S. The Civic 50 […]
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