News
Mass. company pays $1.4M for ineligible pandemic loan claims
7+ hour, 23+ min ago (159+ words) A company in Ayer agreed to pay $1.4 million to resolve claims that it improperly obtained pandemic paycheck relief money, according to federal prosecutors. Ajinomoto Cambrooke Inc., or Cambrooke, applied for money from the Paycheck Protection Program and certified that it…...
Deadline nears for Massachusetts Health Connector enrollment
1+ week, 34+ min ago (287+ words) SPRINGFIELD " With just days left before the Dec. 23 deadline, state and local leaders are urging uninsured residents to enroll in health coverage through the Massachusetts Health Connector to ensure they're protected in the new year. The cutoff applies to anyone…...
Trump’s signature domestic policy law will punish Baystate Health. And all of us (The Republican Editorials)
1+ week, 22+ hour ago (276+ words) Given its size, it's not an exaggeration to say that when Baystate Health sneezes, Western Mass. catches a cold. As its president and CEO warned Monday, the institution risks far more than a seasonal bug. Provisions of the Trump administration's…...
Why thousands of Massachusetts residents are avoiding doctor visits even with health insurance
1+ week, 4+ day ago (850+ words) BOSTON " The overwhelming majority of Bay Staters continue to have health insurance coverage, but a new survey highlights nagging challenges in accessing care and affordability woes exacerbated by high-deductible plans. The uninsured rate in Massachusetts is 2.1%, compared to the national…...
Major data breach involving Mass.’ largest health insurer exposes Social Security numbers
2+ week, 23+ hour ago (270+ words) Conduent Services, a third-party "back-office support" service provider, has notified Blue Cross Blue Shield patients of a major data leak containing their highly sensitive information " including Social Security numbers. "We are writing to inform you about a recent incident experienced…...
Dental insurer to close Worcester office, lay off staff of 50
2+ week, 2+ day ago (106+ words) A dental insurance company is closing its Worcester office, leaving 50 employees out of a job. BeneCare Dental, which also goes by the name Dental Benefit Management Inc., will close the office between Jan. 31 and March 31, 2026, according to a Massachusetts Workers…...
Medicare costs surge for older adults in 2026
1+ mon, 1+ day ago (371+ words) Older adults will face a significant increase in their healthcare costs next year. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2026 cost-sharing amounts on Nov. 14, showing that increases will affect both Part A (Hospital) and Part B (Medical) coverage,…...
1 in 8 Mass. residents carries family medical debt despite near-universal insurance coverage
1+ mon, 5+ day ago (494+ words) Massachusetts often touts its near-universal health insurance coverage, mandated through a 2006 state law. But a new report shows that despite the assumed financial protections for residents, 1 in 8 carries family medical debt. The report, released this week by the Center for…...
‘Budget-busting, skyrocketing’: Some Mass. residents could see health insurance premiums rise by $25K
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (528+ words) Declaring a "budget-busting, skyrocketing" crisis, Gov. Maura Healey said Monday some Massachusetts residents are about to see their health insurance premiums spike by $25,000 in a single year. "And that's because Donald Trump and the Republicans have refused to extend these…...
Your health insurance premiums could double next year if Congress doesn't act on expiring tax credits
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (514+ words) An estimated 337,000 of the state's 400,000 health insurance marketplace enrollees will soon lose federal subsidies that make their coverage more affordable " if Congress doesn't take action before Dec. 31. Ending the federal government shutdown, now the longest on record, hinges on Democrats…...