News
Mayor Sarno: Hold off on changes to insurance plan that could raise costs
2+ hour ago (154+ words) SPRINGFIELD " Mayor Dominic J. Sarno implored Thursday for the state's Group Insurance Commission to hold off on changes that could make care more expensive. The proposals also include a 50% increase in co-pays " the fixed amount charged at an appointment " for a…...
As White House rolls back health care access, Baystate braces for loss of $147M
1+ week, 5+ hour ago (1045+ words) SPRINGFIELD " Baystate Health President and CEO Peter D. Banko was making progress in 2025, closing a $225 million hole in the health care giant's finances. Expenses too high, revenue too low. He cut jobs, and searched for efficiencies and ways to grow revenue....
Southwick residents approve changing health insurance premium split with town employees
4+ week, 18+ hour ago (820+ words) SOUTHWICK " Following the lead of nearly every municipality in the state, town employees will soon be able to negotiate paying less for their health insurance premium after Special Town Meeting approved a request by the Select Board for the town…...
Finance Committee supports paying more than 50% of employee health insurance costs
1+ mon, 3+ day ago (873+ words) SOUTHWICK " The Finance Committee unanimously approved sending a positive recommendation to next week's Special Town Meeting supporting Article 1, which is a request by the Select Board to pay more than the state minimum of 50% for town employees' health insurance premiums…...
Mass. company pays $1.4M for ineligible pandemic loan claims
1+ mon, 2+ week 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+ mon, 3+ week 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+ mon, 3+ week 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+ mon, 4+ week 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+ mon, 2+ day 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+ mon, 4+ 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…...