News
Private health insurance costs are going up. A complete guide to your coverage options
6+ hour, 19+ min ago (1097+ words) Congressional Democrats and Republicans remain deadlocked on health care reform, following disagreements over America's health insurance marketplace that contributed to November's government shutdown. At the heart of the issue is the extension of the enhanced premium tax credits " a key…...
Kootenai Health patients to remain in-network to Regence BlueShield insurance under new agreement
1+ day, 15+ hour ago (147+ words) After a monthlong impasse, Kootenai Health and Regence BlueShield have come to an agreement to keep North Idaho patients in-network. Approximately 23,000 people with Regence insurance have received care at a Kootenai Health facility in the past 12 months and are affected…...
Health insurance price hike seems likely as both Republican and Democratic bills fail in Senate
2+ week, 2+ day ago (664+ words) WASHINGTON " Senators on Thursday blocked two bills, one supported entirely by Republicans and the other mainly by Democrats, intended to address health insurance prices that now seem all but certain to increase for millions of Americans when generous and costly…...
US government launches program to lower Medicaid drug prices
1+ mon, 3+ week ago (299+ words) The U.S. government on Thursday unveiled a new program to cut prescription drug costs for Medicaid patients by tying prices to those paid in other countries. The announcement follows previous agreements between the White House and pharmaceutical companies to reduce drug…...
Private Medicare, Medicaid plans exaggerate in-network mental health options, watchdogs say
2+ mon, 2+ day ago (680+ words) Companies running private Medicare and Medicaid insurance plans inaccurately list many mental health professionals as being available to treat the plans" members, a new federal watchdog report says. The Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human…...
Average Obamacare premiums are set to rise 30%, documents show
2+ mon, 4+ day ago (666+ words) Premiums for the most popular types of plans sold on the federal health insurance marketplace Healthcare.gov will spike on average by 30 % next year, according to final rates approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and shown in…...
As Medicare open enrollment nears, here's how you can prepare and avoid common mistakes
2+ mon, 3+ week ago (437+ words) Medicare open enrollment starts Oct. 15, and Spokane Public Library has an upcoming event to get you ready. Join Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors at the Shadle Library on Monday from 5 to 6:30 p.m. to learn what your options are and what you're…...
Washington health insurance premiums to soar in 2026 amid rising costs and expiring tax credits
3+ mon, 2+ week ago (772+ words) Health insurance premiums are set to increase across the board next year in Washington. Both plans purchased on the Affordable Care Act exchange and employer-provided insurance will become more expensive, Washington Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer said at a Spokane town…...
Leaders and policy analysts warn of ACA insurance costs increasing to 75% next year, potentially impacting thousands in eastern Washington
4+ mon, 1+ week ago (778+ words) Health insurance costs for people who buy individual coverage through the Affordable Care Act could spike next year, affecting thousands of people across Washington state. Policy analysts are warning that the expiration of some premium tax credits next January will…...
WA individual buyers of health insurance could face a ‘double whammy’
4+ mon, 3+ week ago (656+ words) Health insurance companies that sell plans in the individual market are requesting to increase their rates by an average of 21.2% in 2026 to brace for higher costs and subsidy cuts. The rate, one of the highest hikes in years, could push…...