8+ hour, 18+ min ago  (369+ words) Nearly 700, 000 Bay Staters are facing the prospect of double-digit premium increases next year as insurers struggle to handle cost pressures across the healthcare landscape, possibly exacerbating affordability woes for patients. Blue Cross Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts " which has the…...

2+ week, 1+ day ago  (1287+ words) The rising cost of healthcare continues to be a primary issue in modern America, and many people feel that the federal and state governments are not doing enough to combat the problem. In response, organizations, communities and public officials across…...

1+ mon, 3+ week ago  (876+ words) EASTHAMPTON "After briefly clashing over how to negotiate the next steps to absorb an incoming 12. 48% health insurance premium increase approved by a regional trust, city unions and Mayor Salem Derby are close to an agreement on a path forward. Easthampton…...

1+ mon, 3+ week ago  (498+ words) BOSTON " Escalating health care costs are adding mounting pressure on local school budgets, just as they are everywhere in Massachusetts, but so far cost containment doesn't seem to be on Beacon Hill's agenda this session." School committees, educators, teachers unions…...

3+ mon, 3+ day ago  (755+ words) Health insurers and providers are debating the proposed prior authorization reforms, with insurers warning of increased costs and providers citing administrative burdens and negative patient outcomes. BOSTON " Health insurers are cautioning that prior authorization reforms could worsen health care cost…...

3+ mon, 2+ week ago  (629+ words) BOSTON " State health plan overseers under pressure to tame spiraling health care costs delayed a vote on controversial benefit changes " particularly eliminating coverage for GLP-1 drugs for weight loss " in response to pushback from lawmakers and state workers. As it…...

3+ mon, 2+ week ago  (919+ words) AMHERST " Nearly one in three Americans carries medical debt, a figure that public employees in Massachusetts worry could increase if Gov. Maura Healey's proposal to cut the state's Group Insurance Commission by $100 million is approved this week. Attendees implored the…...

6+ mon, 2+ day ago  (458+ words) SPRINGFIELD " The Medicare system is complicated even for experts in the field, let alone a new enrollee choosing one plan among the hundreds of options. Once Medicare enrollees get a plan, they may run into denial of coverage, prior authorization…...

4+ mon, 2+ week ago  (652+ words) BOSTON " With enhanced federal health subsidies now expired, Beacon Hill leaders on Thursday endorsed a one-year plan to tap $250 million from a state trust fund to provide relief to a quarter-million middle- and low-income residents. Lawn framed the $250 million as…...

5+ mon, 2+ week ago  (637+ words) BOSTON " More than 10, 000 Massachusetts residents have dropped health plans obtained through the Massachusetts Health Connector at a time when premiums tied to expiring federal subsidies are projected to soar. "In the first month of open enrollment, we've seen over 10, 000 people…...