News
State sues Kansas employee insurer Aetna for "misappropriating" state funds
1+ hour, 40+ min ago (538+ words) TOPEKA " Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach has filed a lawsuit accusing Aetna Inc. of "misappropriating" state funds through a mechanism found to violate federal law in other court cases, an allegation the health insurer denies." Amber Smith, deputy attorney general…...
Hays Med seeking better reimbursement rates from Blue Cross Blue Shield; patients on edge
1+ day, 11+ hour ago (1487+ words) Hays Med is in negotiations with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas to increase its reimbursement rates. Michelle Beckner, Hays Med chief financial officer, said nationally, the cost of health care has increased by about 7. 5%. During the same period, reimbursements…...
Feds unveil new Medicaid work requirement rules
3+ week, 6+ day ago (430+ words) The federal government'released'new'guidance'this week on how states should roll out the Medicaid work requirements that will affect' healthcare coverage for millions of Americans. The new interim rule, issued by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, is intended to give…...
Kansas state employees retain choice of Blue Cross, Aetna for health insurance
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (783+ words) TOPEKA " Kansas state employees can choose between two health insurance companies after the Health Care Commission voted Monday to move forward with Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas. Commission members debated whether to choose Aetna, dropping Blue Cross,…...
State employees speak out against dropping Blue Cross from Kansas health plan
1+ mon, 3+ week ago (841+ words) TOPEKA " Lydia Shontz-Hochstedler was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 at age 32. She accumulated thousands of dollars of medical debt that will take years to pay off. As a state employee, news that Kansas officials are considering dropping Blue Cross Blue…...
DSNWK benefits from support of the United Way of Ellis County, CARE Council
2+ mon, 1+ week ago (336+ words) Hays Post DSNWK benefits from support of the United Way of Ellis County, CARE Council Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK) is grateful to announce that The United Way of Ellis County has allocated $19, 000 for the Job Placement Follow-along program…...
Missouri, Kansas families pay nearly 10% of their income on employer-provided health insurance
4+ mon, 5+ day ago (797+ words) By SUZANNE KINGThe Beacon A new report found that nearly 10% of median household income in Missouri and Kansas goes toward deductibles and premiums. At that level, economists say those households are underinsured. Health care costs are rising in Missouri and…...
Hays Med faces economic pressures, operating at a loss
5+ mon, 1+ week ago (1437+ words) By CRISTINA JANNEYHays Post Rural hospitals are facing economic pressures that have them operating in the red. Hays Med has not been immune to these pressures. Hays Med Chief Financial Officer Michelle'Beckner said the hospital has been operating at a…...
Why 30 hospitals in Kansas and 12 in Missouri are at risk of closure
5+ mon, 1+ week ago (1357+ words) By SUZANNE KINGThe Beacon Kansas has more hospitals in immediate danger of closing than any other state, according to a recent analysis of the financial health of the country's most remote hospitals. The'Center for Healthcare Quality & Payment Reform, a national…...
Far fewer people buy Obamacare coverage as insurance premiums spike
5+ mon, 2+ week ago (1031+ words) Nationwide, the number of people buying health plans on Obamacare insurance marketplaces is down by about 833, 000 compared with a year ago, according to federal data released this week. Many states are reporting fewer new enrollees, more people dropping their coverage,…...