News
Stevens County ambulance system continues to navigate financial strains with no changes in sight: 'Something has to be done"
1+ day, 9+ hour ago (771+ words) Last year, Deer Park Ambulance used more than $18,000 just to replace an engine. "A new ambulance costs about $250,000 currently. We are not in a position to buy a new one at this time," said Amber Jones, director of operations for…...
Thousands of Idahoans cancel health insurance plans on exchange ahead of subsidies ending
2+ mon, 3+ week ago (685+ words) Idaho's health insurance exchange ended open enrollment Monday night, with thousands of Idahoans canceling plans ahead of the expiration of deep federal government subsidies. Overall, enrollment in health insurance plans on Your Health Idaho rose by 3% this year compared to…...
Kaiser Permanente fined $300,000 by state for inadequate behavioral health coverage
2+ mon, 13+ hour ago (409+ words) Kaiser Permanente was fined $300,000 for not ensuring its behavioral and medical coverage remain at parity. The health insurer allegedly failed to provide documentation showing they comparably reimburse behavioral health benefits to medical and surgical benefits, according to the state Office…...
Private health insurance costs are going up. A complete guide to your coverage options
2+ mon, 1+ week 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
2+ mon, 2+ week 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+ mon, 4+ week 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
4+ mon, 3+ day 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…...
Average Obamacare premiums are set to rise 30%, documents show
4+ mon, 2+ week 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…...
Private Medicare, Medicaid plans exaggerate in-network mental health options, watchdogs say
4+ mon, 2+ week 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…...
As Medicare open enrollment nears, here's how you can prepare and avoid common mistakes
5+ mon, 4+ day 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…...