News
Excellus reports largest increase in claims cost in 20 years
2+ hour, 3+ min ago (563+ words) Excellus BlueCross Blue Shield saw a sharp rise in medical and prescription drug benefits last year, paying out nearly $7 billion in claims. Hospital and related medical benefits have been steadily climbing. But two years of declining medication expenses were all…...
Trump struck deals with 16 drug companies. But they're still raising prices this year
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (991+ words) Since September, 16 major drug companies have inked deals with the Trump administration to lower prices. But in January " the time of year when pharmaceutical companies typically roll out price hikes " all 16 companies released higher list prices for some of their…...
New year, new laws: A look at 4 taking effect in New York state
2+ mon, 3+ day ago (763+ words) Single-use Styrofoam coolers will be a thing of the past under a New York state law taking effect with the new year. Another law will cap more health care costs for consumers. State lawmakers passed more than 850 bills during the…...
Monroe, other New York counties, face new costs from Medicaid and SNAP changes
3+ mon, 2+ week ago (636+ words) When Monroe County Executive Adam Bello released his 2026 budget proposal earlier this month, it came with a warning. Federal changes to SNAP and Medicaid will create $100 million in added expenses for the county in the coming years, he said, creating…...
Soaring health insurance costs spark outrage, tweaks, and a petition at Rochester Regional
3+ mon, 2+ week ago (723+ words) More than 2,200 people have signed a petition from the nurse's union at Rochester Regional Health, seeking a reversal of changes to employee healthcare plans that would drastically increase workers' costs. That comes after the healthcare system paused its open enrollment…...
Soaring insurance premiums spark outrage, tweaks, and a petition at Rochester Regional
3+ mon, 3+ week ago (595+ words) More than 2,200 people have signed a petition from the nurse's union at Rochester Regional Health, seeking a reversal of changes to employee healthcare plans that would drastically increase workers' costs. That comes after the healthcare system paused its open enrollment…...
Why the ACA needs young people — and the looming 'death spiral' for health insurance
4+ mon, 1+ week ago (913+ words) Chloe Chalakani has a lot at stake in the health care fight at the heart of the government shutdown. Chalakani runs a small culinary business with her partner in the coastal town of Thomaston, Maine. As temperatures drop and the…...
Understanding the changes to Medicare Advantage plans
4+ mon, 3+ week ago (95+ words) In the first hour of "Connections with Evan Dawson" on 10/9/25, we delve into the upcoming changes to Medicare Advantage plans and the impact it will have on consumers. Understanding the changes to Medicare Advantage plans Medicare open enrollment starts next…...
She's bracing and saving to pay $2,800 a month for ACA health insurance next year
6+ mon, 1+ week ago (651+ words) Next year, when her health care premium balloons, "it's gonna be a real hit," Ellen Allen says. "I'm worried about it." Allen lives near Charleston, W.Va., and directs a nonprofit called West Virginians for Affordable Health Care. She buys her…...
RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz say health insurers will cut red tape on 'prior authorizations"
8+ mon, 1+ week ago (459+ words) When your doctor decides you could benefit from a particular test or procedure, your insurance company might require documentation to prove it's necessary before agreeing to pay for anything. Sometimes, this "prior authorization" process requires faxing paperwork, getting denials and…...