5+ mon, 2+ week ago (276+ words) Based in the heart of the Sunshine State, Vital Red Light is leading the national charge in wellness technology from right here in Florida. With a sleek lineup of next-gen light therapy devices, a dynamic new CEO, and a mission centered on accessibility and innovation, the brand is redefining how people across the country approach recovery and self-care in 2025. A Florida-Based Brand, A Fresh Vision This year marks a new era for the company with Andrew Hasty, a Florida entrepreneur, stepping in as both CEO and owner. Under his leadership, Vital Red Light is doubling down on its mission to deliver powerful, research-backed light therapy to everyday users. "As the new owner and president of Vital Red Light, I am thrilled to lead this brand into its next chapter. Our goal is to continue making cutting-edge, research-backed light therapy accessible…...

4+ hour, 10+ min ago (204+ words) A new study reveals Florida has the fourth-worst health insurance crisis for women in the U.S. The research by Nevada-based personal injury lawyers H&P Law analyzed uninsured rates among women across all 50 states between 2021 and 2023. Scores for the average number of uninsured women per 1,000 women were calculated to identify the states where women are most at risk if they get sick. Florida ranks fourth with an average of 81.4 uninsured women per 1,000 women, 57% higher than the national average of 51.7. The Sunshine State recorded 989,900 uninsured women in 2021, its highest during the period, dropping to 880,600 in 2023. Looking at the study, a spokesperson from H&P Law commented, "The findings reveal a troubling reality regarding women in states like Florida, who face significant barriers to accessing health care. "Without adequate insurance, preventive care is often delayed or skipped entirely, leading to higher rates of…...

5+ mon, 5+ day ago (374+ words) The nation's major health insurers are promising to scale back and improve a widely despised practice that leads to care delays and complications. UnitedHealthcare, CVS Health's Aetna and dozens of other insurers say they plan to reduce the scope of health care claims subject to prior authorization, standardize parts of the process and expand responses done in real time. Prior authorization means insurers require approval before they'll cover medical care, a prescription or a service like an imaging exam. Insurers say they do this to guard against care overuse and to make sure patients get the right treatment. But doctors say the practice has grown in scope and complication, leading to frequent care'delays.'The'fatal shooting'of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December prompted many people to'vent their frustrations'with coverage issues like prior authorization. Major health insurers have promised to overhaul the…...

5+ mon, 1+ week ago (318+ words) By'Rachel Cohrs Zhang Trump administration officials on Friday finalized'[2025 Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Final Rule]regulations'aimed at making it more difficult to enroll in health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. The rules will'limit the time frame'for people to sign up for health insurance through the exchanges and cancel a monthly opportunity for people with incomes below 150% of the federal poverty line to enroll, among other changes. The rule comes as Republicans in Congress eye cuts to Medicaid that will likely result in millions of people losing the health insurance they receive through the program for low-income and disabled people. The ACA currently provides coverage to some'[Archived HHS news release]45 million'Americans either through the individual health plan marketplace or expanded Medicaid coverage. It's become a major source of revenue for some health insurers, including'Centene Corp.'and'Oscar Health Inc. Congressional…...

1+ mon, 4+ week ago (208+ words) By Annika Kim Constantino President'Donald Trump'on Tuesday will announce an agreement with'Pfizer'to voluntarily sell its medications for less, as his administration pushes to link U.S. drug prices to cheaper ones abroad. Trump will announce a drug pricing deal with Pfizer at 11 a.m. ET, a White House official told CNBC's Eamon Javers. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla will be in attendance, the official said. The agreement involves discounted prices in Medicaid and a three-year reprieve on'planned pharmaceutical tariffs'as long as the company is building manufacturing plants in the U.S., a source told CNBC's Angelica Peebles. The deal comes as Pfizer and 16 other drugmakers face Trump's Monday deadline to take steps to lower drug prices, as outlined in'letters'from the president. Pfizer did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Washington Post first'reported'the news on Tuesday. Shares of Pfizer rose more than 3% on Tuesday after…...

3+ week, 4+ day ago (359+ words) In negotiations with manufacturers, the administration aims to provide lowest-dose weight-loss medications for about $149 a month and expand insurance coverage. The Donald Trump administration is reportedly close to finalising a deal with Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and Company to dramatically reduce the price of their weight-loss drugs and open them up to wider access through insurance and a new direct-to-consumer platform. According to The Wall Street Journal, the deal would see the lowest dose of some drugs offered for around $149 per month, while the contract would secure coverage via public insurance programs. Impact on Insurance Coverage Currently, many major weight-loss medications (notably the class of GLP-1 drugs) are not covered by the federal public insurance programmes when used strictly for weight-loss. Private insurers vary in their policies and often impose strict eligibility, high out-of-pocket costs or outright exclusions for…...

1+ mon, 1+ week ago (717+ words) Medicare's annual enrollment period is in full swing despite the federal government shutdown. Nearly 70 million Americans who are enrolled in the federal health insurance program because of their age or qualifying disability can now make changes to their health insurance plans through Dec. 7. This enrollment season in particular, experts are urging enrollees to pay careful attention to their health benefits due to several policy changes from both private insurers and the federal government. "It's really important for people to take a close look at the options available in their area," says Gretchen Jacobson, vice president of Medicare policy at the nonprofit Commonwealth Fund, "Especially this year." According to the nonprofit health research organization'KFF, about 70% of Medicare enrollees don't compare their coverage options during open enrollment, although the group strongly encourages folks to do so. On top of that, next year's…...

1+ mon, 2+ week ago (230+ words) The deal follows a similar agreement with Pfizer and is part of the administration's broader effort to reduce prescription drug costs. Washington, D.C. " President Donald Trump announced today that AstraZeneca has agreed to lower prescription drug prices for Medicaid under a new deal with the Trump administration. The agreement, unveiled in the Oval Office, stipulates that AstraZeneca will provide all its medications to Medicaid at "most-favored-nation" prices"the lowest prices offered in other developed countries. In addition to the Medicaid pricing, the deal includes provisions for direct-to-consumer sales through the upcoming TrumpRx.gov platform, allowing patients to purchase medications at reduced prices. AstraZeneca has committed to offering discounts of up to 80% off list prices for certain drugs, including inhalers for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). As part of the agreement, AstraZeneca will invest $50 billion in U.S. manufacturing and research and…...

1+ mon, 2+ day ago (784+ words) When a health insurance company refuses to pay for treatment, most people begrudgingly accept the decision. Few patients appeal; some don't trust the insurer to reverse its own decision. But a little-known process that requires insurers and plans to seek an independent opinion outside their walls can force insurers to pay for what can be lifesaving treatment. External reviews are one of the industry's best-kept secrets, and only a tiny fraction of those eligible actually use them. The instructions for an external review were buried on page seven of one of the denial letters. "You can now request that your case be reviewed by a health care provider who is totally independent of your health plan or insurance carrier," read the letter from the state insurance department in Texas, where the treatment occurred. Skeptical but hopeful, Sutton-Schulman submitted the request…...

3+ week, 5+ day ago (646+ words) On January 1, there will be some changes consumers should note for'Medicare, a federal health insurance program for adults ages 65 and older in the United States. Every year, older adults have between October 15 and December 7 to'enroll'in Medicare or make changes to their plans. There are'four main parts'to Medicare: There are some changes to Medicare Advantage and Part D coverage plans in 2026. This article aims to explain what these changes will look like. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) estimates there will be about'5,600'Medicare Advantage Plans available nationwide in 2026. That is close to the numbers from 2025, when the'number of options'decreased from the previous year. The number of plans available to an individual Medicare recipient varies from state to state. The average monthly premium for Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage is expected to'decrease'from $16 in 2025 to $14 in 2026. It is estimated…...