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Reform Update: Using expansion dollars for health plans may be costly, GAO says
Allowing states to use federal Medicaid expansion dollars to buy low-income adults private health plans on the federal insurance exchange may cost the federal government significantly more than if those states simply expanded their traditional Medicaid programs, the Government Accountability Office reported (PDF). The GAO said…
Citizens Choice, A Medicare Advantage Health Plan, Purchased By Alignment Healthcare USA
Alignment Healthcare, an emerging health care services company based inOrange County, California, has purchased Citizens Choice Health Plan, a California Medicare Advantage plan which has been in business since 2006. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. The purchase has been…
What Medicare does and doesn’t cover
Medicare helps pay for a wide variety of medical services and goods in hospitals, doctors’ offices and other health-care settings. But it doesn’t cover everything, and it’s useful to know what is and isn’t included. Services are covered either under Medicare…
New disability access signs hit a glitch in Merriam
Merriam city officials thought they were being progressive when they agreed to modernize the familiar disability parking symbol to a more dynamic image. And Ikea thought it was being a good corporate citizen by embracing the new symbol and even painting…
Not too late for Gen Xers to save for retirement
Gen X workers are on a collision course with retirement, but they still have time to take action to get back on track. That’s the conclusion of a recent report released by the nonprofit Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies (TCRS), which defines…
With store now defunct, woman having problems getting motorized scooter repaired
Leah Aviel may be in a wheelchair, but she doesn’t let it slow her down.“I go to school,” said Ms. Aviel. “I go to the doctor. I go to temple. I visit friends. My life is not just in this…
Obamacare rates going up in Nebraska next year
Premiums for Obamacare health insurance plans sold in Nebraska will go up nearly 11 percent next year — one of the biggest hikes in the nation — according to preliminary rates released by the state Insurance Department. That’s after Nebraska experienced some…
Medicare covers less when a hospital stay is an observation, not an admission
An increasing number of seniors who spend time in the hospital are surprised to learn that they were not “admitted” patients — even though they may have stayed overnight in a hospital bed and received treatment, diagnostic tests and drugs.…
Streamlined doc-licensing process offered to states
In a move seen as facilitating the growth of telemedicine and speeding increased healthcare access to residents in rural areas, the Federation of State Medical Boards has released model legislation (PDF) that could be used to create a multistate agreement, or “compact” system, under…
Senate clears Social Security board nominees
The Senate voted Monday to clear three nominations to the Social Security Advisory Board. Henry Aaron’s nomination was confirmed on a 54-43 vote. Shortly after, the Senate approved the nominations of Alan Cohen and Lanhee Chen by voice-votes. Senate Finance…