• 3 Steps One Medicaid MCO Took to Boost Its Patient Experience Score

    October 25, 2023 - Ease and efficiency in access to care contribute to the patient experience measurement in the National Committee on Quality Assurance’s (NCQA) Health Plan Report Card for Medicaid managed care organizations. For one payer, excelling on these two measures helped lift them from 3.5 stars to the highest rating in Kentucky. Aetna Better Health...

  • HHS Patient Assistance Program Aims To Boost Access to COVID-19 Drug

    October 16, 2023 - The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will ensure access to a coronavirus therapy from Pfizer for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and the uninsured through a patient assistance program, the department announced. “This agreement builds on HHS and Pfizer’s strong partnership over the last three years that enabled the...

  • Medicare Part B Premiums, Deductibles Will Increase in 2024

    October 13, 2023 - Monthly Medicare Part B premiums will increase by nearly $10 in 2024 due to a projected increase in healthcare spending, CMS announced. Medicare Part B covers physician services, outpatient hospital services, some home health services, durable medical equipment, and certain medical services that Medicare Part A does not cover. The agency shared...

  • CMS: Medicare Advantage Premiums Will See Little Change in 2024

    September 26, 2023 - Ahead of the Medicare Open Enrollment Period, CMS has announced that Medicare Advantage premiums, benefits, and plan choices will remain relatively stable in 2024.  “A top priority for CMS is to protect and strengthen the Medicare program for people with Medicare, their children, and their grandchildren,” CMS Administrator Chiquita...


Today's Top Stories

Study Finds Geographic Variation in Payer Prices for Office Visits

Among a single health insurer, prices for office visits varied by geographic location, with the upper-Midwest and Southeast regions seeing higher costs, a study published in JAMA Health Forum...

Finances, Mental Health Concerns Impact Adults’ Wellbeing, Cigna Finds

Americans are feeling more optimistic about their wellbeing than last year, but financial concerns and mental health challenges are still negatively impacting their health, according to a report from...

3 Steps One Medicaid MCO Took to Boost Its Patient Experience Score

Ease and efficiency in access to care contribute to the patient experience measurement in the National Committee on Quality Assurance’s (NCQA) Health Plan Report Card for Medicaid managed care...

Humana Ranks High for Experience, Affordability Among MA Plans

Based on the 2024 Medicare Advantage star ratings, Humana received the highest ranking for overall plan quality, member experience, and low premiums, a US News & World Report analysis shared. The...

Employer Sponsored Health Insurance Premiums Grew by 7% in 2023

The average annual premium for employer-sponsored health insurance increased by 7 percent in 2023, a KFF survey revealed. The 2023 benchmark KFF Employer Health Benefits Survey included interviews...

HHS Patient Assistance Program Aims To Boost Access to COVID-19 Drug

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will ensure access to a coronavirus therapy from Pfizer for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and the uninsured through a patient assistance program,...

Medicare Advantage Star Ratings Fall for Second Consecutive Year

The average star ratings for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans fell for the second year in a row to 4.04 and 3.11 stars, respectively, CMS data revealed. The star rating...

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