Medical debt is a pervasive issue in the United States, affecting millions of Americans each year. Despite having health insurance, many people still find themselves facing unexpected medical bills that can lead to significant financial stress. According to a recent survey by the Commonwealth Fund, nearly half of insured working-age Americans received a medical bill or charge that should have been covered by their insurance. This article aims to shed light on the realities of medical debt, highlight key statistics, share personal stories, and offer practical advice for those grappling…
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College students on Medicaid told to purchase private health plans or leave
Brigham Young University-Idaho no longer accepts the free government insurance program. Students on Medicaid at Brigham Young University-Idaho recently discovered that the school no longer accepts the free government insurance program. The unusual announcement was made as the college’s students began winter semester enrollment. The number of students on Medicaid is expected to rise in Idaho in January as the free government health insurance program expands starting in 2020. Brigham Young University-Idaho, like a large number of post-secondary institutions, requires all its students to have health coverage. However, this month…
Read MoreIowa employers to pay more for health insurance rate increases, but won’t stop
Companies may be paying a great deal more, but they are still offering these benefits to their workers. Iowa employers who offer medical coverage as a part of their employee benefits will be facing far higher health insurance rate increases. That said, those companies are not dropping the benefit and are continuing to cover their teams of workers. The average Iowan employer will see health insurance benefits premiums rising by 8.4 percent. This figure was compiled by a survey conducted by consultant David P. Lind. They found that employers with…
Read MoreHealth insurance plan coverage reaching all but 7 percent of Californians
A new nationwide study conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics examined uninsured rates. Nearly 29 million Americans across the country currently lack a health insurance plan. This is a considerable reduction in the uninsured rate. In 2010, almost 49 million Americans didn’t have health insurance coverage. Californians are faring even better than the rest of the country in terms of their coverage rates. That said, on the other end of the spectrum, Texans are the Americans least likely to have a health insurance plan. In that state, 20…
Read MoreNot every health insurance exchange deadline has passed
Last Friday was the official deadline for ACA enrollment but some states have issued extensions. Americans rushed to their state health insurance exchange to beat the enrollment deadline last Friday. That said, the Trump administration and some state exchanges have announced an extension of the deadline for certain individuals. This makes it possible for more Americans to obtain the coverage they need in time for the start of 2018. When Americans phoned the HealthCare.gov service center as of Saturday morning, they were greeted by a recorded message meant to assuage…
Read MoreCHIP expiration places health insurance of millions of children at risk
The program currently covers the kids of almost 9 million low income American families. Kids covered by CHIP, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, could potentially lose their plans if it is not reauthorized in time. The program was designed to offer low income families with the opportunity to cover their kids inexpensively. For many families, this health insurance program is the only means of covering medical care. CHIP provides kids with coverage for pediatric visits from annual checkups to ear infections, and from surgeries to radiation and chemotherapy. For many…
Read MoreCancer insurance coverage rose significantly because of the Affordable Care Act
The controversial health care law nicknamed Obamacare has made a measureable difference in reducing uninsured adults. The number of adults who have cancer insurance coverage saw a striking increase with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Following Obamacare, a much higher number of Americans who had already received a cancer diagnosis now have health plans. It is yet unknown whether or not the latest health care reforms will continue this positive trend. This cancer insurance conclusion was presented in a study published in the JAMA Oncology journal. The study…
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