A new survey has shown that employers in the United States who are struggling to manage the increasing costs of healthcare insurance are broadening the use of plans with high deductibles to help to keep the monthly premiums at a more affordable level, since more of the burden of medical expenses is falling on the employees. A Mercer benefits consulting firm survey, which involved the participation of 2,844 public and private employers, showed that this year, 32 percent of businesses that employ more than 500 people now have high-deductible health…
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Nebraska health insurance exchange needs 100k enrollees to be sustainable
The Nebraska Insurance Department has issued a new report to state lawmakers concerning the state’s health insurance exchange. Nebraska has been exploring its options on how best to execute the exchange program, hoping to find a way for the program to benefit both consumers and insurance companies. The state has yet to make any definitive action on the program apart from investigating how much it will cost and how it can be made self-sustaining. The new report may cast some doubt on the future of the program. According to the…
Read MoreStudy shows cost for employees for health insurance is set to rise
The findings of an Aon Hewitt study are showing that the average per-employee cost for health insurance will increase beyond the $10,000 mark in 2012, regardless of the fact that costs are rising more slowly than the current 2011 rate of 7.5 percent. The rate for healthcare premiums is expected to increase by 7 percent, but the actual cost of premiums for each employee is forecasted to be over $10,400. When compared to the 2010 figure of less than $9,800, the 2012 is notably higher. Workers will be responsible for…
Read MoreReport makes recommendation for healthcare exchange regulations in Maine
A report laying out the major element of the Maine health insurance reform – its healthcare exchange – has been presented to the state legislative committee and is being received with dissatisfaction from Democrats. Senator Joseph Brannigan (D-Portland) said that upon receipt of the report, he and the other Insurance and Financial Services Committee members are disappointed. He explained that “It just doesn’t seem friendly and inviting as a marketplace for businesses and people shopping for insurance.” The Affordable Care Act, which is the heart of the overhaul of the…
Read MoreStudy shows that the number of young adults without health insurance has fallen
A recent survey has shown that as a result of the Obama healthcare law that allows young adults to maintain coverage through their parents’ health insurance plans, the number of uninsured people in that age group has fallen dramatically. The survey was performed by Gallup, and indicated that there are now approximately 1 million more young adults who are covered by health insurance. At a time that the economy continues to struggle and the future is uncertain, it has been challenging for young adults to take those first steps into…
Read MoreEnroll America embarks on a crusade to raise awareness of health insurance
With election year rapidly approaching, the issue of health care is getting more attention. While reform of the health care system is already well underway, few may be aware of their eligibility for federal health insurance programs. In an effort to raise awareness, Enroll America, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group, is embarking on a new campaign to help people understand the working of the new health care system and how they might be able to receive affordable insurance coverage. The campaign brings together a multitude of hospitals, insurance companies, pharmaceutical…
Read MoreThe cost of health insurance for low income families
Although the Affordable Healthcare for America Act by the Obama administration was created in order to make certain that a larger number of Americans will have access to health insurance, many are finding that the premiums are still too costly to be able to afford them. The Act has already gone through some significant improvements since its first creation, especially in terms of Medicare, as it has assisted in lowering those costs. That said, many Americans are still struggling to afford their current health insurance rates or remain without any…
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