Highmark Insurance Group has just announced that individuals can now buy accident insurance and critical illness insurance from any of the eight retail facilities for Highmark Direct in Pennsylvania. HM Insurance group is a Highmark company and offers a wide range of protections for accidental injuries and illnesses. Highmark Inc. is Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association independent licensee based in Pittsburgh. According to the Highmark vice president of consumerism and retail marketing, Matt Fidler, accidental insurance and critical illness insurance are a good fit with the other standard health…
Read MoreTag: Pennsylvania health insurance
Pennsylvania district judge rules against the Affordable Care Act
Last year’s Affordable Care Act continues to be a point of contention for many of the nation’s legislators. One provision of the controversial act has generated more opposition than others – that is the provision that makes health insurance mandatory for every citizen of the U.S. Those opposing the overarching health care reform call the measure unconstitutional as it imposes, what they call, an unfair requirement on citizens that may be unable to pay for health insurance. The provision has garnered even more opposition for levying strict repercussions against those…
Read MoreBlue Cross Insurers look to expand into the Medicaid market
Independence Blue Cross, one of Southeastern Pennsylvania’s largest health insurance companies, is looking to expand into the Medicaid market. The company has been spending millions of dollars in the effort to carve out a larger share of the market. The Medicaid market has become a popular target for health insurers looking to offer affordable coverage to those that have fallen on hard economic times. Independence Blue Cross already holds a prominent place in this particular market, but is looking to further its hold as the market grows more lucrative. Michigan’s…
Read MoreFederal officials ready to debate health insurance rate increase of 10% or more
U.S. officials are getting ready to debate whether or not increases in the rates for health insurance of 10 percent or more were excessive within seven states which have rate review processes that have been labeled ineffective. The rate review systems for Louisiana, Alabama, Montana, Arizona, Wyoming, Idaho, Missouri, as well as four territories have been deemed to be insufficient by the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO). The CCIIO is a branch of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. According to the CCIIO, federal officials, under…
Read MorePennsylvania: Domestic partner health insurance update
In York, Pennsylvania, the domestic partners of city employees will be getting new options for health insurance. Late Tuesday night, the York City Council passed a resolution that would make same or opposite gender domestic partners eligible for health coverage as part of benefits offered to city employees. The coverage will begin at the end of a 30 day open enrollment period. The coverage will also extend to the children of domestic partnerships until the age of 26. Couples will need to prove that they depend on each other financially…
Read MoreA health care crisis brewing in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s adultBasic health insurance program is in danger if being terminated as it faces steep shortfalls in funding. The program is one of the few entirely state-funded insurance programs that cater to low-income adults and families that do not qualify for Medicaid. Currently, 42,000 people are covered by the program, with another 500,000 on the waiting list, hoping to get coverage. If the program is terminated, they will have no insurance until the Medicaid program is expanded in 2014. AdultBasic has been facing complications since last year and the program…
Read More