‘In The News’ Archives
America’s Retirement Crisis Is Even Worse Than You Think
A new study brings to light 15 frightening facts about how swiftly the U.S. retirement scenario is changing. Dwindling saving patterns seem to be sweeping away the image of the relaxing "golden years" and replacing them with a harsh reality. In American society, our expectations have risen over the decades, and we expect to command enough money [...]
CA Exchange to Need 850 Customer Service Reps
The California exchange agency is making, and implementing, detailed plans for setting up "Covered California" – a state-run, state-based exchange program for individuals and – a Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) exchange for small employers. The exchange agency is working to set up a health insurance exchange program, or [...]
Obamacare Full Steam Ahead in California
On January 1, 2014, 6 million Californians who have been unable to get health insurance either because they work for a small company, are self-employed or have pre-existing conditions, will finally be eligible to get insured through Covered California. And 2 million will qualify for subsidies when the health insurance exchange opens in [...]
Consumer Watchdog Promotes 2014 Health Plan Regulation Measure
The consumer activists that defeated the Proposition 33 auto insurance initiative, despite their small budget, are crowing over their victory and spoiling for a new fight. This time, it's with the health insurance industry. Consumer Watchdog of Santa Monica is winding up its own initiative on the 2014 ballot to regulate health insurance rates in [...]
California Hospitals Land $20M to Boost Care
Critical access hospitals across rural California are poised to benefit from $20 million in investments from UnitedHealthcare aimed at boosting electronic health records and other health information technology. The hospitals comprise California's Critical Access Hospitals, which are located in remote areas of the state. The facilities have a [...]
Move Toward Openness in Health Care Pricing, Performance
Comparing prices for a knee replacement, tonsillectomy or even an aspirin between hospitals is difficult and sometimes impossible because of all the variables that can have a bearing on the bottom line. Catalyst for Payment Reform, a coalition of large employers and others, such as CalPERS, that purchase care, has just released a brief calling [...]
Consumers Demand Indexed Annuities
The insurance industry’s efforts to combat the negative press on indexed annuities are becoming successful. Our hard work of publishing numerous factual articles on these products is paying off! Finally, consumers have some small way to research indexed annuities on their own. They have access to credible and reliable information, which allows [...]
Hartford Moves to Offer Annuity Buyouts
Insurers are scaling back from variable annuities as low interest rates and stock market declines weigh on their profits. As a result, Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. (HIG) is now offering to pay some clients to give up retirement products as Chief Executive Officer Liam McGee works to reduce risks tied to stock market declines and [...]
Blue Shield of California Medicare Plans Receive Four Stars for Quality
Blue Shield of California's 2013 Medicare Advantage HMO and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans received four stars for program quality from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This is the second year in a row CMS awarded Blue Shield of California a 4 Star rating. CMS measures the quality and performance of Medicare [...]
Most California Workers Aren’t Getting Health Benefits
Fewer than half of Californians got their health insurance through their employers last year according to a new study from UCLA’s Center for Health Policy Research. About 19 percent of the state’s residents are enrolled in government health insurance programs for low-income people. UCLA researchers say more people should be able to get [...]
