‘Industry Updates’ Archives
Blue Shield, Anthem Owe Small Firms Rebates
Blue Shield of California owes $24.5 million in rebates to thousands of small-business customers, and rival Anthem Blue Cross will return $12 million to small firms under requirements of the federal healthcare law. The annual rebates were disclosed in reports to state regulators, and the final tally from some companies may change before they are [...]
Insurers Limit Doctors and Hospitals in State-Run Exchange Plans
California's health insurance rates for a new state-run marketplace came in lower than expected this week, but one downside for many consumers will be far fewer doctors and hospitals to choose from. People who want UCLA Medical Center and its doctors in their health plan network next year, for instance, may have only one choice in California's [...]
13 Insurers Involved in Covered California Including Anthem, BCBS and Kaiser
Covered California unveiled the 13 health insurers who have agreed to be part of the marketplace, including the state's largest health insurers such as Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield and Kaiser Permanente. At least 5.3 million Californians could be eligible for coverage under Covered California. Of those, at least 2.6 million may be eligible for [...]
UnitedHealth, Aetna and Cigna Opt Out of Exchange
Some prominent health insurers, including industry giant UnitedHealth Group Inc., are not participating in California's new state-run health insurance market, possibly limiting the number of choices for millions of consumers. UnitedHealth, the nation's largest private insurer, Aetna Inc.and Cigna Corp. are sitting out the first year of Covered [...]
HSAs Gain Strength As Crucial Retirement Planning Tool
Most retirees will spend an average $250,000 in out-of-pocket health costs during their retirement years, seriously cutting into their nest egg. The flexibility of HSAs and the tax advantages they offer may afford many workers the ability to contribute to their future health needs over their working careers and amass enough wealth to help chip [...]
California Health Insurance Exchange Announces Grants
Covered California, the state's health insurance exchange, announced $37 million in grants Tuesday to begin the massive task of educating millions of Californians about the new healthcare law. The grants will go to 48 organizations, including universities, nonprofit groups, health foundations and unions. They will help state officials explain the [...]
Insurers to Annuity Owners: We Don’t Want More Money
Some insurers are telling owners of annuities they can no longer add money to older contracts with the richest guarantees. It isn’t often a business says, “Thanks, but no thanks,” when you try to invest more money with it. But that is what a growing number of life insurers are saying to people who, years back, bought the retirement-income [...]
Health Reform Booklet Now Available to Employers and Brokers Throughout California
An important brochure designed to help California’s small employer groups (2-50 employees) understand and prepare for health reform is now available to insurance brokers and their clients free of charge through Word & Brown. The brochure has been updated since its introduction in 2010 and reflects significant developments that have evolved [...]
Guide to Health Reform to Employers and Brokers
An important brochure designed to help California's small employer groups (2-50 employees) understand and prepare for health reform is now available to insurance brokers and their clients free of charge through two divisions of The Word & Brown Companies: the Word & Brown General Agency and CHOICE Administrators. The brochure has been [...]
SeeChange Partners with Smokers’ Helpline To Offer Smoking Cessation
SeeChange Health Insurance, the leader in value-based benefit design solutions for small and midsized employers and the fastest-growing health plan in California, is partnering with the California Smokers' Helpline to offer a free smoking cessation program to its members. The Helpline, also known as 1-800-NO-BUTTS, offers free, evidence-based, [...]
