Taking the copay out of staying healthy

Being healthy is starting to cost a lot less.  Many in the U.S. including those on Medicare and Medicaid have gained access to free diabetes screenings, mammograms and other preventive services. Read Story

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State Farm wants to raise average rates by 28 percent

State Farm Florida Insurance, the state's largest private property insurer, wants to raise rates by a statewide average of 28 percent. Read Story

Tired of paying too much for insurance?  Find a cheaper homeowners insurance policy.   

Heart disease costs to triple in U.S. by 2030

The costs of heart disease in the United States will triple between now and 2030, to more than $800 billion a year, a report commissioned by the American Heart Association predicted on Monday. Read Story

Insurers are scouring social media for evidence of fraud

Now there's another reason to be careful about what you post on Facebook: Your insurance company may be watching. If someone receiving disability benefits for a bad back brags on Facebook or Twitter about finishing a marathon, chances are their insurance company will find out and stop the checks. Read Story

Possible changes to five health law provisions could have big effects

The Republican effort to repeal the health care law is sure to founder in the Democratic-controlled Senate, but that doesn't mean that the GOP is ending its assault on the law. House Republicans are already beginning work in committees to lop off and possibly replace some of the law's individual provisions which could have big effects. Read Story

No COBRA relief; explore other options

If you lost your job and find that COBRA is too expensive, shopping for your own policy can offer a better deal.

Find a more affordable health plan at Discount Insurance Marketplace.

Medicare's policy on therapy comes under attack

The federal government is illegally denying thousands of chronically ill Americans needed therapies and medical services, five national organizations charged Tuesday in a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Vermont. Read Story

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House Republicans offer own healthcare legislation

Following up on their largely symbolic vote to repeal the new healthcare law, House Republicans moved ahead Thursday with more targeted efforts to advance their own healthcare initiatives, including deregulating health insurance sales and not requiring insurers to cover maternity care, cancer screenings and other essential health care services. They also introduce legislation to restrict federal abortion funding. Read Story

As House healthcare debate begins, report finds millions of Americans have preexisting medical conditions

With Republicans launching their effort to repeal the healthcare overhaul law, the Obama administration analysis indicates that as many as 129 million Americans under 65 have preexisting medical conditions that could make it more difficult for them to obtain health coverage. The study is part of the White House's effort to defend the legislation. Read Story

Supreme Court to decide whether states can cut payments to Medicaid providers

Justices will hear three appeals from California, where the state has cut back Medicaid payments to doctors, hospitals and pharmacies. Those providers have successfully sued to block the cutbacks, but lawyers for the state say they have no right to sue or to demand a particular payment. Read Story

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Health insurance restrictions still exist for some consumers

When examining your health benefits this year, you'll probably notice that your plan has eliminated lifetime and most annual dollar limits on coverage. That was mandated by the federal health-care overhaul. But for some consumers, coverage may still be restricted: Limits on the number of doctor visits or prescriptions or other services continue to be permitted and can stymie patients' efforts to get necessary care. Read Story

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Some states have options to help consumers find health coverage

A reader asks: Are there other health insurance options besides high-risk pools for people who can't get coverage in the individual market because of a preexisting condition?  Read Story

Reducing drug co-pays might lower health-care costs for companies, new study finds

Orlando employer that cut co-pays for diabetes medications saw program pay for itself in three years.  If companies want to reduce their health-care costs, they should reduce the co-pays employees are charged for drugs, particularly for chronic diseases such as diabetes, according to a new study. Read Story

California insurance chief expands inquiry into healthcare rate hikes

California's new insurance commissioner has expanded his inquiry into rate hikes by major insurers, calling on them to delay pending increases for 60 days while he examines paperwork submitted to his office.  Dave Jones says he's reviewing planned premium increases on individual policies by Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and PacifiCare in addition to Blue Shield of California. Read Story

Maryland hospitals struggle with uncompensated care

Hospitals in Maryland and throughout the country are struggling with millions of dollars in unpaid medical care. Will taxpayers be paying the bill? Read Story

Insurers sometimes reject neonatal intensive care costs

If you are planning to have a baby in the near future, it is a good idea to read the fine print of your health insurance policy. In an effort to control costs, insurers sometimes reject neonatal intensive care. Read Story

Blue Shield of California seeks rate hikes of as much as 59% for individuals

Insurer says the increases result from fast-rising healthcare costs and other expenses resulting from new healthcare laws. The move comes less than a year after Anthem Blue Cross tried and failed to raise rates as much as 39%. Read Story

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House votes to bring healthcare repeal to floor for debate

The House of Representatives on Friday votes to bring the repeal of the healthcare overhaul to the floor for formal debate. A new poll shows that Americans slightly supported overturning one of the signature efforts of President Obama's administration. Read Story

Law may bring consumers health insurance rebates

A piece of the federal health reform law taking effect Saturday promises to lower your health insurance premiums and make insurers pay you refunds if they collect excess profits and overhead costs. But few expected to get them, and checks may be small. Read Story

Major health insurers in California to resume offering individual policies for children

California's largest health insurers, fearing they'll lose new customers in the state's lucrative individual insurance market, have canceled controversial decisions last fall to stop selling policies for children.  The companies abruptly halted the sale of individual policies for kids in September rather than comply with provisions of the nation's new healthcare law. A new state law forced them to change course. Read Story

More small businesses are offering health benefits to workers

Major insurers around the country are reporting that a growing number of small businesses are signing up to give their workers health benefits, a sign of potential progress for the nation's battered healthcare system.  The increase is partly attributed to a tax credit created by the nation's new healthcare law. Some insurers are aggressively marketing the break, which can offset up to 35% of a company's costs. Read Story

South Florida workplaces push smoking bans to cut insurance costs

Since each smoker costs an employer about $3,400 annually in higher health care bills, South Florida businesses and nonprofits are pushing their employees to stop smoking and lead healthier lives with the goal of controlling ballooning health care costs and increasing productivity. Read Story