- Section 1: Consumer Trends
This section will help the consumer what and how current healthcare trends will affect them.
- Health Benefit Cost Growth Will Accelerate to 5.6% in 2023, Mercer Survey Finds
Healthcare consumers should be expecting their insurance premiums to increase in 3023. The following data provided by Mercer outlines the increases
- 14% of hospitals comply with price transparency, survey finds: 4 things to know
In a survey of 1,000 hospitals, 14.3 percent were compliant with the federal price transparency rule that took effect Jan. 1, 2021, a February report by patientrightsadvocate.org found
- Patients from poorer counties get worse hospital care, report finds
A report published last year from 3M’s Clinical and Economic Research division shows how Medicare patients living in lower-income and lower-education areas experience more preventable harm from hospital care, even after adjusting for patient ris
- A drug for pregnant women doesn’t work, according to the FDA. A company is selling it anyway
American babies are at far higher risk of dying before their first birthdays than those in almost any other wealthy country. A big reason for those deaths, more than 21,000 each year, is that too many are born too soon
- Maggots, Rape and Yet Five Stars: How U.S. Ratings of Nursing Homes Mislead the Public
But a New York Times investigation, based on the most comprehensive analysis of the data that powers the ratings program, found that it is broken.
- My Drug Copay Coupon a Form of Charity — Or a Bribe?
If a drugmaker is offering copay assistance, you can
assume the list price of the drug is high, but I wasn’t sure how high. Did this
outwardly kind offer represent, essentially, a kind of bribe?
- The Doctor Didn’t Show Up, but the Hospital ER Still Charged $1,012
When the surgeon didn’t appear after more than an hour, the wife took her son home. The hospital told her to make a follow-up appointment with a doctor, which turned out to be unnecessary because the burn healed quickly.
- Watchdog: Private Medicare plans denied nearly 1 in 5 claims that should have been paid
A government watchdog report released Thursday found private Medicare plans routinely rejected claims that should have been paid and denied services that reviewers found to be medically necessary.
- When you're charged a copay you shouldn't owe
This is part of Axios' series, Billed and Confused. Have you been hit with an unexpected medical bill? Maybe the overall medical billing experience left you feeling puzzled or upset? Email bob@axios.com, so we can dig into what's happening. Note: this story was originally published on Jan. 20.
- Why Millions on Medicaid Are at Risk of Losing Coverage in the Months Ahead
The Biden administration and state officials are bracing for a great unwinding: millions of people losing their Medicaid benefits when the pandemic health emergency ends. Some might sign up for different insurance. Many others are bound to get lost in the transition.
- Most medical debt will be dropped from consumers' credit reports BY AIMEE PICCHI
Medical bills have become a source of major financial trouble for millions of Americans, amounting to the largest source of personal debt in the U.S. Now, the top three credit reporting agencies plan to drop most medical debt from consumers' credit reports starting this summer.
- Non-Charitable’ Nonprofit Hospital Ordered to Start Paying Property Taxes Jan. 7, 2022, 3:45 AM Bloomberg Tax
In many US cities, large, nonprofit hospitals, health centers, universities, and colleges—"meds and
eds"—pay little, if any, property taxes. That could be changing. Bill Kennedy and Jared Johnson of
White and Williams, LLP, warn that litigation is now challenging their nonprofit nature.
- Section 2: Medicare Trends
Many consumers have Medicare Healthcare Insurance. This section identifies trends affecting the Medicare Consumer.
- What Is a Medicare Advantage Plan, and Should You Sign Up for One? A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
Evaluating the options can be challenging, but there are steps you can
follow to make the best decision for yourself.
- How are Medicare benefits changing for 2023?
Check out the Key Takeaways
- How Many Seniors Have Student Loan Debt and Where Can They Find Help?
Here’s what you need to know about the unique challenges for seniors and student loan debt and the types of student loan debt relief for seniors that are available.
- Social Security Recipients Could Get an 8.9% Raise Next Year
Social Security monthly payments are expected to increase by 8.9% next year, according to a new estimate of the 2023 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) by The Senior Citizens League (TSCL), a nonprofit advocacy group.
- Government Watchdogs Attack Medicare Advantage for Denying Care and Overcharging
Medicare Advantage Plans maybe are Denying Care and Overcharging. Read this article to find out more.
- Medicare premiums to jump in part due to pricey Alzheimer's drug
Older Healthcare Consumers who are covered under Medicare, be aware of the Premium increase
- Compare Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage
This comparison will help you understand the difference between Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
- Bipartisan Bill Would Alert Those Nearing Medicare Age About Late Fees
A Senate-introduced bill aims to inform people before that point — many of whom are unaware of the late-enrollment fees.
- Medicare Surprise: Drug Plan Prices Touted During Open Enrollment Can Rise Within a Month
Insurance companies can change what they pay to providers after you buy the plan...BEWARE
- Seniors Favor Advantage Plans; Beware of Tradeoffs: Dallas Morning News 11.9.2021
More Benefits but More Restrictions....find out what they are.
- Medicare Patients Win the Right to Appeal Gap in Nursing Home Coverage
A three-judge federal appeals court panel in Connecticut has likely ended an 11-year fight against a frustrating and confusing rule that left hundreds of thousands of Medicare beneficiaries without coverage for nursing home care, and no way to challenge a denial.
- Medicare to cover at-home COVID-19 tests MAYA GOLDMAN Modern Healthcare
CMS has identified a pathway to enable Medicare coverage of rapid tests, which would close
a gap in the federal pandemic response.
- Section 3: Healthcare Pricing Trends
Medical Pricing has ongoing changes. Tends will help you monitor the changes.
- Hospitals are back in the hot seat for their prices
Medical Providers have been deficient to publish prices. Check out this article.
- Hospitals Often Charge Uninsured People the Highest Prices, New Data Show
Buyer Beware.......understand the pricing policy of the healthcare provider you are going to use. This WILL save you money.
- Methodology: How the WSJ Analyzed Hospital Pricing Data
As of January, U.S. hospitals are required to disclose the rates for all services that they have negotiated with insurers and the price they charge uninsured people who pay out of their own pocket
- Enacted Healthcare State Legislation: Pricing and Disclose of Healthcare Costs
A state by state listing of all legislation that protects the healthcare consumer
