insurance companies

Los Angeles County last fall unveiled one of its 10 Department of Mental Health vans aimed at, among other things, reducing long waiting periods for the transport of individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.

Health & Safety

California Poised To Strengthen Mental Health Insurance Laws

5:40pm September 01, 2020

by Yuki Noguchi

One of the strongest mental health parity laws in the U.S. is on the governor's desk. It aims to help more than 13 million Californians — including those with milder mental illness and addictions.

Hartford is home to the Connecticut State Capitol and state legislature — as well as to major U.S. insurance firms. In 2019, those insurers spent what it took to defeat Connecticut's version of a "public option" in health care, despite strong support am

Insurers Sank Connecticut's 'Public Option.' Would A National Version Survive?

1:17pm February 26, 2020

by Shefali Luthra

Even in a solidly blue state where voters were demanding relief from the high cost of health care, the idea of a government-run public option for health insurance faced a "steam train of opposition."

Some insurers using this new payment model offer a single fee to one OB-GYN or medical practice, which then uses part of that money to cover the hospital care involved in labor and delivery. Other insurers opt to cut a separate contract with the hospital.

A New Way Of Paying For Maternity Care Aims To Reduce C-Sections

1:38pm September 20, 2019

by Carmen Heredia Rodriguez

Instead of paying doctors piecemeal for prenatal appointments and delivery of the baby, some insurers now offer medical practices one lump sum to cover it all.

Daniel Gorham is a fire engineer and former firefighter who helped design and carry out the embers test.

Step 1: Build A House. Step 2: Set It On Fire

6:18am April 02, 2019

After back-to-back hurricanes and wildfires, insurers are looking for more-resilient construction materials. That means building model homes and then blowing off their roofs or setting them on fire.

Destroyed homes and debris are seen near Port St. Joe, Fla., on Friday, two days after Hurricane Michael hit the Florida panhandle. Analysts estimate the storm has caused billions of dollars of damage.

National

Michael Will Cost Insurers Billions, But Won't Overwhelm Industry, Analysts Say

7:15pm October 14, 2018

by Camila Domonoske

The storm's costs to insurers will be substantial, Fitch Ratings says, but companies should be able to absorb the losses. Still, communities will be coping with the financial fallout for a long time.

Despite the political uncertainties, insurance companies have started to learn how to make a profit on the plans they offer through the Affordable Care Act.

Analysts Predict Health Care Marketplace Premiums Will Stabilize In 2019

5:06am September 03, 2018

by Alison Kodjak

In signs the health care market may be maturing, an analysis of insurance filings shows premiums will rise less than 4 percent on average and companies plan to market more policies in more places.

Queue Listen Now

Why is the price of a CT scan 33 times higher in a hospital emergency room than in an outpatient imaging center just down the street?

Bill Of The Month: A Tale Of 2 CT Scanners — One Richer, One Poorer

7:17pm April 09, 2018

by Alison Kodjak

Why is the price of a CT scan 33 times higher in a hospital emergency room than in an outpatient imaging center just down the street?

Queue Listen Now

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar speaks to the House Ways and Means Committee last week in Washington about the FY19 budget.

Trump Administration Wants To Let Insurers Offer Plans With Fewer Benefits

1:50pm February 20, 2018

by Alison Kodjak

The Department of Health and Human Services is proposing a rule that would expand short-term policies that don't have to meet the Affordable Care Act's benefit requirements.

Governors from left; Bill Haslam of Tennessee, Steve Bullock of Montana, Charlie Baker of Massachusetts, John Hickenlooper of Colorado and Gary Herbert of Utah all testified Thursday about ways t improve the ACA.

Governors Sound Off On How To Fix Health Insurance

10:22pm September 07, 2017

by Alison Kodjak

Senators holding hearings this week are looking for quick tweaks that will stabilize the insurance markets and make policies cheaper. Some governors want more federal money and more flexibility.

Queue Listen Now

Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., is working with Patty Murray, D-Wash. on a bill to stabilize the health insurance market.

Chastened Lawmakers Aim For Small, Bipartisan Health Care Victories

11:23pm September 05, 2017

by Alison Kodjak

Senate Republicans and Democrats are trying something new on health care. It's called cooperation.