affordable care act News

Supreme Court Rules Against Discrimination Claim for Emotional Distress

The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the dismissal of a discrimination lawsuit filed by a deaf, legally blind woman against a physical therapy business that wouldn’t provide an American Sign Language interpreter for her appointments. In a 6-3 ruling with …

Wisconsin Hospital Files 200 Debt Lawsuits During Pandemic

MADISON, Wis. (AP) –Alysa Gummow didn’t know what to think in October when the letters from law firms arrived in the mail. She had filed for bankruptcy in 2017 to restructure nearly $50,000 in debt _ mostly from an earlier …

Threat of Crackdown on U.S. Insurers Fades as Political ‘Blue Wave’ Sputters

NEW YORK — Insurers appear to have dodged a revival of strict regulations and policy upheavals after an anticipated Democratic “Blue Wave,” which would have allowed progressives to push for broad reforms, failed to materialize on Wednesday, said industry executives. …

She Thought She Had Health Insurance, but Was Left Owing $40,000

BOISE, Idaho — Susan Calvin was healthy. Her family was, too. But their health insurance premiums and deductibles were climbing. When she started shopping for an insurance plan for 2017 and lamented the cost, Calvin says, her insurance broker suggested …

The Future Looks Terrible for U.S. Nursing Home Costs

The results of a six-year study by Georgetown University Medical Center revealed just how fast U.S. nursing home prices have been increasing all across America. And the future looks just as grim. Dr. Sean Huang, the study’s lead author, said …

Prescription Drug Spending Increased by 13% in 2014

U.S. spending on prescription drugs soared last year, driven up primarily by costly breakthrough medicines, manufacturer price hikes and a surge from millions of people newly insured due to the Affordable Care Act. Spending rose 13 percent, the biggest jump …

Rising Releases 2014 Workers’ Comp Benchmarking Study Results

A new nationwide survey of workers’ compensation claims leaders reveals the top operational challenges include a rapidly shrinking talent pool, emerging technology trends, operationalizing performance measures while improving productivity and reducing costs. Participation in the latest survey was up 57 …

Affordable Care Act’s Impact on Liability Insurance Costs: RAND

The expansion of health insurance accomplished under the Affordable Care Act may alter costs for several major types of liability insurance, although any such changes are likely to be modest, according to a new RAND Corporation report. Automobile, workers’ compensation, …

The ACA’s Anticipated Effect on P/C and Workers’ Comp Lines

Though parts of the Affordable Care Act have been in place since 2010, key reforms began on January 1, 2014. According to industry experts, the ACA won’t affect the medical bill payment process; however, insurers will likely see an increase …

Executive: Worry About Affordable Care Act’s Impact on Workers’ Comp

Like many, Steve Festa, chief claims officer for Reno, Nev.-based EMPLOYERS, has some serious concerns about just how the Affordable Care Act will affect the insurance industry. And Festa’s biggest concern is how this sweeping healthcare reform will impact workers’ …