Latest California Healthline Stories
Individual Insurance Primer: Long-Troubled Market At Center Of Drive For Repeal
People who do not get insurance through their job or the government have long battled a difficult market.
New Rules Try To Shore Up Individual Health Insurance Market In 2018
The Trump administration’s first health regulation would shorten the enrollment periods and make it harder for patients to get coverage outside of that annual signup period.
Employers Fret Job-Based Coverage Vulnerable To Fallout From GOP Health Overhaul
Employer medical insurance still covers more people than any other kind. A Republican replacement for Obamacare could spread instability beyond the health law’s shaky marketplace plans.
California Won’t Extend Parental Leave Rights To Small Businesses
Gov. Jerry Brown vetoes a bill that would have guaranteed employees of small businesses can keep their jobs if they take parental leave to bond with a new child.
Insurance Commissioner Puts Aetna And Humana In Hot Seat Over Merger Deal
Executives from Aetna and Humana defended their proposed $37 billion tie-up in a hearing conducted by Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. Consumer groups warned it would lead to higher premiums and restricted access to care.
Under Review: How DOJ, FTC Decide Whether To OK Health Insurance Mergers
While some reviews last just 30 days, it could take antitrust regulators more than a year to approve or deny proposed mergers between Anthem and Cigna and Aetna and Humana. An antitrust law expert says that’s because the companies have significant overlap in business products and practices.
Another One Bites the Dust: Why Are 12 ACA Co-Ops Closing?
Yesterday, a 12th cooperative health plan created under the Affordable Care Act announced that it will shut down. Why have more than half of such co-ops failed, and what do the closures mean for consumers?
Health Insurer Consolidation Under Scrutiny
As Congress convenes hearings examining the issue, we asked legislators, consumer advocates and stakeholders to weigh in on the pros and cons of consolidation in the health insurance industry.
ACA Improved Rx Drug Access, But Some Still Face Barriers to Finding Best Coverage
The Affordable Care Act requires health plans to include coverage for prescription drugs, but differing medication formularies, incomplete coverage information and other obstacles could be keeping consumers from actually using those benefits.
Timing Right for State To Align Health Insurance Oversight Under One Roof?
We asked legislators, regulators, consumer advocates and health care experts to weigh in on a new report saying the timing is right for California to move away from bifurcated oversight and designate a single health insurance regulator.