105,752. That’s how many friends and loved ones have died from a drug overdose in the 12 month period leading up to October 2021—an all-time record. Millions more—40.3 million to be exact—are living with a substance use disorder, including opioid use disorder, putting them at serious risk of adding to this grim tally. Saving lives … Read more
For the past 10 years, the Medicare system has tried to improve the quality of health care that millions of older Americans receive, while slowing the growth in costs to the federal budget, by encouraging health care providers to join Accountable Care Organizations. Today, ACOs coordinate the care of 11 million people, most of them … Read more
In his State of the Union address last month, President Joe Biden focused attention on how private equity ownership of nursing homes can affect residents’ health. “As Wall Street firms take over more nursing homes, quality in those homes has gone down and costs have gone up. That ends on my watch,” Biden said. Those … Read more
Panelists touted the ability to pay for items and repairs to keep Medicare beneficiaries healthier at home, avoiding potentially costly hospitalizations and complications. The expansion of value-based insurance design (VBID) into Medicare has fueled new creativity in thinking about how to support beneficiaries beyond what is considered a traditional health care service, according to a … Read more
Sponsored: Getting health insurance is one of the most important steps you can take for your financial, physical, and mental health. (U of U Health Plans) Everyone is welcome By University of Utah Health Plans | April 6, 2022, 6:00 am Health insurance is a way to pay for your health care expenses. These expenses … Read more
WASHINGTON (AP) — With hugs, laughs and good-natured ribbing, Barack Obama on Tuesday returned to the White House for the first time in more than five years to savor the 12th anniversary of his signature health care law and give a boost to President Joe Biden’s efforts to expand it. The Affordable Care Act has … Read more
People on Medicare are now able to get up to eight free COVID-19 tests per month at participating pharmacies, the Biden administration announced Monday. The move comes after a similar initiative launched in January for people with private insurance, in response to the surge in demand for testing due to the surge in cases from … Read more
The chances of passing election-year legislation to help people afford insulin — which weeks ago seemed mired in political fighting — are looking brighter as a bipartisan effort to tackle the issue takes root in the Senate. That effort is still in the early stages, but it is moving forward with the support of Senate … Read more
WASHINGTON — When the end of the COVID-19 pandemic comes, it could create major disruptions for a cumbersome US health care system made more generous, flexible and up-to-date technologically through a raft of temporary emergency measures. Winding down those policies could begin as early as the summer. That could force an estimated 15 million Medicaid … Read more
Spring time is finally here! It’s a season of new beginnings. March 31 is also a double deadline for people eligible for Medicare. Deciding if and when to enroll in Medicare can be confusing. Penalties and a delay in coverage can be the result of mistakes. Knowing when to enroll will avoid penalties or gaps … Read more