Trump Administration Seeks Medical Privacy Changes

Urged on by hospitals, doctors and patients, U.S. health officials are proposing changes to medical privacy rules that could ease information sharing in crisis situations. Trump administration officials at the Department of Health and Human Services say their proposal, released Thursday, adapts lessons learned from the opioid epidemic and the coronavirus pandemic. There’s no way ...

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U.S. and Pfizer Are Negotiating Deal for More Vaccine Doses Next Year

The Trump administration is discussing helping the drug maker get the raw materials it would need to produce tens of millions of extra doses of its Covid-19 vaccine in the spring.

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House Surprise Billing Deal Gets Bipartisan Support In Senate

House and Senate committees have agreed to a surprise medical billing deal that could favor doctors over health insurers. The deal could let doctors take any billing disputes to arbitrators, rather than requiring doctors to accept a standard rate chart.

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With Becerra as HHS Pick, California Plots More Progressive Health Care Agenda

Xavier Becerra is fueling California’s most progressive health care plans including a government-run single-payer system at the state level.

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Moody’s: Outlook Stable For Health Insurers In 2021 Despite COVID-19, Policy Pressures

The credit outlook for health insurers is stable for next year, though several trends to watch in 2021 could have a notable financial impact, according to a new report from Moody's Investors Service.

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DMHC Reminds Californians Approved COVID-19 Vaccines Will Be Provided At No Cost

The California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) issued guidance reminding health plans that all qualified, approved COVID-19 vaccines must be provided with no cost-sharing for health plan enrollees

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Popular Ancillary Exchange Now Available to California Businesses With Up to 500 Employees

CHOICE Administrators is expanding coverage through ChoiceBuilder, its ancillary-only benefits exchange. Insurance brokers can now offer employer-sponsored and voluntary insurance to businesses with up to 500 employees for coverage effective March 1, 2021. Options include dental, vision, chiropractic & acupuncture, and life insurance.

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CMS Wants To Force Insurers To Ease Prior Authorization

The Trump administration on Thursday proposed changes that aim to improve patient and provider access to medical records and reform prior authorization.

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NFL Won’t Be Cutting In Line For Coronavirus Vaccine

The NFL won’t be cutting in line to get the coronavirus vaccine. “No one should be thinking about the vaccine going anywhere other than our first responders and the most vulnerable people right now,” said DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFL Players Association. “We’re in complete harmony with the union in that we feel ...

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Word & Brown Now Quoting Cigna + Oscar 2021 Health Plans for Bay Area Small Businesses

Word & Brown General Agency announced today the availability of quoting for a new health plan option for brokers serving SF Bay Area small businesses. For coverage effective January 1, 2021, Word & Brown has added a new Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) option from Cigna + Oscar. Small businesses in Northern California have more choices ...

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