Author: Scott Welch

When Americans are asked whether they support a “Medicare for all” system that would replace all current insurance with a generous government program, a majority often say yes. But when they’re asked follow-up questions, they often reveal that they’re not familiar with the details of that plan — or that they would also be happy with other Democratic policy proposals.

More Americans are going without health insurance, and stable premiums plus greater choice next year under the Obama health law aren't likely to reverse that.

Employers are increasingly seeking out benefits brokers who can assist them with compliance issues. That’s according to a new employer survey from Zywave, which found the vast majority of clients (98%) want their brokers to assist them with compliance related questions and 78% want compliance resources.

If you are among the Californians who buy your own health insurance, a surprise may await you as the enrollment period for 2020 coverage opens this week. Starting Jan. 1, California will become the first state to offer subsidies to middle-income people who make too much money to qualify for the federal tax credits that help consumers buy health coverage through Covered California, the state’s Affordable Care Act insurance exchange.

Now that California legislators and Gov. Gavin Newsom are done making new laws for the year, here’s a look at how the policies they created will affect your health care.

People buying insurance through Covered California might see lower prices this time around, following changes in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s most recent state budget. Enrollment for the state’s health benefit exchange begins Oct. 15. Certain low-income Californians are already eligible for subsidies from the federal government to help pay their premiums, but this year there are new state dollars to help low and middle income residents.

CHOICE Administrators announced a new brand identity and refreshed logos for its two businesses, CaliforniaChoice and ChoiceBuilder. The new logos reflect CHOICE Administrators’ larger goal to evolve its brand to reflect a modern approach to small business health care.

California will require health insurance companies to cover the cost of fertility procedures for patients undergoing treatment that can make it difficult to have children, such as chemotherapy, under a bill signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday.

Humana filed suit Friday against more than a dozen generic drugmakers, including Teva Pharmaceuticals, alleging the companies engage in price fixing.

Enrollment in Medicaid in 2019 declined by nearly 2% and is expected to be largely flat, with an increase of 0.8%, next year due in part to the economy and stringent eligibility rules, according to a new survey.