Author: Scott Welch
A group of cybercriminals hacked into data systems at insurance company Aflac, possibly gaining access to sensitive information such as Social Security numbers and health reports, the company said on Friday. Aflac, which boasts millions of customers, “identified suspicious activity” and “stopped the intrusion within hours,” the company said. The company attributed the attack to a “sophisticated ...
Taking longer walks could actually improve back pain, according to a new study. Researchers in Norway investigated how chronic low back pain, a “prevalent and costly condition,” could be reduced by regular physical activity, including accessible walking. The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, measured daily walking volume and walking intensity among more than 11,000 ...
Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee have unveiled that chamber’s version of the “big, beautiful” reconciliation package, which includes notable changes from the House’s proposal. The bill will be the subject of intense scrutiny in the Senate, where more moderate Republicans have balked at significant cuts to Medicaid while the party’s more conservative wing has ...
Medicare Part E as outlined in the bill would sustain itself through premiums, with enrollees able to sign up through any state or federal insurance marketplace. Any existing subsidies available for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans would be applicable to Part E coverage.
Extra subsidies put in place during the pandemic which reduced premiums are in place only through Dec. 31. Without enhanced subsidies, Affordable Care Act insurance premiums would rise by more than 75% on average, with bills for people in some states more than doubling.
It can take a long time to build anything in California. The governor’s office is trying to move fast on mental health projects funded by a new bond.
A common pantry staple may be the secret to lowering cholesterol levels, according to a new study. Researchers at the Illinois Institute of Technology found that chickpeas, also called garbanzo beans, can have cholesterol-lowering qualities. Participants who consumed a cup of chickpeas daily for 12 weeks experienced a significant reduction in their elevated cholesterol levels. The ...
UnitedHealth Group will cease paying commissions to brokers who enroll new beneficiaries into nearly 200 Medicare Advantage products in 39 markets, the company notified third-party sellers Monday. The UnitedHealthcare parent company has been reeling since it reported major Medicare Advantage headwinds in the first quarter, withdrew its annual earnings guidance and underwent a sudden change in top leadership. Medicare Advantage brokers received ...
Congressional Republicans are poised to expand an obscure tax credit that helps companies provide paid family leave for their workforces, with plans to make the rarely used provision permanent. Lawmakers authorized the credit, known as Section 45S, in 2017 as a two-year trial amid calls for paid family leave for working parents — a national standard in ...
For the better part of a decade, Amazon has been trying to carve its way into the U.S. health-care market, through billions of dollars worth of acquisitions, big-name hires and high-profile partnerships. It’s been a slog at times, and the company’s long-term strategy hasn’t always been clear. Following a series of executive departures, Amazon is now restructuring ...