As in-person appointments have been replaced with video conferences and other virtual mediums, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) has launched Right2You, a virtual care benefit that aims to assist the approximate 48 million people in the U.S. living with hearing loss. The initiative builds on the home-delivered hearing healthcare model developed by UnitedHealthcare …
How the 2020 Election Could Affect Healthcare
From payments to policies, to prescriptions and rising healthcare costs, the outcome of the 2020 presidential election will influence the future of the U.S. healthcare system. As we approach the 2020 presidential election, healthcare is definitely top of mind for Americans. According to a recent poll by the Kaiser Family …
HHS Influenza Reporting Required for Hospitals
As of October 7th, hospitals will have 14 weeks to comply with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) requirement of including data elements about influenza patients to their daily COVID-19 reporting. According to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator, Seema Verma, hospitals will be receiving …
Executive Order To Lower Medicare Drug Prices
On September 13, 2020, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that aims to lower drug costs for Medicare recipients. The action comes nearly two months after the President signed a separate order, which directed the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take necessary steps to deliver lower …
President Trump Signs Executive Orders to Lower Drug Prices
On July 24, 2020, President Donald Trump signed four executive orders directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take the necessary steps to deliver lower costs on prescription drugs for American patients, including insulin and epinephrine. The executive orders issued by the President include: Lowering Prices for …
Health Insurance Carriers Address the Coronavirus
Health insurance companies are taking action to ensure members have coverage for and access to needed testing as the new coronavirus strain, COVID-19, continues to spread across the United States. Carriers such as Aetna, Independence Blue Cross, Highmark, and Cigna are actively monitoring the spread of the virus; and diligently …
Medicare Part D Disclosures Due by February 29
Group health plan sponsors who provide prescription drug coverage to individuals who are eligible for coverage under Medicare Part D, are required to complete an online disclosure form with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The plan sponsor must complete the online disclosure within 60 days after the …
Medicare Part D Notices Are Due Before Oct. 15, 2019
Each year, Medicare Part D requires group health plan sponsors to disclose to individuals who are eligible for Medicare Part D and to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) whether the health plan’s prescription drug coverage is creditable. Plan sponsors must provide the annual disclosure notice to Medicare-eligible …
Make the Most of Medicare
By: Ed Hourigan Most employees don’t think about Medicare until they need it. Year after year, they enroll in employer provided health benefits. For some, it is almost automatic. Then, when they approach Medicare age, they realize things are changing. Suddenly they need to figure out what to do. When …