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Extension for Insurer's to Calculate
Rates. The Trump administration is giving health insurance
companies more time to calculate price increases for 2018 because of
uncertainty caused by the president's threat to cut off crucial
subsidies paid to insurers on behalf of millions of low-income people.
Federal health officials said the deadline for insurers to file their
rate requests would be extended by nearly three weeks, to Sept. 5.
(New York Times, 8/13)
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Health Care
Marketplace
Comorbidity Costs.
"When an employee has either a medical or mental health
condition, both the patient and their employer are burdened by cost.
When mental health and medical conditions occur simultaneously
("comorbidity"), the cost for employers is up to two times
more than what it would be for employees with either condition
alone. With 83% of adults facing medical or mental health
conditions and 29% of the adult population facing both, employers
need to find ways to tackle both at the same time to reduce costs and
improve population health." (Teladoc Newsletter, 8/9)
Many Older
Workers Lack Insurance. A July report from The New
School's Retirement Equity Lab says 24% of workers over age 55 lack
access to employer-provided health insurance. Some of those workers
buy private insurance or qualify for Medicaid, but the lack of
employer-provided coverage creates risks for their health and ability
to retire, according to the report. (BenefitsPro, 8/4)
Millions Miss
Out on Exchange Subsidies. In 2015, 6.3 million
people purchased health coverage outside Affordable Care Act
exchanges, but 41% of them would have been eligible for premium
subsidies if they'd bought their plan through a public marketplace
instead, according to research published in Health Affairs. The study
also found that many of those who shopped off-exchange were healthier
than their counterparts who bought plans through a public
marketplace, suggesting an opportunity to improve the ACA risk pool.
(Modern Health Care, 8/7)
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Health in the
States
State commissioners struggle to plan
for 2018 amid ACA uncertainty State insurance
commissioners are wrestling with the best course of action should the
Trump administration stop funding cost-sharing reduction payments, a
move that regulators say would destabilize markets by increasing
premiums and threatening coverage. Many states must decide on 2018
rates in the coming weeks. (New York Times, 8/7)
PA.
Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf scrapped his predecessor's health plan in
favor of a Medicaid expansion when he took over as Pennsylvania
governor in 2015. But now a Medicaid plan with features of former
Republican Gov. Tom Corbett's Healthy PA - including a work
requirement - could become law under Mr. Wolf. Legislation passed by
the state Senate late last month could re-shape the commonwealth's
Medicaid program - potentially making benefit changes and requiring
work from the pro¬gram's able-bodied recipients. (Pittsburgh
Post-Gazzette, 8/7)
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Healthy
Living*
Research shows you can increase your alertness by eating
dark chocolate. That's thanks to flavanols in chocolate. They work in
dilating blood vessels, which allows more oxygen and blood to reach
important parts of the brain.
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*Nothing contained in Healthy Living should be
considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or
treatment. Healthy Living is provided to highlight lifestyle choices
that may affect persons' daily lives. Healthy Living does not constitute
the practice of any medical, nursing or other professional health care
advice, diagnosis or treatment. We advise you to always seek the advice
of a physician or other qualified health care provider with any
questions regarding personal health or medical conditions. Never
disregard, avoid or delay in obtaining medical advice
David M Banet & Associates, Inc.
45 Dowlin Forge Road · Exton, PA 19341
Phone: 610.644.9220 * Fax:
610.644.9277 * Email: info@dmbanet.com
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