Health Affairs Blog: “Variation in Medicare Costs Suggests Inefficiencies That Might Be Corrected Through More Administrative Spending”

Administrative costs have often been a focal point of health care cost discussions, even though the data are very clear that soaring medical costs – not health plans’ administrative costs – are driving health care cost growth. A new Health Affairs blog post looks at Medicare administrative costs in comparison to private insurers, finding that “…the large variation in Medicare costs suggests inefficiencies that might be corrected through more administrative spending.” Continue reading

Posted in: Issue Alert

Hospital Prices Across the Country

CMS’ recent release of hospital pricing data has been picked up by news outlets across the country. Continue reading

Posted in: Health Care Costs

Las Vegas Review-Journal: Health Reform Law “May Not Be So Affordable for Some Nevadans”

The Las Vegas Review-Journal has an article out today on the health reform laws’ effect on premiums, finding “the Affordable Care Act may not be so affordable for some Nevadans.” Continue reading

Posted in: ACA, AHIP, AHIP in the News, Health Care Costs

Washington Post: Health insurance tax ‘scares the daylights’ out of some small-business owners

The Washington Post has an article, “Health insurance tax ‘scares the daylights’ out of some small-business owners,” in today’s paper on the impact of the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance tax on small businesses. Continue reading

Posted in: AHIP, AHIP in the News, Health Care Costs

The Latest Health Care-Related Legislation

Check out the latest health care-related legislation introduced in the House and Senate. Continue reading

Posted in: On The Hill

Small Business Owners: Health Insurance Tax to Raise Costs, Disrupt Coverage

Several small business owners testified today at a hearing hosted by the House Committee on Small Business on the “profound” financial impact the Affordable Care Act’s new health insurance tax will have on the cost of doing business. Continue reading

Posted in: ACA, Health Care Costs, On The Hill

Health Affairs Blog Post: How the Health Reform Law Will Affect Premiums

A Health Affairs blog post looks at the reasons for premium changes under the health reform law. Continue reading

Posted in: ACA, Health Care Costs

Highlights from the Coverage of CMS’ Release of Hospital Price Data

Yesterday’s release of data on hospital prices by CMS has generated a lot of buzz in the media. Continue reading

Posted in: AHIP, AHIP in the News, Cost Alert, Health Care Costs

CMS Releases Data on Hospital Prices

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services today released for the first time data on hospital prices, which show “wide variations not only regionally but among hospitals in the same area or city.” Continue reading

Posted in: Cost Alert, Health Care Costs

May is Disability Insurance Awareness Month

For most people, the ability to earn a living is the most important asset they have – crucial to funding the necessities of everyday life such as food and shelter as well as other financial obligations. Continue reading

Posted in: Issue Alert