Latino, Black, Asian Medicare beneficiaries choosing MA over traditional Medicare

Latino, Black, Asian Medicare beneficiaries choosing MA over traditional Medicare

Medicare Advantage (MA) plans serve more marginalized and disadvantaged communities than fee-for-service (FFS) plans, according to a report from research firm ATI Advisory, building on previous research that MA enrollees face unique challenges. Latino beneficiaries are most likely to enroll in MA, followed by Black and Asian beneficiaries. Of the Medicare population, 69% of Latinos…

Bright Health weighs reverse stock split as delisting looms
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Bright Health weighs reverse stock split as delisting looms

Bright Health Group is mulling a reverse stock split after it shares dipped below the price threshold to remain listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the health insurance company announced Monday. The insurtech received a notice from the New York Stock Exchange Dec. 6 that, because its average stock price has been below $1…

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CMS Puts the Kibosh on Misleading Medicare Advantage Sales Pitches

-“Secret shoppers” found that 80% of agent calls with clients were inaccurate or insufficient. After reviewing thousands of complaints about “confusing, misleading, and/or inaccurate” Medicare Advantage ads, and using “secret shoppers” to document deceptive telephone sales pitches, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it is putting its foot down on Thursday. Kathryn…

Inequities in health care coverage and access remain despite legislative gains
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Inequities in health care coverage and access remain despite legislative gains

Legislation to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in health insurance coverage and improve access to care have led to some progress but continue to fall short of objectives. The Affordable Care Act helped, especially in states that expanded eligibility for their Medicaid programs. However, after 2016, coverage gains stalled and slightly eroded. Combined with job and income losses stemming…

Brighthealth has announced major changes for the 2023 AEP and OEP!
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Brighthealth has announced major changes for the 2023 AEP and OEP!

Bright Health Group is further focusing its business on delivering affordable healthcare to aging and underserved populations through its Fully Aligned Care Model. Bright HealthCare will no longer offer Individual and Family Plans after plan year 2022 and will also no longer offer Medicare Advantage products outside of California and Florida. It is a priority…

Spanish-speaking Americans receive one-third less care, study finds

Spanish-speaking Americans receive one-third less care, study finds

Language barriers may lead to significant inequities in health care delivery, a new report suggests. The study, published in Health Affairs, found that Spanish-speaking Americans received about one-third less care (based on spending) as compared to patients whose primary language is English. “During 2014–18 mean annual per capita expenditures were $1,463 (35 percent) lower for Hispanic adults…

Claiming Social Security: Too many think it’s “as simple as flipping a switch”
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Claiming Social Security: Too many think it’s “as simple as flipping a switch”

Lack of knowledge about Social Security is like getting a new job but not asking when you would start and how much you would make. When it comes to Social Security benefits, many Americans may be leaving a lot of money on the table – but financial professionals and employers can help with that, according to…

More businesses mandating vaccines, but are employees on board?
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More businesses mandating vaccines, but are employees on board?

Despite Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidance allowing employers to require vaccination for their workers and big moves from some trendsetting corporate leaders, legal and compliance executives generally remain uncertain when it comes to vaccine mandates. A new survey by Gartner Inc. suggests a reason. The survey found that while litigation risk was the top concern…