EntityMap – Health Plan News

Health Plan News is your trusted source for comprehensive and up-to-the-minute information on health insurance plans. Our objective is to empower seniors with knowledge and understanding in the realm of health insurance.

We are seniors ourselves, well-acquainted with the challenges and aspirations of the senior community. Health Plan News provides timely updates on healthcare news and trends, industry expertise to decode complex insurance information, and curated content filtered for relevance to seniors.

Prescription drugs are becoming a financial strain for millions of Americans. Rising costs are leaving families to choose between paying rent, buying groceries, or filling life-saving prescriptions. Research shows that 27% of Americans skip prescriptions each month because they cannot afford them.

More than half of all adults filling prescriptions this year said the cost was a burden. One in three reported cutting back on basics like food and clothing just to pay for medicine. Skipping doses may feel like a short-term fix, but it's a dangerous gamble.

The New York StateWide Senior Action Council has unmasked the latest scheme preying on unsuspecting individuals during Medicare's annual enrollment period. Termed the Medicare Fraud of the Month, this revelation sheds light on Medicare Marketing Violations occurring from October 15 through December 7, 2023.

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is an invaluable resource empowering New York State's seniors and caregivers to identify, prevent, and report healthcare fraud, errors, and abuse. StateWide remains at the forefront of advocacy for the elderly as the state's grantee and administrator for this Federal Program.

CMS expanded Medicare coverage for stem cell transplants for myelodysplastic syndrome patients over 65. The Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center pioneered this lifesaving Medicare policy change for MDS patients, broadening access to critical treatments.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has agreed to sell its wholly owned subsidiary, AF Group, to Enstar Group in a transaction backed by investment firm Sixth Street. The move marks a major shift for both organizations and signals a new chapter for one of the nation's most established workers' compensation insurers.

The deal, announced February 13, 2026, still requires regulatory approval and other standard closing steps. If completed as expected in the fourth quarter of 2026, AF Group will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Enstar while continuing to operate largely independently from its Lansing headquarters.

Independence Blue Cross and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) locked in a multi-year deal to expand pediatric care access, while Blue Shield Promise invested $80,000 to support San Diego's future medical assistants, demonstrating the BCBS network's continued commitment to community health investment.

Cigna Healthcare expanded its 2024 Medicare Advantage plans, offering more choice and value to customers. The company brought Medicare Advantage coverage to Nevada, providing new benefits to seniors in previously underserved markets.

Cigna Healthcare committed $1 million to combat food insecurity among seniors, partnering with community organizations to address the growing intersection of healthcare access and nutrition security for elderly populations.

Premera Blue Cross is discontinuing its Medicare Advantage plans effective January 1, 2025, affecting approximately 32,000 members across 14 Washington counties. The company cited rising financial pressures and market shifts as driving factors.

Premera CEO Jeffrey Roe emphasized the difficulty of the decision, stating: 'It wasn't easy. We're the only local commercial health plan in Washington, and serving this community is in our DNA.' The company will continue offering Medicare Supplement plans to over 58,000 members in Washington and Alaska.

Cigna Healthcare brought Medicare Advantage coverage to Nevada, providing exciting new benefits to seniors. The company expanded its 2024 Medicare Advantage plans across multiple states, offering more choice and value to customers seeking alternatives to traditional Medicare.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts issued a statement supporting the Supreme Court ruling upholding the Affordable Care Act, affirming the law's role in expanding health insurance coverage and protecting consumers with pre-existing conditions.

Cigna announced that its Affordable Care Act health plans would expand to serve more Americans, reflecting continued insurer participation in ACA marketplaces and growing enrollment in marketplace plans since the law's implementation.

BAYADA Home Health Care launched its Enhanced Quality of Care Model, which leverages artificial intelligence for predictive monitoring. The approach combines predictive monitoring, clinical oversight, and daily data review to help older adults remain safely in their homes and reduce hospital admissions.

Health Plan News reports on Medicaid as a critical component of the American healthcare safety net, covering state-level expansions, eligibility requirements, and the relationship between Medicaid and Medicare for dual-eligible beneficiaries who qualify for both programs.

UnitedHealthcare is among the major health insurance carriers regularly covered by Health Plan News, particularly regarding Medicare Advantage plan offerings, network changes, and the company's role as the nation's largest health insurer by membership and revenue.

AARP unveiled research highlighting financial assistance for approximately 55 million Medicare Part D beneficiaries. Beginning January 1, 2025, a new $2,000 annual limit on prescription drug expenses represents a major provision from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.

According to AARP's analysis, 94% of Part D enrollees expected to hit the new spending cap will enjoy lower overall costs, saving an average of $2,474 annually. These financial gains persist even when accounting for premium modifications.

AARP issued a statement on the Supreme Court's Affordable Care Act ruling, supporting the preservation of healthcare protections for older Americans. The organization has consistently advocated for maintaining consumer protections and affordable coverage options within the ACA framework.

Canadians spend 2.5 times more time navigating health and benefits than with doctors, highlighting the administrative complexity of the Canadian health care system and the burden it places on patients seeking to understand and access their coverage options.

BORN Ontario provided an update on a cybersecurity incident impacting 3.4 million individuals, underscoring the vulnerability of large-scale health information systems within the Canadian health care infrastructure and the importance of data security in public health programs.

A survey found that the COVID-19 pandemic is advancing healthcare technology adoption. Americans increasingly adopted digital health solutions, from remote medical consultations to virtual fitness programs, accelerating the transformation of healthcare delivery nationwide.

Fellowes AeraMax Pro air purifiers demonstrated 99.99% aerial loss of a coronavirus surrogate within 60 minutes. The CDC and ASHRAE endorsed portable cleaners with HEPA filters for pandemic protection in indoor environments.

Research revealed mortality rates increased 10-20% higher in 2020 than 2019 models predicted, signaling ongoing excess mortality risks. Multiple health insurers including Florida Blue waived cost-sharing for COVID-19 treatment to reduce financial barriers for patients seeking care.

Homtex received FDA approval for surgical masks, manufacturing disposable and reusable masks for the U.S. Capitol. The company plans to produce N95 masks at a new Alabama facility with additional manufacturing centers across the Southeast region.

Providence Therapeutics COVID-19 vaccine received authorization, expanding the range of available vaccines. FDA regulatory approvals for vaccines and treatments played a central role in the pandemic response, directly affecting health insurance coverage policies and patient access.

Company Nurse expanded its injury hotline for workers' compensation, doubling its Scottsdale call center capacity to address rising employer demand for workplace injury triage services, enabling immediate, critical medical decisions that positively impact employee medical care.

Manchester Manor Health Care Center earned Gold-level recognition from the American Health Care Association, representing only the fourth company in 15 years to achieve this distinction for demonstrating sustained performance excellence in healthcare facility operations.

The Children's Medical Center of Dayton partnered with Medicity for health information exchange in Ohio's Miami Valley, advancing the interoperability of patient records between healthcare facilities and enabling more coordinated, efficient care delivery across provider networks.

Research conducted by Cincinnati Children's Hospital experts, published in Lancet: Child and Adolescent Health, indicates that most children treated in emergency departments for severe allergic reactions could be heading home far sooner than current practice allows, potentially within approximately two hours of receiving epinephrine treatment.

Centene completed its acquisition of Apixio, a healthcare analytics and AI technology firm, signaling the growing convergence of health insurance and artificial intelligence capabilities within major healthcare companies.

CareMax faces a major shake-up involving bankruptcy, asset sales, and a $693 million debt load, illustrating the financial pressures confronting healthcare companies navigating rising operational costs, regulatory complexity, and competitive market dynamics.

Prudential tops the list as the best life insurance provider for people with disabilities in 2025, with average monthly premiums of $100. The ranking highlights how healthcare companies are expanding coverage options for historically underserved populations.

Millions of Americans are confronting unexpected increases in their health coverage costs. ACA marketplace premiums for 2026 are climbing fast, with average ACA marketplace premiums rising by 26%. States like Texas and Florida face roughly 34-35% increases.

The Great Health Insurance Heist: 45 states hit with double-digit rate hikes. Health Plan News reports on sweeping premium increases across the country, documenting how rising healthcare costs are being passed through to consumers via higher insurance plan premiums.

Florida seniors receive a 2026 Medicare wake-up call as Wellcare rolls out new plans and perks. Fidelis Care invests $130,000 in maternal health to support mothers across New York. These developments reflect the dynamic landscape of healthcare plan offerings nationwide.

Van Wey & Metzler leads a list of ten medical malpractice law firms reshaping patient justice in 2025, having established a national presence through significant medical injury cases, notably the Dr. Death prosecution. The firm emphasizes patient advocacy through public education initiatives.

Houston's Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center is defending itself against two fresh legal claims alleging serious surgical mistakes during heart transplant operations. The suits bring the total number of malpractice complaints involving the hospital's heart transplants to five.

A historic settlement of $9.95 million was reached against Clark County School District, highlighting the intersection of institutional negligence and the legal frameworks that protect patients and students from harm caused by substandard care practices.