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New report looks at the role of consumer assistance programs under the ACA

Posted September, 20 2011 by arianne

A new report released by the New York State Health Foundation (NYSHealth) looks at the different roles laid out for Navigators and Consumer Assistance Programs (CAPs) under the ACA, and how they can work together to maximize consumer assistance efforts and avoid duplication. As many of you already know, the ACA granted money to the states […]

Another year, another 900,000 uninsured…

Posted September, 19 2011 by arianne

Doom. Gloom. That is what the U.S. Census was broadcasting last week.  Newly released numbers revealed that the ranks of uninsured grew by 900,000 in the past year to top out at 49 million.  What’s more, the median income fell 2% to $49,400 and the official poverty rate went up to 43.6 million – the highest it’s been in the last 52 years […]

HHS boosts patient rights for same-sex partners

Posted September, 9 2011 by arianne

Earlier this week, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced new guidance on existing rules that protect a patient’s right to choose their own visitors during a hospital stay, including same-sex domestic partners.  This guidance also supports enforcement of a patient’s right to designate the person of their choice to make medical decisions on […]

More folks fed up with health insurance rate abuses

Posted September, 2 2011 by arianne

A new ACA rule went into effect yesterday requiring insurance plans in all states to post explanations for rate hikes over 10% on their website and submit them to state and federal regulators. Here in New York, insurance companies are already required to do this.  Further, the NY State Department of Insurance can deny any proposed rate hikes that it feels […]