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Hospitals Are Hiding Prices from Patients, Advocacy Report Says

InterWest Insurance Services

Despite newly enacted federal transparency rules for hospitals and health plans, some large hospitals are still not posting the required price lists for their services, according to a recent report. The rule has taken effect in stages and hospitals were the first required to comply, but the report finds their efforts have fallen short.

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Hospital Indemnity Insurance a Key Voluntary Benefit

InterWest Insurance Services

Fortunately, employers can help by offering their workers voluntary hospital indemnity insurance that can provide peace of mind in case they have a serious medical episode. Hospital indemnity insurance. One of your employees calls in and says she had to take her daughter to the hospital the previous night with severe stomach pain.

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What does coinsurance mean in health insurance?

Higginbotham

Cost Sharing in Insurance Although insurance companies take responsibility for many of the costs that arise, policyholders are also responsible for some out-of-pocket costs on top of the premium. This is called cost sharing, and it’s common in many types of insurance. What about the out-of-pocket maximum?

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Waiving HDHP Deductibles Has Little Effect on Premiums, Study Says

InterWest Insurance Services

The reason: According to research from Johns Hopkins University, poorly managed chronic medical conditions cost employers an estimated $198 billion every year. These costs show up in several ways: Direct usage of medical services such as preventable ER visits and hospitalization. Cost of temporary workers. Overtime costs.

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More Insurers Pushing Virtual Care for Cost Savings

InterWest Insurance Services

More and more insurers are expanding the use of telemedicine, just as a new study shows promising cost savings of up to 25% from virtual care when implemented properly. Average per-visit costs in the telemedicine program were $380, compared to $439 for in-person primary care offices, emergency departments or urgent care clinics costs.

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New Insulin Price Cap Could End Up Saving Payers Money in the Long Run

HR Digest

Reducing out-of-pocket cost-sharing for insulin does mean payers and insurers may be covering a greater share of the costs. However, some of those costs may be offset by increased medication adherence and reduced hospitalization rates, which would end up saving payers money in the long run.

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5 Benefits to Help Employees Cope with Inflation

Best Money Moves

Health care costs can often drag behind increases in consumer prices, so employees may face an increase in costs that will last throughout this year and next. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 46% of employees reported that they have less than $1,000 in out-of-pocket costs for any unexpected hospital/doctor visit.

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