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1+ hour, 22+ min ago (161+ words) Becker's has reported on six physician practice closures in November: Becker's has reported on six physician practice closures in November: - Optum closed four primary care practices in southern New Jersey. John Hickey, MD, a physician at the Medford, N.J., site, told the Pine Barrens Tribune that physicians and patients were "virtually uninformed" about the closure, which took effect Nov. 26. He said Optum, which bought the practice three years ago, has not provided mechanisms to ensure continuity of care, calling the situation "almost morally reprehensible." - Optum-owned ProHealth Physicians will permanently close its primary care practice in Putnam, Conn., on Dec. 23. According to a Nov. 25 letter, two physicians are retiring and the remaining clinicians will move to ProHealth's pediatric and family medicine practice in Vernon, Conn. - Alan Chanales, MD, a pulmonary disease specialist in Rockville, Md., will close his practice on Dec. 31. He is…...

1+ hour, 52+ min ago (506+ words) At least 18 states took action on health insurers" use of prior authorization this year, a sign that lawmakers aren"t content to wait on federal regulators to step in on a key consumer and provider issue. A study published in Health Affairs Forefront examines how states are responding to growing concerns about prior authorization abuse, focusing both on the" processes insurers use to deny care and what tools and justifications they use to do so. The paper notes a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rule will impose more stipulations on Medicare Advantage and Marketplace insurers in 2027 "including offering a portal where consumers can better understand when prior authorization could be required, what documentation will be needed and the status of requests. That same rule requires MA plans to answer authorization requests within seven days, or as little as 72 hours in…...

3+ hour, 52+ min ago (977+ words) Medicare costs are rising again in 2026. Here's a closer look at what's changing. Big changes are coming for the roughly 69 million Americans receiving Medicare coverage, in particular, the 91% of plan participants enrolled in Part A and Part B. Policy watchers anticipate a series of cost and coverage changes in 2026, with some of the biggest shifts impacting deductible amounts, prescription drug costs, and eligibility requirements. Staying informed is one of the best ways to avoid wasting money in retirement, so here's a breakdown of what we know so far about the most far-reaching changes ahead. The standard Medicare Part B premium is expected to rise from $185 per month in 2025 to $206.50 in 2026, an 11.6% jump, or more than double last year's increase. The annual Part B deductible is projected to grow as well, from $257 to $288, a 12% bump. Prescription drug costs under Medicare Part D…...

4+ hour, 17+ min ago (489+ words) (The Center Square) " A series of changes in the North Carolina state health plan have wiped out projected budget deficits but staff officials on Monday did not rule out additional premium increases to maintain the plan's financial stability. The plan's costs are still increasing by about 6% a year while revenue from premiums is only going up about 3%, first-term Republican state Treasurer Brad Briner said in a news conference. "We have made very good progress in digging out of a hole," Briner said. "But we have more work to do. It's a basic business problem. If your expenses are going up faster than your revenues, you are going to be in trouble sooner rather than later. We've got to get that 6% down to 3%." Earlier this year, the board that governs the state health plan approved a new premium scale for employees…...

4+ hour, 32+ min ago (424+ words) UNC Health released a statement saying it has been "unable'to reach a new, fair agreement with Cigna." The current contract between the two companies ended on Sunday night.' "We urge patients to consider other insurance options if possible, and to contact Cigna by calling the number on the back of their member ID card," UNC Health said.' Cigna released a statement on Monday saying that it has offered to extend the current contract with UNC.' "Our goal is to keep UNC Health in network, and we have offered to extend our current contract. We remain engaged in discussions with a goal of reaching a fair agreement for our customers and their families." WRAL began reporting on the negotiations earlier this year. In July, UNC Health told WRAL, "Unfortunately, Cigna is not willing to engage in meaningful discussion or commit to…...

4+ hour, 34+ min ago (26+ words) The Greatest News Site On The Internet. Home of CFP Nation. Posted by Kane on December 1, 2025 2:23 pmNEWS JUNKIES -- CHECK OUT OUR HOMEPAGE...

5+ hour, 33+ min ago (687+ words) If you get your health insurance through a plan that is sponsored by your employer, once a year you receive notification that "open enrollment" is about to begin. Open enrollment is the period of time during which you can make your health insurance plan selections for the upcoming calendar year. Suze Orman, author, podcaster and personal finance advisor to the masses, cautions employees not to make this mistake during open enrollment. Here's what she has to say. Check Out: 5 Frugal Habits Suze Orman Still Follows Even Though She Can Afford Almost Anything Healthcare costs go beyond insurance premiums. There are also deductibles and co-pays to be considered. It's important to understand each of these costs. In a recent blog post, Orman refers to increasing premium costs that are expected in 2026. In fact, Mercer predicts that employers will see an increase…...

5+ hour, 47+ min ago (245+ words) Bob Herman is a business of health care reporter at STAT. He covers hospitals, health insurance, and other corners of the industry " with a goal of explaining and shining light on the massive amount of money flowing through the system. Prior to joining STAT in 2022, he covered the health care industry at Axios for more than five years. He also previously was an editor and reporter covering health insurance and hospitals at Modern Healthcare. Bob and his family are based in Indiana, so naturally he has a deep love for all things basketball. You can reach Bob on Signal at bobjherman.09. Medicare Advantage enrollment chaos, and more expensive stars You're reading STAT's Health Care Inc. newsletter Business of Health Care Reporter Bob Herman covers health insurance, government programs, hospitals, physicians, and other providers " reporting on how money influences those businesses…...

6+ hour, 20+ min ago (582+ words) Don't let common missteps cost you, key pitfalls to avoid as the 2025 enrollment window closes As the clock counts down toward December 7, the final day of open enrollment for Medicare in 2025, millions of beneficiaries find themselves scrambling to finalize their choices. In the rush, it's easy to make missteps that can have costly or inconvenient consequences throughout the coming year. Knowing the common mistakes can help you lock in the best plan for your needs and avoid needless headaches later. One of the biggest errors people make is failing to compare plans annually. It's tempting to stick with your existing plan, after all, it worked last year. But coverage benefits, premiums, copays, and formularies can all change year to year. What worked in 2024 may not be the best value in 2025. Skipping the review can leave you overpaying or left with…...

6+ hour, 32+ min ago (430+ words) Clouding up with some light snow developing towards dawn, especially west of I-476.. headline: Winter Weather Advisory from TUE 3:00 AM EST until TUE 1:00 PM EST headline: Winter Weather Advisory from TUE 4:00 AM EST until TUE 10:00 AM EST Open Enrollment for Medicare is coming to a close. Mike Hitcho of Hitcho Insurance says it's not too late to get his help at no charge. Mike Hitcho, CEO of Hitcho Insurance, helps explain what's happening with Affordable Care Act premiums and subsidies. Mike Hitcho of Hitcho Insurance explains that choosing the right Medicare insurance plan needn't be stressful. The world of Medicare Advantage plans is topsy turvy this year. Mike Hitcho of Hitcho Insurance Agency explains what's going on. Now is the time to review your Medicare coverage. Hitcho Insurance offers free plan reviews. Tens of thousands of Medicare Advantage plan members in…...