A new law expands who is eligible for charity care in Maine while federal Medicaid cuts are expected to push tens of thousands off public insurance.
A law signed by Gov. Janet Mills earlier this month will make more people in Maine eligible for free care at Maine hospitals, a move advocates say will ease the financial burden of medical care on low-income Mainers.
Medicare Advantage could become the default health-insurance program for all older adults.
A recent proposal in Congress would automatically enroll older adults in a Medicare Advantage plan and then lock them into that plan for three years — unless they actively opt for traditional Medicare coverage.
Humana said on Tuesday it would eliminate about one-third of prior authorizations for outpatient services by next year, the latest insurer to address the tedious paperwork process that has been a pain point for patients and providers.
The company will remove the authorization requirement for diagnostic services across colonoscopies and transthoracic echocardiograms and select CT scans and MRIs by January 1, 2026.
New Jersey law requiring hospitals to provide care to patients who cannot pay is constitutional despite the fact that the state does not reimburse them for all — or even most of — the costs associated with charity care, the state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday.
With state and federal policymakers eyeing restrictions on health insurers’ use of the care-delaying cost-control process of prior authorization, the nation’s biggest carriers are pledging anew to make changes on a voluntary basis.
Hospitals could be on the hook for significantly higher outpatient drug prices. Because of the cuts to Medicaid, hospitals in the 340B program will see fewer Medicaid patients and may risk losing their 340B status.