Medigap

Price Sensitive Medicare Advantage Enrollees Continue to Favor $0-Premium Plans and Lower Deductibles, eHealth Report Finds

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 7, 2024
AEP, Medicare, EHealth, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, Medicare Part D, Research, Insurance, Health insurance

AUSTIN, Texas, March 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For deeper insights into Medicare insurance trends, look beyond what's merely available in the market for beneficiaries to choose from. Look instead at what they actually select for themselves. eHealth's seventh-annual Medicare Index Report sets itself apart from other market analyses by doing just that.

Key Points: 
  • eHealth's seventh-annual Medicare Index Report sets itself apart from other market analyses by doing just that.
  • New original research published today by eHealth, Inc. (Nasdaq: EHTH) ( eHealth.com ), a leading online private health insurance marketplace, highlights average costs and plan selection trends among Medicare beneficiaries who chose Medicare Advantage and Part D plans through eHealth during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) for 2024 coverage.
  • Average premium for Medicare Supplement plans is up this year: Though enrollment in Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans is not governed by AEP, the average premium for plans selected by eHealth customers during this period is up 9% year over year, from $173 to $189 per month.
  • Like other insurance brokers, eHealth is compensated on a fixed per-member basis for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, as regulated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and on a percentage of premium basis for most Medicare Supplement plans.

SilverSneakers Honors Top Fitness Instructors and Opens Nominations for 2024 Instructor of the Year Award

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 4, 2024
Quality of life, Ageing, Medicare Advantage, Magic, Medigap, Life, Tivity Health, Health, Medicare, Nursing

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SilverSneakers® by Tivity Health®, the nation's leading fitness program designed for older adults, continues to honor eligible SilverSneakers instructors who challenge and motivate their SilverSneakers members through the SilverSneakers Instructor of the Year Award. Nominations are now open for SilverSneakers Members to honor the top instructors who encourage, challenge and inspire seniors across the nation to stay active and prioritize health.

Key Points: 
  • Esteemed award honors SilverSneakers fitness instructors who encourage, challenge and inspire seniors to improve their health and quality of life
    NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SilverSneakers® by Tivity Health®, the nation's leading fitness program designed for older adults, continues to honor eligible SilverSneakers instructors who challenge and motivate their SilverSneakers members through the SilverSneakers Instructor of the Year Award.
  • "We consistently hear from members how SilverSneakers instructors bring the "magic" to the SilverSneakers classes," said Hill Ferguson, CEO of Tivity Health.
  • The Instructor of the Year Award recognizes SilverSneakers instructors who challenge and motivate SilverSneakers members.
  • SilverSneakers members have access to classes led by SilverSneakers instructors ranging in fitness abilities, as well as opportunities to engage socially to help achieve optimal health.

AM Best Comments on Health Care Service Corporation’s Planned Acquisition of The Cigna Group’s Medicare Business

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 2, 2024
Insurance, Professional Services, Cigna, Medigap, Medicare Part D, News, AM Best, HCSC, Credit, Health Care Service Corporation, Acquisition, ALL, Medicare

The transaction is expected to expand HCSC’s geographic diversification with the addition of business outside of HCSC’s core Blue Branded states.

Key Points: 
  • The transaction is expected to expand HCSC’s geographic diversification with the addition of business outside of HCSC’s core Blue Branded states.
  • Additionally, the additional membership and revenues will aid in providing additional scale and capabilities to HCSC’s Medicare Advantage business.
  • The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025, subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions.
  • AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry.

AM Best Places Credit Ratings for Several Subsidiaries of The Cigna Group Under Review with Developing Implications

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 2, 2024
Banking, Professional Services, Insurance, Finance, Medigap, Medicare Part D, News, AM Best, FSR, Credit, Health Care Service Corporation, Medicare Advantage, ALL, Medicare

Concurrently, AM Best also has placed under review with developing implications the FSRs of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of “a” (Excellent) of four Cigna HealthSpring companies.

Key Points: 
  • Concurrently, AM Best also has placed under review with developing implications the FSRs of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of “a” (Excellent) of four Cigna HealthSpring companies.
  • All entities are part of The Cigna Group (collectively referred to as Cigna) (headquartered in Bloomfield, CT) [NYSE: CI].
  • The Credit Ratings (ratings) of all other Cigna entities are unaffected.
  • For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings .

It’s Time to Stop Operating in Silos

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 25, 2024
Men, General Health, Professional Services, Pharmaceutical, Consumer, Hospitals, Health Insurance, Women, Insurance, Seniors, Consulting, Health, Patient, Hospital, Leg, Medicare Advantage, Medicare, Medicine, Pharmacy, Medigap, Investment, CMS, MCUSA, Confusion, Vacuum, MOD, Physician, Health care

“Complicating matters are the vast resources that insurers, brokers, retailers, grocery stores and financial service providers expend promoting Medicare plans for their own financial interests.

Key Points: 
  • “Complicating matters are the vast resources that insurers, brokers, retailers, grocery stores and financial service providers expend promoting Medicare plans for their own financial interests.
  • This adds confusion to the very purpose of health insurance which is to cover the cost of health care services rendered by a patient’s care team.
  • “CMS is done stimulating growth in Medicare Advantage and making changes that will impact everyone far and wide,” continues Lenderman.
  • In 2023 the company began working more actively with independent physicians, community pharmacies and retail chains to better understand their unique challenges.

Element3 Health Announces Rebranding, Changes Name to Grouper

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Social isolation, Death, American Contract Bridge League, Overalls, Medicare Advantage, Health, Smoking, Multimedia, Medicare, Partnership, Happiness, USBC, Mental health, Work, Risk, Software, Medigap, Congress, Longevity, Directory, Friends, Loneliness, ACBL, Growth

BOSTON, Jan. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Element3 Health, the national leader in group activity management and benefit administration, has changed its name to Grouper. The change reflects the company's deep commitment to improving health, happiness and longevity through group activities and the social connections they create. The change comes at a time of rapid growth for the company, which saw its membership increase by over 500% last year.

Key Points: 
  • BOSTON, Jan. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Element3 Health, the national leader in group activity management and benefit administration, has changed its name to Grouper.
  • The change reflects the company's deep commitment to improving health, happiness and longevity through group activities and the social connections they create.
  • The decline in social connectivity has, in turn, led to a public health crisis.
  • "We want to improve physical and mental health by focusing on improving social fitness," said Doug Wenners, Grouper's CEO.

Patina and Humana team to deliver convenient, relationship-centered primary care to Medicare Advantage members in the Charlotte region

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Cigna, Partnership, Medigap, PCP, Health, UnitedHealth Group, Medicare, Ageing, Lincoln, Patient, Nursing

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Patina, the relationship-centered primary care provider dedicated to improving the healthcare and aging experience for older adults, and leading health and well-being company Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM), (NYSE: HUM), have finalized an agreement to offer Patina's virtual and in-home primary care services to Humana Medicare Advantage members in the Charlotte area beginning November 1, 2023.

Key Points: 
  • Patina's approach to primary care is rooted in deep, trusting relationships with patients.
  • Care is provided through a dedicated team that includes a primary care practitioner (PCP) and a Patina health champion, who assists with everything from appointment scheduling and help with accessing needed resources to care coordination across specialists.
  • The expansion with Humana in the Charlotte market marks a significant milestone in Patina's growth, enabling the company to offer its primary care services to more than 170,000 Medicare Advantage members in the region served by Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna and Cigna.
  • Patina also accepts Original Medicare and Medigap insurance plans, further extending care options for Medicare beneficiaries across the Charlotte area.

Crum & Forster Accident & Health Promotes Tanya Arrowsmith to Senior Vice President of the Division's Medical Business Unit

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Division, MBU, Medigap, ESL, Swiss Re, University, Stop loss, SVP, Senior, Insurance

EATONTOWN, N.J., Jan. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Crum & Forster's (C&F) Accident & Health (A&H) Division announces the promotion of Tanya Arrowsmith to Senior Vice President.

Key Points: 
  • EATONTOWN, N.J., Jan. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Crum & Forster's (C&F) Accident & Health (A&H) Division announces the promotion of Tanya Arrowsmith to Senior Vice President.
  • In this role, she will lead the Division's successful Medical Business Unit (MBU) and its suite of products, including Employer Stop Loss, HMO Reinsurance and Provider Excess of Loss, Medicare Supplement, and Ancillary & Employee Benefits.
  • Ms. Arrowsmith joined C&F in 2019 and served as Vice President of A&H, working on all aspects of medical underwriting and account management, with a primary focus on Managing General Underwriter programs.
  • "I'm excited to have Tanya at the helm of our Medical Business Unit," said Gary McGeddy, President of Crum & Forster Accident & Health.

Medicare Advantage vs. Original Medicare: Which is best for you?

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, Research, Health policy, Medicare Part D, FAQ, KFF, Part, Medicare (United States), Prescription, Travel, Kool-Aid, Plasma protein binding, Medicare, Medigap, Government, Health insurance

Minneapolis, MN, Nov. 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With Medicare open enrollment underway, it’s helpful for consumers to understand the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.

Key Points: 
  • Minneapolis, MN, Nov. 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With Medicare open enrollment underway, it’s helpful for consumers to understand the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
  • During the open enrollment period, millions of Medicare enrollees can :
    Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, or vice versa.
  • Here are a few things to consider when deciding between Original Medicare versus Medicare Advantage, or pairing Original Medicare with a Medigap or Part D plan.
  • Prescription drug costs: Most Medicare Advantage plans include Medicare Part D drug coverage, but if you’re considering a Medicare Advantage plan, it’s a good idea to confirm and make sure.

Josie Abboud Elected to Mutual of Omaha Board of Directors

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Insurance, Professional Services, Medigap, Methodist Hospital, Policy, Creighton University, Mutual, Nursing, Modern Healthcare, Strategic planning, American Cancer Society, American College, Becker's Hospital Review, Methodism, Abboud, Regis University, Growth, Hospital, Management

Josie Abboud, President and CEO of Omaha’s Methodist Hospital and Methodist Women’s Hospital, has been elected to the Mutual of Omaha Board of Directors, Chairman and CEO James Blackledge announced.

Key Points: 
  • Josie Abboud, President and CEO of Omaha’s Methodist Hospital and Methodist Women’s Hospital, has been elected to the Mutual of Omaha Board of Directors, Chairman and CEO James Blackledge announced.
  • She also is a recipient of the American Cancer Society’s National St. George Award.
  • “Josie Abboud brings a wealth of experience and expertise in health care policy and leadership to the Mutual of Omaha Board of Directors,” Blackledge said.
  • She earned her bachelor's degree in nursing at Creighton University and her master's degree in business administration and health care management from Regis University in Denver.