PwC’s latest annual analysis forecasts that group health insurance costs will increase by 8.5% in 2026—the third straight year at this elevated trend. This sustained rise means health care expenses are now similar to those seen 15 years ago, after a brief dip post-pandemic. Researchers gathered data from actuaries at 24 major U.S. health plans, … Continued
Big changes are coming to women’s preventive care coverage! Starting with plan years on or after December 31, 2025, group health plans and health insurance issuers must expand their no-cost coverage for women’s preventive care. This expansion includes additional breast cancer imaging or testing needed to complete an initial mammogram, as well as patient navigation … Continued
All too often, illness or injury appears out of the blue: You wake up in the middle of the night with intense abdominal pain. Or your baby spikes a high fever on the weekend. These situations are stressful and it’s hard to think when you’re under stress. But you need to decide where to go … Continued
The old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” rings truer than ever in today’s world. While reactive healthcare plays a crucial role in treating illness, a growing emphasis is being placed on the power of health prevention and wellness. Investing in preventive measures and promoting overall well-being isn’t just about … Continued
Does a Health Plan Typically Pay for Services from Any Doctor? Not always. Some types of plans encourage or require consumers to get care from a specific set of doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and other medical service providers who have entered into contracts with the plan to provide items and services at a negotiated rate. The … Continued
Insurance Costs Consumers typically pay the following types of costs when they have insurance. Premium: The premium is an amount of money a consumer pays for a health insurance plan. The consumer and/or their employer usually make this payment bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly. The premium must be paid regardless of how many services, if … Continued
Everyone needs health insurance but many people don’t fully understand it. One important concept to understand is your deductible. A deductible is the amount of money that must be paid for covered services before the health insurance company begins paying for expenses. For an individual plan, the deductible is straightforward. But family plans are a … Continued
What is Health Insurance and Why is it Important? Health insurance is a legal entitlement to payment or reimbursement for your health care costs, generally under a contract with a health insurance company. Health insurance provides important financial protection in case you have an accident or sickness. For example, health insurance may help to pay … Continued
Protection from high medical costs Health insurance provides important financial protection in case you have a serious accident or sickness. People without health coverage are exposed to these costs. This can sometimes lead people without coverage into deep debt or even into bankruptcy. It’s easy to underestimate how much medical care can cost: Fixing a … Continued
Health insurance may not be the most exciting thing to shop for but it’s one of the most important things that you can buy for yourself and for your family. Having health insurance has many benefits. It protects you and your family from financial loss in the same way that home or car insurance does. … Continued
