health insurance

Although Americans are less healthy than those in other wealthy nations, the reasons for this are hard to discern, according to a new report by the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine. It found that on average, Americans die sooner and experience higher rates of disease and injury than people in other high-income countries. The report found that this health disadvantage exists at all ages from birth to age 75 and that even advantaged…

Most of the country is experiencing higher levels of the flu, according to the Centers For Disease Control. The CDC is encouraging those who haven’t been vaccinated to get a flu shot before they run out and to seek antiviral treatment when appropriate. Reports of Influenza-Like-Illness are nearing what have been peak levels during moderately severe seasons, according to Dr. Joe Bresee, chief of the Epidemiology and Prevention Branch in CDC’s Influenza Division. “While we…

Healthcare spending rose by just 3.9 percent for the third year in a row in 2011, according to a study published in the journal Health Affairs and based on data from the National Health Expenditure Accounts. It’s the slowest rate of growth in the 52-year history of these records. Total health care spending growth in 2010 and 2011 continued to track closely with the growth in nominal Gross Domestic Product in both years, and the health…

Although doctors have long warned about the health risks of being overweight, having just a few extra pounds might offer some benefit. Obesity is still as lethal as it ever was. The question involves those who have a slightly elevated Body Mass Index. In an analysis of nearly 100 studies that included approximately 3 million adults, relative to normal weight, overall obesity and higher levels of obesity were both associated with a significantly higher all-cause risk of…

Although health insurance plans are required to include tobacco cessation coverage, many of them don’t according to a study by Georgetown University researchers. The requirement is for all tobacco users, not just smokers. The authors recommend that federal and state regulators give insurers detailed guidance on what tobacco cessation coverage is required under the Affordable Care Act. The ACA requires all new private health insurance plans to cover preventive health services recommended with an A…

In 2012, U.S. companies and their employees saw the lowest health care premium rate increases in six years, according to an analysis by Aon Hewitt. The average health care premium rate increase for large employers in 2012 was 4.9 percent, down from 8.5 percent in 2011 and 6.2 percent in 2010. That’s expected to change in 2013, as the company foresees rate increases of up to 6.3 percent. Aon Hewitt’s analysis showed the average health…

Consumer-driven health plans have surpassed health maintenance organizations to become the second most common plan offered by U.S. employers, according to Aon Hewitt, a human resource consulting firm The company surveyed nearly 2,000 U.S. employers representing more than 20 million U.S. employees and their dependents to find that in 2011 that 58 percent of employers offered a CDHP and 38 percent offered HMO plans. Preferred Provider Organizations continue to be the most widely offered plans, with 79 percent of…