The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) oversees various healthcare regulations and requirements for providers participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, CMS instituted vaccine mandates for healthcare staff in many facilities. However, CMS has now ended this federal vaccine mandate as of 2023. Below we’ll cover the background on CMS’ … Read more
UnitedHealthcare and WellMed Medical Management have an affiliation through which WellMed manages certain administrative services for UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans in select states. However, WellMed operates as a separate company from UnitedHealthcare with its own provider network and clinical services. Below we’ll explain the relationship between WellMed and UnitedHealthcare, how they collaborate on Medicare Advantage … Read more
Blue Shield of California offers a variety of health insurance plans to meet the diverse needs of individuals, families, and employers across the state. Two of their most popular HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plans are the Trio HMO and Access+ HMO. But what exactly is the difference between these two plans? In this comprehensive guide, … Read more
Medicare undergoes changes each year to adjust costs, benefits, and coverage. However, 2023 marks one of the most significant years for adjustments to the Medicare program. This article will explain the most notable Medicare rule changes going into effect in 2023. Part A Cost Changes Medicare Part A covers hospital insurance services, including inpatient hospital … Read more
The insurance industry in India has seen rapid growth in the last few years. To further increase insurance penetration in the country, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) introduced a new distribution model in 2015. This model gave rise to Point of Sale Persons (PoSPs) as a new category of insurance distributors. … Read more
Purchasing life insurance is an important way to protect your loved ones financially in the event of your death. When you buy a life insurance policy, you name one or more beneficiaries who will receive the death benefit payout when you pass away. But what if your beneficiary dies before you do? This situation may … Read more
Medicare is a federal health insurance program that provides coverage for people aged 65 and older as well as some younger individuals with disabilities. The various parts of Medicare help cover specific healthcare costs and services. Two components that often cause confusion are Medicare Part C and Part G. This guide will explain: What Part … Read more
The cost of living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security benefits is one of the most anticipated economic announcements each year. The COLA is based on the inflation rate and aims to help Social Security beneficiaries keep up with rising prices. For 2023, the COLA was a historically high 8.7% – the fourth-largest increase since automatic … Read more
Cigna Open Access Plus (OAP) is a type of preferred provider organization (PPO) health insurance plan offered by Cigna. As a PPO, the OAP plan provides more flexibility in choosing doctors compared to health maintenance organization (HMO) plans. But you may be wondering, what exactly is a PPO and how does the Cigna OAP plan … Read more
Arthritis is a term that describes over 100 medical conditions that affect the joints and surrounding tissues. It results in pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints that can limit mobility and reduce quality of life. But what is the most common type of arthritis that affects people? Keep reading to learn more. Osteoarthritis is … Read more