The Medicare refund rule refers to federal regulations that require healthcare providers to report and return any Medicare overpayments within a specified timeframe. This rule, which was enacted as part of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, is an important mechanism to ensure program integrity and prevent fraud, waste and abuse in the Medicare system. … Read more
Using someone else’s medical insurance may seem like an easy way to get healthcare coverage, but it is actually illegal and can have serious consequences. This article will explain why you should never use another person’s insurance, the penalties you may face, and legal options to get your own affordable healthcare coverage. Why You Should … Read more
Dealing with insurance claims can be confusing, especially when you see your claim has a “pending” status. This article explains what a pending claim means and the reasons insurers use this designation before approving or denying a claim. What Does “Pending” Mean for an Insurance Claim? When an insurance claim is marked as “pending”, it … Read more
An insurance contract involves a legally binding agreement between an insurance company and a policyholder. For the agreement to be valid and enforceable, it must contain certain essential elements as required by insurance law and regulations. This article provides an overview of the key elements that comprise an insurance contract. Basic Contract Elements Like all … Read more
Insurance company failures can be distressing events for policyholders. However, safeguards exist to protect consumers if their insurer becomes insolvent. This article provides an overview of what happens when an insurance company fails and how states regulate and support policyholders when insolvencies occur. How Insurers Fall Into Financial Trouble Insurance companies can fail for several … Read more
If you receive Medicare benefits and suffer injuries in an accident caused by someone else, you may be able to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. However, if Medicare covered treatment for your accident-related injuries, they may seek reimbursement from any settlement you receive. So how much can Medicare take? Below we’ll … Read more
Property and casualty insurance provides protection against loss or damage to property as well as legal liability. Homeowners insurance, auto insurance, and business insurance are all common types of property and casualty coverage. The process of evaluating risks and determining appropriate premiums for property and casualty policies is known as underwriting. Below we’ll explain exactly … Read more
When reviewing your insurance policy, you may come across the term “retention” along with a dollar amount. This is an important concept to understand, as it refers to the portion of any claim you are responsible for paying before the insurance company’s coverage kicks in. Below we’ll explain exactly what retention is, how it works … Read more
Stacked insurance is an option that can provide drivers with extra protection in the event of an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist. By combining or “stacking” coverage from multiple vehicles or policies, you can increase the limits of your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. But what if you only have one car? Is stacked … Read more
Mold can be a headache for homeowners. If left unchecked, it can cause extensive damage to your home. So does your USAA homeowners insurance policy cover mold? The short answer is yes, USAA homeowners insurance can provide coverage for mold damage under certain conditions. In this article, we’ll explain exactly how USAA covers mold, key … Read more