Category: Health Care

KBIA Radio, July 8, 2015 Financial disclosures aren’t just for political candidates. New data released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services shows that Missouri doctors received at least $71.9 million from medical device and drug companies in 2014 and the latter half of 2013. Illinois doctors pulled in $104 million during that same time period, many of whom hail from the Chicago area. The statewide totals were compiled in a searchable database by ProPublica, a non ...

ST. LOUIS, Mo., May 19, 2015 -- Consumers Council of Missouri has released it guide to helping Missourians review health insurance rates in order to make an important aspect of health care more transparent and accountable.  The state of Missouri has no law requiring health insurance companies to even file their rates much less have them reviewed or analyzed. The federal Affordable Care Act provides that the Department of Health and Human Services do rate review in states that ha ...

Inside Health Policy, November 20, 2014 The executive director of the Missouri consumer advocacy group that had filed action against HHS for failing to provide information on issuers' proposed rate increases called the department's recent release of premium data too little too late, and said she remains disappointed with the department. HHS did release some of the information but did so in a non-user friendly manner, using spreadsheets instead of forms that are difficult to revi ...

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, October 6, 2014 As part of their guerrilla war on Obamacare, Missouri lawmakers not only have failed to pass Medicaid expansion, but have forbidden state insurance regulators from reviewing proposed prices and other details about health plans on the federal health exchange. That means thousands of Missourians must shop for coverage without the information they need to make informed decisions. What a terribly cynical and mean-spirited thing to do in ...

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, October 2, 2014 A Missouri consumer advocacy group is suing the federal government in an attempt to force the public disclosure of health insurance rate information ahead of the upcoming enrollment period. The Consumers Council of Missouri said it filed the lawsuit late Tuesday in U.S. District Court in St. Louis after its Freedom of Information Act request for the rate filings was denied by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ...

St. Lous Post-Dispatch, April 2, 2014 WASHINGTON (AP) — It's not too late to get covered. A few routes remain open for those who missed the health care law's big enrollment deadline. Millions may be eligible for a second chance to sign up for subsidized insurance this year. And people who get coverage after the deadline can still avoid, or at least reduce, the fine for going uninsured. Here are five options for those still without insurance: ___ 1. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ...

Think Progress, January 23, 2014 A federal district court judge in Jefferson City has temporarily blocked enforcement of a state law that puts restrictions on individuals and organizations trying to help people sign up for health coverage under Obamacare. Obamacare uses so-called state navigators and enrollment counselors to assist Americans who are looking to buy health plans. These navigators include doctors, nonprofit organizations, social workers, and community groups. Th ...

After opening three weeks ago, the new Missouri Health Insurance Marketplace website is steadily improving.  Missourians are starting to enroll in new, quality, affordable health insurance, many with financial help.  The website has experienced some difficulties, so please be patient and keep trying. Give it a try -- shop the Marketplace at www.healthcare.gov and make your way to Missouri. We know lots of people still have questions: What does it mean? How does it work? How c ...