Healthcare

Insurer will get 5% more in Medicare payments and a “five-star” rating for one of its health plans under a U.S. program that may be helping to improve care for the elderly, according to an analysis that quickly spurred Republican criticism.

After the vice presidential debate in which Joe Biden challenged Paul Ryan on health care and taxes, experts say President Obama needs to take a similar stance tonight and go on the offensive, laying out clear contrasts with Mitt Romney and making the kind of personal connection with voters that helped him win four years ago.

Health care analysts mystified by Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney’s promise to preserve the segment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that bars excluding Americans with preexisting conditions from obtaining coverage.

The American Medical Association and Medical Association of Georgia are fighting efforts in Georgia to undo the state’s law requiring insurers that provide third-party administrative services to pay claims in a timely manner.

The consulting firm finds that almost a third of voluntary sales in 2011 were to the largest employers, but no market has reached its saturation point.

The amount of venture capital being spent on Health IT companies is increasing, and technology is partying like it’s 1999 as geeks are transforming health care.

Interactive tech can help an employee better understand benefits at the beginning and guide them through the program, maximizing information and engagement.

Mississippi’s governor and insurance commissioners are at odds over whether the state should begin its marketplace exchanges in accordance with health care reform.

HR professionals with companies ranked by the Principal Financial Group as among the most financially sound for employees say getting workers to grow with a firm is the best strategy.

The Employee Benefit Research Institute says even high-income workers are more likely to retire comfortably if they start their 401(k) with bigger bites.