Medigap May Be Elusive for Medicare Beneficiaries with Pre-Existing Conditions

This issue brief analyzes federal and state guaranteed issue rules and how they impact beneficiaries’ access to Medigap, including the implications for Medicare beneficiaries with pre-existing conditions and those under age 65 with long-term disabilities. This brief also explores a recently finalized rule: Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities regarding Section 1557 of the Affordable…

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Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities: Potential Implications of the Election

Former President Trump and Vice President Harris have taken widely different stances and approaches on recognizing and addressing racial and ethnic disparities. These differences can be seen across areas of health care, including health coverage, reproductive and maternal health, and immigrant health and well-being and are likely to have important implications for future efforts to…

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Understanding the Inequitable Impacts of Hurricanes and Other Natural Disasters in the Wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton

The Southeast region of the U.S. is particularly vulnerable to severe tropical storms due to climate change, and its persistently high poverty rates inhibit residents’ ability to prepare for and recover from storms. Many of the states in the Southeast have not implemented the ACA Medicaid expansion, leaving lower income residents with more limited access…

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The Opportunities and Realities of Citizen-Initiated State Ballot Abortion Measures

Presidential candidate Trump claims credit for SCOTUS’ Dobbs decision and says that as a result, the “states are voting.” States are making decisions on abortion policy, but it’s mostly been state legislatures, not voters. Few states with abortion bans have a process for citizen-initiated constitutional amendments. In those states, lawmakers and anti-abortion activists have attempted…

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Denial prevention: Why manage denials when you can prevent them?

The denial challenge is getting tougher. In Experian Health’s latest State of Claims 2024 survey, almost three-quarters of healthcare administrators agree that claim denials are increasing. The majority also agree that difficulties with claims—like reimbursement times, errors, and payer policy changes—are becoming more common. It’s no surprise that denial prevention is a priority for 84% of respondents….

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The Journey to an Infection Prevention and Control Career

The Journey to an Infection Prevention and Control Career In the complex world of health care, infection prevention and control (IPC) is crucial to keeping everyone safe. IPC helps protect healthcare professionals and reduces patients’ risk for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), which they can get while or soon after receiving care. HAIs can lead to prolonged…

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