Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'insurance'

Charges For Vaccines Vary Widely, Study Finds

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 01:58:00 EST

A study published in this month's Pediatrics journal found that there was an exceedingly wide variation not only in what pediatricians and family practitioners paid for vaccines, but also in the reimbursements they received from insurers and managed care organizations.

Take Advantage Of Medicare Changes Now

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 00:07:00 EST

You only have until Dec. 31 to switch from one Medicare prescription drug plan to another. With many insurers changing the details of next year's plans, it's worth reconsidering which plan is best for you.

Radio Gift: Dr. Boots Tries A No-Insurance Model

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST

Day to Day has only radio to give you this holiday season. With that in mind, Kathleen Tacelosky asked us to produce a story on her sister-in-law — a doctor in New Jersey who doesn't accept health insurance from her clients.

Mexican Hospitals Aim To Attract More Americans

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 01:10:00 EST

As many Americans struggle to pay for health care or health insurance, hospitals in Mexico are expanding in hopes of wooing more patients from north of the border. Costs for procedures are often significantly cheaper due to less overhead in Mexico.

Single-Payer Health Care: If Not Now, When...

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:29:00 EST

With a Democratic president about to take office and strong majorities in the House and Senate, backers of single-payer national health insurance are saying now is their moment. But passage of a government-funded national health plan isn't much more likely in the next four years than it was the last time Democrats controlled Washington.

How Healthcare Fares During A Recession

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:12:00 EST

It's hard enough being a doctor, let alone running your own practice. As patients face ever tightening budgets, some people skip important screenings and tests over insurance worries. To learn more, Farai Chideya talks to Dr. Thomas Lee, and Dr. Tanyech Walford.

FHA Loans May Hold Key For Would-Be Homeowners

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:38:00 EST

A program created in the 1930s to help pull the country out of the Great Depression has come back in fashion. The Federal Housing Administration is now insuring nearly a third of the nation's home loans. But some people are calling FHA loans the "new sub-prime."

Economist: Health Care Key To Stimulus

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:50:00 EST

Uwe Reinhardt, professor of economics and public affairs at Princeton University, calls the health care sector the "strongest economic locomotive working for us." He estimates that by 2015, health care will be one-fifth the size of the U.S. economy and says this is a good time to expand health insurance coverage for the uninsured.

Eighteen-Wheelers And A Health Insurance Crunch

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:10:00 EST

In Flora, Ill., Huck's convenient store is where lives intersect. Sandy Higgs works the counter there, and she also has a job maintaining big rigs to make ends meet. Neither she nor one of the company's truckers get health insurance from the job — and each faces a looming crisis.

Unemployment Funds Running Dry in California

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST

When people are laid off, one of the first things they often do, is apply for unemployment insurance. But in California, funds for unemployment support are nearly gone. We examine what people can do to still get an unemployment check.

Health Coverage For Volunteers Often Limited

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:59:00 EST

An increasing number of young adults are choosing to volunteer. Most organizations provide health insurance to the volunteers, who effectively live at the poverty level, but the benefits are not usually as complete as employer-provided insurance.

Finding Health Insurance Can Be Tricky For Grads

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:50:00 EST

Many young adults transition out of college into jobs that have limited benefits. Negotiating how to find health insurance that will meet their needs can be difficult.

Flu On Campus: Avoiding Misery For $20

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:29:00 EST

Every year, about 1 in 4 college students gets the flu. A $20 flu shot can be a cheap insurance policy against aching joints and muscles, high fever, missed classes. But even that isn't enough to motivate some students to get vaccinated, so one health expert is trying an economic argument.

Firm To Offer Right To Buy Health Policy

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST

The UnitedHealth Group will sell the right to buy an individual health policy at some point in the future even if you become sick. Called UnitedHealth Continuity, the product is not actual medical insurance, but is aimed at people who may have insurance but are worried they may lose it.

Mass. Health Care Reform Reveals Doctor Shortage

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 14:39:00 EST

Health care reform in Massachusetts has led to a dramatic increase in the number of people with health insurance. But there's an unintended consequence. A sudden demand for primary care doctors has outpaced the supply.

Feeding The Hungry During Rough Times

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

This week we look at the state of the social safety net in the United States. Given the forecast of a prolonged economic downturn, the country will have to rethink social services such as unemployment insurance, healthcare, and retirement. Michael Flood, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, discusses the state of the food bank system.

The State Of The Social Safety Net

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

This week we look at the state of the social safety net in the United States. Given the forecast of a prolonged economic downturn, the country will have to rethink social services such as unemployment insurance, healthcare, and retirement. Jeff Zinsemeyer from the Doorways to Dreams program, shares his thoughts.

Social Services In Jeopardy

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

Given the forecast of a prolonged economic downturn, the country will have to rethink social services such as unemployment insurance and welfare. Princeton economist Alan Blinder offers suggestions on how to rework the social safety net.

Does Losing A Job Mean Losing Your Health Care...

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 01:19:00 EST

It's a common story: You lose your job, and your health insurance goes with it. But it doesn't always have to be this way. An expert offers several alternatives to prevent your medical bills from adding to your stress.

Farmers' Health Insurance: A Costly Row To Hoe

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:25:00 EST

Many U.S. farmers struggle to meet their health care costs. A recent survey by the nonprofit Access Project says farmers pay twice as much as nonfarmers for insurance and out-of-pocket expenses. As small business owners, they have few options and often buy insurance as individuals.

How To Qualify For Bailout Money

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

Everyone is angling for their piece of the $700 billion bailout pie; insurance giant AIG, American Express and now the auto industry are asking for large chunks of money. With so many different companies asking for help, it is difficult to keep track of where the money is going. The CEO of Clusterstock.com discusses what conditions companies have to meet to qualify for help.

Q&A: Bailout Becomes Magnet For Other Industries

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:29:00 EST

Insurance giant AIG is poised to get a revamped relief package worth $150 billion. That includes funds drawn from the government's $700 billion bailout plan. Previously, the Treasury Department had said the money was reserved for financial companies. Now the Big Three automakers are knocking at the door.

U.S. Boosts AIG Bailout Package

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

The U.S. is giving new financial assistance to American International Group, providing $40 billion to the troubled insurance giant in return for partial ownership. The government will replace a proposal to give the firm $123 billion with one worth $150 billion.

Government To Give AIG $40B More

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

The U.S. government will provide insurance company American International Group with an additional $40 billion. The move comes after AIG already received more than $100 billion of the original bailout package in September.

Health Care Reform Looms Over Next Presidency

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:03:00 EST

Health care is one issue President-elect Barack Obama won't be able to duck. Some 46 million Americans have no insurance, and millions of others are one serious illness away from financial catastrophe. Many people who voted for Obama are expecting him to do something big to fix the problem.