Tracy Davidson

About 27,000 people who buy Personal Choice health insurance directly from Independence Blue Cross rather than through an employer are facing steep increases in their premiums in March to maintain similar coverage – for some, greater than 60 percent – or are finding comparable coverage unavailable. Despite angry complaints from policyholders, Blue Cross says the [...]

Thousands of unemployed workers won’t have to worry about starting the new year without health insurance. President Obama has signed legislation that will allow laid-off workers to receive subsidized COBRA premiums for up to 15 months. Previously, the subsidy expired after nine months. The extension, included in a defense spending bill approved by Congress over [...]

At a time when the unemployment rate tops 10 percent, many unemployed Americans will no longer qualify for federally subsidized health insurance. That’s because a nine-month health-insurance subsidy that was part of the federal stimulus legislation began to end yesterday for many who have relied on it. As many as seven million people were eligible [...]

The economic stimulus bill signed into law in February subsidizes 65% of COBRA premiums for workers laid off between Sept. 1, 2008, and the end of this year. COBRA allows workers who leave their jobs to continue their former employer’s health insurance coverage for up to 18 months. The subsidy, though, expires after nine months. [...]

The PA Institute of Public Accountants has several pieces of advice for saving on your health insurance. If you lose your job: explore new COBRA options, if you’re healthy: research individual plans being offered by a number of providers, if you’re a recent grad: check with your state because many have extended coverage.

New Jersey has announced a plan to offer swine flu vaccines for free to uninsured residents, and possibly waive the cost for those with insurance. Vaccines are expected to become available in mid to late October and will be geared toward those most vulnerable including pregnant women, the elderly, healthcare workers and those under 24. [...]

You can find reviews on almost anything by searching the web- from appliances to vacation spots to restaurants. When it comes to your health though, there are no detailed reports outlining mistakes that hospitals make, but that’s all about to change. Governor Jon Corzine is expected to sign legislation today that will bar hospitals from [...]

The Labor Department reported that more than $3.1 billion in stimulus funds are simply sitting in a federal trust fund because 23 states have neglected to expand their jobless benefits. According to the National Employment Law Project, that’s enough money to give benefits to nearly 350,000 unemployed Americans. Pennsylvania ranks among the top 5 states [...]

An alternative to Obama’s government-run health care plan has entered the debate in Washington-it’s known as the “cooperative” approach. Co-ops are non-profit, non-governmental organizations run by consumers that are aimed at restraining costs and providing coverage for more uninsured Americans. The details are still vague and some officials fear that co-ops would take too long [...]

Some positive news for your paycheck- the percentage of employers who plan to reverse pay cuts rose 44% in August- that’s up from 30% two months ago. Out of 175 large employers surveyed, about 1/3 said they plan to unfreeze salaries within the next 6 months and 1/4 of employers plan to reverse reductions in [...]