Mainers seeking to sign up for health insurance through online marketplaces that launched Tuesday under Obamacare weren’t stalled by the government shutdown which is rooted in an impasse over the law in the nation’s capital. But technical glitches — along with the political infighting — tested consumers’ patience. More than 1 million people visited Healthcare.gov, […]
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Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Lewiston-Auburn, The Franklin Journal
Obamacare enrollment presentation at Lewiston Public Library
LEWISTON — Potential enrollees gathered for an informational presentation about the Affordable Care Act at the Lewiston Public Library on Tuesday evening. State Sen. Margaret Craven delivered opening statements to a group of about six, explaining her role on the ACA Oversight Committee. She told the group that she was excited for the self-employed to […]
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Posted inMaine
ACA aware: Watch out for scams, cons and fraud
State officials have a message for you: No one from the government will be calling to sell you insurance. If someone does, it’s a scam. Also, that person calling to set you up with a new “Obamacare” insurance card? Scam. That site that says it’ll sign you up for insurance from the marketplace before everyone […]
Posted insj-web
Maine marketplace rates exceed national average
AUGUSTA (AP) — The costs of plans being offered on Maine’s health insurance marketplace are among the highest in the country on average before tax credits for lower-income individuals and out-of-pocket costs are factored in, according to a federal report released Wednesday. Maine residents will pay an average of $403 a month for a mid-range […]
Posted inFranklin, Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, Oxford Hills, River Valley
Maine health insurance companies say they have won final approval for upcoming marketplace
LEWISTON — Officials from Maine Community Health Options and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield say their companies have both won final approval from the federal government to post health insurance plans on the upcoming Affordable Care Act marketplace. MCHO, based in Lewiston, is the state’s first health insurance co-op, a nonprofit governed for and […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Business, Maine, The Franklin Journal
Anthem plan draws praise, criticism
AUGUSTA — Central Maine Healthcare employees, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield leaders and others spent hours Monday trying to sway the head of the Maine Bureau of Insurance. Anthem’s plan to move thousands of individual policyholders into a plan that strictly limits their doctors and hospitals is horrible — or great — depending on […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Lewiston-Auburn, The Franklin Journal
Affordable Care Act info session set for Auburn
AUBURN — A public information session on the federal health care reform law will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, at the commons at Saint Dominic Academy at 121 Gracelawn Road. Individuals seeking information about the new federal health insurance exchanges, newly proposed insurance plans on the exchanges or other aspects for the […]
Posted inFranklin, Lewiston-Auburn, Oxford Hills, River Valley
State to hold public comment session on Anthem narrow network plan
The Maine Bureau of Insurance will hold a public comment session Thursday on Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s proposal to move a number of its current individual policyholders into a narrow network plan that strictly limits which hospitals and doctors they can use. In central Maine, Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Bridgton Hospital, […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine groups get grants to sign up uninsured
AUGUSTA (AP) — Two Maine organizations will receive almost $550,000 in federal grants to help residents sign up for insurance under the new federal health care law. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday that Western Maine Community Action, INC. and Fishing Partnership Health Plan will receive $541,846 to run “navigator” programs. […]
Posted inOp-Eds
America needs cost-effective universal health care
In recent months, the people of Maine have witnessed activity by many different players in the health care system as Maine moves to implement the Affordable Care Act. We’ve seen Gov. Paul LePage veto the expansion of MaineCare, which will leave 70,000 Mainers without access to health care. We’re watching MaineHealth and Anthem try to […]