If you like the articles on our companion blog, the Agent Survival Guide, you’ll love the power to take them with you wherever you go. Tune in for marketing tips and strategies for selling Medicare, Long-Term Care, Life, Annuities, and Final Expense. The ASG Podcast also helps you stay compliant with the latest CMS guidelines…
Posts By: Sarah Rueppel
CBO Publishes AHCA Estimate
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently released their much-anticipated cost estimate on H.R.1628, the House-passed version of the American Health Care Act (AHCA). Together with the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT), the CBO estimated that the most current version of the AHCA bill would:
- Reduce the federal deficit by $119 billion by 2026
…
Aetna CEO Sparks Single-Payer Health Care Discussion
During a recent private meeting with shareholders, Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini suggested Americans should start the discussion about single-payer insurance, but does it mean what we think it means? Leaked discussion reports him saying, “Single-payer, I think we should have that debate as a nation.” Why would the CEO of America’s fifth-largest private insurance company…
CBO Estimate for House-Passed AHCA Expected Soon
UPDATE: The CBO published their estimate on May 24. Read the key takeaways here. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is expected to release a cost estimate on the newest version of the American Health Care Act (AHCA) next week. On May 4, The House voted 217-213 to approve the bill without a cost estimate. In…
RitterCares: I’m Joining the Peace Corps
Zach Bailey is trading in his desk to join the Peace Corps. A part of Ritter’s Broker Support unit, Bailey holds a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh. This May, he’ll fly to Africa to serve as a teacher’s aide in The Gambia. Bailey will be teaching English, in…
Aetna-Humana Merger Blocked
Federal Judge John Bates handed down his decision to block the Aetna-Humana merger Monday. He addressed the $37 billion-dollar merger in a 156-page ruling. “In this case, the government alleged that the merger of Aetna and Humana would be likely to substantially lessen competition in markets for individual Medicare Advantage plans and health insurance…
Ruling in Aetna-Humana Merger Expected Soon
A ruling from U.S. District Court Judge John Bates in the case of Aetna-Humana vs. Department of Justice should be coming soon. The Department of Justice (DOJ) seeks to block the merger, fearing monopolies in the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Affordable Care Act (ACA) markets — though Aetna has left the ACA market in most states….
WellCare Acquires Care1st Arizona
Today, WellCare Health Plans completed their acquisition of Care1st Arizona, the Phoenix-based company comprised of subsidiaries Health Plan Arizona, Inc. and One Care by Care1st Health Plan of Arizona, Inc. The deal brings 115,000 Medicaid and Medicare members in Maricopa and Pima counties over to WellCare. “We are pleased to announce the completion of this…
Mutual of Omaha Reaffirms Commitment to LTC Insurance
Mutual of Omaha will continue to issue long-term care (LTC) insurance, remaining hopeful about the future of the industry, even as others leave the market. Adam Walling, director of producer performance at Mutual of Omaha, committed to LTC insurance in a recent memo to agents, brokers, and distribution partners. “We believe that LTCI provides value through…
Aetna-Humana v. Department of Justice Begins
Monday marked the start of the Department of Justice’s anti-trust lawsuit against the Aetna-Humana merger. Last July, Aetna announced their intention to buy rival Humana. A few weeks later, Anthem and Cigna announced their merger. This July, the Department of Justice filed suit against both proposals, dubbing the sales an “unprecedented consolidation in the health insurance…