Health Insurance Hustle
The Confounding Way We Pay for Care
Americans pay insurance companies to make sure their medical needs are covered — and at a cost they can afford. But games, side deals and hidden incentives often result in higher costs, delays in care or denials of treatment.
Senators Call for Closing “Loopholes” That Make Health Care Fraud Easy
In response to a story by ProPublica and Vox that detailed how a Texas personal trainer was able to bilk private insurers for millions, six Democratic lawmakers are asking federal regulators to take action.
Health Insurers Make It Easy for Scammers to Steal Millions. Who Pays? You.
Health insurers are regarded as fierce defenders of health care dollars. But the case of David Williams shows one reason America’s health care costs continue to rise. The personal trainer spent years posing as a doctor and billing the nation’s top insurers, making off with millions.
What Can Be Done Right Now to Stop a Basic Source of Health Care Fraud
Fraud is one reason we all pay so much for health care. But there are simple fixes that would make it more difficult for scammers to operate.
Senators Call for Disclosure of Perks and Fees Paid to Health Benefits Brokers
A ProPublica story in February documented the hidden cash and gifts health insurers pay to influence independent brokers. In new proposed legislation, lawmakers say such fees should be revealed to employers.
Behind the Scenes, Health Insurers Use Cash and Gifts to Sway Which Benefits Employers Choose
The insurance industry gives lucrative commissions and bonuses — from six-figure payouts to a chance to bat against Mariano Rivera — to the independent brokers who advise employers. Critics call the payments a “classic conflict of interest” that drive up costs.
You Snooze, You Lose: Insurers Make The Old Adage Literally True
Millions of sleep apnea patients rely on CPAP breathing machines to get a good night’s rest. Health insurers use a variety of tactics, including surveillance, to make patients bear the costs. Experts say it’s part of the insurance industry playbook.
Your Medical Devices Are Not Keeping Your Health Data to Themselves
CPAP units, heart monitors, blood glucose meters and lifestyle apps generate information that can be used in ways patients don’t necessarily expect. It can be sold for advertising or even shared with insurers, who may use it to deny reimbursement.
In Montana, a Tough Negotiator Proved Employers Don’t Have to Pay So Much for Health Care
With its employee health plan in financial crisis, Montana hired a former insurance insider who pushed back against industry players with vested interests in keeping costs high. She proved, essentially, that bargaining down health care prices works.
Health Insurers Are Vacuuming Up Details About You — And It Could Raise Your Rates
Without any public scrutiny, insurers and data brokers are predicting your health costs based on data about things like race, marital status, how much TV you watch, whether you pay your bills on time or even buy plus-size clothing.
