#healthinsurance

"Blue Shield of California, a nonprofit health insurance company, has reported layoffs across multiple California locations, according to a recent WARN filings."

edhat.com

I'm mostly curious about the medical coverage.

A new report released by the bipartisan Senate Joint Economic Committee (JEC) on Tuesday found that overpaying for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans caused Medicare Part B premiums to rise across the board.

According to the JEC’s report, overpayments to MA plans caused standard monthly Medicare Part B premiums to go from $185 in 2025 to $203 in 2026.

The report defined “overpayments” as the difference between what the federal government government paid for MA plans versus Traditional Medicare (TM) plans. When payments to MA plans exceeds those for TM plans, premiums go up for both groups.

In 2025, MA plans were paid $84 billion more than it would have cost to cover the same amount of beneficiaries with TM plans, an average of 120 percent more.

Medicare Part B covers medically necessary services like doctors visits, supplies and some outpatient prescriptions as well as preventive services. Roughly 63 million people are enrolled in Medicare Part B and a little more than half are on Medicare Advantage, which combines both Part A and Part B.
The JEC further noted that the burden of MA overpayments are spread unevenly across the country as some districts and states have lower rates of MA enrollment. The report gave the example of Wyoming, where only 21 percent of Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in MA, estimating that payers in the state will pay $25.4 million in excess premiums, with most of that from TM enrollees.

“Let’s be honest about the math, when Medicare Advantage is overpaid, that money doesn’t just disappear, it shows up in the Medicare Part B premiums seniors pay every month, including those paid by traditional Medicare beneficiaries who are not getting extra benefits,” said JEC Chair David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) said in a statement.

“If Congress is serious about affordability, fiscal responsibility, and fairness, we must take a hard look at Medicare Advantage and make sure the rules are the same for everyone,” he continued.

“Today, between aggressive upcoding, questionable quality bonuses, and structural overpayments in Medicare Advantage, seniors who stay in traditional Medicare are effectively subsidizing the system. That’s not sustainable, it’s not fair, and it can be reformed.”

What are the chances CMS will move off their proposed 0.09% rate for 2027?
It was approximately 5.0% for 2026 but they decided to basically eliminate it for 2027. After they announced the rate all health insurance stocks dropped massively.

UnitedHealth Group’s slogan is: “Helping people live healthier lives.”

I lost my job at Optum in 2025 and remain unemployed. As a result, I also lost my health insurance. I cannot afford COBRA, and I have a serious health condition that is currently going untreated. Each month I am forced to choose between paying rent or paying for heathcare coverage.

Without treatment, my condition will eventually become terminal.

THANK YOU OPTUM FOR NOT CARING!

Hello, I am just trying to plan for post-JE when it happens. I have a special needs, 12-year-old boy. My wife is working near min wage, has health insurance, but not great, and they don't have family plans. If I have to get health insurance for my son and myself, what are my options in CT? Since I may not have income, do I qualify for any rebates for premiums from AccessHealthCT? Is the marketplace the only option until I get a job? I read here that Cobra is expensive, not sure if it will be more expensive than the marketplace. Does anyone have any experience getting health insurance post-JE? Thanks for any inputs

I am "offboarding" this wonderful place in the US.

Of course, the links to the offboarding processes do not work or time out.

All I really care about is COBRA (they can take their surveys and shove them).

Has anyone that has recently ejected priced US High deductible family COBRA plans?

If so, what was the cost?

Keep getting letter after letter telling me insurance o longer covers this and that, have to book scan though 3 rd party, meds going up , some no longer covered. Just got letter saying all our Memorial Herman facilities and doctors are in jeopardy. Exxon changed to one provider, no more choice, went up on premium, try to keep you from going to any emergency room by making you pay 10-20 percent of the entire bill, and then tailored a cheap coverage plan that only help the company... after almost 30 yrs , this is about as low as I seen from the company, Billions in profit and it saves money by cutting from its employees, the new norm..... can't wait GTFO..... I'm embarrassed to even say I work here anymore. Don't come to work for this place, it will su-k the soul out of you and you will be miserable.

For anyone who’s left this year, do you happen to know roughly how much COBRA costs per month? I’m planning my exit and want to factor that into my budgeting. I’m currently on the HSA Premium plan, if that makes a difference. Thanks!

https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/mount-sinai-anthem-elevance-contract-ends/813816/

As usual they are blaming Mount Sinai - just keeps getting worse for this place - CMS now this

The payer said that Mount Sinai had agreed on price increases but wanted Anthem to remove “contractural safeguards” protecting patients and employers from “billing errors and unnecessary costs.”

“These negotiations are about more than rates. They are about Anthem’s chronic denials of medically necessary care, delayed payments, and administrative practices that create barriers for patients and physicians alike,” Mount Sinai said in a statement on its website.

Cigna is moving to dismantle the trucare pre-authorization department. Eventually, all pre authorizations will be doing through Evicore. In the near future, trucare won’t exist and evicore will be managing all of Cigna’s preauthorization.

3 layoffs in close to 4 years with more possible depending on the outcome of 2026 registration numbers. Having trouble like other health insurance companies. Steer clear for a while unless you have no choice.

Or something else for healthcare? I haven't been affected, I'm just curious.

Does anyone know anything about Medicaid or Medicare centralization work?

The Ventura Unified School District board approved staff reductions. This impacts 46.5 full-time equivalent positions. The decision addresses a budget crisis and declining student enrollment. The district anticipates annual savings exceeding $3 million. Negotiations also include proposed changes to employee health benefits.

https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/education/schoolwatch/2026/02/20/ventura-unified-approves-layoffs-budget-crisis/88747877007/

New Seasons Market confirmed laying off 95 employees this week. The grocery chain cited increased labor costs from a new contract. These layoffs affect less than 5% of the current store staff. The New Seasons Labor Union expressed outrage over the decision. Affected workers received four weeks of pay and six weeks of health coverage.

https://www.oregonlive.com/retail/2026/02/new-seasons-lays-off-95-employees-citing-recent-labor-agreement.html

for those who started cobra, how much does it costs

Does anybody here know?

They say you can apply within 30 days to Medicare after your termination. Does anybody know when actually Medicare enrollment starts? In 2 month? January 1? Or when?

Hello, I am Mansur Shaheen and I cover health insurance companies for a Financial Times newsletter. I have heard that around 5-10% of Molina's workers were impacted by layoffs, I am sorry to hear about this.

If any one impacted would like to talk, be in touch at Mansur.Shaheen@FT.com

All health insurers are not doing great currently. Quickly look at their profit margin for the past 2-3 years and it’ll often be low single digit or negative

Medicare advantage is going to be tough again this year, so, not surprised

If I quit April 3 but not start my new job until May 1st, am I still covered by Wells insurance until end of April?

Belk’s corporate h.r has given 100% inaccurate information about adding my husband to insurance based on a life changing event. If you rely on medical insurance from Belk you may have to consult an attorney for accurate information. Belk’s corporate Human Resources is astonishingly uniformed, uneducated and incompetent.

Hello today in fidelity you can call and eliminate any medical benefits and such at fidelity by calling 1-855-447-7007 option one. Ask for a representitive and that you should be listed as terminated in the system. You can then opt out fully of medical,dental,eye life insurance and legal. This is if you are choosing to do that. Any other questions or of help since HR does not do a great job simply ask. You are covered on all until jan 31 expires so make your dentist and dr appts if you can before feb1.

If you were laid off in this last round and had 36 or more years does Verizon give u any kind of discounts for medical after the severance period runs out

I left until 2024 and was on cobra and coverages until end of last year paid by intel. But this year I actually changed company and insurance too but until still they sent me health insurance ID cards from Providence health plan collective health. Has this happened to somebody else as well. When I called them, they said you’re no longer enrolled because you’re not an employee so you shouldn’t be getting it, but the insurance company doesn’t deny it and they say I have an active plan with them. I’m not sure who pays the premium and how.

Enhanced federal health insurance subsidies ended in late 2025. Over 2,500 Vermonters dropped coverage for 2026. The state collectively lost around $72 million in federal support. Many remaining enrollees shifted to less expensive bronze plans. This trend raises concerns about underinsurance and healthcare system stability.

https://vtdigger.org/2026/01/22/early-numbers-show-many-vermonters-dropping-their-insurance-for-2026/

Anyone hoping for more than 3-3.5% raises needs to look elsewhere for a job.
Medical likely to go up by 25-50%

• Exyte U.S., Inc. | Layoff date: Oct. 24, 2025 | Location: 9245 S. Gigabit Lane, Boise, ID | Employees affected: 201 | Industry: Clean-room construction / semiconductor facilities | Reason: Contract unexpectedly discontinued by Micron, ending Exyte’s role as general contractor on Micron’s $15B chip plant | Notes: Contract ended Sept. 2, 2025; Exyte still involved in limited project scope

• Blue Cross of Idaho | Layoff date: March 27, 2025 (first notices), layoffs began June 2025 | Location: 3000 E. Pine Ave., Meridian, ID | Employees affected: 135 | Industry: Health insurance | Reason: Idaho Dept. of Health and Welfare terminated long-running Medicare/Medicaid dual-eligible contract | Notes: Jobs impacted included care coordinators and claims examiners; contract awarded to UnitedHealthcare and Molina

• N.A. Degerstrom | Layoff date: Sept. 5, 2025 | Location: 3268 Blackfoot River Road, Soda Springs, ID | Employees affected: 113 | Industry: Heavy construction / mining | Reason: Completion of mining contract at Henry Mine | Notes: 105 union and 8 nonunion employees; layoffs phased through March 2026

• Inspiro | Layoff date: Aug. 1, 2025 | Location: 200 W. Hanley Ave. No. 13, Coeur d’Alene, ID | Employees affected: 100 | Industry: Call center / IT services | Reason: Closure of Dish Network call center due to unforeseen business circumstances | Notes: Site permanently closed Sept. 30, 2025

• Saia LTL Freight | Layoff date: April 8, 2025 | Location: 2264 S. Bonito Way, Suite 100, Meridian, ID | Employees affected: 78 | Industry: Freight and logistics | Reason: Operational changes impacting customer service roles | Notes: Layoffs occurred between June 2 and June 16, 2025

• Management & Training Corporation (Centennial Job Corps Center) | Layoff date: June 3, 2025 | Location: 3201 Ridgecrest Drive, Nampa, ID | Employees affected: 75 | Industry: Workforce training / education | Reason: U.S. Department of Labor terminated operating contract “for convenience” | Notes: Resulted in full closure of the Nampa Job Corps center

• Sunshine Minting, Inc. | Layoff date: June 26, 2025 | Location: 750 W. Canfield Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID | Employees affected: 72 | Industry: Precious metals processing | Reason: Abrupt change in customer demand and order cancellations | Notes: Company cited unforeseen business circumstances; no full 60-day notice

• PacificSource | Layoff date: Oct. 24, 2025 | Location: 408 E. Parkcenter Blvd., Suite 100, Boise, ID | Employees affected: 42 | Industry: Health insurance | Reason: Significant loss of Medicaid membership in Lane County, Oregon | Notes: Layoffs effective Dec. 31, 2025

• Accelerate360 Distribution, LLC | Layoff date: April 25, 2025 | Location: Remote workers in Idaho; work unit based at 5013 S. Louise Ave. #5105, Sioux Falls, SD | Employees affected: 32 (Idaho) | Industry: Media distribution / merchandising | Reason: Closure of Dakota Merchandising remote work unit | Notes: Additional 292 layoffs occurred in other states

• Transit Management of Canyon County, Inc. | Layoff date: July 31, 2025 | Location: 5907 Cleveland Blvd., Caldwell, ID | Employees affected: 28 | Industry: Public transit management | Reason: End of operating contract for Canyon County transit system | Notes: Facility expected to close Sept. 30, 2025; new operator anticipated to rehire many workers

Recently had my prescription refilled at CVS. Price was double that of my December refill. Pharmacist said probably due to starting COBRA in January. FYI.

Trump's new healthcare plan aims to give money directly to the consumer and not to the health insurance companies. I wonder how this is going to work.

Trumps Healthcare Bill
Trump announced today a plan to reduce healthcare costs (great!). He seemed to take aim at taking money out of the hands of insurance companies. Do you think this will mean more layoff at UHG/Optum?

I need to get proof that I was covered by group health insurance. Is there a way to contact HR that anyone is aware of. Thanks.

This new plan su-ks so bad. I picked the same one I had last year but now it’s so much more expensive.

For anyone willing to share, what do you all pay for your coverage? I'm curious about the range for different situations like people with employer plans, retirees, or folks on private insurance. It would be really helpful to hear some real numbers to understand what's typical.

Obviously this means 2026 layoffs will make 2025 child’s play.

https://seekingalpha.com/news/4537099-trump-to-meet-health-insurers-few-days

You don’t use to forfeit this money. I believe you can still use the FSA while on COBRA