health insurers

US Vice President JD Vance is facing scrutiny over statements he made about Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, enrollment figures. Critics are questioning the accuracy of his claims as open enrollment continues and enhanced subsidies are set to expire, making health insurance costs a live political issue.

US health insurers are claiming that artificial intelligence is already increasing healthcare costs, according to a TechCrunch report. The allegation puts the industry at odds with the common narrative that AI will make medicine cheaper and more efficient. Critics are likely to scrutinise how AI-driven tools, from prior authorisation to claims processing, affect patient care and medical spending.

Tensions are rising in US healthcare over the use of artificial intelligence, with insurance payers and care providers clashing over how AI is deployed. Insurers increasingly use algorithms for claims review and prior authorization, while providers argue the tools delay or deny care and add administrative burdens. Health system leaders are calling for oversight and regulation as both sides race to adopt AI.

Consumers in Oregon looking for lower health insurance premiums may encounter plans that offer less protection than standard coverage. Reporting from the Rogue Valley Times highlights that cheaper alternatives can come with significant drawbacks, such as narrower coverage or limited provider networks. The article serves as a caution for residents shopping the insurance market to weigh cost savings against potential gaps in care.

KFF's Medicaid/CHIP Monthly Enrollment Tracker provides the latest figures on enrollment across the Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance programs in the United States. The tracker is used to follow coverage changes, including shifts tied to the unwinding of pandemic-era continuous enrollment protections. It remains a key reference for health policy analysts, reporters and state officials monitoring how many Americans rely on the programs.

Maryland regulators have approved an average 14.6% rate increase for individual health insurance premiums sold on the state's Affordable Care Act marketplace. The hike will raise costs for residents buying coverage on the exchange, adding to ongoing national debate over rising health insurance prices and the affordability of ACA plans for consumers.

The American Journal of Managed Care has published a FAQ explaining what the current measles outbreak means for payers and health systems. The piece outlines how insurers and providers may need to respond, covering questions around vaccination coverage, outbreak response costs, and operational planning as measles cases continue to draw national attention across the United States.

September marks Sickle Cell Awareness Month, and coverage in Atlanta is focusing on newly approved gene therapies for sickle cell disease and the question of who will be able to access them. Discussion centres on whether high treatment costs, insurance gaps and access barriers could widen health inequities for the predominantly Black patients affected by the disease.