Tag: long-term care

Category: Government Programs, Health and Wellness, Health Insurance

Even More Adjustments to Help Our Members Deal with the COVID-19 Pandemic

As the COVID-19 outbreak and our responses continue to evolve, it is very important to us at Blue Cross that you know the resources we have available to help you make it through this crisis.

We are continuously updating our COVID-19 webpage, and posting important information on additions or changes to Blue Cross services, programs or benefits to help our members during this crisis. We also include links to the agencies in charge, like the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and Louisiana Department of Health. Please check www.bcbsla.com/covid19 out often to see the newest news from us.
Read more

Category: ACA and Policy, Health Insurance

Healthier Patients, Happier Providers, Lower Costs: Quality Blue’s Success Story

Guest post by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Chief Medical Officer Dr. Vindell Washington

In one of his earlier Straight Talk videos, The Holy Grail of Health Insurance, Mike asked what would happen if Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana put your doctor on commission?
Read more

This is a photo of Mike Bertaut with text that reads: "Health Insurance 101. Straight Talk."

Category: Health Insurance

What is Health Insurance, Exactly?

Every so often, I go on WRKF’s Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster and talk about what’s happening in health insurance, healthcare reform and other topics on. I was on the air just this week when I got this question:

This is a photo with a coin and a dollar sign with an arrow going up and text that reads: "More Cost Shifted to Kids by the Feds: Healthcare.gov still on the wrong track."

Category: ACA and Policy, Cost of Healthcare, Health Insurance

More Cost Shifted to Kids by the Feds: Healthcare.gov still on the wrong track

Just a few days ago, we got this post on Facebook:

“I want to start by saying thank you for helping my autistic son out so much for so long. He has made significant progress at the therapy center he goes to and he now has hopes for an independent life. But…I can’t afford you anymore. Last year, my son’s insurance went up significantly. We just received the letter, like last year, saying it was going up again a significant amount again next year. I cannot fathom paying anymore in insurance, which his alone is already more than my mortgage. More than my mortgage…How is it possible for anything to actually get better for my family at this breakneck pace… My son needs help….And I’ll probably stick with you….Because you’re the only safe option for my son.”

Read more

Policy Points: Medicare for All. Straight Talk. Picture of elephant and donkey

Category: ACA and Policy, Cost of Healthcare, Government Programs, Health Insurance

Policy Points No. 2: Medicare for All

Blue Cross is looking at the public healthcare policy statements presidential candidates are making and Straight Talk’s Mike Bertaut will shed some light on the realities of some of these policies from his own perspective.

Category: Cost of Healthcare, Health and Wellness

Quality in Healthcare: An Idea Whose Time Has Come

Since Americans are spending vast amounts of their personal income on healthcare nowadays, it seems like a good time to start talking about the steps we are taking here at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana to improve it.