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Wednesday

To Changing Landscape, Add Private Health Care Exchanges
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Health Inc.

To Changing Landscape, Add Private Health Care Exchanges

While our attention has been focused on Obamacare, there are rumblings of a major shift in the way companies offer private health insurance to workers. It involves what are called "private health care exchanges." These are similar to — but completely separate from — the public exchanges you've heard so much about.

To Changing Landscape, Add Private Health Care Exchanges

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Monday

First Estimate On Insurance Sign-Ups Is Pretty Darned Small

Mario Ricart , an insurance agent with Sunshine Life and Health Advisors, talks with Naylie Villa about buying insurance under the Affordable Care Act on Nov. 5 in Miami. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

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Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Health Inc.

First Estimate On Insurance Sign-Ups Is Pretty Darned Small

There's been a lot of speculation about how many people have signed up for Affordable Care Act insurance. The official number will be reported at the end of the week. But unofficial estimates are leaking out, including 50,000 reported today. That's far less than the 500,000 that the administration originally predicted.

$4.2 Billion Deal Highlights Drug Profits From Rare Diseases

Flemming Ornskov, CEO of Shire, says the company's offer for ViroPharma is part of a broader push into orphan drugs. Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Bloomberg via Getty Images

Health Inc.

$4.2 Billion Deal Highlights Drug Profits From Rare Diseases

Shire's purchase of ViroPharma is all about a medicine to prevent life-threatening swelling attacks caused by a genetic mutation. The drug, called Cinryze, costs more than $4,600 for each treatment. The annual bill can run hundreds of thousands of dollars for each patient.

Tuesday

In Colorado, A Couple Finds Relief In Obamacare

Lela Petersen, owner of the Anything And Everything store in Flagler, Colo., expects the cost of health insurance for her and her husband to drop by my more than half next year. Jeff Brady hide caption

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Jeff Brady

Health Inc.

In Colorado, A Couple Finds Relief In Obamacare

A small business owner and her husband expect to save big on health insurance thanks to the Affordable Care Act. Their monthly health insurance bill will drop by more than half once the policy they're buying on the Colorado health exchange takes effect.

In Colorado, A Couple Finds Relief In Obamacare

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Call Centers Got Big Deals Under Health Law, But How Big?

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Health Inc.

Call Centers Got Big Deals Under Health Law, But How Big?

WNPR

States have spent big on setting up their health insurance exchanges. But figuring out where the money is going can be difficult because some states don't release the information. The contractor running Connecticut's marketplace call center hasn't had to reveal pricing.

Call Centers Got Big Deals Under Health Law, But How Big?

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Tuesday

Tuesday

Online Insurance Brokers Stymied Selling Obamacare Policies

Independent online insurance brokers, like eHealth, haven't yet been able to sell subsidized health insurance policies. eHealthInsurance.com hide caption

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eHealthInsurance.com

Health Inc.

Online Insurance Brokers Stymied Selling Obamacare Policies

Many independent health insurance brokers were supposed to be able to sell subsidized health care plans starting Oct. 1. But complications with the rollout of the Affordable Care Act have derailed the plan, and the federal government hasn't said when the problems will be fixed.

Online Insurance Brokers Stymied Selling Obamacare Policies

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Wednesday

Hitches On Health Exchanges Hinder Launch Of Insurance Co-op

Maryland's Evergreen Health Co-op will eventually be owned by its policyholders. For now, the co-op is scrambling to find customers after the state's online health exchange got off to a rocky start. iStockphoto.com hide caption

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Health Inc.

Hitches On Health Exchanges Hinder Launch Of Insurance Co-op

KFF Health News

Maryland-based Evergreen Health Co-op is one of nearly two dozen nonprofit insurers created by the health act. They will be owned by the policyholders and are supposed to add competition and lower prices for coverage. they're supposed to add competition and lower prices for medical coverage. But they can't do either without customers.

Tuesday

What Should Make A Hospital CEO's Paycheck Bigger?

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Health Inc.

What Should Make A Hospital CEO's Paycheck Bigger?

KFF Health News

Running a hospital that scores well on keeping more patients alive or providing extensive charity care doesn't translate into a compensation bump for top executives. Nonprofit hospitals have been under scrutiny for paying high salaries to chief executives while skimping on benefits for their communities.

Friday

Part-Time Workers Search New Exchanges For Health Insurance

The specialty grocer Trader Joe's says next year it will end its policy of offering health benefits for part-time workers. Instead, the store will offer part-timers cash to help buy coverage. Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Bloomberg via Getty Images

Health Inc.

Part-Time Workers Search New Exchanges For Health Insurance

Many will find better coverage with smaller monthly premiums on the exchanges set up under the Affordable Care Act, insurance specialists say. But in states that decided not to expand Medicaid, some low-income part-timers are finding they don't qualify for federal health insurance subsidies.

Part-Time Workers Search New Exchanges For Health Insurance

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Thursday

Back To Work After A Baby, But Without Health Insurance

People get information on California's health exchange at a table at Union Station in Los Angeles on Tuesday, the exchange's opening day. Reed Saxon/AP hide caption

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Reed Saxon/AP

Health Inc.

Back To Work After A Baby, But Without Health Insurance

KFF Health News

Pardit Pri left her job as a legal assistant when she had a baby. She thought she'd be able to find a new job with health insurance, but so far has found only contract work with no benefits. She's not sure if her state's new health exchange will make sense for her, given her uncertain income.

Back To Work After A Baby, But Without Health Insurance

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Tuesday

First Step In Health Exchange Enrollment: Train The Helpers

Assisters get up to speed on how best to explain the new health coverage choices during training on Sept. 25 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. Morgan Walker/NPR hide caption

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Morgan Walker/NPR

Health Inc.

First Step In Health Exchange Enrollment: Train The Helpers

Navigators are a key part of the health law rollout. They work at nonprofit organizations, and they're being trained to help people learn about their coverage options. In some areas that training is still going on, even though the exchanges are up and running.

First Step In Health Exchange Enrollment: Train The Helpers

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Colorado's Exchange Opens After Years of Bipartisan Effort

Colorado has taken its own route to building a health exchange. iStockphoto.com hide caption

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Health Inc.

Colorado's Exchange Opens After Years of Bipartisan Effort

The website may have been struggling under the demand, but one early user of Colorado's new health exchange said it still provided information that should prove useful in sorting out coverage needs. The state has been working on the exchange since 2007, and it's enjoyed strong bipartisan support.

Colorado's Exchange Opens After Years of Bipartisan Effort

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Monday

A Doctor's 9 Predictions About The 'Obamacare Era'

Health care delivery is expected to change, with more care provided by nurse practitioners and fewer people having a doctor for life. Images.com/Corbis hide caption

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Health Inc.

A Doctor's 9 Predictions About The 'Obamacare Era'

The traditional doctor-patient relationship in which a single doctor gets to know you over years will become a luxury. Those who want a personal physician will have to pay extra for that service. Doctors who chafe at working for big organizations will opt out and charge patients retainer fees.

How A Tax On Medical Devices United Political Rivals

U.S. House Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor (center) and colleagues gather before a Sunday vote on Capitol Hill. The House passed two new provisions to a federal spending bill to delay Obamacare for a year and to repeal the medical device tax. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption

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Health Inc.

How A Tax On Medical Devices United Political Rivals

About $29 billion in funding for the expansion of health coverage under the Affordable Care Act is expected to come from a tax on devices. Hip implants, MRI scanners and catheters to unclog heart arteries are all affected. Toothbrushes, contact lenses, hearing aids and other consumer products are exempt.