The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), a group comprising health insurance regulators from the various states, agreed Tuesday on definitions of the kinds of health insurance expenditures that constitute patient care and quality improvements. These definitions are crucial, because the new health care insurance reform legislation signed into law by President Obama in March [...]

Saving money starts by making the healthcare provider aware that you—not your health care insurance company—will be paying for the care. Many doctors are practicing defensive medicine, erring on the side of caution, under the assumption that the insurer is picking up the bill. When you make it known that you are paying out of pocket, many doctors will reconsider those borderline tests and treatments.

California’s goal for implementing the PCIP is to begin accepting applications in August 2010 with the first effective date of coverage beginning in September 2010.