Articles by Holly Ramer

Report Assesses Addiction Treatment Insurance in New Hampshire

New Hampshire’s three biggest health insurers are largely in compliance in covering treatment for alcohol and drug addiction, and are committed to making changes when needed, state regulators said Thursday. The Department of Insurance began reviewing Anthem, Cigna and Harvard …

Massachusetts, New Hampshire Nonprofit Insurer Sues Over Federal Assessment

A nonprofit health insurer with 25,000 customers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire has filed a federal lawsuit claiming it is being illegally punished for offering lower-cost products. Under the Affordable Care Act’s risk adjustment program, insurers with healthier customers make …

New Hampshire’s Opioid Crisis Adds Urgency to Drug Prevention Education

As New Hampshire considers mandatory drug prevention education in all grades, the state’s opioid crisis has heightened the sense of urgency for existing programs that largely target teens. A proposal to require at least two hours of age-appropriate drug and …

N.H. Insurance Department Revamps Health Care Cost Comparison Site

New Hampshire consumers can now compare prices on dental care and prescription drugs in addition to medical procedures through a state government website designed to help them save money on health care costs. The New Hampshire Insurance Department has added …

Feds Want Circus Operator Fined for Fatal Tent Collapse in N.H.

Federal safety officials have proposed more than $33,000 in fines against a Florida-based circus operator for a tent collapse that killed two people and injured dozens in New Hampshire. Robert Young, 41, and his 6-year-old daughter, Annabelle, died Aug. 3 …

N.H. Group Gets Update on Substance Abuse Treatment Coverage

An initial review of whether health insurance companies are appropriately covering substance abuse treatment in New Hampshire shows significant differences in how often claims are denied, but experts identified problems with only a handful of cases. The probe comes as …

N.H. Insurance Department Hearing Examines Health Care Costs Trends

Health insurance premiums in New Hampshire increased relatively little for small and large businesses in 2014, while rates in the individual market went up significantly more, according to state-hired consultants. New Hampshire state law requires the Insurance Department to hold …

N.H. Seeks to Update Insurance Rules for Health Care Provider Networks

The New Hampshire Insurance Department is moving forward with changing its rules for health care provider networks, but some insurance companies aren’t yet sold on a key part of the proposed approach. Department officials say the rules are ripe for …

N.H. Businesses Vexed by Latest Delay in Small Group Health Insurance Market

New Hampshire businesses aren’t happy with the latest delay in the small group health insurance market created by the Affordable Care Act, but some are more understanding than others. Companies have been able to purchase coverage in the Small Business …

N.H. Panel Told Requiring Health Plan Forums Would Be Tricky

A bill aimed at providing New Hampshire residents more information about health plans offered under the federal health care overhaul law would be difficult to implement, lawmakers, consumer advocates and insurance officials said Tuesday. The measure before the Senate Commerce …