health insurance
Insurance Said No. An Umbra Advocate Overturned It.
An insurance claim denial cut off care a young man had relied on for 18 years. His family had already appealed and lost. Then they came to Umbra. A lifetime of care, ended overnight For most of his life, a young man with a complex genetic disorder relied on in home nursing care to stay…
Read MoreMeet Patient Advocate, Caro Ruiz
Caro Ruiz is a patient advocate with Umbra Health Advocacy who specializes in health insurance. Over more than 20 years inside the health insurance industry, she held leadership roles at some of the largest health plans in Massachusetts, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Tufts Health Plan, and Point32Health. Today, she uses that insider…
Read MoreWhat the 2025 Big Beautiful Bill Means for Medicaid Patients
In July 2025, Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, often called the “Big Beautiful Bill.” It included large Medicaid cuts, the health program that low-income people, children, older adults, and people with disabilities depend on. If you are on Medicaid, or if you help a loved one who has it, the changes could…
Read MoreShould You Be Worried About AI in Health Insurance Claim Reviews?
Insurance claim reviews are increasingly being done by Artificial Intelligence. While AI can speed up decisions and lower costs, the many people are worried about how it’s being used and whether it’s getting the right results. Insurance Claim Denials Increasing Insurance claim denials are going up. A 2023 STAT News investigation showed that UnitedHealthcare denied…
Read MoreHealthcare Costs: Where does your state rank?
Healthcare costs vary widely across the U.S., with some states spending nearly twice as much per person as others. A recent analysis by Steno Health, using data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED), ranked the states with the highest and lowest healthcare spending. But high spending doesn’t always mean…
Read MoreConfused About Medicaid? 12 Facts You Need to Know
Medicaid has been in the news recently, amidst leadership changes in Washington, D.C. The Medicaid program is an important part of the U.S. healthcare system, but many people don’t know much—if anything—about it. For many American families, it is a lifeline. It provides insurance coverage for people who don’t get benefits from a job, and…
Read MoreHealth Insurance Claim Denial? Get Help to Fight and Win
If you’ve been watching the news, you probably know that the CEO of UnitedHealthcare—the giant health insurance company that covers more than 50 million people—was murdered in cold blood on the streets of Manhattan. You may have followed the manhunt and seen the police arrest the suspected killer. In another time or maybe with another…
Read MoreMedicare Marketing Can Be Shady. Here’s How To Protect Yourself.
Medicare marketing can be aggressive, misleading, and sometimes downright shady. Learn the basic Medicare marketing rules and protect yourself.
Read MoreHealth Insurance Is Hard. Here’s What You Need To Know.
Don’t choose health insurance without understanding the basics. Read about 10 key concepts everyone should know.
Read MoreAfraid Of Surprise Medical Bills? Here’s How To Avoid Them
Surprise medical bills are all too common, even with new rules designed to prevent them. Get tips on how to get your promise of coverage in writing to avoid unpleasant surprises.
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