AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — About 270 Maine residents successfully signed up for health insurance plans on the troubled federal website in the first month of open enrollment, health officials said Wednesday. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released the highly anticipated enrollment figures for healthcare.gov, which has been plagued with problems and glitches […]
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Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Freezing temperatures ending threat of mosquito-borne EEE
AUGUSTA — Maine’s epidemiologist says the state appears to be out of the woods for mosquito-borne diseases but that ticks will continue to be a problem for several more weeks. Three horses died this year from eastern equine encephalitis in Maine, making it the worst outbreak since 2009. The virus carried by mosquitoes is potentially […]
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Posted inLocal & State
Lawmakers continue scrutiny of MaineCare ride program
AUGUSTA — The executives in charge of a new brokerage system for delivering non-emergency rides, under a program offered through MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid system, say they have largely corrected many of the problems that led to confusion, frustration and missed medical appointments earlier this fall. But advocates for those who receive the rides and […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
New research study shows wild blueberries good for heart health
PORTLAND (AP) — A new study says wild blueberries have the potential to improve heart health. In their study, researchers from Germany’s University of Dusseldorf and the United Kingdom’s University of Reading and University of Northumbria concluded that wild blueberries may help blood vessels function better and remain healthier, thus relieving pressure on the heart. […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Franklin, Oxford Hills, River Valley, The Franklin Journal
State to hold ACA info sessions in South Paris, Farmington
The Maine Bureau of Insurance will hold public sessions in South Paris and Farmington to provide information about the Affordable Care Act. The sessions will offer information about the new health insurance marketplace, also known as the exchange, as well as information on new health insurance plans being offered in Maine and the law’s other […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Dempsey Challenge kicks off with marketplace fundraiser
LEWISTON — Here’s what it sounded like when the Dempsey Challenge Weekend got off the ground. “Oh, that’s tasty,” cooed a woman sampling a sushi roll from Sea 40. “Oh, that’s just delicious.” “Well, there,” declared a woman who just bought a big heap of jams and jellies. “I guess my Christmas shopping is officially […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Lawmakers hosting TV show on health care law
LEWISTON — State Sens. John Cleveland, D-Auburn, and Margaret Craven, D-Lewiston, are hosting a TV show on the local cable access channel in October that focuses on the Affordable Care Act. Their guests are Kevin Lewis, CEO of Lewiston-based Maine Community Health Options, and Mitchell Stein of Consumers for Affordable Health Care. The show, “Answers […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Health insurance marketplace opens to flood of interest, glitches
Mainers seeking to sign up for health insurance through online marketplaces that launched Tuesday under Obamacare weren’t stalled by the government shutdown which is rooted in an impasse over the law in the nation’s capital. But technical glitches — along with the political infighting — tested consumers’ patience. More than 1 million people visited Healthcare.gov, […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Lewiston-Auburn, The Franklin Journal
Obamacare enrollment presentation at Lewiston Public Library
LEWISTON — Potential enrollees gathered for an informational presentation about the Affordable Care Act at the Lewiston Public Library on Tuesday evening. State Sen. Margaret Craven delivered opening statements to a group of about six, explaining her role on the ACA Oversight Committee. She told the group that she was excited for the self-employed to […]
Posted inLocal & State
ACA aware: Watch out for scams, cons and fraud
State officials have a message for you: No one from the government will be calling to sell you insurance. If someone does, it’s a scam. Also, that person calling to set you up with a new “Obamacare” insurance card? Scam. That site that says it’ll sign you up for insurance from the marketplace before everyone […]