More U.S. pension plans seem to be using some alternative investments, but fewer plans seem to be using alternative investments a lot.

The new federal Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) program is hard to get into, too expensive for the typical uninsured individual with a chronic illness, and under-promoted, according to officials at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO).

Health insurance exchange design could affect the value of the health insurance services consumers buy, health plan quality experts say.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is about to try four different strategies for bundling provider payments.

Employers and their benefits advisors may have to scramble to start using the proposed Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) and a proposed Uniform Glossary on time.

Low-income people without health insurance are much less likely than low-income Medicaid enrollees to say they are in excellent health.

Standards group say they hope to free health insurers, public health plans and other payers from variations in state medical claims reporting requirements.

Would-be CO-OP plan starters may be able to get help with paying for the actuarial studies and business plan development efforts needed to start the plans but only if they win federal approval for their CO-OP applications.