The Chron today has a helpful little public service tidbit for those who may be losing their subsidized COBRA health coverage on Monday, which is when the federal COBRA subsidy ends for those who began receiving it when it began in March 2009. The essential advice: Look into Cal-COBRA. You may be eligible for 18 more months of coverage, but as far as we know that's not subsidized, so this isn't very helpful. The other option of course is Kaiser. Don't go uninsured! What if your appendix bursts?! [Chron] more ›

In one version of the Senate's health care bill up for debate next week, a provision meant to encourage preventive medicine for employees has been named for Pleasanton-based grocery chain Safeway. The company has a self-insurance program for its 200,000 employees that provides an incentive -- up to a 30% lower premium -- for any worker who takes steps to get healthier, like losing weight, quitting smoking, or lowering their cholesterol. more ›

Sorry for the depressing way to start your Friday morning, but CBS 5's Anna Werner has a pretty damn harrowing tale of an insurance company, Blue Shield of California, twice denying a claim to a patient's breast tumor. It seems Rosalinda Miran-Ramirez woke up one morning back in April to find her breast bleeding from her nipple. Rightfully concerned, she darted to the emergency room where doctors told her she had a tumor in her breast. more ›