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Health-care spending by middle-income Americans rose 24% between 2007 and 2013, driven by an even larger rise in the cost of buying health insurance, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of detailed consumer-spending data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That hit has been accompanied by increases in spending on other necessities, including food eaten at home, rent and education, as well as the soaring cost of staying connected digitally via cellphones and home Internet service. (Knutson and Francis, 12/1)

The emerging popularity of low-premium, high-deductible health insurance plans that hold patients responsible for a greater share of their medical care costs is exacting a financial and administrative toll on small physician practices and ambulatory surgical centers. The CEO of a Pittsburgh company that handles billing for local independent physicians says one of her client practices has seen its outstanding accounts receivable double in the last four years, a trend directly tied to patients who can’t pay their deductible at the time they receive care. (Twedt, 12/1)

Holiday shopping is ramping up, but the time for enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan is drawing to a close. Dec. 7 is the last day to sign up for Medicare Advantage plans and prescription drug coverage (Part D). Among the options for King County shoppers is a new Medicare Advantage plan from the Humana insurance company and Iora Health, which operates primary care clinics nationwide. The health-care companies have joined up to offer a plan that follows an accountable care organization (ACO) sort of approach to deliver health care to seniors. (Stiffler, 12/1)