Archive for the ‘General’ Category

California State Programs Face Massive Cuts

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

In Governor Jerry Brown’s (D) revision to the budget plan, he addresses earlier cuts made to health and social service programs. Though these cuts were intended to shrink California’s deficit, many children, low income, or elderly residents face losing assistance. As lawmakers managed to move $2 billion dollars from mental health services and childhood health programs, Brown’s budget plan revisions reflect the lack of funding due to such lawsuits. Some examples are as follows: 

• A merging of Healthy Families — California’s Children’s Health Insurance Program – with Medi-Cal

• A 10% reduction in Medi-Cal provider reimbursement rates.

The Importance of Life Insurance

Friday, March 11th, 2011

Tis the season for chocolates, flowers, and other gifts expressing our love for the most important people in our lives. However, many people tend to overlook the most important gift you can provide to your loved ones – Life Insurance. If something should happen to you, would your family be provided for? Although this is something hard to imagine, it is vital to make sure that your family remains financially secure in the event they lose you.

New Rules on Medical Wait Times

Friday, February 25th, 2011

Starting this month, new protocols were implemented to regulate waiting times for California residents. These guidelines were primarily designed for HMO patients, but do extend to PPO’s as well. As it seems that more time is spent in the waiting room rather than with the doctor, these wait times provide some much needed relief. For the first year, the California Department of Managed Care will oversee that the rules are strictly followed, and health plans that fail to meet the wait times will find that they face possible fines and penalties. As it will be the insurer’s responsibility to meet the guidelines, it will also force the expansion of their provider networks to meet the need for timely care.   The rules note the following maximum wait times:

Long Term Care Costs Continue To Rise

Thursday, January 20th, 2011

  The good news? People are living longer. The bad? Costs for Long Term Care (LTC) are increasing steadily with each passing years, outpacing inflation. Should you need care after an accident or illness, you may find that savings can rapidly deplete when paying for the care you need. It is estimated that over two-thirds of the over 65 population will need some form of long term care, whether it is in as assisted living facility, adult day care facility, or home health services. Medicare offers some basic skilled care in a nursing home, but is limited to 100 days. When faced with a long term illness which impairs your ability to perform the basic activities of living, such as eating, bathing, or dressing, it is imperative to have access to continuous care. Long Term Care insurance helps you maintain your dignity and financial freedom and gives you the ability to contribute to the choices that affect your care — about the services you receive, where you receive them and who provides the care you need.  

Disability Insurance Provides Peace of Mind Protection

Thursday, December 16th, 2010

  While many of us know the importance of protecting ourselves against unexpected medical expenses, we tend to overlook the added fact that while we recover from an accident or illness, we are going to lose our income. Sometimes an illness or injury can keep you from working for years, and the added stress of lost income only further hinders your recovery. How many months would you be able to continue paying your bills if you lost your ability to earn an income? Assuming Social Security will cover your expenses is not the safest bet, as income from this source is usually not enough, and not readily available. Therefore, supplementing your coverage with a disability plan can bring peace of mind during the most trying times, and ensure your income and assets are protected.  

Grandfathered Plans and Your Options Now

Friday, September 24th, 2010

What does it mean to lose “grandfathered status”?  This may or may not be a concern to you. In a nutshell, this means is your plan will now have to comply with all regulations mandated by health care reform. One of the most important things to know is that along with guarantee issue coverage for all applicants, premium ratios cannot exceed 3:1. Currently, most carriers implement rate variations every 4 years — i.e. 30-34, 35-39, and so on and so on. With the reduction of rate brackets (from 8 to 3), one can only imagine that premiums for younger clients will be much higher than they currently are in order to meet this requirement. 

When to Worry About a Child's Fever

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Starve a fever, feed a cold? Or is it feed a fever, starve a cold? Whatever the old myth states, we all know how frightening it can be when your child has a fever. While it is a necessary process your body uses to fight off infection, it is vital to keep track of the fever both in the number and length of its duration. However, keep in mind that the number on the thermometer has little to do with the seriousness of the situation. Keeping a watchful eye on your child and noting behavioral changes is just as important as anything else.

Doctors Face Major Cuts in Medicare Reimbursement Rates

Monday, August 16th, 2010

The American Medical Association is working diligently to fight the cuts in Medicare reimbursement rates, which is about 21% less than current compensation rates. Though the House delayed the cuts via HR 3962 (Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010) until at least November of this year, many physicians see this as only a temporary fix to a flawed system. Congress states they have no other choice, as mounting deficits play a role in their decision. Medicare overall is in a difficult financial state, leaving little to no room for improvements. The only choice doctors will have, other than dropping Medicare patients altogether, will be getting more patients in the door. Either way, patient care will be compromised if the Medicare pay cuts occur.

Anthem Blue Cross Introduces Retail Health Clinics

Monday, August 9th, 2010

Anthem Blue Cross recently announced that they have extended their provider network to include retail health clinics. These are walk-in clinics, albeit small, that are conveniently located in many of your local retail outlets, such as pharmacies and supermarkets. Rather than making an appointment with your primary doctor for such common illnesses as sore throats, coughs, colds, or minor fevers, you can walk into any of these clinics for an immediate exam and treatment plan. Clients who have utilized these services state that most visits take less than 15 minutes, and also include wellness and prevention services (immunization and screenings).

Healthcare Reform and the Prevention of Chronic Illnesses

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

However you may feel about health care reform and the changes it will bring, one major outcome will be the mandatory implementation of preventative care on all policies. It is proposed that preventive care will be covered without any co pays or deductibles. Considering it is thought that half the conditions we treat in our health care system could be avoidable, the expansion of preventive screenings and vaccinations should help to bring down the number of chronic conditions that we see today.


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