Archive for the ‘Laws’ Category
Thursday, June 17th, 2010
While many young adults faced losing coverage as they aged off their parent’s plan, had no coverage in the case of an unexpected pregnancy, or merely had the bare necessities covered by their school plans, all can breathe a sigh of relief as health care reform promises to end their fears.
As mentioned in earlier posts, the most immediate change is coverage will be extended to overage dependents, as long as they are not offered other employer sponsored coverage, up through their 26th birthday. This helps ease the burden of uninsured claims, as many of these adult children would wait over two years before attempting to obtain their own coverage.
This is a preview of
Many Important Health Care Reform Changes for Young Adults
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Read the full post (320 words, estimated 1:17 mins reading time)
Tags: children's health, group health, health insurance, heath insurance, Universal Health Care
Posted in Employees, Employers, Family, Federal, Laws | Comments Off
Tuesday, May 4th, 2010
As planned during six months following the signing of the health care reform bill, coverage will be extended for dependents up to the age of 26. This will allow parents to continue to offer health insurance coverage to their dependent children, even if those children do not live in the same household. This also holds true for young adults under 26 living out of state, and those that are married. Basically, unless they are offered employer sponsored health insurance, they can continue to remain on their parent’s coverage.
This is a preview of
Insurers to Offer Overage Dependents Coverage Earlier Than Anticipated
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Read the full post (177 words, estimated 42 secs reading time)
Tags: children's health, health care reform, heath insurance, individual health
Posted in Employees, Family, Federal, Individual, Laws, Resources | Comments Off
Thursday, March 25th, 2010
Though some fine tuning will be taking place, the plan for implementing the Health Care Reform Bill during the first year will (most likely) look something like this:
- Dependent children will be eligible to stay covered under their parent’s plan until their 26th birthday. The House is still pushing to make this coverage last through their 26th birthday.
- Insurers can no longer impose exclusions on pre-existing conditions in children. Children are considered exempt from this until their 19th birthday
- Lifetime maximums on benefits and annual limits on coverage will be discontinued
This is a preview of
The First Year for Health Care Reform – Step One
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Read the full post (225 words, estimated 54 secs reading time)
Tags: doughnut hole, health care reform, health insurance, pre-existing, preventative care, Universal Health Care
Posted in Federal, General, Government Run Health Plan, Laws | Comments Off
Monday, March 22nd, 2010
No one really knows! It seems that revisions are made by the hour, and nothing is quite set in stone as of yet. Also (as of this hour) 11 states have filed lawsuits stating that the bill is unconstitutional, in that it forces people to pay for coverage or face financial penalties. Does it promise to cover all Americans? Supposedly, by 2014, after spending the next few years inching towards this goal by means of guaranteed issue policies, no lifetime maximum amounts, the cessation of policy rescission’s, etc. Once this is in place, individual policies would be purchased via an exchange:
This is a preview of
Health Care Reform is here! What does this mean for you?
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Read the full post (298 words, estimated 1:12 mins reading time)
Tags: health insurance, individual health, pre-existing, underwriting, Universal Health Care
Posted in Federal, Government Run Health Plan, Laws, Resources, Tools | Comments Off
Sunday, February 14th, 2010
Recently, the California Department of Managed Care has released some new guidelines for HMO patients, in order to create a more efficient and comprehensive level of care for these patients. Among the new rules:
• A physician appointment within 10 business days of a request
• A specialist appointment within 15 business days of a request
• An urgent care visit within 48 hours of a request
• Telephone access to a health care professional at all times.
This is a preview of
California's Timely Access to Medical Care
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Tags: health insurance, HMO plan, network provider
Posted in Employees, Employers, Family, General, Individual, Laws, Resources, State | Comments Off
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010
Health Care reform faced yet another setback as Massachusetts State Senator Scott Brown received 51.9% of the vote needed to fill late Senator Kennedy’s seat in the US Senate. This now makes the Republican head count 41, thereby bringing the 60-count Democrats were relying on to pass the health care reform legislation to an end. Brown’s strong statements regarding the negative portions of the bill, such as higher taxes and the destruction of jobs, played a major role in his political success. However, ironic that he fills the seat of a major proponent of universal health care, many are breathing a sigh of relief as the thought is while health care reform is much needed, it is something that needs to be dealt with carefully – not a “fix it later” attitude.
This is a preview of
Brown's Victory & What it Means for Health Care Reform
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Tags: health insurance, individual health, Universal Health Care
Posted in Federal, Government Run Health Plan, Laws, State | Comments Off
Monday, January 18th, 2010
Worries grow as those Californians who have been receiving assistance with their COBRA premiums are faced with losing financial assistance. As federal stimulus money dwindles, the 65% of premium formerly covered by this subsidy will expire, leaving many to make a tough choice – pay the premiums or go without coverage. COBRA (the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) was passed in 1985, allowing involuntarily terminated employees to keep their current health plan, and take over the payments for their monthly premiums. However, after many years and skyrocketing health care inflation, many people are finding that their COBRA premiums are exceeding their unemployment benefits.
If reports are correct in showing that 40% of newly employed people applied for the COBRA subsidy, these numbers can mean that the number of uninsured people will rise along with the lack of federal support. There are some plans in the works, however, which may bring some much needed relief:
HR 3930 would extend the period of eligibility through June 2010, increase the maximum duration of the subsidy to 15 months and end all subsidies at the end of December 2010.
S 2730 by includes the same provisions as the House bill and would also increase the federal subsidy from 65% of the premium to 75%, as well as expand eligibility to include employed people who lose health coverage because of involuntary reduction of hours.
COBRA Subsidy Laws are changing all the time. We will try and bring you the most updated information as we can. In the meantime, there are many websites to help you keep up with the changes. We are also happy to answer any questions you have!
Permanent link to this post (280 words, estimated 1:07 mins reading time)
Tags: COBRA, group health, health care costs, premiums
Posted in Employees, Employers, Federal, Group, Laws, Resources | Comments Off
Wednesday, January 6th, 2010
According to studies done in 2010, High Deductible Health Plans increased significantly in both the group and individual markets. Many found that taking on higher out of pocket plans greatly reduced their premiums, while not affecting first dollar benefits, such as preventive care or doctor office visits. It was shown that individual enrollment in HDHP’s increased from 39% in 2007 to 51% in 2010. Numbers were similar when reviewing group enrollment in HDHP’s. It is believed that as more information is provided to potential enrollees of HDHP’s regarding the benefits of adding on a health savings account, more people wanted to take advantage of the tax benefits as well. Overall, many feel that these plans gave them more control over their health care needs and costs as a whole.
This is a preview of
High Deductible Health Plans and HSA’s Growing in both Group & Individual Markets
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Read the full post (202 words, estimated 48 secs reading time)
Posted in Employees, Employers, Family, Federal, Group, Individual, Laws | Comments Off
Monday, November 2nd, 2009
The federal economic stimulus package which covers 65% of the cost of COBRA premiums is set to end as of December 2009. This reduction was designed to assist those who had an involuntary termination of employment and were eligible for COBRA during the period of September 1, 2008 through December 31, 2009. Though the subsidy is set to end after a period of 9 months, this does not mean you are going to lose your coverage. Instead, you will now be covering the entire cost for the remainder of your 18 months, or longer if your coverage is eligible for extension. The subsidy will end prior to the 9 months in the case of eligibility for coverage under a new group plan, eligibility for Medicare, or in the case of non-payment of the remainder of the COBRA premiums.
Let us help you find alternate coverage before your COBRA expires. There are many options for you and your family, and we are happy to help you determine whether a new plan is the best route, or to stay on COBRA for the remainder of your eligibility period. It is our pleasure to help you determine the best choice for your health insurance coverage.
Permanent link to this post (203 words, estimated 49 secs reading time)
Tags: COBRA, health insurance, premiums
Posted in Employees, Employers, Federal, Group, Laws, Resources | Comments Off
Monday, September 28th, 2009
For the 42 million seniors and people with disabilities who are currently enrolled in Medicare Part B, a recent vote has ensured that there will be no premium increase for Part B. The standard premium is currently $96.40; slightly higher for those with incomes over $85,000 for individuals or $170,000 for couples. This premium is calculated annually to cover around 25% of the Medicare program. For 2010, this would mean the premiums would be at about $103 (and up!) per month. However, there is a “hold harmless” policy which eliminates this rate hike, by utilizing $2.8 billion from a 2008 fund to improve Medicare.
Due to the economic recession, Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment is expected to be zero, and therefore the checks will not increase. Therefore, if the Part B premium increase is projected to be more than the increase in Social Security, most current Medicare enrollees are ensured no premium hikes. As with any law, however, there are loopholes and if Congress did not step in, there would have been some enrollees who would have not fallen under the hold harmless policy (i.e. new Medicare enrollments, and those whose premiums are not deducted from the Social Security checks). With the implementation of this act, all Medicare enrollees will be spared any rate increases for their Part B premiums.
Permanent link to this post (222 words, estimated 53 secs reading time)
Tags: heath insurance, medicare
Posted in Federal, Laws, Resources, Seniors | Comments Off
