Health Savings Accounts (H.S.A.s) are rapidly gaining in popularity. Read the attached articule by Liza Horvath:
Category Archives: Group Health Plans
Supreme Court to hear cases on contraceptive mandate
The current Obamacare Law requires employers to provide contraceptives to all employees. This is being challenged by several cases currently before the Supreme Court.
Politico (Washington, D.C.) (11/26)
IRS Relaxes FSA Rules
Starting this year, up to $500 in Flexible Savings Accounts may be carried over at the end on the year. This is optional, as employers are not required to comply. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model) (10/31),
The ACA Exchanges…A Hacker’s Paradise
John McAfee, founder of McAfee, Inc. said the online component of Obamacare “is a hacker’s dream” that will cause “the loss of income for the millions of Americans who are going to lose their identities. Please read the full article.
Will Your Doctor be on your new Covered California Plan?
Question: Will doctors and hospitals who accept health insurance from companies like Blue Shield accept insurance sold by the health insurance exchange? I’ve heard that Cedars-Sinai, for example, will not accept coverage from Covered California.
Answer: You heard right, Lily.
Let’s say you currently buy health insurance on the open market. But you discover that you can get tax credits from the state’s new health insurance exchange, called Covered California. (For people whose incomes qualify, tax credits will lower the cost of premiums. To find out if that includes you, use Covered California’s rate calculator.)
And wouldn’t you know it, the same insurance company that covers you now also offers a plan on the exchange.
That means you’ll get to keep your doctor if you buy that Covered California plan. Right? RIGHT???
Not necessarily.
Many insurers are limiting the networks of doctors and hospitals that participate in their Covered California plans, meaning your doctor may not be included.
“You need to do your homework because the same doctor may or may not be there,” says Nicole Kasabian Evans of the California Association of Health Plans. “It depends by plan.”
Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/2013/10/03/3534005/not-all-doctors-and-hospitals.html#storylink=cpy
What Happens if Health Insurance Policy Lapses
If premium is not paid by the grace period the policy will lapse, and the consumer will generally need to wait until the next Annual Enrollment Period (coverage effective first on the next year). If uninsured for more that three months Penalties may be accessed.
What’s New in Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP)?
Covered California has released the list of Health Insurance Companies that will participate in (SHOP). Six players will provide HMO and PPO plans. Premiums appears to be close to the 2013 rates. If your company qualifies for discounts those will only be available by participation in (SHOP)
For more information please see http://www.californiahealthline.org/articles/2013/8/2/covered-california-posts-details-premium-rates-for-shop-plans.
Understanding the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
The way Americans receive health care will be changing starting in 2014. With individual “Open Enrollment” just around the corner (October 1st - December 15th) much confusion still exists. The Kaiser Family Foundation released a new animated video to help people understand the health care system changes on the horizon. “The You Toons Get Ready for Obamacare” explains the basic changes in the way American will get health coverage. For help in navigating the new system and for questions regarding help with federal tax credits, contact your health professional
New Health Exchanges May Mean Fewer Choices
Nearly half of all proposed health insurance exchange plans examined in a McKinsey & Co. analysis were health-maintenance organization (HMOs) or similar plans, and many others have networks that limit the choices of doctors and hospitals. That could force some people to choose between switching doctors or paying out of pocket.
Small Business and (SHOP) Exchanges
As a small business will we benefit from using the (SHOP) Exchange rather than continuing with our current plan outside of the exchange? There are pros and cons to each approach. You may want to review the final rules for using the exchange. Remember, you have additional carrier options outside the exchange.
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/