There are several stages being implemented for the affordable health care act, each of which is designed to help people who are underinsured receive the proper medical treatment. The problem that many people associate with the act is their ability to afford the new insurance program at their current salary. This …
What is the California Health Benefit Exchange?
The California health benefit exchange is a collection of providers that will offer services to people who are covered under the new healthcare act. It also includes a selection of insurance programs that are specifically tailored to the need of the people of California. It meets all of the requirements under the …
Walgreens Sends Employees to Private Exchange for Coverage
Many major corporations are shifting the responsibility of choosing healthcare coverage onto employees. On September 18th, 2013, Walgreens announced it will send workers to private exchanges to purchase their own healthcare coverage. This exchange allows employees to choose from as many as 25 different plans, instead of the three or …
The Basics of Covered California
The Basics of Covered California Covered California helps Californians find the healthcare coverage they need to protect themselves and their loved ones. The coverage this marketplace provides takes effect January, 2014. Part of the State of California, Covered California provides the tools consumers need to shop for health insurance; in …
5 Ways a Small Business Can Reduce Health Insurance Costs
Providing superior health insurance — like Blue Cross Blue Shield of California — to employees is a major expense for expense for large and small businesses, alike, but many companies are determined to give workers the coverage they need to live long and productive lives. According to a recent Kaiser …
National Health Benefits Survey Shows Mixed Results
National Health Benefits Survey Shows Mixed Results The annual survey of employers by the Kaiser Family Foundation provides a detailed overview of trends in employer-sponsored health coverage through insurance providers like Blue Cross of California and Covered California, such as premiums, employee contributions, and cost-sharing provisions. This review included nearly …
New Rule: Consumers with No Bank Account Can Pay Health Premiums with Prepaid Cards
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a new ruling: Lower income individuals who do not have a bank account can pay their health insurance premiums through health insurance exchanges with a prepaid debit card. This rule will make it easier for people without a …
Health Insurance Solutions for Small Businesses
Health Insurance Solutions for Small Businesses Small business owners with fewer than 50 employees may feel like a small group health plan is out of reach—that it’s too expensive, requires too much employee participation or is too difficult to manage. There are solutions for small businesses, now, and on the …
What is SHOP and What Does it Mean for Small Businesses?
The Small Business Health Option Program, or SHOP, is a health insurance program under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), wherein employers with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees can compare health plans online. Eligible employers enroll, beginning October 1, 2013, for coverage on or after January 1, 2014. With SHOP, …
Standardization of Health Insurance under the Affordable Care Act
Standardization of Health Insurance under the Affordable Care Act The aim of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been to reduce the number of uninsured individuals by making comprehensive, affordable coverage widely accessible. The ACA also prevents insurance companies from denying coverage based on preexisting conditions and charging more based …