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 …
How the Affordable Care Act Will Affect Nursing Homes
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) promises to provide additional benefits to all Americans, including enhanced preventive care and greater access to affordable coverage. Many changes have already gone into effect, and more are on the way. Here we look at how the ACA will specifically affect nursing homes. More Information …
What Are Insurance “Navigators” Under the Affordable Care Act?
As of January 2014, most Americans will be required to carry health insurance under the new healthcare mandate. In response, some states, including California, Oregon and New York, have created health insurance exchanges: marketplaces where consumers can compare plans and rates and obtain coverage. Many states have chosen not to …
New Health Care Wizard Designed to Help Business Owners Understand Obamacare
Business owners have a new resource for information about the upcoming health care changes and requirements under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as “Obamacare.” A new website enables employers to enter their business’s information, including current health insurance information, company size and location, and receive information about changes …
Could Workplace Prevention Programs Help Tackle Obesity?
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have created a free informational program called LEAN Works to help employers implement workplace obesity prevention programs. The program aids employers in planning, building and promoting a program and assessing the results after implementation. Such programs are as important as ever, today, as obesity …
Who is Eligible for Tax Credits and Cost-Sharing Subsidies in California?
Many Californians are concerned about how they will afford health insurance when the individual health care mandate goes into effect in January 2014 as part of the Affordable Care Act. To address this concern, the Affordable Care Act stipulates that individuals who do not have access to employer-based health insurance …