Possible Extension of COBRA Subsidy

Congress is poised yet again to consider another extension of the current May 31, 2010, eligibility deadline for the COBRA subsidy program provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Eligibility for the Federal COBRA premium subsidies would be extended through year-end and employers would have more time to fund their pension liabilities under […]

Medicare Reimbursement Reduced as of June 1st 2010

As it stands as of June 1st  the Medicare Reimbursement rate for Medicare is going to be reduced 21%. This means the Doctors and Hospitals are going to be paid 21% less for treating Medicare patients. This is going to have a huge impact on physicians practices. What could happen is Doctors will not be […]

Implementation Of Healthcare Law Slowing

The House prepares for action on a physician payment fix while the administration trudges through early implementation steps for a new health coverage law.” Notably, “this week marks the two-month anniversary of its enactment on March 23.” The law’s “implementation gets slower as the wheels of regulatory agencies churn through new rule making…prior to a […]

Small Group Tax Credit Extends To Dental And Vision Benefits

The small group tax credit, which will benefit millions of small businesses, has just become more attractive. That’s because the IRS has just released new details clarifying that the tax credit also applies to premiums for dental and vision benefits – not just health benefits. And there’s more good news:  Eligible companies that already get […]

Healthcare Reform’s “Cadillac Plan” Excise Tax

The excise tax was included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) passed into law on March 23, 2010. The provision levies a 40% nondeductible tax on the annual value of health plan costs for employees that exceed $10,200 for single coverage or $27,500 for family coverage in 2018. Data reveals that the […]

Health Savings Account Enrollment Reaches Ten Million

New study show a large increase of Health Savings Account plans. These type of major medical plans are becoming popular because they create a reduction in premium. Consumers are starting to look at health insurance for major medical events and then small claims fall on to them. When the consumer now pays the first $2,500 […]

Industry Groups Comment to HHS on Medical Loss Ratios

The Medical Loss Ratio is very critical to the health insurance industry. This MLR is going to have a huge effect on carriers profits and how they operate. In fact we could see some carriers drop out of certain markets reducing the already limited choices of carriers. The HHS has to clarify the laws on  the […]

Insurance Affects ICU Survival Rate In U.S.

Insurance Affects ICU Survival Rate In U.S.: Study Intensive care patients who did not have health insurance were 21 percent more likely to die than insured patients, U.S. researchers reported on Monday.Their study of intensive care units or ICUs in Pennsylvania adds to arguments that a lack of health insurance can be deadly. Health insurance […]

The Early Retiree Reinsurance Program

The Early Retiree Reinsurance Program helps employers provide coverage to retirees The recently passed Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act includes an early retiree reinsurance program available to groups that provide medical coverage to early retirees and their spouses, surviving spouses and dependents. This temporary program will provide $5 billion to help employers to continue to […]