cmonfils | December 30, 2011
We suggested a narrative earlier this year that two southern captive insurance domiciles would be worth watching to compare and contrast based on insurance commissioner appointments in each state. Let’s review.
The captive industry in South Carolina fell on hard times during the regime of Insurance Commissioner Scott Richardson who left office at the end of 2010. When newly-elected Governor Nikki Haley named David Black as his replacement in February, this blog reflected the puzzlement expressed by many industry and political insiders.
http://self-insuranceworld.blogspot.com/
Category: Health Insurance, South Carolina, Tennessee |
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cmonfils | December 30, 2011
A lawsuit filed last week in Federal Court seeking a declaration that Michigan’s Health Insurance Claims Assessment Act is preempted by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) will certainly test existing legal precedent, but perhaps the more interesting test will be how the business community will respond.
I previously reported that officials from one prominent business organization in the state had no intention of pushing back against the legislation at the time citing both internal and external political concerns. That said, they suggested that there would likely be “private” support of a legal challenge from within their organization if in fact the law was challenged.
http://self-insuranceworld.blogspot.com/
Category: ERISA, Health Insurance, Michigan |
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cmonfils | December 30, 2011
Category: Health Insurance |
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cmonfils | December 30, 2011
As health care costs continue to rise, both health plans and employers are looking to wellness programs to slow the rate of increase. Although many insurers offer smoking-cessation programs or discount health club memberships, three Blues plans have teamed up with a company to use its Web-based platform, mobile apps, wireless-enabled biometric measurement devices and digital coaching to devise a more personalized wellness program for members.
Category: Health Insurance, Wellness |
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cmonfils | December 30, 2011
Last week’s news that PepsiCo will cover certain medical travel costs for nearly 250,000 domestic employees will open more doors for travel agents looking to serve medical travelers, according to experts active in the niche.
Under a new agreement with Johns Hopkins, PepsiCo will now cover medical and travel costs for employees and dependents who elect to have certain surgeries at the Baltimore medical facility. The soft drink giant will waive deductibles and coinsurance for those employees, it said.
Category: Health Insurance, Medical Tourism |
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cmonfils | December 30, 2011
In 1992, I began a new career in Washington D.C. as the director of federal affairs for the Council for Affordable Health Insurance (CAHI).
My primary job was to promote Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to members of Congress and the health care industry. In 2003, HSAs were fully enacted allowing individuals and employers to create tax-advantaged savings accounts designed to cover health insurance deductibles. More than 20 million people now have HSAs and they are giving people more control and more choices in their health care coverage.
Category: Health Insurance |
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cmonfils | December 30, 2011
Most employers don’t plan on dropping health insurance for employees in 2014, according to a new survey. But, if the “other guy” drops coverage, companies say they’re likely to follow suit.
A HighRoads study finds 80 percent of employers don’t intend on dropping employer-sponsored health insurance in 2014, once health insurance exchanges are in place and workers have an alternative marketplace to shop for affordable coverage. However, a majority – 65 percent – say they would drop coverage if most of the companies in their industry eliminated their benefits programs.
Category: Health Insurance |
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cmonfils | December 30, 2011
Jan. 1, 2014, may seem like a long time from now, but as states scramble to establish health insurance exchanges mandated by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), that date constantly is on their minds.
Last week, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) released an update on how much progress states have made in setting up their exchanges. Some have thrown up their hands and said that they choose to let the federal government run their exchange. Some, despite their involvement in a lawsuit to block the federal healthcare reform law, are still moving forward with implementation. And others are politically supportive of the law and are currently developing their exchanges.
Category: Health Care Legislation, Health Insurance, PPACA |
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cmonfils | December 30, 2011
The end of the 2011 plan year brings about another opportunity to review group health plan compliance with Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) requirements. This LawFlash describes year-end action items for group health plan sponsors and previews upcoming changes for 2013. This list is not exhaustive, but it is intended to serve as a reminder of items that plan sponsors should review and consider before the end of the year.
Category: Health Care Legislation, Plan Sponsor, PPACA |
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cmonfils | December 30, 2011
Obesity has long been a source for health problems, but new data shows the epidemic is also taking a heavy toll on wallets.
According to eHealth data, policyholders in the obese BMI category pay an average monthly premium 22.6 percent higher than those in the normal BMI category ($164 compared to $201). For men, it’s an even heftier toll: The average monthly premium paid by men in the obese category ($187) is 30.8 percent higher than the average premium paid by men in the normal category ($143).
Category: Health Insurance |
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cmonfils | December 30, 2011
The Obama administration’s surprise announcement Friday that it planned to give states broad leeway to pick the benefits offered under the federal health care law offers yet another example of a gradualist approach to carrying out its signal domestic policy achievement.
Category: Health Care Legislation |
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cmonfils | December 30, 2011
From our state’s beginning, Utah has been known for its industrious nature. From its earliest settlers who drew inspiration from the industrious nature of worker bees — labeling us the Beehive State — to our modern day small businesses that are on the front lines of creating new jobs.
Our small businesses continue to push ahead through these hard economic times, creating jobs and contributing to Utah’s economy. This has allowed the state to make it through a number of economic storms.
Category: Health Insurance |
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cmonfils | December 30, 2011
Recent college graduates who are having a hard time finding permanent employment do have options when it comes to finding affordable health insurance.
Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, dependent children have the option to remain on their parents’ health-care plan until age 26. The reform also aims to make private, individual health insurance more affordable.
Category: Health Insurance |
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cmonfils | December 29, 2011
Pandering to Republicans on health reform does not serve the American people. The Obama administration should know that by now.
When Congress was crafting the law, Democrats negotiated away a needed “public option” that would have allowed people to buy coverage from the government, similar to how Medicare works. It was an effort to win conservative support. But not a single Republican supported the final legislation. Americans paid the price by being required to purchase coverage from insurance companies.
Category: Health Care Legislation, HHS |
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cmonfils | December 29, 2011
One of the intriguing things about the 2012 election is how both President Obama and his Republican opponents believe that the Obama health care law will be a winning issue for them.
Category: Health Care Legislation |
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