cmonfils | February 23, 2011
The Self-Insurer Volume 30 February 2011
By: Michael Friedman & John Eggertsen
With the onset of the new Congress, and the Republicans pressing to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”), an effort which most pundits –whether they applaud or deplore it—agree is not likely to succeed, the fate of the PPACA may well lie in the hands of the judiciary. (more…)
cmonfils | February 23, 2011
Posted On: Feb. 18, 2011
WASHINGTON (Reuters)—Repealing the U.S. health care law enacted last year would add $210 billion to the nation’s deficit over the next decade, congressional auditors said Friday.
The Congressional Budget Office said enactment of a House of Representatives measure last month to scrap the health care overhaul would eliminate a number of provisions aimed at reducing federal health care costs as well as strip out new revenue-creating taxes and fees. (more…)
cmonfils | February 23, 2011
Illinois Senate Bill 0152
The Illinois Senate has again introduced a bill requiring all insurance companies to submit automobile property damage claims (liability and damage issues only) to Inter-Company Arbitration. The parties may agree to use an alternate forum. The bill was introduced on February 8, 2011.
The Amicus Committee will monitor this bill and keep you apprised of the bill’s progress.
Kammy Poff Amicus Committee Co-Chair
Joe Willis StateNet Subcommittee Chair
cmonfils | February 23, 2011
MyHealthGuide Source: Self-Insurance Institute of America, Inc. (SIIA) White Paper, 2/2011, www.siia.org
For the past 30 years, employers of all sizes have historically chosen to self-insure the health benefits plans they offer to their employees. Some observers have raised concerns that the continued expansion of employers who self-insure might impact negatively on state health insurance exchanges to be established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) intended to provide coverage to individuals and small employers. (more…)
cmonfils | February 23, 2011
By STEVE ROSEN The Kansas City Star
When Congress passed landmark health care reform last year, at least one coverage plan was left out of the law — insurance programs geared solely to college students.
Now the federal government seems intent on plugging that hole. (more…)
cmonfils | February 18, 2011
Patrick proposes health fee overhaul
Seeks power to examine insurer contracts as part of shift to budgeted care
By Liz Kowalczyk Globe Staff / February 17, 2011
Governor Deval Patrick plans to file long-awaited legislation today that would give him authority to scrutinize the fees paid to hospitals and doctors, part of a proposal to transform how providers are compensated and to curb rising health care costs, according to high-level administration officials. (more…)
cmonfils | February 18, 2011
www.self-insuranceworld.blogspot.com
February 9, 2011
The self-insurance/alternative industry is a major force in the U.S. economy, but it is largely invisible to most members of Congress. It is similarly cloaked at the state level.
So why the disconnect? Follow the money trail, or should I say the absence of such a trail.
While it’s rare these days that political contributions can explicitly “buy votes,” the reality is that financial support normally does get you access to politicians, which allows interest groups to deliver their messages in an unfiltered way. (more…)
cmonfils | February 18, 2011
February 15, 2011 • Roy Harmon III
Following up on an earlier post, the new claims appeals and review rules present some opportunities to claimants and concomitant risks to plans. PHS incorporate the existing claims regulation DOL Reg. Sec. 2560.503-1 into an augmented claims procedure for internal appeals. PHS Act § 2719 provides that plans and issuers must initially incorporate the internal claims and appeals processes set forth in 29 CFR 2560.503-1 and update these processes as required by the DOL. (more…)
cmonfils | February 18, 2011
By Nancy Remsen, Free Press Staff • Tuesday, February 8, 2011
MONTPELIER — The woman who Gov. Peter Shumlin hired to guide his health reform effort presented lawmakers Tuesday with the administration’s roadmap — an 80-page bill — leading to a consolidated, publicly financed system that would provide medical coverage to all Vermonters.
“We don’t think we have all the answers, but we think we are putting in front of you a solid proposal for moving forward with major, meaningful health reform,” Anya Rader Wallack, Shumlin’s special assistant on health reform, told members of House Health Care and Senate Health and Welfare committees. “We know you will find ways to change and improve it.” (more…)
cmonfils | February 18, 2011
February 9, 2011
President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul is headed for a showdown in the Supreme Court, and the timing – still undetermined – could be everything.
If the high court doesn’t rule on the law’s constitutionality by the time voters go to the polls in 2012, the law will almost certainly be campaign fodder again, as it was in 2010.
Republicans mostly want the Supreme Court to get and decide the case quickly. They like the high court’s current composition and want those nine justices to weigh in on the issue before any change to the panel might occur. (more…)
cmonfils | February 18, 2011
By Aimee Miles Feb 08, 2011
Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin, who was elected last November after promising to reform health care in the state, unveiled a bill Tuesday that would abolish most forms of private health insurance and move state residents into a publicly funded insurance pool.
His much anticipated proposal lays out a strategy that leaves a number of key details—including how to pay for the system—open for debate. (more…)
cmonfils | February 18, 2011
February 8, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – Fifty-one percent of HR managers in a recent poll said they will keep their employee health coverage offerings.
However, according to an article on the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) Web site about its poll, 48% of respondents indicated they are awaiting regulatory guidance or information on the health care reform law before deciding on their benefits packages. (more…)
cmonfils | February 10, 2011
News Release
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 Contact: HHS Press Office (202) 690-6343
A new proposed regulation announced today by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would ensure students enrolled in health insurance coverage through their college or university benefit from critical consumer protections created by the Affordable Care Act. Students enrolled in college plans would have the freedom from worrying about losing their insurance, or having it capped unexpectedly if they are in an accident or become sick.
“Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, college students will have more control over their health care,” said Secretary Sebelius. “This rule would ensure that these plans remain a viable, affordable option for students while guaranteeing that they are regulated consistently and offer transparent benefits to students.” (more…)
