cmonfils | September 30, 2011
Recently, several Republican U.S. House members introduced HR 3000. While it contains dozens of provisions aimed at revamping the nation’s healthcare system, it also contains a provision about collateral sources exactly like the one in HR 5, which was introduced earlier this year. (more…)
cmonfils | September 30, 2011
September 28, 2011 Amanda McGrory
As health care costs continue to grow, employers and employees alike are searching for ways to reduce the financial burdens they face, and many are turning to consumer-driven health plans that include flexible spending accounts.
With an FSA, employees can put away pre-tax money to use for certain out-of-pocket medical expenses, and this type of account offers employees a considerable tax advantage, says Jody Dietel, chief compliance officer at WageWorks Inc. (more…)
cmonfils | September 29, 2011
www.healthcare-legislation.blogspot.com
The government recently responded to employers who have questioned how to determine whether their coverage is “affordable” under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). (more…)
cmonfils | September 28, 2011
from Spencer’s Benefits Reports: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided some additional information to states on partnership opportunities for establishing American Health Benefit Exchanges.
According to the HHS, “The Partnership model describes Exchanges where both HHS and a state work together to operate different functions of the Exchange. The goal of the Partnership is to take advantage of the state’s expertise and knowledge of their insurance markets to support a seamless consumer experience. States may use Exchange grant funding to support the functions they choose to operate under the Partnership that are related to establishing the Exchange.” (more…)
cmonfils | September 28, 2011
By David G. Savage, Washington Bureau September 25, 2011
Obama administration lawyers face a decision by Monday that carries a high political risk and will probably determine whether the Supreme Court decides on the constitutionality of the healthcare law before next year’s presidential election. (more…)
cmonfils | September 28, 2011
from Spencer’s Benefits Reports: Two recent reports suggest that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) could reduce the majority of uninsured and underinsured.
A Commonwealth Fund study found that provisions in the ACA to increase health insurance affordability could reduce the number of underinsured by 70%. (more…)
cmonfils | September 28, 2011
Resource type: Legal Update: Archive
Status: Published on 15-Aug-2011
Jurisdiction: USA
In Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad Corporation v. Schieffer, the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled that a one-person employment contract is not a plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). However, the court held that a federal court may still have jurisdiction over portions of the complaint and remanded the case with instructions for addressing ERISA preemption. (more…)
cmonfils | September 28, 2011
Although providers worry about hugh fines for leaking patient data, keeping this information secure isn’t that hard–but it soon will be.
By Marianne Kolbasuk McGee, InformationWeek September 19, 2011
URL: http://www.informationweek.com/news/healthcare/security-privacy/231601596
As information technology pervades every aspect of healthcare, complying with federal regulations on patient privacy and security is becoming an even bigger issue. (more…)
cmonfils | September 28, 2011
September 2011
On procedural and jurisdictional grounds, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit dismissed two cases challenging the individual mandate provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). First, in Virginia ex rel. Cuccinelli v. Sebelius, the Fourth Circuit Court held that Virginia lacked “standing” to bring the lawsuit that the individual mandate was unconstitutional and instructed the district court to dismiss the case. Additionally, in Liberty University Inc. v. Geithner, which challenged not only the individual mandate but also the employer play-or-pay mandate penalty, the Fourth Circuit found a lack of jurisdiction. The appellate court vacated the district court’s decision that had upheld the constitutionality of the individual mandate. The court did not address the constitutional merits of either case. (more…)
cmonfils | September 28, 2011
September 14, 2011
With the alarming increase in health care costs, consumers and employers have increasingly looked to consumer-driven health plans (CDHPs) as affordable health care options. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) will make wide-sweeping changes to the American health care system, including consumer-driven plans. (more…)
cmonfils | September 28, 2011
9/13/2011
Open PDF: New disclosure requirements mandated by health care reform
One of the goals and mandates of the Patient Protection and Affordability Care Act (“PPACA”) is to make health care coverage more transparent and understandable. The premise is simple. If each health plan and health insurer provides consumers with easy-to-understand explanations of the benefits available under a particular coverage and the explanations are provided in a uniform format, consumers will be able to easily compare coverages and make intelligent choices on what coverage works best for them. (more…)
cmonfils | September 28, 2011
An earlier version of this Client Advisory incorrectly identified December 31, 2011 as the deadline for providing the required notice to employees for HRAs that are not automatically exempt from the PPACA waiver requirements in 2011. The correct deadline for this notice, if necessary, is October 18, 2011. We have reprinted the entire Client Advisory below with the correct date included. (more…)
cmonfils | September 27, 2011
Contrary to the headlines, the 4th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals did not “uphold” the constitutionality of the Obama health law’s mandatory insurance provision last week. The court dismissed the Virginia challenge for technical reasons but made a point of saying that the health law raises important constitutional questions that should be decided by the court on another day. (more…)
cmonfils | September 27, 2011
In the era of consumer-directed health plans, emerging technologies promise to save companies a bundle by making it easy for employees to avoid high-priced services.
David McCann, CFO.com | US September 12, 2011
During the 20 years or so since managed health care burst on the scene in a big way, a certain scenario became ingrained in the minds of employers and their employee consumers alike.
That is, an employer negotiated and contracted with an insurance carrier or third-party administrator (TPA) for a provider network. Plan members found doctors in that network and paid them a fixed co-payment, with the employer picking up the rest of the tab. Rather than getting information on individual claims, the employer received aggregate plan data (largely in order to maintain the privacy of plan members). (more…)
