I subscribe to hhs.gov and their Exchange online marketplace blog. Lately they have been sharing stories about people who will be impacted in a positive way under Obamacare. The most recent person we have been introduced to is Howard. He is a self employed software designer. Here is part of Howard's story pulled directly from the article. Uninsurable until 2014 Howard shared his story with us:“Five years ago, I was diagnosed with Diabetes. Once you get that diagnosis, the insurance company......
Cavalcade of Risk #191: Call for submissions
Julie Ferguson hosts next week's Cav. Entries are due by Monday (the 2nd).To submit your risk-related post, just click here to email it.You'll need to provide:■ Your post's url and title■ Your blog's url and name■ Your name and email■ A (brief) summary of the postPLEASE remember: ONLY posts that relate to risk (not personal finance tips and the like). And please only submit if you are willing to link back to the carnival if your submission is accepted.......
Open wide and say...Yikes!
One of the "core" elements of the train wreck's Essential Health Benefits mandate is the requirement to provide pediatric dental benefits.FoIB Jeremy from Assurant Employee Benefits has some news about how that's going to play out in real life. As with so many aspects of the ObamaTax, there's little guidance from Capital City as to what's going to actually be enforced come January. It appears that large groups (ie over 50 employees) probably won't......
Oscar-care
Need health insurance? Think transparency. Think lower health care costs. Think lower health insurance premiums. Think Oscar-care. Oscar-care is a start-up health insurance company making their debut on the New York health insurance exchange in a few weeks.Oscar will have one plan in each of the ACAs metal-tiered categories, and additional plan options for the Bronze and Silver tiers. Although Oscar will have some of the familiar pillars......
We've got Answers!
Recently, I was invited to apply for the position of Content Expert Writer (CEW):Insurance for Answers.com. The process was interesting: an intense, comprehensive on-line writing and editing test and a requirement to craft real answers for several Answers.com entries (both within and without my subject area).They took a few weeks to evaluate the candidates (there were apparently several); I have been offered the position ("there can be only one").I am very flattered, and eager to begin.Needless to say, this position is in addition to my real job and InsureBlog, so I'll be learning (re-learning?)......
Obamacare for Dummies: Navigator Edition
Navigator grants have been awarded! HHS announced that funding would be $67 million spread across 33 states. As Mike noted in his post earlier, the funding magically increased from $54 million thanks to the Prevention and Public Health Fund Obamacare Slush Fund that authorizes Kathleen Sebelius free reign over how to use it.Anywho, with funds distributed, the hiring should begin and Navigators will soon be able to go online and complete their required training. In fact, they can already get a head start on the educational part.Today CMS released a 217 page Standard Operating......
I'm from the Government and I'll take you to the New World. Trust Me. Uh, do you happen to have a map?
In Connecticut, "Navigators" have been designated in each county - after a nominally competitive bidding process - to manage "assisters" in the county who will actually be responsible for helping people enroll in Obamacare. Connecticut is operating its own Exchange. More info here. Here is Connecticut's definition of "Navigators"The following organizations can qualify as Navigators:• Community and consumer¬focused nonprofit groups• Trade, industry and professional associations• Unions• Resource partners of the Small Business Administration• Indian tribes, tribal organizations,......
Underwriting Cancer
Recently, I had an interesting experience with a client which I'd like to share as an example of how important agent communication can be.A gentleman called up inquiring about some additional life insurance. I did my usual pre-screen process, and he was in decent health, no tobacco use, "normal" height and weight. Got the quote, agreed on a plan design, and sent in the application.As with most policies nowadays, this one required a routine "paramed" exam (blood, urine, physical measurements, nothing major). The exam was scheduled for this coming Friday.Today he called with some discouraging news:......
Early Renewal Fever - catch it!
Previously, we reported that several carriers have begin offering early renewal options to small group clients in an effort to stave off (if only for a while) some of the more egregious effects of the ObamaTax.This morning's email brought the first such offer I've seen for individual clients. From Medical Mutual of Ohio:"For your clients in a non-grandfathered plan.... an opportunity to consider an early renewal of their individual plan for December 1, 2013. This will allow them to keep their current plan until December 2014 if they choose."Again, this is only a short-term fix; eventually,......
Do You Think This Might Impact the Cost of Vacation?
Where will you go on vacation next year? Some place close by or maybe take an airplane to some exotic isle? Or maybe just a fun place to play a round or more of golf. You might want to buy your ticket now before the price goes up.large employers who self-insure should be exempt from most of Obamacare’s most onerous regulations. It turns out, however, that even America’s largest companies face higher costs due to the health law. A recently-leaked......
Se Habla Obamacare?
If you ever wondered why the government is spending so much money and effort to SELL us on a plan that is law, this will make you scratch your head. Recent polls show that 2/3 of those here legally do not want Obamacare. So what is the plan now?Recruit people from outside the country to come here so they can get government subsidized health insurance."Well, the (Obamacare) bill is crafted in such a way that those who are undocumented will not......
Mid Friday Good news, Bad news
First, from our friend Holly R, the good news:"5 Body Parts Scientists Can 3-D Print"As we've mentioned before, this tech is a potential game changer for dealing with diseased or damaged organs, blood vessels, even bones.Now the bad:"Gallup surveyed 1,021 U.S. adults ages 18 and older in mid-August, it found only 15 percent of all participants “were very familiar” with PPACA. Eighteen percent said they were “not too familiar,” and 12 percent admitted they were “not all familiar” with the law."Now admittedly, this is only "bad news" to proponents of the train wreck. That is, after all the money......
First Big Brown, now the Cavaliers
Bob noted yesterday that UPS was on the bleeding edge of employers dumping spousal coverage. Today we learn that - surprise! - the domino's are starting to fall:"The University of Virginia said Wednesday that it will stop offering health insurance to some employees' spouses because of rising costs under ObamaCare."But remember folks, "if you like your current insurance plan, you can keep your current insurance plan."Until you can......
He's only MOSTLY dead.... [UPDATED]
Here's something you don't see every day:"After showing no signs of life for 45 minutes and being declared dead, a 37-year-old Ohio man suddenly came back to life ... doctors treated Yahle with every medicine they could for 45 minutes, but he didn’t respond and was officially declared dead."Mr Yahle had had some breathing problems earlier in the day, which had prompted a 911 call and ambulance ride. After hearing that his father had been pronounced......
The ObamaTax doesn't affect you
Well, unless you call theft "affecting me."As Bob pointed out yesterday, large companies aren't stupid - they simply find ways to manage the stupidity raining down on them from Capital City. Sometimes, though, it's not just raining, but pouring.Case in point? Delta Airlines:"The [ObamaTax] requires large employers to pay an annual fee of $63 per covered participant in 2014. For Delta’s roughly 160,000 enrolled active and retired employees and their family members, this represents more than $10 million added to the cost of providing health care next year."Remember also that employers don't pay......
Back to school time...
And for many folks, that means moving day for Junior. Laptops, TV's, clothes, and all the rest are potentially at risk for theft or damage, and the question then becomes:"Are they covered?"Well, that depends.The Insurance Information Institute recommends:1 - Create a “dorm inventory” to document what’s leaving home. Too much bother? Needn't be: just use their handy (and free!) widget. And yes, there's an app for that (available at the site, for both......
Obamacare Navigators - Now Hiring
Need extra money? Do you enjoy conversation with strangers? Do you consider yourself a "people" person?If so, this may be for you.The "in-person counselor" jobs, located in every corner of the state, range from a $9-an-hour part-time evening job in Clinton County to a $45,000-a-year project coordinator position in Chicago for someone with experience in community organizing and public speaking.The workers will help consumers apply for coverage, and......
Exchanges Plus/Minus
On the "plus" side, we learn today that:"More Americans than predicted may decide to flock to the new public exchanges for health coverage ... at least 8.5 million consumers plan to buy insurance through exchanges ... a prediction far outpacing what the Congressional Budget Office has projected"So, success.That is, if they actually open on time, and if there are actually carriers participating, and if enough folks aren't turned off by the thought......
Big Brown Says Goodbye to Spouses
Atlanta based UPS is pulling the plug on health insurance benefits for an estimated 15,000 working spouses. In a cost saving move caused at least in part by Obamacare, many will lose their UPS coverage.Rising medical costs, “combined with the costs associated with the Affordable Care Act, have made it increasingly difficult to continue providing the same level of health care benefits to our employees at an affordable cost,” UPS said in a memo to......
Cavalcade of Risk #190: Late summer edition
Jacob Irwin hosts this waning days of summer round-up of interesting risk-related posts, including lightning strikes and cyber strikes. Not to be missed (well, you don't want to get hit by either of those).NB: We're scheduling Fall Cav's, just drop us a line to claim yours. It's easy, fun, and a nice little traffic bump.......
LTCi - Ch-ch-changes (NOT good news)
As we noted last Fall, Long Term Care insurance rates for the fairer sex have been artificially flat for quite a while, and were due for some "adjustment" (read: increase). Recently, my good friend (and home town LTCi guru) Chris van B emailed that "actuarial data shows that 67% of LTC insurance claims go to females. As a result, two of the largest carriers, Genworth Financial and John Hancock, have introduced gender based rates."In English, this means that unisex rates (where males subsidize females) are on the way out, at least for these two carriers (although thus far Hancock is the only carrier......
Life Imitating A News Article, Imitating Life
While having lunch the other day, I was talking with two physicians, one retired from active practice and the other having practiced for close to 30 years. The conversation turned to physicians today and the financial difficulties they face. Retired Physician was a Cardiologist. With steady decrease to medical reimbursements over the years, Retired Physician made less money each year he practiced, while his skill and expertise increased. Since medicine......
New York Time comment section shows just how uninformed the public is
If you can somehow get past Krugman and how ignorant of basic facts he is, the comment sections are somehow even worse. What you have to wonder are people just being this dishonest or are they really this clueless?http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/19/opinion/krugman-one-reform-indivisible.html?comments#permid=14:1"VikramPhatak,Austin, TXI am also the owner of a rapidly expanding busines. (Mine is in computer security and I have 48 employees.) Average salary is $90K+ and we already offer health benefits. I am having the exact opposite experience. Health insurance premiums are set to go DOWN by......
Ja, ve haff der insurance
As we move inexorably closer to a nationalized, single-payer health care system, it may be worth noting that another such system is fading, quickly:"The German government abolished the three-year waiting period for an individual to move from state-regulated health insurance to private health insurance. This has lead to more Germans purchasing private cover."But why would good German citizens turn up their noses at "free" health care? Pretty simple,......
Forever 21 no more
Forever 21, a store that caters to young people on a budget, is one of my daughter's favorite places to shop. And who can blame her? Great selection of fashion forward clothes and accessories at terrific prices.But as with so many other businesses, especially those employing those same young people, the ObamaTax has bitten them on the tush, too:"Popular clothing company Forever 21 is the first of what might be many companies to limit its non-management......
If you like your current plan...So sad, Too bad
Much like Health Savings Account plans will be phased out under the ObamaTax, Garden State B&E (no, not that - "Basic and Essential") plans are on the chopping block:"The bare-bones health insurance policy that’s been the plan of choice for New Jerseyans who can’t afford something better is set to go away next year ... B&E plans were meant to help young families get coverage and stanch the drop of enrollment in the individual health market,......
Still Finding Out "what's in it" - Even More Controversy in the Abortion Controversy
Yahoo reports - and consider the source here:"Under the health care law, insurance plans in the new markets may cover abortion unless a state passes a law prohibiting them from doing so. Plans offering coverage for abortion, however, may not use federal funds to pay for it."By law Senators, Representatives, and their staffs must buy insurance thru an Exchange. In Exchange plans, the government thinks it can force plan sponsors and insurers to provide abortion coverage. But also by law, the OPM cannot use federal funds to pay for any plan that provides abortions.So will members of Congress......
Still Finding Out "What's In It" - Obamacare Navigators take precedence over Disease Prevention
This helps us understand the administration's true priorities with Obamacare."In a sign that HHS secretary Kathleen Sebelius is worried about Obamacare, she transferred some 20 percent of the money for the “navigators” from programs earmarked for disease prevention." Well of course The Fair Kathleen is worried. She can hear the onrushing train whistles, too.But . . . notice she scraped up the extra funding from money appropriated for disease prevention.I think this is yet more evidence to support criticism that has been present from the very beginning: the top-priority goals of Obamacare......
Still finding out "what's in it" after 3 years - and counting.
Investors Business Daily posted this story online August 13 that suggests “If a charitable hospital treats a homeless person who staggers into the emergency room without insurance, it may be punished with taxes and fines."IBD explains this is because a federal law known as EMTALA requires charitable hospitals to treat a minimum number of patients who can't pay. If a hospital does not comply the EMTALA penalty is loss of tax-exempt status. Yet ObamaCare requires everyone to have health coverage so in theory, after January 1, 2014 there won’t be any more patients who can’t pay. ......
Cavalcade of Risk #190: Call for submissions
Jacob Irwin hosts next week's Cav. Entries are due by Monday (the 19th).To submit your risk-related post, just click here to email it.You'll need to provide:■ Your post's url and title■ Your blog's url and name■ Your name and email■ A (brief) summary of the postPLEASE remember: ONLY posts that relate to risk (not personal finance tips and the like). And please only submit if you are willing to link back to the carnival if your submission is accepted.NB: We're starting to schedule Fall Cav's, so please consider hosting an edition yourself. It's easy, and it's fun, just drop us a line to......
Pick a Plan - Any Plan at All
According to the president and his minions, this fall you will be able to pick a health insurance plan from any number of offerings on the #Obamacare exchange. The pitch is, it will be just like shopping on Travelocity or Amazon.Really?Do either of those sites require full disclosure of prior income and tax information as well as a "best estimate" of future earnings? Am I required to invest 45 minutes of my time (according to CBO) to undergo a financial......
Truth hurts
It isn't often that we praise insurance companies for intellectual honesty, but every once in a while one comes through. Case in point: Blue Cross Blue Shield (NC). The Tar Heel State's largest carrier "is warning potential patients about rising premiums and other problems."While this may seem self-evident to anyone who's been paying attention to the train wreck, there are apparently still people who don't understand that adding millions of previously......
Health Wonk Review: Dog Daze (of August) edition
David WIlliams hosts this late summer round-up of interesting, provocative and always informative posts of health care wonketry. It's so hot, it's co......
So, about those convenience items
Via email, UHC has informed us that Ms Shecantbeserious has (finally) settled on rules for the birth control convenience item mandate, which include four (4) substantive changes:1.Modification of the Religious Employer Exemption (REE) definition. 2.Extension of the current Temporary Enforcement Safe Harbor (TESH) through Dec. 31, 2013.3.Replacement of the TESH with an Eligible Organization designation for plan years starting on or after Jan. 1, 2014,......
HumpDay LinkFest
■ Will they or won't they? Back in May, Patrick quoted Ron Pollack, Founding Board Chairman of Enroll America (EA), who told him that "Enroll America has not filed to serve as navigators and has no intention of doing so."Fast forward a bit, and we learn that EA is still a bit less than forthcoming about its role in the train wreck:"Jessica Barba Brown, national communications director at Enroll America, says the exchange promotion team now......
This is Another Fine Mess . . .
The comedy team of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy reigned supreme for years during the early years of "talkies". Something that started out as a seemingly good idea often ended up going wrong which led to Hardy's admonishment of Laurel using the line "This is another fine mess you have gotten us into".One could say the same of #Obamacare.Now comes word that another costly provision of the health law—its caps on out-of-pocket insurance costs—will be......
