Although it seems as if many insurers are leaving the health insurance exchange marketplace and premiums are likely to rise for many in 2017, there is some brightness set for Obamacare. There will be a new, attractive option available to many consumers beginning in November. In an attempt to make plan selection easier, the federal… Continue reading HealthCare.gov Enrollment: It Can Be A Simple Choice
Actually, they are more than what you may be wearing. SilverSneakers are fitness programs for seniors provided by more than 70 health plans across the country. And while SilverSneakers often include health club memberships, fitness for seniors should focus on physical activity which may or may not involve a gym. Sadly, problems with mobility among… Continue reading Silver Sneakers: More Than Just A Fashion Statement
Good question. That depends on your high deductible plan and its relationship to a health savings account. As more people are covered by high deductible plans, some employer sponsored plans are covering benefits like doctor visits or generic prescription drugs to help ease the costs to the individual before meeting the deductible. Here’s the catch:… Continue reading Do High Deductible Plans Cover Chronic Care Up Front?
Open enrollment is upon us. If your employer offers more than one plan and you are like a majority of others, you’ll just reenroll in the same plan. It may not be perfect, but it’s working pretty well. Not so fast. On the surface, it may look identical to what you have this year, but… Continue reading Will Your Prescription Drugs Be Covered Next Year? Better Check!
You’ve been watching the presidential campaign, so you can’t miss the references to Obamacare. It’s a significant component of the rhetoric for all the candidates. Hillary wants to add to it, Bernie wants a “Medicare for All” program, and Trump wants to repeal it altogether. We haven’t heard much else about healthcare from the candidates.… Continue reading Note to Candidates: Health Care is More Than Obamacare
You’ve been covered by private health insurance through your employer for years. It’s taken care of all of your medical expenses. Sure, the premiums and the deductibles have gone up, but given the state of health care in the United States you feel lucky. With retirement on the horizon, you’ll be enrolling in Medicare, which,… Continue reading Retiree Health Insurance: I Have That, Don’t I?
More than three quarters of large employers are offering high deductible plans, and in increasing numbers it is the only plan. Although the premiums are often lower, the deductible can be as high as $6550 for an individual or $13,100 for a family. In order to keep out-of-pocket expenses manageable, consider the following: Preventative… Continue reading A High Deductible Plan Was My Only Choice: Now What?
Yes, with proper health care planning. Although health savings accounts are offered with high deductible health care plans and are often thought of as a current benefit, individuals may want to consider using their HSA balances as a future health care benefit. What are the short and long term benefits of HSAs? For 2016, individuals… Continue reading Can an HSA be a retiree health plan?
The Affordable Care Act created a myriad of health insurance provisions for small business owners that took effect in 2015. For 2016, however, a new law modifying the ACA can prevent some businesses with 51 to 100 employees from increases in health insurance premiums. Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees or PACE as it is also… Continue reading The ACA 2016: News for Small Business Owners
It’s open enrollment season and everyone needs to enroll in a health insurance plan. Yes, millennials, that means you, too. What exactly does this mean for you? Millennials, those of you in the 18 to 34 age range, may have employer sponsored health insurance. If you’re fortunate enough to have health care included in a… Continue reading Note to Milennials: Open Enrollment For Health Insurance
