The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is only a year old, and while many of its provisions aren’t effective until 2014, or like the CLASS act have been repealed, fortunately Medicare beneficiaries have already seen some savings. Whether these savings become more significant over time, however, remains to be seen. The most publicized ACA success is… Continue reading Hello Medicare: Looking Good!
Unless you’re fluent in healthcare, selecting health insurance at the workplace or on your own is and has been a difficult undertaking. Adding your spouse and children to the coverage certainly increases the complication factor. When it’s necessary to see a doctor, specialists, more visits to more doctors, fill prescriptions — how much does it… Continue reading New in 2012: Health Care as a Second Language
October 31st is a mere 6 days away and with it, the deadline for many employees to enroll in a health plan, in addition to other employer sponsored benefits. Employers generally provide materials that explain available programs, and in the case of more than one health insurance alternative, a side by side comparison.. Sadly, it’s… Continue reading Healthcare: Disguised as an Employee Benefit for Halloween
October is traditionally the time when open enrollment begins at many companies for health and retirement benefits. These benefits may include 401(k) plans, health insurance, group life insurance and long term care plans. Employers generally provide materials that explain available programs, and in the case of more than one health insurance alternative, a side by… Continue reading Open Enrollment for Health Benefits: What happens now?
Was this adage in the mind of the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine when it submitted recommendations to Kathleen Sebelius to guarantee free preventive insurance services coverage for women as a part of Affordable Care Act? An important component of health care reform is including preventive care as a health insurance benefit. Many… Continue reading An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure?
There has been significant media coverage of the Medicare overhaul that is will impact recipients. What is important to note, and has not been a major focus, is the effective dates of the premium support program. Beginning in 2022, the current Medicare system would be converted to a premium support system. At the same time,… Continue reading Premium Support: Read the Medicare Fine Print
Much of the recent media coverage concerning health care has focused on its importance in the 2012 elections, most importantly the Presidential race. While the legality of mandatory health insurance, the difficulty surrounding the establishment of health insurance exchanges and the implementation of Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) to reduce Medicare costs are often featured prominently… Continue reading Will CLASSes be different next semester?
Health care reform will celebrate its first birthday on March 23rd. Undoubtedly, there will be a large gathering of Democrats praising ACA, and touting the Act’s accomplishments. Many Medicare Part D recipients became entitled to a $250 rebate to cover some of the cost of their prescription drugs. The Early Retiree Reinsurance Program (EERP), a… Continue reading You’re Invited: Affordable Care Act’s 1st Birthday Party!
Kenken puzzles, mathematical brain teasers, are usually published next to the crossword puzzle in most daily newspapers. While they are popular with some individuals, others are unfamiliar with the steps involved in working out the solutions to a KenKen. The same is true for Medicare and Health Insurance KenKens. The various components of Medicare —… Continue reading Can You Solve a Healthcare KenKen?
This winter has wreaked havoc in most parts of the country. Record snow and ice in the Northeast, Midwest and the Southeast brought all means of transportation to a standstill with the exception of pedestrian traffic. Watching individuals attempt to unsuccessfully navigate ice covered sidewalks can serve as a reminder of a little publicized component… Continue reading New Healthcare CLASSes
