The introduction of high deductible health plans in 2003 drastically changed the employer sponsored health care plan landscape. A change in the tax code encouraged employers to experiment with offering these plans. In addition to reducing costs to employers, the idea behind these plans was that by educating employees and have them bear increased costs… Continue reading High Deductible Health Plans: Is the Landscape Changing?
This week, the federal government, through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has published its Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (PAG) second edition. These guidelines (the first study was unveiled in 2008) describes what constitutes physical activity and its relationship to health and well being. According to the report, “Approximately 80% of US adults and… Continue reading Want to Know How to Stay Healthy? Ask the Government
To say the least. Preexisting conditions and the ability to access and keep health insurance is one of the most, if not the most, critical issues on Tuesday. It may be the most important provision of the Affordable Care Act. The ACA, however, and other protection for preexisting conditions that came before it, could be… Continue reading Midterm Elections and Preexisting Conditions: Confused?
Eighty-five percent of large employers who offer health insurance now include a wellness program in their suite of employee benefits. These programs are designed to help people stop smoking, lose weight, and add other health actions, according to a 2017 survey by Kaiser Family Foundation. In recent years, many of these programs include medical screenings… Continue reading Is Workplace Wellness Sick?
That depends. When HSAs became available in 2004 as a complement to high deductible healthcare plans, the premise was that individuals and families could make tax-deductible contributions and use the funds to pay unreimbursed medical expenses. With the increase of high deductible health plans as an option, and in many cases the only option for… Continue reading HSAs: Health Care or Retirement Savings?
The first version didn’t have enough support in the Senate, so it was back to the drawing board. Now we have a new bill—but will this one get the necessary votes? Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Rand Paul (R-Ky) have already said it doesn’t do enough. Can it squeak through the Senate? Let’s look at… Continue reading It’s Back! A New BCRA. But Will It Be Enough?
The door has finally opened and the Senate draft bill, the Better Care Reconciliation Act, has emerged. So far, a host of conservative and moderate Senators have indicated that they won’t vote for it. The draft is broadly the same as the House bill with some notable modifications. What make the BCRA different and what… Continue reading ACA, AHCA, BCRA: What’s In It For Me?
The Republicans have repeatedly said that they intend to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act with better health care for everyone. But just exactly what is the difference between Obamacare and the new GOP plan? Will it really benefit anyone? It will benefit adult children under the age of 26. As is currently the… Continue reading What’s Repealed and What’s Replaced?
The dust is settling on last Friday’s embarrassment and House Republicans are vowing to come with a new plan that will pass muster with all Republican groups, including the Freedom Caucus. Speaker Paul Ryan has urged members to refocus their energy on finding an acceptable alternative. But what does this mean for us? Will Obamacare… Continue reading No Repeal, No Replace: Still Talking
That depends on how and where you obtain your health insurance. Or if you purchase health insurance. This bill is shorter than Obamacare (so far, anyway) 166+ pages versus 2000+ pages, but there will be some significant impact on individuals and business owners. First, let’s see what the Act retains that will benefit individuals. One… Continue reading How Does the American Health Care Act Impact Me? Obamacare Lite?
