Latest News + Info
The latest information relating to the health insurance industry.
Health benefit safe harbors put Payroll in the driver’s seat
Business Management reports: "The Affordable Care Act health care reform law requires employers of 50 or more full-time employees to play—by offering them affordable health benefits that provide minimum value—or pay free-rider penalties (See “IRS issues regs on...
Health care reform’s unexpected victims
CNN Money reports: "A new study suggests that American insurers may start prohibiting premium payments via debit or credit card, a move that will put Americans without bank accounts in a major bind. Health insurance companies are hectic places these days -- they're...
Great News for Illinoisans Looking for Health Coverage
AARP Blog reports: "For too long, thousands of Illinoisans have not had access to basic health and dental care even when employed. But on May 23rd, the State Senate passed a key legislative measure that will establish the state’s first Health Insurance...
How Employers Can Get Out of the Health Insurance Business
Zane Benefits reports: "With 2014 looming, businesses of all sizes are scrambling to understand the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and how it will affect their bottom line. How many employers will drop group health insurance coverage in 2014? How will larger employers deal...
Will ‘smart’ shoppers bring down PPACA?
BenefitsPro reports: "Even before benefits became my job, I knew they were a big deal. When my parents talked to me about job options as I dove into the workforce—and before that, too—much of the conversation revolved around the importance of benefits, notably health...
Employers test mix of strategies to avoid PPACA
Benefits pro reports: "Employers that have pruned the hours of part-timers in response to Obamacare have generated plenty of headlines, mostly negative. But it’s not the only strategy they’re testing in hopes of sparing themselves the expense of buying health...
HSA contribution and out-of-pocket maximums
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced the 2014 contribution limits, deductible minimums and out-of-pocket maximums for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high-deductible health plans (HDHPs). An HDHP must have a deductible of at least $1,250 for individual...
Do Seniors Have To Wait Two Extra Years To Get Medicare?
Insurance News Net reports: "Some observers and politicians insist there is little choice but to raise the Medicare age to 67. With the US economy having seen better days, many people argue that the federal government is obligated to find ways to trim spending—and...
Latest Health Hurdle: Buying Insurance Without A Bank Account
NPR reports: "When movie stars become unbankable, they're no longer a slam dunk at the box office. When investments become unbankable, they're relegated to the Wall Street's junk pile. For ordinary Americans deemed unbankable —those who don't have a traditional...
State-run Health Insurance Marketplace: Why AFC Opposes it.
Aids Foundation Chicago reports: 'The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) recently made the difficult decision to oppose legislation that creates a state-federal partnership for operating Illinois’ health insurance marketplace. We base this decision on the poor consumer...