Latest News + Info
The latest information relating to the health insurance industry.
New Health Insurance Options for Early Retirees
Kiplinger reports: "The new health law changes the rules. Starting in January 2014, insurers may no longer reject you for coverage or charge higher rates because of your health. The law also sets limits on how much insurers may charge older buyers (for example,...
Implementing Health Reform: Small Business Health Insurance Marketplace
Health Affairs reports: "On May 31, 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services released a final rule amending its earlier regulations governing the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP). The implementing agencies published a spate of proposed rules and...
Will Obamacare end job lock? Study finds 1.5 million to join self-employed due to law
The Business Journals reports: "Will health care reform lead 1.5 million Americans to become self-employed next year? Researchers from the Urban Institute and Georgetown University think so. They've concluded that the reforms under the Affordable Care Act will end...
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...