From Health and Welfare news 12/27/2012, By Zachary A. Goldfarb, U.S. will hit debt limit on Dec. 31, Treasury Department says The U.S. government will hit the $16.4 trillion federal debt limit Monday and turn to “extraordinary measures” to continue borrowing, the Treasury Department said Wednesday, beginning a countdown until Congress either passes legislation to allow for more borrowing or the …
WHAT IF WE DO GO OFF THE CLIFF?
Will the economic stress be as severe as many assume? Presented by Reeve Conover What are the chances of a fiscal cliff deal? Every day seems to bring a new assessment from the media. As Christmas approaches, little progress has been made and the Senate is poised for a holiday recess ending December 27. If a deal isn’t reached, what …
Atlanta Hospital systems to form their own insurance company
Is this a sign of things to come? Probably, as it is hard to envision all of the competitive changes that will occur in the marketplace over the next two years…- Reeve By Carrie Teegardin | The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 12/17/12 Piedmont and WellStar, two of Atlanta’s largest hospital systems, said Monday they are forming an insurance company — a bold move …
Health Exchanges to Be Run by 18 States as Most Governors Pass
By Alex Wayne | Dec 17, 2012 9:51 AM ET Governors in 18 of the 50 U.S. states agreed to build health-insurance exchanges, a final tally that leaves the federal government with the duty of running marketplaces for the majority of the nation through 2014. Idaho, Nevada and Utah were among the states that submitted blueprint applications to the Obama …
Student Loan Debt Crisis looming?
Do we really need to be worried about yet another bubble-crisis-economic disaster. I think so. The American Dream – graduating college- getting a good job – buying a house – having a family – is all but gone. According to varying reports between 45-54% of college graduates are either not working, or working in a low-end job that does not …
Estimated Savings from MLR /Premium Review program
The Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) is essentially the percentage of your premium that goes to paying medical claims. Things that are excluded are administration and overhead, commissions, premium taxes, marketing costs, etc. Health Care Reform requires a minimum of 80-85% (depending on group size) be paid to claims, and any “excess” to be refunded to the preium payors. For example, …
Health Care Reform Schedule for 2013
This year , there is very little direct effect on Employers in the schedule, however you are hardly off the hook- Beginning this summer you will have to eveluate all the exchanges, coops and penalties to determine the best pathway for you in 2014. Open enrollment begins 10/1 of this year! – Reeve January 1- Physician Comparison Website …
Domino’s founder sues feds over health care law
By The Associated Press | December 17, 2012 • Reprints DETROIT (AP) — The founder of Domino’s Pizza is suing the federal government over mandatory contraception coverage in the health care law. Tom Monaghan, a devout Roman Catholic, says contraception isn’t health care but a “gravely immoral” practice. He filed a lawsuit Friday in federal court. It also lists as …
Health Insurance Costs in small and large firms – a study
Small and large firms vary substantially on health insurance offer rates and costs. Small firms are less likely to offer coverage, and there are important differences in the health benefits that small and larger firms offer. Workers at small firms are responsible for paying both a larger share of family premiums as well as higher cost sharing than workers in …
NJ governor vetoes Health Exchange bill
By Peter Rudegeair Dec 6 (Reuters) – New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said on Thursday he vetoed a bill that would have created a health insurance exchange for his state under President Barack Obama’s signature healthcare program. Christie, whose announcement came on a day when he was visiting the White House to discuss tens of billions in federal recovery aid …