California consumers who were faced with technical problems in their last-minute efforts to apply online for health coverage by the March 31 deadline now have until April 15 to complete an enrollment application, but they must do so with the assistance of a certified agent.… Read the rest
The Press-Enterprise published an interesting article on the shrinking provider network offered by Covered California. It states that many physicians are listed in their network but in fact are not participating in it. Low reimbursement rates are cited as one of the leading reasons for non-participation.… Read the rest
On Thursday, November 21, 2013, the Board of Covered California decided to stay the course on implementing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and not extend non-ACA compliant plans after 2013.
Extending non-ACA compliant plans posed significant and well publicized risks to healthcare reform overall – including negatively impacting the risk pool, increased possibility for higher premiums in 2015 and significant consumer confusion in an already stressed market.… Read the rest
President Obama announced at a November 14 press conference that people with health care coverage that is not Affordable Care Act (ACA)-compliant may be able to keep their plans in 2014. The action comes after several million people across the United States have received notices from their insurance carriers indicating their policies will be cancelled at the end of the year.… Read the rest
Week of October 28, 2013
With Congress now focused on dissecting the troubled rollout of health insurance exchanges, the Obama administration is making modifications to its marketplace schedule and is facing pressure to do more. The administration announced last week that it will issue new guidance pushing back the date by which individuals must have health care coverage or face a penalty.… Read the rest
Notices about the health insurance exchanges have to be given to current workers no later than Oct. 1, 2013. Starting Oct. 1, the notices have to be given to new workers on the day they are hired. At this time, there is no penalty for not providing the notice.… Read the rest
I just received the product/plan update from Blue Shield announcing their 2014 Individual and Family Plans. An interesting change to the rating structure is that instead of using “age-banded” rates where rates are based on an age group such as 40-49, they are now based on your actual age.… Read the rest
Notices about the health insurance exchanges have to be given to current workers no later than Oct. 1, 2013. Starting Oct. 1, the notices have to be given to new workers on the day they are hired.
The notices must:
1.… Read the rest
Happy Labor Day Weekend! I hope you all have had a safe, healthy and happy summer. Hard to believe that Fall and the Holidays are just around the corner. Ok, I’ll stop. Also right around the corner is the impending change in our healthcare system, more specifically, the “Health Insurance Exchange”.… Read the rest
Today, the Obama administration announced that the employer mandate aspect of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) will be delayed by one year.
This mandate requires businesses with 50 or more workers to provide health insurance coverage to employees.… Read the rest