Federal Judge Rules ACA Payments Unconstitutional
In a win for Republicans, federal district Judge Rosemary Collyer issued a ruling Thursday confirming that the Affordable Care Act did not allow for reimbursements to insurance carriers to make marketplace health insurance coverage more affordable. The Obama Administration argued that the Affordable Care Act itself is the only authorization needed for the government to… Read More
Circumvention of Law in the Bail-Out of Health Insurers Crushed by Obamacare Losses
One Obamacare co-op, the Health Republic Insurance of Oregon, filed a $5 billion class-action suit after their company failed and was unable to collect payment due them under the Affordable Care Act’s Risk-Corridor program. The program was supposed to bail out insurers who suffered losses using the fees paid into the program by participating insurers…. Read More
State Regulations and the ACA
State insurance regulators have their work cut out for themselves. During the next few months, they will most likely be faced with some tough choices as they balance out the insurance industry’s demand for rate increases verses the consumers cry for minimal rate hikes. The recent pull-out of United Healthcare from the Marketplace as a… Read More
Good-bye United Health Care – Insurer Flees Most Obamacare Markets
Stephen Hemsley, CEO of United Healthcare announced yesterday that the company will exit most markets and that by next year the company would have a presence in “only a handful of states.” Previously, the nation’s largest health insurer said it lost big in the marketplace in 2015. According to a spokesperson for the carrier, this… Read More
Consumer Education Lacking in the Marketplace
A recent study from the Episcopal Health Foundation and the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University concluded a majority of the consumers who purchased health insurance coverage through the marketplace have less understanding of the coverage than their counterparts covered by employer sponsored plans or those covered by Medicaid or Medicare. The study… Read More
Overtime Pay – What Business Owners Need to Know about the Proposed Changes
Employers across the country are struggling with proposed changes that could affect their ability to make payroll. The Department of Labor and the Obama Administration are in the process of updating the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). WHAT BUSINESS OWNERS NEED TO KNOW The revised rule is expected to increase the salary levels for non-exempt… Read More
Final DOL Fiduciary Rule Applies to HSA Plan Advisors
Last Friday, the Department of Labor released its highly anticipated final version of the fiduciary rule that includes a significant expansion of those who will fall under the definition of a fiduciary. The rule will now apply to advisors who offer advice on health savings accounts (HSAs). HISTORY In 2010, the DOL began to develop… Read More
CMS April 7, 2016 Webinar MARKETPLACE 101
CMS National Training Program Marketplace 101 Webinar April 7, 2016 1:00 – 2:30 pm ET This webinar provides a high-level overview of the Affordable Care Act and the Health Insurance Marketplace, including information on coverage, tax credits, and fees. To register for the free webinar visit https://goto.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1093375
Blue Cross Blue Shield Study: Obamacare Enrollees Use More Medical Care and Are Sicker
According to a report released last week by Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Obamacare enrollees in 2014 and 2015 used more medical services and are sicker than their counterparts who obtained coverage prior to the mandate. Though expected, the lower enrollment of younger, healthier, adults still plague the industry. The Findings: Members who newly enrolled… Read More
Obama Medicare Imitative Seeks New Pay Scale for Drugs –Some Specialties Crying “Irresponsible”
In a move that some physician groups are calling irresponsible, the Obama Administration unveiled a Part B. Medicare initiative to seek new avenues for the payment of outpatient drugs to doctors and hospitals. Hundreds of groups including consumers and drug manufacturers have called for the withdrawal of the initiative. Eliminate Profit Motive? Every year, more… Read More