Blog - Page 19 of 27 - Alison Gordon Insurance Services

How To Add $$$$ To Your Paycheck

August 23, 2010

Want more take-home money in your paycheck? Of course you do! If you’re an employee (not an independent contractor) and are looking for ways to have more $$$$ in your checking account, then this article is for you. Eva Rosenberg, aka TaxMama, has some great advice… it’s even easy to follow! The Insurance Mom wants you to fight for your money in all areas of your life, not just when it comes to arguing with your health insurance company and

It Never Hurts To Ask!

August 2, 2010

The Insurance Mom says that everything is negotiable… including the cost of your medical care. You wouldn’t think twice about negotiating with an car dealer or a CraigsList vendor, right? Well, you can — and should — do the same with your doctors, labs and hospitals. Saving money is a good thing! The Insurance Mom wants you to fight for your money! As the accompanying article from the Los Angeles Times suggests, “do your homework and negotiate upfront… ” The

Unintended Consequences

July 26, 2010

So you thought the new Health Care Reform law was on your side, didn’t you? Ha. Not so much. There is nothing in the new law that will stop these unintended (but predictable) consequences. A provision of the new “stealth” care reform law says that insurance companies must issue health insurance to children, regardless of their health status or history. In other words, guaranteed health insurance for children up to age 19, no matter what. Fooled you!! Guess what? The

Be Pro-Active and Preventive

July 22, 2010

The Insurance Mom wants you to stay pro-active about your preventive care (aka annual check-ups). Besides keeping some yummy chicken soup handy, having annual check-ups will keep you well-informed about your lifestyle and future health care choices. Something sort of good has actually been included in the federal government’s “stealth” care reform bill. As of September 23, 2010, insurance companies must include annual preventive care benefits in all of their insurance plans. And, these wellness services must be at no

Uninsured? Uninsurable?

July 19, 2010

In March of 2010, Congress passed and President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act—the new health law. The law creates a new program – the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan — to make health coverage available to you if you have been denied health insurance by private insurance companies because of a pre-existing condition. A couple of weeks ago, the government launched its health insurance website. Click on the “Understand The New Law” tab to find information about plans and costs

Doughnut holes, hold the coffee

June 19, 2010

If you or anyone you know is currently on Medicare and enrolled in a Part D drug plan, the new “Stealthcare” reform laws enacted this year are now starting to offer you a small safety net… really small. If you reach the dreaded “doughnut hole” — that place where you have to pay full price for your prescriptions until the catastrophic coverage kicks back in — the feds are mailing out their first round of $250 checks to help offset

The Anthem Saga

May 12, 2010

Here’s an interesting opinion piece from the NY Times. At least they’re willing to acknowledge that the rising health care costs are a primary reason for rising health insurance premiums.

For Your Immediate Reading – Anthem Blue Cross will not be raising rates

April 29, 2010

As I told you at the beginning of this actuarial dance, the State’s findings will be different from those of Anthem BC’s. Et voila! As a result of the State’s actuarial analysis, the following is hot off the presses: Commissioner Poizner released the following statement today regarding Anthem’s decision to withdraw its rate filing: “This is a great victory for California consumers. I’m pleased that California consumers will not face rate hikes of up to 39 percent. In late January,

Anthem Blue Cross alert

April 24, 2010

For subscribers in California, Anthem Blue Cross has announced that it will NOT be increasing individual premiums on 5/1/10 and for the foreseeable future, or at least until the State’s actuaries have completed their analysis of the proposed increase that had been scheduled for 3/1/10. The company must give subscribers a 30-day written notice prior to increasing premiums. Read the whole article.

Small Businesses: How To Claim Your Health Insurance Premium Tax Credit

April 22, 2010

Questions abound! Here’s an answer: HOW TO CLAIM THE TAX CREDIT How does an employer claim the tax credit? The credit is taken on the annual tax return. The IRS will provide information on how tax-exempt employers can claim the new credit. Does taking the tax credit affect an employer’s deduction for health insurance premiums? Yes. The amount taken for the tax credit must be subtracted from the deduction. May an employer reduce employment tax payments during the year in