Blog - Page 20 of 27 - Alison Gordon Insurance Services

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

Albert Einstein was SO smart!

April 21, 2010

I love this quote: “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” Hmmm… somehow I just know I can find a way to apply this to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (aka HR 3950, aka health care reform, aka stealth care reform).

3 Ways to Stop Medical Mistakes

April 20, 2010

It could be a matter of life and death. If you are hospitalized here are 3 ways to make sure mistakes don’t happen: 1. BE THERE! Stay with the patient at all times. NEVER leave a hospitalized friend or family member alone. Even if you have to hire a private duty nurse for night times. 2. ASK QUESTIONS! Don’t worry about sounding nosy or seeming annoying. Memorize the “five rights” of medication safety: Right Patient, Right Drug, Right Dose, Right

Hey Kids, This One’s for YOU (and parents too)!

April 20, 2010

If you are: 1. A parent whose young adult child is about to be taken off of your health insurance plan because they’re all grown up (well done!), or 2. A young adult who is about to be taken off of your parents’ health insurance plan because you’re all grown up (good job!), … then this is good news is for you! There is a provision in the newly enacted health care reform legislation that will allow young adults up

Are You an Employee or an Independent Contractor?

April 19, 2010

Watch out! The IRS is cracking down on cheating companies! This recent article is from Parade Magazine: Some labor-force experts predict that 50% of jobs created in the economic recovery will go to contractors, consultants, or other temporary employees. That’s good news for employers, since these “contingent workers” cost 30% less than full-time staff (no payroll taxes, health insurance, workers comp or coffee!). But studies by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service suggest that thousands of

Small Business Health Care Tax Credit

April 18, 2010

If you own a small business, this is for you. Did you know that, as a result of the recent health care reform legislation, starting in 2010 you may be eligible for a 35% tax credit? Eligibility Rules Providing health care coverage. A qualifying employer must cover at least 50 percent of the cost of health care coverage for some of its workers based on the single rate. Firm size. A qualifying employer must have less than the equivalent of

Your Government’s Health Insurance Plan

April 9, 2010

I have it on good authority that you’ll be able to contact one of the following newly created federal boards and commissions to get help with your government-sponsored health insurance. Which one will you choose? 1. Grant program for consumer assistance offices (Section 1002, p. 37) 2. Grant program for states to monitor premium increases (Section 1003, p. 42) 3. Committee to review administrative simplification standards (Section 1104, p. 71) 4. Demonstration program for state wellness programs (Section 1201, p.

I Love This Quote!

April 7, 2010

“Blaming the insurance industry for the cost of health care is like blaming the waiter for the price of the meal.” Remember, health insurance is how you pay for health care (aka medical care). Health insurance and medical care are two entirely different things! But the politicians have done an amaaazing job of blurring the definitional lines between the two. The “Stealth Care” Reform bill has done absolutely nothing to stem the cost of medical care or prescriptions. These are

Health Care Reform Q & A

March 30, 2010

From the Los Angeles Times, a short Q & A. Can you spot the fatal flaw in the legislation? Tell me what you see.

More on Health Care Reform

March 29, 2010

Here’s another easy-to-read article about “stealth” care reform from CNN. If you have employer-based health insurance, this could effect you and your employer. And, for some, not in a good way. Remember, that if your employer’s costs are going up, those cost increases are going to be passed along to you. I especially like one of the comments following the article: “This is why there should be no employer-sponsored plans. Coverage should be maintained by the individual. Companies should reimburse