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The Other Side Of The Story

The Insurance Mom loves her colleagues around the country… they are a very smart bunch!  Especially Ric Joyner, a benefits specialist in Madison, WI, who writes an excellent benefits blog.      If you value your hard-earned money, I really want you to take a few moments to read how health care reform will impact your life… Continue reading The Other Side Of The Story

Change Is The Only Constant

ObamaCare — aka Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act — aka PPACA — aka PeePeeCaCa — is about to launch the first round of big changes in health insurance plans in every state, every insurance company, every plan, every one. No later than 9/23/10, there can be no lifetime limits on health plan coverage.  This… Continue reading Change Is The Only Constant

How To Add $$$$ To Your Paycheck

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 $$$$ in your checking account, then this article is for you. Eva Rosenberg, aka TaxMama, has some great advice… it’s even easy to follow!   The Insurance Mom wants… Continue reading How To Add $$$$ To Your Paycheck

It Never Hurts To Ask!

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… Continue reading It Never Hurts To Ask!

Doughnut holes, hold the coffee

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… Continue reading Doughnut holes, hold the coffee

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

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?… Continue reading Small Businesses: How To Claim Your Health Insurance Premium Tax Credit

Are You an Employee or an Independent Contractor?

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… Continue reading Are You an Employee or an Independent Contractor?

Four Simple Rules for Buying Long-Term Care Insurance

First, always consult with a qualified broker, such as The Insurance Mom! Second, buy only what is affordable.  Do not stretch to buy a policy that covers 100% of anticipated future costs.  It is much smarter to buy the amount of coverage for which you are sure you can keep making the premium payments.  It… Continue reading Four Simple Rules for Buying Long-Term Care Insurance

A Short Course on Long-Term-Care Insurance

According to the Department of HHS, at least 60% to 70% of people over 65 will eventually need long term care, either at home or in a nursing home, and that can be very expensive.  The average stay in a nursing home is almost 4 years, at a cost of about $270,000.  Your health insurance… Continue reading A Short Course on Long-Term-Care Insurance

Is The IRS Driving You Crazy?

Since so many of you are freelancing these days, The Insurance Mom wants you to be fully aware of how to manage your self-employment income and expenses, especially those handy little tax-deductible expenses.  But watch out, the IRS is reducing your tax-deductible business mileage.  So, drive carefully and now, drive less!