Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Archives

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The DOL says Insurance companies are SOL denying certain lady stuff!

On May 11th, The Department of Labor issued a statement clarifying the terms the Affordable Care Act outlined in regards to preventative services covered AND lady visit stuff. It made sure that these terms are no longer ambiguous. THAT means insurance companies can’t jump around covering a few things they were denying before this statement… Continue reading The DOL says Insurance companies are SOL denying certain lady stuff!

Assurant is going WHERE!?

Big news across the nation. Assurant Health, a big player in health insurance, will be closing up shop at the end of the year. This means everyone with an individual Assurant plan will need to get a different plan in place for January 1st, 2016. But my Assurant friends, we can’t do anything for you until… Continue reading Assurant is going WHERE!?

Good news for people with pricey $$ prescriptions!

Good news… perhaps! If you have health insurance through Covered California (the CA exchange/marketplace), new limits have been set on how much you’ll pay for those expensive monthly “specialty” drugs. Starting January 1st, 2016, you’ll see some upgrades in your prescription benefits. Covered California ruled that Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans will have a… Continue reading Good news for people with pricey $$ prescriptions!

Big changes for Blue Shield 2014 and onwards.

Chad Terhune is a favorite author around this office. He writes great articles like this one about what’s going on in the health insurance market. https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-blue-shield-audit-20150705-story.html#page=1 In it, he breaks down what happened with a recent audit on Blue Shield’s funds. Here’s the Mom’s boiled down version. Blue Shield has been a non-for-profit since 1939. In recent… Continue reading Big changes for Blue Shield 2014 and onwards.

ACA woes? Hospitals and Docs feel it too!

Life since the Affordable Care Act is an interesting environment. Everything is changing at such a rapid pace, no one knows how to keep up. Hospitals are in the same boat, too! In a recent study, 75% of hospitals have reported an increase of emergency room traffic since the ACA started. Not only that, but… Continue reading ACA woes? Hospitals and Docs feel it too!

Good news for the ladies!!

Hurray! On 5/11/15, the Department of Health and Human Services (ObamaCare) told insurance companies they HAVE to give ladies access to ALL federally approved methods of birth control. NO EXCEPTIONS! Women’s groups have been reporting that IUD’s, Plan B, the patch, and the ring have been refused by many insurance companies. According to the White… Continue reading Good news for the ladies!!

PPO, HMO, or EPO? What’s in a name?!

What’s with the alphabet soup? What’s it all mean? How will it inform your choices? Understanding the differences in these 3 plan types is essential in understanding health insurance in this new wacky market. HMO Say your toe hurts and you’re on an HMO (aka Health Maintenance Organization.) Where do you go first, the podiatrist? … Continue reading PPO, HMO, or EPO? What’s in a name?!

Limited time only! Didn’t know about the tax penalty? Let’s get you health insurance

What’s Open Enrollment? What’s a tax penalty!? If you’re asking these questions, YOU NEED OUR HELP! If you are uninsured and were unaware that there is a tax penalty for not having health insurance, give us a call! We have until April 30th to get you on a new plan… Pronto!

Will YOU Be My Doctor?!

ALL networks are getting skinner and anorexic, reducing your choices for 2015. In 2014, the biggest problem with doctor networks came with plans purchased on Covered CA. It was hard to determine if your doctor took the Covered CA plans. The Covered CA search engine was incorrect and removed from the website. Some doctors only… Continue reading Will YOU Be My Doctor?!

Rates, Schmates! What About Doctor Networks?!

With all the changes in health insurance, everyone seems to be talking only about monthly premiums. But what about access to your favorite doctors who may not be in your plan’s network anymore? You may be seeing a lot of ads on Proposition 45, which has to do with how rates are regulated (see my… Continue reading Rates, Schmates! What About Doctor Networks?!