Halloween: P&C Claims Style

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/18/20/e2/1820e23ce73ddd7c44c9986ed4825e3c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/18/20/e2/1820e23ce73ddd7c44c9986ed4825e3c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: red;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[Hat Tip: FoIB Amanda A] </span></b></i></span></span></div>

Halloween: P&C Claims Style

[Hat Tip: FoIB Amanda A] …

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SHOP - Not as "Easy as Buying a Plane Ticket"

Ohio is one of five states with early access to the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP). The SHOP is the only place where an employer can receive a small business tax credit and offer multiple insurance companies and plans. With early access we have the green light to quote plans and rates for 2015 right now. Yesterday was my first "experience" in the system.<br /><br />One of my clients believes they will receive a substantial tax credit for health insurance. Their accountant told them it would be advantageous to take it - if they qualify. Last year they dropped employer sponsored insurance but are looking to go back because they are having difficulty retaining employees and are worried about the individual plan rate increases. <br /><br />Here is how the process went.<br /><br />First, you create an account using the same platform as an individual does. This is where we encountered our first issue. The CEO had created an individual account with his email address and even though we were in the SHOP it wouldn't allow him to create another account with the same email. <br /><br />After creating another email we finally established the account. Then we had to verify that the CEO was the CEO. The same personal questions from the individual market were asked of my client. Before committing to answer he asked a very good question that I'm sure nobody has an answer to yet:  "What if I leave the company? Is there a transfer of this account to the new person in charge?" We couldn't get an answer from the call center.<br /><br />He reluctantly completed the verification and we hit enter. Then this occurred...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcTnJpXLSV7MTLj0O4SyBQIrQeEeiUCC9C3FGM352Ww66ksL1xGe2QIMrWp_HHKRt6KbVBcyN3P7Ci9od7kLVg3tY8R5MZUgrG_AP-Pt-lvyjAsjQPR2SBPEEe3SrQX5YLwRq6P20Rwg/s1600/SHOP+error+message.JPG" width="200" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Back at it again this morning we were finally able to verify and began (again!) entering all of the employer information. While redundant, it seemed like we were going in the right direction. Success is achieved. Next step.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It asked us to begin entering information for each employee. We could either do that or download an excel document and populate it into the system. We elected to view the excel document and see what all is needed to complete the process. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh boy, this isn't going to be fun. The spreadsheet has 20 columns to complete for <b><i>each employee</i></b>. Each dependent has an additional 8 columns to complete. You must provide date of birth, social security number, date of hire, address, employee code, and a preferred method of contact for each employee and their dependents.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We are stopped once again. The employer needs to have someone complete the spreadsheet with the proper format. Cut and paste are great tools and hopefully will make transposing easier. But the company still has to get dates of birth and social security numbers of spouses and dependents.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At this point the employer is stopping the process. Without knowing the rates and benefits it doesn't make sense to waste productivity gathering all of the data. Instead we will wait until the insurance companies are allowed to quote the plans directly. When will that be? I'm not sure but I'll bet it won't be until after next Tuesday.</div>

SHOP - Not as "Easy as Buying a Plane Ticket"

Ohio is one of five states with early access to the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP). The SHOP is the only place where an employer can receive a small business tax credit and offer multiple insurance companies and plans. With early access we have the green light to quote plans and rates …

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From Bad to Worse...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://englishwithatwist.com//wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Blog_out-of-frying-pan-into-fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://englishwithatwist.com//wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Blog_out-of-frying-pan-into-fire.jpg" width="140" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The 2015 Open Enrollment begins in a couple of weeks, and carriers, agents, HHS and all the rest are busy gearing up for it.<br /><br />That's the good news.<br /><br />Sort of.<br /><br />Here's the reality: if you're thinking about buying <b>on</b> the ObamaTax Exchange, be sure your LifeLock plan is paid up:<br /><br />"<a href="http://link.email.benefitnews.com/52f3b17cc16bcfa46f298d3d1xwse.19tk/VFD2bsPoxmQSym7OAdeef" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">IRS Warned about Protecting Taxpayer Information on Health Exchanges ... The IRS must do more to ensure that federal tax information submitted to the ACA exchanges is protected and prevent its unauthorized disclosure</span></i></a>"<br /><br />Or else ... what? It's not like the current administration has a track record of going after its own (cf: Secret Service, Benghazi). And it's also not like there's an alternative: if you qualify for - and wish to use - a subsidy, you're going through the Exchange. For better or worse.<br /><br />But mostly worse.<br /><br />On the other hand, once you have that brand new subsidized health insurance plan, you'll have plenty of opportunity to use it.<br /><br />Or maybe not. As FoIB Jeff M tips us:<br /><br />"<a href="http://cnsnews.com/mrctv-blog/barbara-boland/over-214000-doctors-opt-out-obamacare-exchanges" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Over 214,000 doctors won't participate in the new plans under the [ObamaTax] ... Reimbursements under Obamacare are at bottom-dollar - they are even lower than Medicare reimbursements</span></i></a>"<br /><br />As we've noted, doc's can't afford to keep <a href="http://insureblog.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-richdoctor-myth-revisited.html" target="_blank">eating their losses</a>, and there's no <a href="http://insureblog.blogspot.com/2013/03/finding-medicare-doctors.html" target="_blank">Doc Fix</a> for the ACA. It's possible, bordering on likely, that more providers will opt out than actually participate.<br /><br />Welcome to the future of American "healthcare."</span></div>

From Bad to Worse...

The 2015 Open Enrollment begins in a couple of weeks, and carriers, agents, HHS and all the rest are busy gearing up for it.That's the good news.Sort of.Here's the reality: if you're thinking about buying on the ObamaTax Exchange, be sure your LifeLock plan is paid up:"IRS Warned about Protecting Ta…

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Cavalcade of Risk #220: Tricks and Treats edition

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Louise Norris has a real <a href="http://www.healthinsurancecolorado.net/treats-tricks-cav/" target="_blank"><b>bag of goodies</b></a> for us this week, with risky posts from drones to (metaphorical) tsunamis. And not a marshmallow peanut in sight.</span>

Cavalcade of Risk #220: Tricks and Treats edition

Louise Norris has a real bag of goodies for us this week, with risky posts from drones to (metaphorical) tsunamis. And not a marshmallow peanut in sight. …

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A Holly Jolly LinkFest

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://strongility.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/links.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://strongility.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/links.jpg" width="140" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our good friend <a href="http://themoderatevoice.com/author/holly" target="_blank">Holly R</a> sends us some interesting links:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">■ We've written before about how carriers have gotten, erm, <i>imaginative</i> in their efforts to rein in costs under the ObamaTax regime. In addition to <a href="http://insureblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/of-gas-lines-and-meds.html" target="_blank">rx limitation</a>s, another neat "trick" is to unbundle the cost of care:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/26/us/as-insurers-try-to-limit-costs-providers-hit-patients-with-more-separate-fees.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&smid=tw-nytimes&_r=0" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">The therapist worked out of a local hospital ... he was surprised when the bill for each visit contained two charges: the approximately $100 he expected to see for the therapist — and a similar fee for the room, which was not covered</span></i></a>."</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Making it that much more challenging to predict the actual cost of care, and increasing that cost. Nice job, O'Care!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">■ One way to cut costs, of course, is to encourage consumers to pick and choose their care with an eye toward efficiency and price. That's the premise behind Health Savings Accounts, and it's also the foundation of a new startup called Vitrals, which offers "<a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexkonrad/2014/10/27/health-startup-vitals-acquires-compass-to-pay-you-for-choosing-doctors/" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">a direct cash incentive to have your procedure at the health facility preferred by your employer and plan</span></i></a>."</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thereby putting its money where your mouth (or other body part) is.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Very cool.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">■ As we head into the midterms next week, the ObamaTax is sure to be on voters' minds:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/data-mine/2014/10/28/americans-using-less-health-care-but-spending-more-despite-obamacare-promises?src=usn_tw" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Americans who hold private health insurance spent more on medical services in 2013 even though they used fewer of them</span></i></a>."</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So much for the promise to lower both premiums <b>and</b> the actual cost of care.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></div>

A Holly Jolly LinkFest

Our good friend Holly R sends us some interesting links:■ We've written before about how carriers have gotten, erm, imaginative in their efforts to rein in costs under the ObamaTax regime. In addition to rx limitations, another neat "trick" is to unbundle the cost of care:"The therapist worked out o…

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You Are Invited!

<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you received your invitation yet? Perhaps it is lost in the mail. Or you opened it, </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhC8Q7zNewQe9Kj3uSlK1ORq291RWmmg4zDeVwika2ZqFfWBuNDIlDeynh6l5quNMQMNxxiSgEzPduogcQ_JL9zE28aMybjguvFyHDmA1LQBxKHl2iGtqPoCrnyGwOCNaUkfIBns7Zcc/s1600/obamacare+racists.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhC8Q7zNewQe9Kj3uSlK1ORq291RWmmg4zDeVwika2ZqFfWBuNDIlDeynh6l5quNMQMNxxiSgEzPduogcQ_JL9zE28aMybjguvFyHDmA1LQBxKHl2iGtqPoCrnyGwOCNaUkfIBns7Zcc/s1600/obamacare+racists.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">immediately fainted, and can't remember where you put it.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to HHS, your existing health insurance isn't being cancelled, you are now invited to join the Obamacare party.</span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Republican state Sen. Jeff McWaters asked Grossie whether HHS knows how many people are going to lose coverage, but Grossie took issue with the idea that customers are even losing insurance.</i></span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“If you got one of the notices that your policy was going to be discontinued because it didn’t adhere to the law, it meant that now you could go into the health-insurance marketplace,” Grossie said.</i></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i></span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“So, I just want to remind you that you weren’t losing insurance, you were just losing that insurance plan and were now being <b>invited to go into the health insurance marketplace,”</b> she finished.</i></span></blockquote><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><b><a href="http://dailycaller.com/2014/10/28/hhs-obamacare-cancellations-arent-losing-insurance-theyre-an-invitation-to-obamacare/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daily Caller</span></a></b></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reportedly she said this with a straight face.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What kind of stupid does it take to use this line?</span></div>

You Are Invited!

Have you received your invitation yet? Perhaps it is lost in the mail. Or you opened it, immediately fainted, and can't remember where you put it.According to HHS, your existing health insurance isn't being cancelled, you are now invited to join the Obamacare party.Republican state Sen. Jeff McWater…

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L'Chaim - To Life!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://melissabraunstein.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/website-wine-toast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="http://melissabraunstein.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/website-wine-toast.jpg" width="140" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ebola. ISIS. Enterovirus. Scary stuff, and sure to get one considering one's own mortality. Not to mention the state of one's life insurance. Life Happens, "<a href="http://www.lifehappens.org/insurance-overview/life-insurance/" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Americans take personal financial responsibility through the ownership of life insurance and related products</span></i></a>," has a <a href="http://youtu.be/67iiYbGJoVk" target="_blank"><b>new video out</b></a> covering the basics.<br /><br />If you already own this invaluable coverage, perhaps it's time to review it: is it enough? Are my premiums and <i>beneficiaries</i> up to date?<br /><br />If you <b>don't</b> own a policy, have you considered whether you need one? What do your loved ones think about that?<br /><br />Food for thought.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: red;"><i><b>[Hat Tip: <a href="http://www.lifehealthpro.com/2014/10/22/this-is-the-coolest-life-insurance-marketing-ever?eNL=54480a30160ba0c5018b4691&utm_source=LifeHealthProDaily&utm_medium=eNL&utm_campaign=LifeHealthPro_eNLs&_LID=97611471" target="_blank">Bill Coffin</a>]</b></i></span></span></span></div>

L'Chaim - To Life!

Ebola. ISIS. Enterovirus. Scary stuff, and sure to get one considering one's own mortality. Not to mention the state of one's life insurance. Life Happens, "a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Americans take personal financial responsibility through the ownership of life insurance and rela…

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Cavalcade of Risk #220: Call for submissions

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.insuranceshoppers.net/blog1/" target="_blank">Louise Norris</a></b> hosts next week's edition. Entries are due by Monday (the 27th).<br /><br />To submit your risk-related post, just <a href="mailto:cavrisk@mail.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><i><b>click here</b></i></span></a> to email it.<br /><br />You'll need to provide:<br /><br />■ Your post's url and title<br />■ Your blog's url and name<br />■ Your name and email<br />■ A (brief) summary of the post<br /><br /><b>PLEASE </b>remember: ONLY posts that relate to risk (not personal finance tips and the like). And please only submit if you are willing to link back to the carnival if your submission is accepted.</span> </div>

Cavalcade of Risk #220: Call for submissions

Louise Norris hosts next week's edition. Entries are due by Monday (the 27th).To submit your risk-related post, just click here to email it.You'll need to provide:■ Your post's url and title■ Your blog's url and name■ Your name and email■ A (brief) summary of the postPLEASE remember: ONLY pos…

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Apples To Oranges? Try Rotten Bananas

Fourth quarter GRANDMOTHERED small employer health insurance renewals have been rolling out. Many of them here in Ohio are in the 7%-15% range with few exceptions. These aren't easy for employers to swallow. Until I show them the ACA compliant alternatives. <br /><br /><b>Benefits are Apples to Oranges</b><br /><br />Strict actuarial value guidelines are causing plans to be canceled. The plans replacing them must have a more cookie cutter benefit structure. There is little to no room for creativity or innovation from the insurance companies as they are bound by these new rules. The new benefits have different copays, deductibles, maximum out-of-pocket limits (MOOP), prescription drug coverage, and provider networks. <br /><br />For most ESI plans the benefits are a reduction from what they were. Supporters won't tell us this. Instead they point to the fact that plans must now cover a few "new" benefits that impact a small portion of our population.<br /><br /><b>Rates, well...they are Rotten Bananas</b><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ME-GEJhEM7XNFOFGYZg-ge4UTXQebsa-OH4eh9J_BzRE2mLYBI38XCAhL8hgtsjKsRmkgf4zzZY74rhG7PK_1J6ZYSXcj9HJcOmxtSTgGUWdP0m_ocGgfHkgS-jA9_etolDjsWF0FFQ/s1600/minion+and+banana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ME-GEJhEM7XNFOFGYZg-ge4UTXQebsa-OH4eh9J_BzRE2mLYBI38XCAhL8hgtsjKsRmkgf4zzZY74rhG7PK_1J6ZYSXcj9HJcOmxtSTgGUWdP0m_ocGgfHkgS-jA9_etolDjsWF0FFQ/s1600/minion+and+banana.jpg" width="149" /></a>Whoever believes that "rate shock" isn't going to occur hasn't spent a day in the trenches of health insurance. This is because ACA compliant plans must follow community rating guidelines. Regardless of health status everyone's rates must be the same (exceptions: age, tobacco use, location). If you have a vibrant healthy workforce congratulations. You are now subsidizing the unhealthy workforce. <br /><br />Kudos to the companies who found savings through community rating. These folks all made the transition last year when they had an advantage. Note that we didn't hear very much cheerleading from this group because it was extremely small. How many small businesses do you know who went to ACA compliant plans and said "This is GREAT!!!"?<br /><br />Fortunately here in Ohio the Legislature, Department of Insurance, and insurance companies took advantage of our weak-kneed President's "If you like your current plan" transitional relief gesture. For the short term my clients and other small businesses have the ability to renew their old plans for a couple more years. This is comparable to putting a Band-Aid on a jugular wound. <br /><br />When the ACA option is looking at lesser benefits and a 50% or more increase it doesn't matter if my client likes their current plan or not, they are definitely keeping it.

Apples To Oranges? Try Rotten Bananas

Fourth quarter GRANDMOTHERED small employer health insurance renewals have been rolling out. Many of them here in Ohio are in the 7%-15% range with few exceptions. These aren't easy for employers to swallow. Until I show them the ACA compliant alternatives. Benefits are Apples to OrangesStrict actua…

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Saving the MVNHS©

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110802102516/savingprivateryan/images/5/59/SPR-wallpaper-saving-private-ryan-1669435-1680-1050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="88" src="http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110802102516/savingprivateryan/images/5/59/SPR-wallpaper-saving-private-ryan-1669435-1680-1050.jpg" width="140" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On Facebook, <a href="http://www.emeritus.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Doc Emer</a> asks "<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>What's wrong with the NHS?</i></span>" and links to a story about the service's "<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>own answer to whether it can survive as a unique system of healthcare</i></span>."<br /><br /><b>I</b> suggested that the more important question is whether (and why) the MVNHS© <i>should</i> be saved.<br /><br />After almost 10 years of blogging on the Much Vaunted National Health Service©, it seems to me that the problems are endemic, and systemic. One of the biggest challenges is that, contra its supporters, the folks who run it have had no more success in reining in health care costs than any other system, the <a href="http://insureblog.blogspot.com/2013/07/too-little-too-late.html" target="_blank">Liverpool Pathway</a> notwithstanding.<br /><br />The linked story begins propitiously enough: titled "<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/oct/21/how-save-nhs-forward-review" target="_blank">How to save the NHS in just 50 pages</a>," it sets forth a kind of Five Year Plan [<i>ed: <a href="http://highfieldmwh.wikispaces.com/file/view/5%20year%20plans%202.jpg/402152334/345x382/5%20year%20plans%202.jpg" target="_blank">how ironic</a></i>] the purpose of which is to "<i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">make the case for some of the changes we’re going to need</span></i>.” And what <i><b>are</b></i> these changes?<br /><br />That's a good question.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the answer's a bit vague: "<i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">It’s not a one-size-fits-all blueprint for every part of the country, let alone a detailed plan for everything that needs to happen</span></i>."<br /><br />So, a typical government white paper, long on rhetoric and short on substance. No real surprise there. What I <i>do</i> find startling, though, is that the article explicitly sets forth the <b>real</b> problems facing the service:<br /><br />"<i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">And as no political party wants the NHS to visibly decline on its watch, this is a not-so-subtle public warning that without extra billions, bad headlines and public discontent will follow</span></i>."<br /><br />Short version: "It sucks, we can't justify its continued existence,but <b>I</b> can't be the one to pull the trigger."<br /><br />Which is pretty much where <u>we'll</u> be with a few more years of the ObamaTax under our belt.</span></div>

Saving the MVNHS©

On Facebook, Doc Emer asks "What's wrong with the NHS?" and links to a story about the service's "own answer to whether it can survive as a unique system of healthcare."I suggested that the more important question is whether (and why) the MVNHS© should be saved.After almost 10 years of blogging on t…

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Health Wonk Review: All the leaves are brown edition

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Louise Norris hosts an outstanding edition of the <a href="http://www.healthinsurancecolorado.net/hwr-falling-leaves-edition/" target="_blank"><b>Health Wonk Review</b></a>. What's so outstanding about it, you ask? To begin with, it's a diverse group of posts, covering the ObamaTax to Ebola, virtual wards to healing prayer.<br /><br />Kudos, Louise!</span></div>

Health Wonk Review: All the leaves are brown edition

Louise Norris hosts an outstanding edition of the Health Wonk Review. What's so outstanding about it, you ask? To begin with, it's a diverse group of posts, covering the ObamaTax to Ebola, virtual wards to healing prayer.Kudos, Louise! …

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Can I Charge Interest?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGI4ym1WVCmAscURuCW-IkGEIAmAyIlIEgs3P4kAxuO_Oy82pQxd-T0xgaR-QDmAJ_DScblhaiFKpL7SX_a_Sg1Ct5W8XpIXBrOoHu4RrmSSH7gg40ljqATOVHVlVoMoIJIx3ft4m9tk/s1600/human+hampster+wheel.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGI4ym1WVCmAscURuCW-IkGEIAmAyIlIEgs3P4kAxuO_Oy82pQxd-T0xgaR-QDmAJ_DScblhaiFKpL7SX_a_Sg1Ct5W8XpIXBrOoHu4RrmSSH7gg40ljqATOVHVlVoMoIJIx3ft4m9tk/s1600/human+hampster+wheel.png" width="140" /></a></div>One of my clients dropped their employer sponsored insurance plan effective May 1, 2014. This forced 21 of their employees (including the owners) to find individual coverage. We met and worked with all of them to secure coverage either off the exchange or through <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/">goodluck.gov</a>. <br /><br />In another month we will perform this exercise in patience once again. To really do a good job for our clients this process is frustrating, complex, and time consuming.<br /><br />It's even more frustrating for me though when one of the insurance companies <b><i>still hasn't paid my commissions yet</i></b>.<br /><br />For the last six months we have continued to help with service questions for the employees I enrolled with this particular insurer and have spend an inordinate amount of time trying to get paid. We knew there would be problems with this whole process and I understand that the initial issues could be a result of mistakes from all parties. However, those items were fixed a couple of months ago. <br /><br />When will I get paid? Who knows. Its too bad I can't charge them interest though.

Can I Charge Interest?

One of my clients dropped their employer sponsored insurance plan effective May 1, 2014. This forced 21 of their employees (including the owners) to find individual coverage. We met and worked with all of them to secure coverage either off the exchange or through goodluck.gov. In another month we wi…

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VaderCare? "Pray I don't alter it any further"

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://libraryrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/lando-vader-boba_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://libraryrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/lando-vader-boba_crop.jpg" width="140" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As the Halbig <a href="http://insureblog.blogspot.com/2014/07/five-takeaways-from-halbig-and-king.html" target="_blank">saga slogs on</a>, the industry itself is moving forward:<br /><br />"<a href="http://dailycaller.com/2014/10/21/insurers-alter-obamacare-contracts-out-of-fear-that-subsidies-could-be-struck-down/" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">[I]nsurance companies offering plans on HealthCare.gov this year had a new clause inserted into their contracts ... that allows them to cancel plans if federal premium subsidies are eliminated</span></i></a>."<br /><br />Hunh.<br /><br />Now why do you suppose that Ms Burntwell and her minions might agree to that?<br /><br />It isn't very difficult to <a href="http://insureblog.blogspot.com/2012/06/single-payer-train.html" target="_blank">connect the dots</a>.</span></div>

VaderCare? "Pray I don't alter it any further"

As the Halbig saga slogs on, the industry itself is moving forward:"[I]nsurance companies offering plans on HealthCare.gov this year had a new clause inserted into their contracts ... that allows them to cancel plans if federal premium subsidies are eliminated."Hunh.Now why do you suppose that Ms Bu…

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Another Ebola Insurance update

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.medmutual.com/medmutual/medmutual/global/images/global/MM_logo_horizontal.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="31" src="https://www.medmutual.com/medmutual/medmutual/global/images/global/MM_logo_horizontal.png" width="140" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well, <a href="http://insureblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/ebola-insurance-update.html" target="_blank">the more the merrier</a>! This latest comes to us via email from Medical Mutual of Ohio:<br /><br />"<a href="https://info.medmutual.com/pub/sf/FormLink?_ri_=X0Gzc2X%3DWQpglLjHJlYQGkzc1Nzg8Ho9daNtSGRzezgqofJqcjuaBtJRRw5VXMtX%3DWQpglLjHJlYQGhMrzc5RCUbzcghBzbzglzfNppWdWsOF2FzfzbSTzcG&_ei_=EqiXZKIJ3XE4H9ysaXpqWws." target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">All fully insured and self-funded health plans administered by Medical Mutual Mutual and Mutual Health Services will cover treatment for Ebola as if it were any other illness, subject to terms and conditions of the member’s plan</span></i></a>."<br /><br />This is crucial language: it means that items like isolation and special travel arrangements are likely covered. On the other hand:<br /><br />"<i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">[W]e do not have specific information about treatments considered “unproven,” experimental or investigational, such as plasma transfusions from recovered patients or the medication Zmapp</span></i>."<br /><br />They do go on to note, though, that they would "likely" be covered. I understand this: no one <b>really</b> knows what we're getting into here. And if this does in fact become pandemic, well, all bets are off.</span></div>

Another Ebola Insurance update

Well, the more the merrier! This latest comes to us via email from Medical Mutual of Ohio:"All fully insured and self-funded health plans administered by Medical Mutual Mutual and Mutual Health Services will cover treatment for Ebola as if it were any other illness, subject to terms and conditions o…

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Blue Cross Wrist Slap

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/media/images/2013/BCBS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/media/images/2013/BCBS.jpg" width="140" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Received this via email:<br /><br />"<a href="http://www.varnumlaw.com/news-events/news/u.s.-supreme-court-refuses-to-review-6-million-fraud-judgment-2/" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">The ruling confirms last year's judgment by a federal court in Detroit, which found that BCBSM collected millions of dollars in hidden fees over a nearly 20-year period from the  employee health plan for Hi-Lex Controls, Inc. and Hi-Lex America, Inc</span></i></a>."<br /><br />Over the years, we've blogged on the Blues' various legal travails more than once (most recently <a href="http://insureblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/taking-on-big-blue.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><b>here</b></span></a>). It's nice to see one that's actually "gone the distance," though.<br /><br />The case at hand actually took 3 years to wend its way to SCOTUS, but it's apparently not the last:<br /><br />"<i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Hi-Lex matter is the first of nearly fifty cases filed by Varnum </span></i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">[law firm]</span><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> over the fraudulent fees</span></i>."<br /><br />It seems that BX was acting as the claims payor for self-insured plans, and reporting different amounts than were actually being charged. Even more egregiously, managers apparently knew of the practice, but discouraged employees from mentioning it, making them unwitting accomplices.<br /><br />It appears that BX has since discontinued this practice, perhaps as a result of the litigation.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: red;"><i><b>[Hat Tip: <a href="http://www.varnumlaw.com/" target="_blank">Tyler Lecceadone</a>]</b></i></span></span></span></div>

Blue Cross Wrist Slap

Received this via email:"The ruling confirms last year's judgment by a federal court in Detroit, which found that BCBSM collected millions of dollars in hidden fees over a nearly 20-year period from the  employee health plan for Hi-Lex Controls, Inc. and Hi-Lex America, Inc."Over the years, we've bl…

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Have Faith (and Insurance)!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.themoneyworkshop.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/letting_go_allows_abundance_to_flow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="96" src="http://www.themoneyworkshop.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/letting_go_allows_abundance_to_flow.jpg" width="140" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For the past 14 or so years, I've participated in a healing prayer group with some friends. We meet weekly and pray for the health of folks running the gamut from broken limbs to terminal illnesses. The one hard-and-fast rule we have is that the person for whom we're praying <b>must</b> know that we are praying for him (or her) and must have given us <b>explicit</b> permission to do so (there are exceptions, of course: someone in a coma is unlikely to meet those criteria for a while).<br /><br />That rule is because we believe that the key to our efforts is that we are <i>connected</i> to and with the folks on the list. To that end, we also endeavor to get regular, timely updates from them on their progress (If any). We acknowledge that we don't <b>know</b> - can <i><b>never</b></i> "know" - whether or not our efforts have been successful, but we continue to meet week in and week out because we believe that we <u>are</u> making a difference in these people's lives.<br /><br />Which may explain why my interest was immediately piqued by this item:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/oct/12/us-healthcare-costs-priest-spiritual-care-aco-savings-hospital" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">"I was parked in front of a patient’s home before my visit, running through my checklist. Patient’s diagnosis and prognosis. Any known family members or friends supporting the patient. Religious affiliation, if any. Patient’s name – you should always recheck the patient’s name. It’s good to know little about a patient’s medical concerns, but as chaplain, my concern is not what the patient’s illness is, but who the patient is. I want to address their spiritual needs and see how their spiritual health affects their overall health</span></i></a>."<br /><br />Turns out, the (anonymous) author works for an ACO (<a href="http://insureblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/acos-regulations-cometh.html" target="_blank">Accountable Care Organization</a> - healthcare companies that are paid as a percentage of the money saved through their care management) called MissionPoint Health Partners. The folks in my healing prayer group were also intrigued,and urged me to connect with the firm to find out more.<br /><br />So I reached out via their site's contact form, and even sent a LinkedIn invite to whom it appears is their media outreach person.<br /><br />Days later: /<i>crickets</i>.<br /><br />That's a shame, too, since this concept shows real promise, and there are some key questions that we'd like to see addressed.<br /><br />For assistance: how do they deal with atheists who express an interest in this service?<br /><br />And what metric do they employ to measure "success?" That is, they claim that this service reduces expenses, but how do they <b>know</b> this?<br /><br />Oh, well, they missed an opportunity.</span></div>

Have Faith (and Insurance)!

For the past 14 or so years, I've participated in a healing prayer group with some friends. We meet weekly and pray for the health of folks running the gamut from broken limbs to terminal illnesses. The one hard-and-fast rule we have is that the person for whom we're praying must know that we are pr…

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About Those Obamacare Subsidy Calculations ..........

<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are among the millions waiting on 2015 plans and wondering about your premium </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-54WdGVe2I207BIhpEAvCiw00zXbYf1Blwb3gch2loCJHLYu9U14vnpR-4DBuXiC1y65OuRAYSS1UJsCq2J-A4mLbcM3oBbKlfIeVnKBFwI8EeeWrn2pUOBeab7rNk5L1Dp7_xf-jAA/s1600/obamacare+tax+credit+calculation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="92" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-54WdGVe2I207BIhpEAvCiw00zXbYf1Blwb3gch2loCJHLYu9U14vnpR-4DBuXiC1y65OuRAYSS1UJsCq2J-A4mLbcM3oBbKlfIeVnKBFwI8EeeWrn2pUOBeab7rNk5L1Dp7_xf-jAA/s1600/obamacare+tax+credit+calculation.jpg" width="140" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">subsidy, worry no more. The folks at <b><a href="http://taxes.about.com/od/healthcare/fl/premium-assistance-tax-credit-calculation.htm" target="_blank">About</a></b> have broken down the process into these simple steps.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> <br /><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The premium assistance tax credit is <span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">lower</span> of the following two amounts:</span></i><br /><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The premiums for the <span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">second lowest cost silver plan</span> <span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">minus</span> an individual's <span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">required contribution</span> for health insurance. A person's required contribution is <span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">household income</span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">multiplied</span> by an <span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">applicable percentage</span>.</span></i></li></ul><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The premiums for a <span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">qualified health plan</span> for the individual, the individual's spouse and any dependents enrolled through a health insurance exchange.</span></i></li></ul><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The premium tax credit can be calculated using the following method:</span></i><br /><ol style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; list-style: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Calculate household income.</span></i></li></ol><ol style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; list-style: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Calculate household income as a percentage of the federal poverty line.</span></i></li></ol><ol style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; list-style: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Calculate the applicable percentage.</span></i></li></ol><ol style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; list-style: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Calculate the required contribution.</span></i></li></ol><ol style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; list-style: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Find the second lowest cost silver plan on the health insurance exchange.</span></i></li></ol><ol style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; list-style: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Subtract the required contribution from the second lowest cost silver plan.</span></i></li></ol><ol style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; list-style: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then compare that number to the premiums for the health plan in which the person or family actually enrolled.</span></i></li></ol><ol style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; list-style: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whichever number is lower is the amount of the premium assistance tax credit for the year.</span></i></li></ol></blockquote><div adsense-displaylabel="true" adsense-numlinks="2" class="adsense-slot adsense ads-half" id="adsense2" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; float: left; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 40px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 320px;"></div><div><span style="color: #191919; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">But wait, there's more!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Information Needed to <span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Estimate</span> the Premium Assistance Tax Credit in Advance</span></i><br /><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Page 1 of Form 1040 (completed at least through line 37) for each person in the family</span></i></li></ul><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The premiums for the second lowest cost silver health insurance plan that covers the family</span></i></li></ul><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The premiums for the health insurance plan or plans you are thinking of or actually enrolled in</span></i></li></ul><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Information Needed to <span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Calculate the Actual Amount</span> of the Premium Assistance Tax Credit</span></i><br /><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Page 1 of Form 1040 (completed at least through line 37) for each person in the family</span></i></li></ul><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Form or Forms 1095-A received from the health insurance company</span></i></li></ul><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The premium assistance tax credit can be calculated using <span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Form 8962</span>.</span></i></blockquote><div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still not done ...........</span></div><div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You will also need to know how to calculate your household income, then calculate your household income as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level, calculate the applicable percentage, calculate your required contribution, find the SECOND lowest cost Silver plan on the exchange, subtract your required contribution from the cost of the second lowest cost Silver plan then compare your maximum annual premium assistance to the actual premiums for the plan you chose. Whichever number is lower is your credit.</span></div><div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Got that?</span></div><div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good.</span></div><div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But before you start all this you will need:</span></div><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 19px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To estimate the premium assistance tax credit for 2014:</span></i><br /><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Use your 2013 tax return to calculate your modified adjusted gross income and household income.</span></i></li></ul><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Revise your household income based on any changes in income you expect for 2014.</span></i></li></ul><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Use the 2014 poverty guideline chart to calculate your expected household income as a percentage of the federal poverty line.</span></i></li></ul><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Use the 2014 applicable percentages chart.</span></i></li></ul><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Use applicable percentage and household income to calculate the required contribution.</span></i></li></ul><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Use the second lowest cost silver plan for the area in which you live to calculate the premium assistance amounts.</span></i></li></ul><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Consider using Form 8962 as a worksheet to do your calculations, so you can become familiar with this form.</span></i></li></ul><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To calculate the actual amount of the premium assistance tax credit for 2014:</span></i><br /><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Use your 2014 tax return to calculate your modified adjusted gross income and household income.</span></i></li></ul><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Use the 2014 poverty guideline chart to calculate your expected household income as a percentage of the federal poverty line.</span></i></li></ul><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Use the 2014 applicable percentages chart.</span></i></li></ul><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Use applicable percentage and household income to calculate the required contribution.</span></i></li></ul><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second lowest cost silver plan is shown on Form 1095-A line 33B.</span></i></li></ul><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Use Form 8962 to do your calculations. This form is then included with your tax return for the year.</span></i></li></ul><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To estimate the premium assistance tax credit for 2015:</span></i><br /><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Use your 2014 tax return to calculate your modified adjusted gross income and household income.</span></i></li></ul><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Revise your household income based on any changes in income you expect for 2015.</span></i></li></ul><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Use the 2015 poverty guideline chart to calculate your expected household income as a percentage of the federal poverty line.</span></i></li></ul><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Use the 2015 applicable percentages chart.</span></i></li></ul><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Use applicable percentage and household income to calculate the required contribution.</span></i></li></ul><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Use the second lowest cost silver plan for the area in which you live to calculate the premium assistance amounts.</span></i></li></ul><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Consider using Form 8962 as a worksheet to do your calculations, so you can become familiar with this form.</span></i></li></ul><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 17px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Compare your calculations to the calculation provided by the insurance exchange.</span></i></li></ul></blockquote><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No big deal, right? </span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is <b><a href="http://taxes.about.com/od/healthcare/fl/premium-assistance-tax-credit-calculation.htm" target="_blank">that link</a></b> again in case you missed something.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Be sure to thank your Congress critter when you go to the polls.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Obama is not on the ballot this year, but his policies are.</span></div>

About Those Obamacare Subsidy Calculations ..........

If you are among the millions waiting on 2015 plans and wondering about your premium subsidy, worry no more. The folks at About have broken down the process into these simple steps. The premium assistance tax credit is lower of the following two amounts:The premiums for the second lowest cost silver…

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Double Whammy, ObamaTax-style

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.investors.com/image/Pol90_1017.gif.cms" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://www.investors.com/image/Pol90_1017.gif.cms" width="139" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">First the bad news:<br /><br />"<a href="http://news.investors.com/politics-obamacare/101714-722269-obamacare-bronze-plan-premiums-to-jump-in-2015.htm" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">ObamaCare shoppers in search of the lowest-cost plan may come down with a mild case of rate shock when 2015 exchange enrollment begins next month ... the cost of the cheapest bronze plan will jump an average of 13.9%</span></i></a>"<br /><br />Remember when we were promised that we'd have <a href="http://insureblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/health-insurance-premiums-drop-3000.html" target="_blank">3000% rates <b>decreases</b></a>?<br /><br />Good times, good times.<br /><br />But wait, it gets <strike>better</strike> worse:<br /><br />Turns out, the folks who actually <i>buy</i> these plans <i><b>can't afford to use them</b></i>:<br /><br />"<a href="http://www.breitbart.com/InstaBlog/2014/10/18/ObamaCare-customers-afraid-to-use-their-benefits-due-to-sky-high-deductibles" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">[E]ven among those who receive enough subsidy money from the rest of us to offset the high premiums, killer deductibles make their coverage much more expensive in practice, to the point of rendering them virtually useless</span></i></a>."<br /><br />It's simple mathematics, after all: thousands (perhaps <b>tens</b> of thousands) of dollars in premium plus thousands ((perhaps <b>tens</b> of thousands) in out-of-pocket costs means that a lot of folks now can't afford to use the insurance they scrimped and saved to buy.<br /><br />But hey: <i>so</i> much better than the old system, no?</span></div>

Double Whammy, ObamaTax-style

First the bad news:"ObamaCare shoppers in search of the lowest-cost plan may come down with a mild case of rate shock when 2015 exchange enrollment begins next month ... the cost of the cheapest bronze plan will jump an average of 13.9%"Remember when we were promised that we'd have 3000% rates decre…

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Cancer Walk Thank You [Updated!]

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHHWVxiKtMOQVi5dXHThrQEOHJIVDEOhyphenhyphenBtOdrRJjP2eJoGfCez-QigUY8AEdj95Vkxw9Tdq4Crs1ApiBwUtsJGLZLvDVKZKN1gvqyN2clGZWjitroSQsXEv3-WyKZLQPHIIrRBFcu48/s1600/cancer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHHWVxiKtMOQVi5dXHThrQEOHJIVDEOhyphenhyphenBtOdrRJjP2eJoGfCez-QigUY8AEdj95Vkxw9Tdq4Crs1ApiBwUtsJGLZLvDVKZKN1gvqyN2clGZWjitroSQsXEv3-WyKZLQPHIIrRBFcu48/s1600/cancer.jpg" width="140" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So, the Making Strides Against Cancer walk took place this morning, and I'm happy to report that we all made it through the grueling 3.1 mile course. Thankfully, the rain held off until we'd finished (Yay!); some 10,000 people took part in ours.<br /><br />Our team finished a <b>very</b> respectable 21st out of 539 (top 4% - WooHoo!), and my terrific contributors donated $800 as of this morning. But don't feel left out: you can still <a href="http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=62762&pg=personal&px=38384062" target="_blank"><i><b>donate here</b></i></a>.<br /><br />Thank You!<br /><strike><br />I'll post our team picture shortly.</strike></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwz2RZ16SM9zeduC9rVEHKBKU-ZIrEX5NNUO_vV2uOIjQ5nrNU_cVtHuNon9Ie8Az_of77fEIdbprimkzveHlgar4WLNYl8dcm08fM3i-wdUvbOxEhH3Ij_Jv9Ys9fJsWlLxxMyTKrq8s/s1600/Cancer+Walk+2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwz2RZ16SM9zeduC9rVEHKBKU-ZIrEX5NNUO_vV2uOIjQ5nrNU_cVtHuNon9Ie8Az_of77fEIdbprimkzveHlgar4WLNYl8dcm08fM3i-wdUvbOxEhH3Ij_Jv9Ys9fJsWlLxxMyTKrq8s/s1600/Cancer+Walk+2014.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div></div>

Cancer Walk Thank You [Updated!]

So, the Making Strides Against Cancer walk took place this morning, and I'm happy to report that we all made it through the grueling 3.1 mile course. Thankfully, the rain held off until we'd finished (Yay!); some 10,000 people took part in ours.Our team finished a very respectable 21st out of 539 (t…

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ICYMI: We already *had* an Ebola Czar

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://monsterfreeapps.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/waldoTH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="http://monsterfreeapps.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/waldoTH.jpg" width="100" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Prior to appointing <strike>political hack</strike> well-regarded activist <a href="http://washington.cbslocal.com/2014/10/17/obamas-new-ebola-czar-does-not-have-medical-health-care-background/" target="_blank">Ron Klain</a> to the position, <b>actual</b> Dr Nicole Lurie was the official frontman .. er, woman for this important post.<br /><br />What, you didn't know that?<br /><br />Don't blame yourself:<br /><br />"<a href="http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials/101514-721986-where-is-obama-administration-preparedness-leader-nicole-lurie-since-ebola.htm" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Nicole Lurie, M.D., M.S.P.H., has been completely M.I.A. ... She's the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response</span></i></a>"<br /><br />What, now <i>she's</i> in isolation? Hunh.</span></div>

ICYMI: We already *had* an Ebola Czar

Prior to appointing political hack well-regarded activist Ron Klain to the position, actual Dr Nicole Lurie was the official frontman .. er, woman for this important post.What, you didn't know that?Don't blame yourself:"Nicole Lurie, M.D., M.S.P.H., has been completely M.I.A. ... She's the Assistant…

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It's a Feature, Not a Bug

Slick, fast talking sales people (and politicians) it seems can sell anything. Just make sure you avoid telling the <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFk828gpYZ5JIfBcTgr-YX0Z3hxNFQl4iMFl2oMqxUkdh5gR8wg8GDm-KeZcmQcfPPR1uGqub9J94ortA4kNLAcMFGyGa3k0dP7Cadco4Kn6KexigQDbq2ZK5ZlaVfqfj_41adsqCDJio/s1600/pig+lipstick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFk828gpYZ5JIfBcTgr-YX0Z3hxNFQl4iMFl2oMqxUkdh5gR8wg8GDm-KeZcmQcfPPR1uGqub9J94ortA4kNLAcMFGyGa3k0dP7Cadco4Kn6KexigQDbq2ZK5ZlaVfqfj_41adsqCDJio/s1600/pig+lipstick.jpg" width="120" /></a></div>truth.<br /><br />If you like your current plan, even if it is an Obamacare design, you probably can't keep it. If by chance that plan will continue next year, you might keep it via auto-enrollment.<br /><br />But if you decide to change carriers, you might want to make sure you have enough money to pay double (or more) premiums for a few months.<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><i>Insurers expressed concern about consumers who choose to leave one health plan and sign up for another offered by a different insurance company. The federal government is not planning to send a notice to the first insurer terminating the consumer’s enrollment. As a result, consumers may receive bills or invoices from both companies. And conceivably, insurers said, if premiums are paid from bank accounts by electronic funds transfer, the money could be deducted twice.</i></blockquote><b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/16/us/us-says-consumers-must-renew-policies.html?_r=1" target="_blank">NYT</a></b><br /><br />Isn't that swell?<br /><br />First the government tells you that you MUST buy health insurance, then they abandon you on the renewal.<br /><br />Put more lipstick on this pig.

It's a Feature, Not a Bug

Slick, fast talking sales people (and politicians) it seems can sell anything. Just make sure you avoid telling the truth.If you like your current plan, even if it is an Obamacare design, you probably can't keep it. If by chance that plan will continue next year, you might keep it via auto-enrollmen…

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Econ vs Engineering: A Case Study

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.globaltraveler.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/CDC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://www.globaltraveler.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/CDC.jpg" width="139" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Uber-wonk John Goodman has an outstanding piece at Forbes contrasting the perspectives of various players in the health care arena, focusing specifically on the (mis-)handling of the Ebola crisis at the hands of the CDC.<br /><br />Basically, he argues (persuasively) that engineering-oriented folks focus primarily on planning as a function of organization, and that self-interest is largely unimportant. They believe, he argues, that "<a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/johngoodman/2014/10/17/what-economics-can-teach-us-about-ebola/" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">incentives don’t matter [very much]</span></i></a>."<br /><br />Economics-oriented individuals, on the other hand, believe that incentives matter a great deal; that "<i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">people find that when they pursue their own interests, they are also meeting the needs of others</span></i>."<br /><br />You can see the problem.<br /><br />His thesis is fairly simple, and therein lies its elegance:<br /><br />"<i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">[M]ost people in health policy take the engineering approach. That is why there have been so many mistakes and so many failures of policy – ranging from Obamacare to Ebola control</span></i>."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/johngoodman/2014/10/17/what-economics-can-teach-us-about-ebola/" target="_blank"><b>Read the whole thing</b></a> for his explication of this unfortunate truth. You'll be glad you did.</span></div>

Econ vs Engineering: A Case Study

Uber-wonk John Goodman has an outstanding piece at Forbes contrasting the perspectives of various players in the health care arena, focusing specifically on the (mis-)handling of the Ebola crisis at the hands of the CDC.Basically, he argues (persuasively) that engineering-oriented folks focus primar…

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Another Day, Another Czar

<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What's up with the czar titles? I remember studying "Czarist Russia" in school. Why does</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDp5O1YoQmgKx-X_LZcb5kVfkUPxV9xVh38ER69RSYIkGpR8FeSfocpMv8qDj7AiSx9BgWH-l4FbBawo_s6Ealpmmv75cVeXFdIkpzedux0oYlCoFKpwl8h8HONtp5TxWtDFABgd3Otw/s1600/czar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDp5O1YoQmgKx-X_LZcb5kVfkUPxV9xVh38ER69RSYIkGpR8FeSfocpMv8qDj7AiSx9BgWH-l4FbBawo_s6Ealpmmv75cVeXFdIkpzedux0oYlCoFKpwl8h8HONtp5TxWtDFABgd3Otw/s1600/czar.jpg" width="140" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> this term make me cringe when it is used by the administration in Washington?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Who decides the qualifications? What kind of training and experience do you need to be a czar? Can I get a Bachelor of Czarism? Or is this a trade school kind of thing? Is a level of competence to be expected or is it all political cronyism? Who does the czar report to? Is a czar ever fired due to incompetence?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Comes now Ron Klain the new Ebola czar. According to CNN ......</span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">President Barack Obama is expected to name Ron Klain, a former chief of staff to two Democratic vice presidents, as the country's Ebola czar, knowledgeable sources told CNN's Jake Tapper today.</span></i></blockquote><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And what qualifies this man to be an Ebola czar?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">From <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Klain" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></b> ............</span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ronald A. "Ron" Klain is an American lawyer and political operative best known for serving as Chief of Staff to two Vice Presidents - Al Gore (1995–1999) and Joseph Biden (2009–2011).[1][2] He is an influential Democratic Party insider.</span></i></blockquote><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, don't you feel much safer knowing a political operative and insider is in charge?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know I do.</span>

Another Day, Another Czar

What's up with the czar titles? I remember studying "Czarist Russia" in school. Why does this term make me cringe when it is used by the administration in Washington?Who decides the qualifications? What kind of training and experience do you need to be a czar? Can I get a Bachelor of Czarism? Or is …

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Friday LinkFest

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flix.org.uk/pages/media/images/links.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="70" src="http://flix.org.uk/pages/media/images/links.jpg" width="140" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">■ The Bay State's Medicaid explosion, er, expansion looks to be growing at a much faster clip than originally anticipated. Wonder why?<br /><br />Wonder no longer:<br /><br />"<a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/print-edition/2014/10/03/the-health-care-cost-explosion-and-why-the-state.html?ana=twt" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">[A]nalysis of financial filings indicates that the subsidized Medicaid program known as MassHealth has for the past four years incurred $500 million in deficits that have been hidden by a quirk in the state’s budget process</span></i></a>."<br /><br />Ooops. And this has been going on for quite a while, racking up "<i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">billions in cash shortfalls</span></i>."<br /><br />■ While we've been focusing on the <a href="http://insureblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/from-mailbag-now-you-see-it-now-you-dont.html" target="_blank">financial implications</a> of The ObamaTax, the impact on the <b>delivery</b> of health care is equally critical. And equally in shambles:<br /><br />"<a href="http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials-perspective/101414-721705-doctors-disaffected-by-federal-health-care-infringement.htm" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Doctors are ramping up our protests against the government's expanding role into health care ... We are instead protesting silently through our practice decisions</span></i></a>."<br /><br />And the "practice decision" being made by an increasing number of doc's is: <i>we're outta here</i>.<br /><br />■ We've posted before on the fact that the Exchanges are quick to take folks cash, not so quick <a href="http://insureblog.blogspot.com/2014/08/obamacare-snafu-gift-that-keeps-on.html" target="_blank">to pay out commissions</a> to those who actually helped people navigate (heh) the onerous 404Care site. That <i>may</i> be changing:<br /><br />"<a href="http://eba.benefitnews.com/news/eba_hc_health_reform/cciio-promises-fix-to-broker-tracking-commission-issues-on-federal-exchange-2744404-1.html" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">The long-awaited fix to the National Producer Number (NPN) is expected to be in place by Nov. 15 and will allow brokers to enter their identifiable information and receive commissions</span></i></a>"<br /><br />What's stupid is that we've been using the NPN numbers for a long time now - in fact, it's the <b>only</b> acceptable form of identification for many states' Continuing Education requirements. Why am I not surprised that the Feds are so far behind on this simple piece of infrastructure?</span></div>

Friday LinkFest

■ The Bay State's Medicaid explosion, er, expansion looks to be growing at a much faster clip than originally anticipated. Wonder why?Wonder no longer:"[A]nalysis of financial filings indicates that the subsidized Medicaid program known as MassHealth has for the past four years incurred $500 million…

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Life imitates The Onion

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cmvny.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/scam-alert.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://cmvny.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/scam-alert.png" width="114" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bob posted on this <a href="http://insureblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/about-those-discount-health-plans.html" target="_blank">earlier</a>, but I wanted to add my $.02, as well.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It seems we've been <a href="http://insureblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/obamatax-scam-alert.html" target="_blank">down this road before</a>, but this time with a twist:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"<i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ftc-cracks-down-on-a-health-insurance-scam/?fb_action_ids=923215751040755&fb_action_types=og.likes" target="_blank">FTC cracks down on a health insurance scam ... Consumers were charged $50 up to several hundred dollars initially, the FTC said, and then a monthly fee of $40 to $1,000 for the purported health insurance</a></span></i>."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You're forgiven if you thought "<i>gee, musta been a <b>heckuva</b> subsidy</i>," but in this case, it's simpler: the perps were passing off medical discount cards as true insurance. We've actually <a href="http://insureblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/when-is-door-not-door.html" target="_blank">blogged on this practice before</a>; back then, various state insurance departments were cracking down on these outfits. Now they've made an honest-to-goodness Federal case out of it.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now, you're probably asking yourself: "<i>how did the Fed's know that these were scam sites?</i>"</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Simple: They <b>worked</b>.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And speaking of frauds, the Feds are fairly nonplussed at pulling their <i>own </i>little scam, at least according to the legal eagles at Judicial Watch:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/penny-starr/judicial-watch-congress-obtained-obamacare-coverage-subsidies-through-fraud" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">At a Wednesday press conference to announce the filing of a lawsuit challenging health insurance coverage for members of Congress through the District of Columbia’s small business exchange, Judicial Watch President Thomas Fitton called the arrangement “fraud</span></i></a>.”</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Turns out, our Betters in DC© have been buying coverage off the Capital's Small Business (SHOP) Exchange site [<i>ed: even <b>more</b> evidence of their recklessness, no?</i>]; the JW folks argue that this avenue is open only to small businesses, of which Congress isn't one. Even better, at least a few of these rocket surgeons seem to have applied, and been approved for, a subsidy.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Your tax dollars at work.</span></div>

Life imitates The Onion

Bob posted on this earlier, but I wanted to add my $.02, as well.It seems we've been down this road before, but this time with a twist:"FTC cracks down on a health insurance scam ... Consumers were charged $50 up to several hundred dollars initially, the FTC said, and then a monthly fee of $40 to $1…

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This Can Happen to You

Theater patrons were asked to leave their cell phones on. This is what happened.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/JHixeIr_6BM" width="460"></iframe>

This Can Happen to You

Theater patrons were asked to leave their cell phones on. This is what happened. …

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From the Mailbag: Now you see it, now you don't

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sheerinvestigations.com/wp-content/uploads/Sherlock-Holmes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://sheerinvestigations.com/wp-content/uploads/Sherlock-Holmes.jpg" width="109" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">FoIB Jeff M, commenting on the curious case of the <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/oct/14/obamacare-website-wont-reveal-insurance-costs-for-/" target="_blank">missing renewal numbers</a>, wonders:<br /><br />"<i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Our most transparent administration ever has announced that ACA plan renewal rates won't be released until after election day. But don't renewal rates have to be released 60 days prior to renewal?</span></i>"<br /><br />Great question.<br /><br />Our own <a href="http://disqus.com/twitter-56256786/" target="_blank">Pat Paule</a> has your answer:<br /><br />"<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The 60 day written notification applies to <a href="http://insureblog.blogspot.com/2014/06/your-grandfathered-plan.html" target="_blank">grandfathered plans</a> in the individual market, as well as grandfathered and non-grandfathered plans in the small group market. Non-grandfathered coverage in the individual market doesn't have to receive their written notice until "<i>BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF THE NEXT ANNUAL OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD</i>." Insurers in this market are not allowed to send written notices of renewal until the QHP (<a href="http://insureblog.blogspot.com/2014/07/remember-open-enrollment.html" target="_blank">Qualified Health Plan</a>) Issuer Agreements for the plan year have been signed, "<i>to ensure that the correct information is included</i>." <br /><br />It is my understanding that a few states have approved rates available to view - without benefit summaries - and others are still waiting on their Compliant Issuer Agreements to be approved. Any guess where these agreements are at? Also, none of the plans take into account the beloved subsidies. Without that information we really have no idea how much more these plans will cost people until they have the ability to enroll beginning on 11/15</span></span>"</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />Thank, Pat!</span></div>

From the Mailbag: Now you see it, now you don't

FoIB Jeff M, commenting on the curious case of the missing renewal numbers, wonders:"Our most transparent administration ever has announced that ACA plan renewal rates won't be released until after election day. But don't renewal rates have to be released 60 days prior to renewal?"Great question.Our…

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All Tricks, No Treats

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3B1V_OIU6PImIUBf1qbYiG4mAzs0SY95HJCEaWw5-Gng873EoXBN-p8kV6sWfUOhCUJNH9G2Z_DhPFNdevBtB5FKzwPbX_-h-elbTRXqu4X3OjmKp5V3L93-yg05Skvjs9l3oxoyfIo/s1600/halloween+ocare+premiums.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3B1V_OIU6PImIUBf1qbYiG4mAzs0SY95HJCEaWw5-Gng873EoXBN-p8kV6sWfUOhCUJNH9G2Z_DhPFNdevBtB5FKzwPbX_-h-elbTRXqu4X3OjmKp5V3L93-yg05Skvjs9l3oxoyfIo/s1600/halloween+ocare+premiums.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />

All Tricks, No Treats

…

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About Those Discount Health Plans ..........

<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You have seen the ads. If you have a fax machine you have probably had unsolicited faxes </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4r76l-hRibzTyfUora9KzGATq6bO6cyAJ4D81oqmeLjI-c3-pA4x8ZUyXToYFgdtKYlYIuLSi11KwFuR4BhqutMXi4HcdnGMcL1ZVIz4J7yACsrktYjqtWKLONoSfkynrrbMN4688ySs/s1600/Lamborghini-Veneno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4r76l-hRibzTyfUora9KzGATq6bO6cyAJ4D81oqmeLjI-c3-pA4x8ZUyXToYFgdtKYlYIuLSi11KwFuR4BhqutMXi4HcdnGMcL1ZVIz4J7yACsrktYjqtWKLONoSfkynrrbMN4688ySs/s1600/Lamborghini-Veneno.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">coming in with "too good to be true" claims.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Health care coverage - No one is refused</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Low monthly fees</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">$10 doctor copay's</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, it seems the FTC has been following these offers and they don't believe them either.</span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Consumers were charged $50 up to several hundred dollars initially, the FTC said, and then a monthly fee of $40 to $1,000 for the purported health insurance. The phony trade association was called the Independent Association of Businesses (IAB).</span></i></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those who bought in got supposed discounts for such things as identify-theft protection, roadside assistance and "some discounts and reimbursements on visits to certain doctors or hospitals, subject to broad exclusions and limitations," the FTC said. They did not get health insurance.</span></i></blockquote><b><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ftc-cracks-down-on-a-health-insurance-scam/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CBS News</span></a></b><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not health insurance?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Say it isn't so!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 15px;"><span style="color: #202022; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.100000381469727px;"><i>Defendants included in the permanent ban are: IAB Marketing Associates, Independent Association of Businesses, HealthCorp International, JW Marketing Designs, International Marketing Agencies, International Marketing Management, Wood LLC, James C. Wood and his sons, James J. Wood and Michael J. Wood, and his brother, Gary D. Wood.</i></span></span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 15px;"><span style="color: #202022; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.100000381469727px;"><i>A $125 million judgment was imposed along with the ban, but much of that will be suspended, the FTC said. The suspension of the remainder will take effect when the defendants turn over to the government nearly $2 million. Among the assets: a Lamborghini, two Mercedes, a Porsche and an MG Roadster.</i></span></span></blockquote><div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 15px;"><span style="color: #202022; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.100000381469727px;">Nice ride!</span></span></div>

About Those Discount Health Plans ..........

You have seen the ads. If you have a fax machine you have probably had unsolicited faxes coming in with "too good to be true" claims.Health care coverage - No one is refusedLow monthly fees$10 doctor copay'sWell, it seems the FTC has been following these offers and they don't believe them either.Con…

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AT&T Cancels Retiree Health Insurance

Thousands of AT&T retiree's have been notified their company provided health insurance plan is ending as <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAL7b3r8FwPLC-vY27IJoZwde-lSwGDspYxwD21eDyDJ7HbOkHPIncuL_Vyom-M23QhctXvoYrBJXAQy5ivZx0AvDLXNXmmz7ml9pMy6CHMbOUMpTlGmGUXoNQt1xYLxU_U8xTztlogM/s1600/lily+tomlin+one+ringy+dingy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAL7b3r8FwPLC-vY27IJoZwde-lSwGDspYxwD21eDyDJ7HbOkHPIncuL_Vyom-M23QhctXvoYrBJXAQy5ivZx0AvDLXNXmmz7ml9pMy6CHMbOUMpTlGmGUXoNQt1xYLxU_U8xTztlogM/s1600/lily+tomlin+one+ringy+dingy.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>of 12/31/2014. The existing retiree plan will be replaced with an HRA (health reimbursement arrangement) for QUALIFIED purchases only.<br /><br />AT&T has hired Aon consulting to coordinate the termination of the "old" plan and help retiree's move forward with their new options.<br /><br />AT&T retirees must schedule a phone interview with an Aon representative during the months of October and November. The phone consultation will allow the rep to read from a prepared script and review options illustrated on their computer screen.<br /><br />Retiree's are free to ask questions and hope for an answer.<br /><br />The HRA money is currently $2700 for the retiree plus an additional $1500 for their qualified spouse. This is your 2015 deposit. AT&T literature indicates future contributions are not guaranteed.<br /><br />There are strings attached to the money.<br /><br />Funds will be deposited into your account ONLY IF the retiree (and/or qualified spouse) purchase at least ONE of the following via the Aon representative.<br /><br />You may choose a Medicare Advantage plan, Medicare supplement or Part D prescription drug plan. If you do not complete a qualified purchase from Aon you will not have access to the HRA money.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.georgia-medicareplans.com/att-retiree-health-insurance-plan-cancelled/" target="_blank">More details provided here ........</a>

AT&T Cancels Retiree Health Insurance

Thousands of AT&T retiree's have been notified their company provided health insurance plan is ending as of 12/31/2014. The existing retiree plan will be replaced with an HRA (health reimbursement arrangement) for QUALIFIED purchases only.AT&T has hired Aon consulting to coordinate the termination o…

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Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHHWVxiKtMOQVi5dXHThrQEOHJIVDEOhyphenhyphenBtOdrRJjP2eJoGfCez-QigUY8AEdj95Vkxw9Tdq4Crs1ApiBwUtsJGLZLvDVKZKN1gvqyN2clGZWjitroSQsXEv3-WyKZLQPHIIrRBFcu48/s1600/cancer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHHWVxiKtMOQVi5dXHThrQEOHJIVDEOhyphenhyphenBtOdrRJjP2eJoGfCez-QigUY8AEdj95Vkxw9Tdq4Crs1ApiBwUtsJGLZLvDVKZKN1gvqyN2clGZWjitroSQsXEv3-WyKZLQPHIIrRBFcu48/s1600/cancer.jpg" width="140" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Recently, a friend of mine went in for her routine mammogram. What happened next wasn't so routine: they saw a shadow. A few tests later, and she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Thankfully, it was caught in the <i><b>very</b></i> early stages, and after a few weeks of pinpoint radiation therapy, she's good to go.<br /><br />Another acquaintance wasn't so lucky, and she's just finished her most recent round of chemo.<br /><br />And by the way, it's not just women who need to be aware - <a href="http://insureblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/keeping-abreast-of-cancer-double.html" target="_blank"><b>men are at risk</b></a>, too.<br /><br />Fact is, almost all of us know a cancer survivor (or perhaps one who didn't). This year, I'm participating in the American Cancer Society's annual walk to raise money for research. You can help with your pledge. The walk is this Saturday (the 18th),  and I'd be very grateful for your help. It's pretty easy - just <a href="http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=62762&pg=personal&px=38384062" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><i><b>click here</b></i></span></a> to help make a difference.<br /><br />Thank You!</span></div>

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

Recently, a friend of mine went in for her routine mammogram. What happened next wasn't so routine: they saw a shadow. A few tests later, and she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Thankfully, it was caught in the very early stages, and after a few weeks of pinpoint radiation therapy, she's good …

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Cavalcade of Risk #219 now online

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hosted by Russell Hutchinson, who once again presents a <a href="http://www.chatswood.co.nz/moneyblog/2014/10/cavalcade-of-risk-number-219.html" target="_blank"><b>terrific collection of risk-related posts</b></a>. Come for the drones, stay for the moms and kids.<br /><br />Kudos, Russell!</span> </div>

Cavalcade of Risk #219 now online

Hosted by Russell Hutchinson, who once again presents a terrific collection of risk-related posts. Come for the drones, stay for the moms and kids.Kudos, Russell! …

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Ebola Insurance - Update?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.uhc.com/live/uhc_com/Assets/Graphics/lb_uhc-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Interesting email from the folks at United Healthcare:<br /><br />"<a href="http://tinyurl.com/pw7nuv6" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">UnitedHealthcare Responds to Ebola Concerns ... The health and wellbeing of our members is a top priority ... Diagnostic testing and associated care will be covered in accordance with the terms of your health plan</span></i></a>."<br /><br />Notice that they're neither confirming nor denying that your plan will cover <a href="http://insureblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/ebola-insurance-insureblog-exclusive.html" target="_blank">Ebola-related expenses</a>. And of course, UHC offers many different plans - individual and group - so coverage is likely to differ among them. So some plans <b>may</b> include that endemic disease exclusion, some (most? all?) may not. The only way to know for sure is to check your SPD (Summary Plan Document) for the list of exclusions.<br /><br />You might also call the customer service hotline, but be warned that you're then taking the word of an anonymous CSR who may (or may <b>not</b>) know what you're talking about.<br /><br />Interesting times.</span></div>

Ebola Insurance - Update?

Interesting email from the folks at United Healthcare:"UnitedHealthcare Responds to Ebola Concerns ... The health and wellbeing of our members is a top priority ... Diagnostic testing and associated care will be covered in accordance with the terms of your health plan."Notice that they're neither co…

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