The Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA also known as Obamacare) is an important feature of the legislation. This provision requires that insurers pay out at least 80-85% of premium dollars in direct claim costs… Continue Reading
The country is waiting with bated breath to see what three giants of industry are planning for health care. Warren Buffett said that health care costs have become a bigger issue for American businesses than taxes. “If you go back… Continue Reading
I was working on the Coast this last week and grabbed some soup for dinner at the bar at Mazzotti’s Italian on the Arcata Square. You know you’re old when an attempt to chat with the young person next to… Continue Reading
Medicare provides health benefits for individuals age 65 or over and qualifying disabled persons. Once an individual is enrolled in Medicare they will get a red, white and blue Medicare card in the mail. Typically it arrives 3 months prior… Continue Reading
The Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee is recommending to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) creation of a palliative (comfort) care model for Medicare recipients who are in advanced states of illness, but not yet ready for… Continue Reading
I am not a tax professional. I don’t even play one on TV. But the nature of my work requires that as an insurance broker, I am informed on some areas of tax law. Since “tax season” is well under… Continue Reading
Drug: a medicine or other substance which has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body. Man has been using plants and food as drugs since the beginning of time to his benefit as well as detriment.… Continue Reading
One of the big news items at the end of the year referred to an Executive Order signed by the President that he purported would solve the insurance problems by allowing insurers to offer “lower cost insurance plans” and sell… Continue Reading
It’s been a busy holiday and open enrollment season. One of the biggest news stories centered around the new tax bill and the elimination of the “individual mandate”. One part of this law eliminates the individual mandate for tax years… Continue Reading
Open enrollment for 2018 Medicare Part D Rx plans ended December 22, 2017. During this process, seniors evaluated Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) and choose their plans. In these plans there are 4 tiers of coverage: 1) Deductible (no greater than… Continue Reading
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