Guaranteed Health Insurance for Children in California

One provision of the new Federal health insurance reform law (PPACA) that became effective on September 23, 2010 was the requirement that all health insurance companies approve children under age 19 without regard for health status. While the new law requires insurance companies to sell coverage there is no requirement for parents to buy health insurance for their children. Fearing "adverse selection" where people would wait until they got to the hospital to sign up for coverage then cancel it after they received treatment (like buying fire insurance when your house is on fire) virtually all of the insurance companies refused to sell children only health insurance. In response, Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 2244 into law September 20, 2010. This new law requires all California health insurance companies to offer children only individual policies on a "guarantee issue' (GI) basis beginning January 1, 2011. Failure to comply will cause the California health insurance company to be banned from selling individual health insurance plans for 5 years. This penalty is so sever that it forces insurance companies to either accept all children under these conditions, or go out of business. Read more about AB 2244 requirements and the law surrounding guaranteed health insurance for children in California.

By |October 18th, 2010 |Categories: Changes in Medical Care, Children's Health|

Assertions of Wellpoint Rescissions “Simply Wrong”

On Thursday, April 22, 2010, Reuters reported that "WellPoint ... has specifically targeted women with breast cancer for aggressive investigation with the intent to cancel their policies..." Wellpoint responded today by saying that "this is simply wrong." Interestingly, as I write this, the Reuters article with the allegations has [...]

By |April 24th, 2010 |Categories: Small Business Articles|

Small Business Health Insurance Tax Credit – IRS Guidelines

The IRS has just issued preliminary guidelines on the health insurance tax credit for small businesses - and it looks good. This will make the cost of health insurance more affordable for many small employers. Of major importance is that the owner's wages/salary are not included in the average wage calculation when determining one's eligibility to qualify for the credit. (See answer to questions 13 & 14 in the IRS FAQ.) Businesses with fewer than 10 employees whose average wages are $25,000/yr. or less will qualify for the full credit. The medical insurance tax credit gradually reduces but is available to employers with fewer than 25 employees and average wages that are less than $50,000/yr. If these new guidelines apply to your small business, read on for a basic explanation of how to calculate the tax credit.

By |April 2nd, 2010 |Categories: Small Business Articles|

Aetna to Send COBRA Subsidy Notices

Aetna announced that on August 7, 2009 they will send a notice to former employees of their small business clients, terminated from employment between September 1, 2008 and May 10, 2009, advising them that they may be eligible for the Federal Subsidy for COBRA continuation of their health insurance. [...]

By |July 30th, 2009 |Categories: Changes in Medical Care, COBRA|Tags: |

Health Net Elect Open Access HMO is a Good Buy in Los Angeles

In the California small group health insurance market Health Net's HMO plans are always well priced. Effective August 1, 2009 for groups located in Los Angeles their Elect Open Access HMO plan will be 5 percent less expensive than the Health Net Standard Option HMO. The Standard and the [...]

Significant Anthem Blue Cross California Small Group Changes Effective July 1, 2009

Anthem Blue Cross of California announced that they will be making major changes to their small group health insurance plans effective July 1, 2009. Specifically, they will be adding 14 new plans. Beginning January 1, 2010, Anthem Blue Cross will discontinue 9 plans. Anthem calls their entire portfolio of [...]

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