Easing The Pain of Insurance for Business Owners

Healthcare Reform Blog Entries



Uninsured Americans Charged More For Medical Treatment

5/27/2013
posted by CSteven Tucker in Healthcare Reform

If you are one of the 46.6 million Americans that have joined the ranks of the uninsured, what you may not know is that you may have to pay more for your medical treatment than your privately insured counterparts. If tho... Read More

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Ten Questions You Should Ask Your Agent Before You Buy A Policy

5/25/2013
posted by CSteven Tucker in Healthcare Reform

If you are a business owner, self-employed or an employee of a company that is not offered medical coverage through your employer, you may have to undertake the frustrating, daunting and time consuming task of purchasing... Read More

[views: 12]
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COBRA Stimulus has ended. What are your Health Insurance options now?

5/23/2013
posted by CSteven Tucker in Healthcare Reform

If you are one of the many American's who elected to take advantage of a 65% reduction of your COBRA continuation premiums under the "American  Recovery and Reinvestment Act Of 2009" your reduced COBRA premium would have... Read More

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Health Insurance Tips and Solid Advice For Self Employed and Small Business Owners

5/21/2013
posted by CSteven Tucker in Healthcare Reform

I have been a health insurance broker for more than 17 years now and every day I read more and more "horror" stories that are posted on the Internet regarding health insurance companies not paying claims, refusing to cov... Read More

[views: 15]
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What about that Small Employer Health Insurance Tax Credit?

5/19/2013
posted by CSteven Tucker in Healthcare Reform

The tax credit is available from 2010 through 2015. For 2010 – 2013 the maximum credit is 35% of qualified premium costs paid by for-profit companies, and 25% for non-profits. The maximum credit is only available t... Read More

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Beginning in 2014, many employees who are not offered health insurance through their employer and who are not eligible for Medicaid may be eligible for “Advanced Premium Tax Credits” for coverage through a PPACA “Health ... Read More

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Beginning January 1, 2014 the PPACA (a.k.a. ‘Obamacare’) legislation levies a brand new tax – the “Roberts Tax”. A tax aptly named after U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts who created this new tax all by himse... Read More

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Don’t Fall Victim To A Health Insurance Scam 10 Red Flags To Watch Out For

5/13/2013
posted by CSteven Tucker in Healthcare Reform

In today's fast paced world, business owners don't often have the time to thoroughly check out the companies they rely on to provide goods and services. In many cases, a determination of product/service quality can be ma... Read More

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What will health insurance cost in the new health insurance exchanges?

5/13/2013
posted by CSteven Tucker in Healthcare Reform

If you want to see just how expensive government approved health insurance will be in the new health insurance exchanges. Just click on the Kaiser Family Institute’s Exchange Calculator here. Then, enter an income of $... Read More

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Why Are Health Insurance Premiums Still Increasing After The PPACA?

5/2/2013
posted by CSteven Tucker in Healthcare Reform

Why Are Health Insurance Premiums Still Increasing After The PPACA? There are 5 primary reasons why health insurance premiums have already increased and will continue to increase since the passage of the PPACA. And, w... Read More

[views: 180]
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Small Group Health Insurance can be a Small Business KILLER

5/1/2013
posted by CSteven Tucker in Healthcare Reform

Small Group Health Insurance can be a Small Business KILLER I received a phone call at my agency on Friday by a client who is a friend of an attorney in Chicago who is paying $1,000 a month for individual employees on... Read More

[views: 206]
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How Long Can I Keep My Child On My Health Insurance Plan?

4/30/2013
posted by CSteven Tucker in Healthcare Reform

How Long Can I Keep My Child On My Health Insurance Plan?  Long before the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (a.k.a. “Obamacare”) was signed in to law on March 23rd, 2010. There were Federal & State law... Read More

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Photos: Lunch Seminar - Impact of Healthcare Reform on Small Businesses

4/29/2013
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

Some key local business owners attended this Lunch Seminar on healthcare reform.  Many business owners are a little nervous about what is on the horizon.  Rightly so!  This is why we are doing Lunch Seminars to provide t... Read More

[views: 233]
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Golden Rule® Will Opt Out of Insurance Exchange

4/24/2013
posted by Eric Wilson in Healthcare Reform

The Affordable Care Act and its implementation have left many wondering what to do for this year as there is an unknown about 2014. By unknown I mean we hear costs will go up 50-100% once the exchanges open and all of t... Read More

[views: 229]
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Healthcare Reform: Can I Use My Insurance Agent?

4/23/2013
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

    It is full speed ahead with questions about how healthcare reform will pan out come later this year, 2013. Open enrollment starts October first. What does that mean for you? It means a lot of confusion and una... Read More

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Healthcare Reform will have an impact on your bottom line, but how? Come find out how the healthcare bill is going to affect you and your business in 2014. We will also be sharing information about what the healthc... Read More

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Penalties for Employers Not Offering Affordable Coverage Under the Affordable Care Act starting in 2014 Penalties will be important for business owners to make the right decision.  This is especially true for employ... Read More

[views: 146]
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The Requirement to Buy Coverage Under the Affordable Care Act Beginning 2014

4/22/2013
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

The requirement to buy coverage in 2014 is a little confusing these days.  Thanks to the help of the Kaiser Foundation, they came up with a flow chart to make it a little easier.  This is important going into the new law... Read More

[views: 186]
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Health Insurance Agents Quit! Maybe Not...

4/3/2013
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

In the Medical Loss Ratio part of the Healthcare Reform Law of twenty-ten, the health insurance agent's commissions were cut in half, or more in some cases.  With a financial disincentive, health insurance agents ... Read More

[views: 169]
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Medical Loss Ratio - Insurance Agents Are Up To Bat, Again

4/1/2013
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

The Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) has put health insurance agents through the ringer with their strict ruling of including agent commissions in the MLR.  Third and fourth quarter of twenty-ten, advocates and lobbyist wen... Read More

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Senate Democrats Vote To Repeal A Portion of Obamacare

3/25/2013
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

On March 21, with an overwhelming vote of 79-20, the Senate Democrats voted to repeal the 2.3 percent sales tax on medical devices such as catheters, pacemakers and MRI machines.  This was intended to help... Read More

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Priorities for Employers with Healthcare Reform, Obamacare

3/6/2013
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

Be aware of the Requirements for employers for Obamacare.  Here are a few for employers: Fewer than 50 employees - no big obligations Maybe eligible for tax credit if under 25 employees and wages a... Read More

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Funding Changes Course For PCIP: Obamacare

3/5/2013
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

PCIP is changing things 10 months prior to the start date, January 1st, 2014, when Obamacare is fully implemented. Some have already put a spin on it saying they are winding the program down for 2014.  If you t... Read More

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Important PPACA Dates

2/26/2013
posted by Eric Wilson in Healthcare Reform

States Notify Health and Human Services ( HHS) if they will operate a Health exchange or default to the Federal Government   Closing Medicare Drug Coverage Gap-reducing co-insurance from 100% 2010 to 25% in 2020 in add... Read More

[views: 230]
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2013 Taxes Take Effect to Fund Healthcare Law

12/28/2012
posted by Eric Wilson in Healthcare Reform

We keep hearing our politicians talking about the “fiscal cliff” and not raising taxes on the middle class, and whether or not to raise taxes on the top 2% of earners in the United States.  What we are not hearing a... Read More

[views: 278]
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Video: More Health Insurance Companies Exit The Market - Seek an Advisor

7/21/2012
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

More and more carriers are leaving the market after the Healthcare Reform was signed into law.  Many of them are even A rated companies.  This doesn't mean they are going out of business, just leaving the healt... Read More

[views: 490]
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20 Taxes that Obamacare brings with it – What you need to know

7/9/2012
posted by Eric Wilson in Healthcare Reform

As you may be aware of the PPACA ( afordable care act) while they say it is affordable, everything comes with a price.  Here are 20 taxes that you need to be aware of.  Some have already started, some will be starting ... Read More

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Video: Cutting Healthcare Cost on Insurance

6/18/2012
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

It just takes a little out-of-the-box thinking to cut your health insurance premiums.  Most of the time it comes out to be a math problem. Please watch the video: Butch Zemar www.EliteBenefits.net Read More

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Wellpoint Buys 1800Contacts

6/17/2012
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

Wellpoint is one of the biggest health insurance carriers in the country. They hold many of the 'so called franchise' of the Blue Cross Shield Association. Most commonly known as Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and t... Read More

[views: 607]
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Supreme Court Argues ObamaCare: Will It Still Stand?

3/30/2012
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

This is a historic week with the arguments about Healthcare Reform, also known as ObamaCare, held by the Supreme Court.  It is not every day that the Supreme Court takes on arguments on cases such as this.  In fact, it... Read More

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Health Insurers Face Extinction... Aetna ACEO Says

2/29/2012
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

At a recent conference in Las Vegas, Aetna CEO, Mark Betolini, made a statement "The system doesn't work, it's broke today" along side with "Reform is not going to stop.  It won't go away".  Could be a sign that Healthca... Read More

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Supreme Court Sets Obama Healthcare Argument

12/22/2011
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

The Supreme Court announced Monday that it will hear three days of oral arguments on various pieces of the health reform law just days after the law’s two-year anniversary. The arguments are scheduled to last 5 ½ hours o... Read More

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Garry Polodna SOAR Creative Group 708.917.073   Webinar Being Presented on Buying Healthcare Insurance After Healthcare Reform   Elite Benefits of America is presenting a webinar on... Read More

[views: 923]
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Health Insurance A Greedy Trend

5/21/2011
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

  If we were able to take a time machine back in time we would see the world of health insurance different than it exists today.  As time has gone, the American people have become greedier and have demanded more.  It is... Read More

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Avoiding Medical Bankruptcy - Insurance Agency Explains How

5/20/2011
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

For Immediate Release: Elite Benefits of America is proud to announce the insurance agency will be speaking in front of business owners about ways to avoid medical bankruptcy:  "Buying Health Insurance After Health ca... Read More

[views: 958]
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What are the Goals of Healthcare Reform?

2/4/2011
posted by Eric Wilson in Healthcare Reform

As you know I have been very active in the healthcare reform debate.  You also know I believe the healthcare system in this country is broken and needs to be fixed.  Lastly, you know I hate just about everything in the P... Read More

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Insuring a Preexisting: Doctor on new health law

1/17/2011
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

There is an interesting article on IFAwebnews that talks about health reform from a doctor's perspective.  Bob Graham did a great job putting it together. A couple good points were made in the Article.  The truth is eve... Read More

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Health Insurance Changes On The Horizon

7/2/2010
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

There are drastic changes coming our way in the health insurance arena.  Some may jump to say ‘the insurance companies are over reacting. They will get all this new business they didn’t have’.  Some of this could be true... Read More

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Health Insurance Premiums Surging: My 2 Cents

3/9/2010
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

Video: Health Insurance Premiums Surging: My 2 Cents  60% Increase on Health insurance premiums???  It makes sense to avoid that! This ... Read More

[views: 1361]
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The Great Healthcare Debate: Sunshine and Lolipops Are Not Coming Our Way

10/23/2009
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

Utopian promises, people shouting, and never-ending analysis on healthcare has probably made you think twice before turning on CNN or picking up a newspaper.  If you are tuning in to the great debate that has descend... Read More

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Health Insurers Take Ratings Hit On Reform Fears

8/10/2009
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

There have been several articles recently published about stability of health insurance carriers based on the health care reform.  The only thing I have to question is if the health insurance companies are maki... Read More

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ObamaCare Yay Or Nay? The Truth About Canada!

7/21/2009
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

The Truth About Canada Health Care! Read More

[views: 1890]
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Uh, Canada? Say it Ain't So, Joe!

7/21/2009
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

"The doctors gave me back my life. They repaired the aneurysms in the artery leading to my brain that would have either killed or impaired me. And I know how valiantly they worked to resto... Read More

[views: 1374]
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Individual Private Health Insurance Illegal Under House Bill

7/17/2009
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

Would you ever believe that the government is trying to take away our freedom, one step at a time?  In the recent proposal for Health care Reform, on page 16, it says "Except as provided in this paragraph, the individual... Read More

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Most Business Owners Do Not Favor The Idea of Federal Reform

7/16/2009
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

I read an interesting survey today.  Employers feel the primary problem with health care is cost.  We want to keep control over our health plans and keep it away from the government.  Just about 90 percent of the busines... Read More

[views: 1417]
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Obama Is A Liar?

6/26/2009
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

In this article put out by CNSNews.com mentioned a few things worth posting.  Typically we can review history and have an idea where things are headed for the future.  Look at other things that are government ran. ... Read More

[views: 1418]
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Why Health Care Costs So Much, The Solution: Consumers

6/23/2009
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

  I recently read a small hand book called “Why Health Care Costs So Much, The Solution: Consumers” by Greg Dattilo and Dave Racer (http://www.freemarkethealthcare.com/).  They have an interes... Read More

[views: 1451]
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ObamaCare Diagnosis: "Dead-on-Arrival"

6/22/2009
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

I would like to share with you an email I received recently.  We need to get the word out there. - Butch Zemar Butch, Socialized health care in America is dead (and you read it here, first).We now know that on... Read More

[views: 1354]
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No More Wait For Change

6/4/2009
posted by Butch Zemar in Healthcare Reform

If you think we have already seen a lot of changes this year so far , there is more to come. In less than six months, there are things that have changed all around us to start making us think more about what we are d... Read More

[views: 1356]
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