Healthcare Reform and HSAs

  Healthcare Reform and HSAs 

Benefits Pipeline wants to keep you informed on important changes regarding Healthcare Reform.  Click on the link to see how Healthcare Reform might affect you.

New Mental Health Rules Go Into Effect

Effective July 1, 2010, new rules take effect for mental health insurance coverage.  The change promises to improve coverage for over 140 million people who are insured through an employer group plan with more than 50 people enrolled.  The rules prohibit “separate annual deductibles for mental health treatment” and “higher” copayments if someone visits a psychiatrist or a social worker.  With these new rules mental health treatment will be treated as any other illness in terms of insurance coverage.

2010 - A New Year’s Resolution…

 As defined by Merriam-Webster, RESOLUTION means “the act of analyzing a complex notion into simpler ones”.  So I am comtemplating the new year and the definition of this word and I think to myself, in 2010, what will I resolve to do better this year, to make simpler?  For me, it’s about being healthy, committing to a healthy attitude, embracing a healthy lifestyle and achieving a healthy spirit.  What are the things I can do to resolve to be healthy?  Yes, diet and exercise are key, but to nurture a healthy attitude and spirit are crucial to maintaining and sustaining the balance in life. 

Resolve to be better at how you relate to the world around you.  Resolve to be truthful and respectful to the beauty in the world.  Grow in knowledge of things that are important to you.  Most of all, love and enjoy yourself and take care of yourself!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

COBRA Subsidy Extended! A great help to many.

COBRA, state continuation subsidies extended, President Barack Obama signed an extension of the COBRA subsidy program on December 19th, 2009. The subsidy was originally introduced under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

ARRA provides for a federal subsidy of 65 percent of the COBRA continuation coverage premiums for qualified beneficiaries receiving COBRA continuation coverage due to involuntary termination of employment between September 1, 2008, and December 31, 2009. These individuals, also referred to as “assistance-eligible individuals” or “AEIs,” were entitled to receive the subsidy for up to nine months.  Under the new extension the subsidy is being expanded from the original nine months to 15 months.  This is an additional six months for AEIs. Additionally, the end date of eligibility for the premium subsidy changes from December 31, 2009, to February 28, 2010.   Indeed, this is good news!

Healthcare reform leaving more people uninsured or not?

Yes, its crazy but its true, its expensive but we need it! Check it out and let me know what you think. I’m always trying to provide the best quality service/coverage at most affordable price. What will this healthcare reform do to us?

http://www.appeal-democrat.com/articles/version-88657-people-health.html