Health Insurance Issues
Nebraska Will Wait to Implement Health Care Exchanges
Governor Heineman recently said Nebraska will wait to set up a health care exchange until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on whether the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the “Act”) is constitutional. The health care exchanges are intended to offer health insurance to those currently without coverage. While Nebraska is planning a program in… Read More »
HHS Offers HIT Grants to Help States Establish Exchanges
The Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) has announced that five states will receive grants to design the technology needed for health insurance exchanges. States (and coalitions of states) have the opportunity to compete for the two-year “Early Innovator” grants, which will help pay the cost of developing and implementing the information technology infrastructure… Read More »
Tax Alert: Key Provisions of New Healthcare Law
The PVW Healthcare Newsletter was mailed out to our clients this month, addressing many issues and concernes regarding the new Health Care Bill. The electronic version can be viewed by clicking the following link: http://www.pvwlaw.com/CM/Articles/00133334.pdf. © 2010 Parsonage Vandenack Williams LLC For more information, contact info@pvwlaw.com
Payments of Penalties for Being Uninsured Under the Healthcare Bill
Starting in 2014, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires most United States residents to obtain health insurance and establishes a penalty for being uninsured. Here are several important facts about the law and its requirements: The penalty will be the greater of a flat dollar amount per person that rises to $695 in… Read More »
Senate Health Care Bill Overcomes Hurdle for Final Passage
Senate Democrats have obtained the needed 60th vote approving a procedural motion to move the health care reform bill toward final passage on Christmas Eve. Vote for final passage was 60-40, completely divided on party lines. Not one Republican in the Senate voted for the health care reform bill. Once the bill clears the Senate,… Read More »
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Includes COBRA Changes
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“ARRA”) provides for premium reductions and additional election opportunities for health benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”). Eligible individuals pay only 35 percent of their COBRA premiums and the remaining 65 percent is reimbursed to the coverage provider through a tax credit…. Read More »
FTC Suspending Enforcement of the “Red Flag Rules” Until May 1, 2009
The FTC has announced that it is suspending enforcement of the “Red Flag Rules” until May 1, 2009. This will give organizations more time to develop and implement their written programs for identity-theft prevention. The rules require that financial institutions and creditors have a written program to prevent, detect, and diminish identity theft. … Read More »
Congress Mandates Mental Health Parity in Insurance Coverage
Amidst the throes of the financial bailout, Congress has approved legislation requiring insurers and employers to cover mental illness, including alcohol and drug addiction, at levels on par with physical illness. For example, the bill requires parity in deductibles, co-pays, and out-of-pocket expenses, and it will eliminate limits insurers commonly impose for mental illness, such as 30 visits or 30 days in hospital, in the absence… Read More »
Health Care Providers’ Deadline to Implement “Red Flag Rules” Identity Theft Programs Is November 1, 2008
Health care providers have until November 1, 2008, to implement programs to address the issue of identity theft, a growing problem that can have particularly disastrous results in the medical context. This requirement is imposed by amendments — known as the “Red Flag Rules” — to the federal Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act. In short, a Red Flag… Read More »
