Insurance Medical Temporary

While the majority of health insurance reform provisions go into effect in 2014, there are a number of provisions that take effect in 2010. Here’s an overview of the provisions that become effective this year: Read more at http://www.easytoinsureme.com/ Health insurance quotes Immediately at enactment Grandfathering – Plans and individuals that “renew” their coverage are exempt from any provisions of the law. These “grandfathered plans” must comply, however, with the following provisions of the law: extend dependent coverage through age 26, prohibit rescissions, eliminate waiting periods greater than 90 days, and eliminate pre-existing condition exclusions for children Small employer tax credits – provides premium subsidies for small groups with 25 or fewer employees and average salaries of $40K or less Less than six months High-risk pool program – establish a temporary national high-risk pool for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. (e .. Read More

This Week in Health Reform Republican Scott Brown’s victory over Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley (D) in the January 19 special election to fill the seat of the late Senator Edward Kennedy (D) might prove to be a game-changer for the health care reform debate. The loss of the 60th Democratic vote now robs Senate Democrats of a filibuster-proof majority. Last week, Democrats were rushing to wrap up a House/Senate agreement on the bill, likely due to reports that Coakley’s lead had diminished. Congressional leaders are still aiming to have the controversial points in the health care reform bill settled as soon as possible, so they can send the compromised bill to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) for scoring. The CBO will then need 12 days to analyze the legislation. In addition to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), lawmakers participating in the White House meetings include: House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-M .. Read More

FEBRUARY 5, 2010 This Week in Health Care Reform EasyToInsureME FEBRUARY 5 2010    Despite proclaiming to focus on other issues, such as the economy and jobs, President Barack Obama injected new energy into the health care reform debate this week. On Monday, President Obama held a Q&A session via YouTube in which he responded to questions submitted during his State of the Union address. He commented that “it is my greatest hope” to have health care reform legislation “not just a year from now, but soon.” He also responded to criticisms regarding the lack of transparency around the reform negotiations. On Tuesday, at a town-hall-style meeting in New Hampshire, President Obama rejected the notion that health care reform was dead, saying “we’ve got to punch it through.” Further, on Wednesday, he met with Senate Democrats reiterating his commitment to reform and encouraging lawmakers to press forward. He also suggested that Republicans pla .. Read More

CALIFORNIA: The California Department of Insurance (CDI) has announced the release of e-mail notification system that will alert consumers when new individual health insurance rate filings are submitted.  CDI has previously announced that it would begin publicizing rate filings for individual health insurance policies.  Consumers are able to sign up online in the manner used for traditional e-mail updates.  CDI has also developed a consumer website with rate filing information. NEW JERSEY: Following recent enactment of Governor Chris Christie’s budget, the Democrat-controlled legislature passed supplemental appropriations bills to restore $24 million in funding for state’s uninsured health coverage program, known as FamilyCare, as well as $7.4 million in aid for women’s health and family planning programs. The FamilyCare restoration, if signed into law, would have allowed adults with income between 134 to 200 percent of the federal poverty level to remain .. Read More

Changes occurring in 2010 include: Young Adults on Parents’ Health Insurance Plans. Young adults may stay on their parents’ health insurance until age 26, effective six months after enactment. Read more at http://www.easytoinsureme.com/ Health insurance quotes Prohibition on Pre existing Condition Exclusions for Children. Insurers are prohibited from excluding coverage of any  pre existing condition for children in the individual health insurance market, effective six months after enactment of the bill. Prohibition Against Plan Rescissions. Carriers providing group or individual coverage are prohibited from rescinding coverage once an enrollee is covered under the plan, except in the case of an individual who has performed an act or practice that constitutes fraud or makes an intentional misrepresentation of the material facts. Effective six months after enactment of the law. Prohibitions Against Lifetime Maximum Benefit Caps. Carriers providing group or individual coverag .. Read More

JANUARY 29, 2010 This Week in Health Care Reform Following the election of Republican Scott Brown to the Massachusetts State Senate last week and the resulting loss of Senate Democrats’ supermajority, lawmakers continue to pave the way for health care reform – with limited progress. In addition, polls indicate that the public would rather lawmakers focus more on the economy than on health care. State of the Union Address President Obama Gives State of the Union Address: On Wednesday evening, President Barack Obama delivered his first State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress. Having hoped to have a health care reform bill on his desk prior to his address, the President instead used his speech to encourage Congress to push forward on health care reform. Yet, he did not give specific guidance as to how to proceed with the legislation. Instead, he made it clear that his primary focus would be on jobs and the economy. Easy To Insure ME Health Insurance Quot .. Read More

JANUARY 29, 2010 This Week in Health Care Reform Following the election of Republican Scott Brown to the Massachusetts State Senate last week and the resulting loss of Senate Democrats’ supermajority, lawmakers continue to pave the way for health care reform – with limited progress. In addition, polls indicate that the public would rather lawmakers focus more on the economy than on health care. State of the Union Address President Obama Gives State of the Union Address: On Wednesday evening, President Barack Obama delivered his first State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress. Having hoped to have a health care reform bill on his desk prior to his address, the President instead used his speech to encourage Congress to push forward on health care reform. Yet, he did not give specific guidance as to how to proceed with the legislation. Instead, he made it clear that his primary focus would be on jobs and the economy. Easy To Insure ME Health Insurance Quot .. Read More

This health insurance reform schedule is the official announced schedule from Easy To Insure ME to help citizens understand the future of health insurance in the United States. Health Insurance Reform Schedule 2010New programs: *      Temporary retiree reinsurance program. *      National risk pool, small business tax credit. *      $250 rebate for Medicare members who reach the “doughnut hole”. Health Insurance Reforms: *      No lifetime benefit limits based on dollar amounts. *      Allowed restricted yearly limits on the dollar value of certain benefits. *      No coverage rescissions/cancellations (except for fraud or internal misrepresentation). *      No cost-sharing obligations for preventive services. *      Must have dependent coverage up to age 26. *      New internal and external appeal process. *      No pre-existing condition exclusions for dependent children (under 19 years of age). *      New health pl .. Read More

MARCH 26, 2010 This Week in Health Care Reform      Health care reform legislation passed the House this week on a party-line vote. Late Sunday night, House Democrats approved the Senate health care reform package, sending the legislation to President Obama for his signature. On Tuesday, President Obama signed the underlying bill into law, yet the House has yet to finalize the package of “fixes” that will alter the final implications of the legislation. Health Care Reform Negotiations House Democrats Pass Health Care Reform Package: The House of Representatives approved the Senate health care reform bill Sunday night by a vote of 219 to 212. The vote marks the climactic finale to a year-long debate over health care reform. In the final vote, 34 Democrats joined all House Republicans in voting against the measure. Shortly thereafter, the House also passed a package of “fixes,” by a vote of 220-211, that was sent directly to the Senate for its approval through .. Read More

Federal Owing to multiple blizzards in Washington, Congress started its President’s Day recess a full week early and conducted no official business last week. However, there was some legislative drama as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid pulled the rug out from under Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus by scrapping the Baucus jobs bill (without warning), which contained many health insurance items, and replacing it with a stripped down, narrow jobs bill. Whether the health items Baucus originally inserted with Republican help will make it back to the table remains fuzzy. Among the health items that have been dropped are: the COBRA eligibility extension (to May 31); the “doc fix” (to October, 2010) of Medicare reimbursement rates; and the favorable statutory direction to CMS to calculate the 2011 Medicare Advantage rates “as if” the doc fix were in place. StatesCalifornia health insurance The Office of Patient Advocacy released a report card on the state’s HM .. Read More