Archive For The “Government” Category
Supreme Court Mulls Affordable Care Act
By Jorge Hiram Garcia, Your Insurance Advisor | April 4, 2012
Here are some consumer benefits that would disappear if the whole law were to be ruled unconstitutional: Increased coverage of preventive services Many health insurance plans are now subject to new rules that require them to cover recommended preventive services without charging a co-payment. As a result, consumers pay nothing for services like routine screenings, [...]
What’s Coming Up for the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
By Jorge Hiram Garcia, Your Insurance Advisor | March 29, 2012
Two of the most pressing ACA changes on the horizon for the marketplace are the implementation of the Summary of Benefits and Coverage and preparation for participating on the public exchanges. Upcoming changes to the Affordable Care Act that are looming include: Summary of Benefits and Coverage Beginning Sept. 23, 2012, all insurers and group [...]
Looking Back at The Affordable Care Act
By Jorge Hiram Garcia, Your Insurance Advisor | March 29, 2012
The Affordable Care Act, also known as ACA, has made an impact on healthcare for many consumers. This week the Supreme Court will hear arguments on challenges to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Several of ACA’s provisions are already making an impact on the business of health care and individual consumers. Some of the provisions [...]
Government Healthcare Update: Final Rules March 16 2012
By Jorge Hiram Garcia, Your Insurance Advisor | March 21, 2012
Health & Human Services Releases Medicaid Expansion Final Rule On Friday, March 16, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) released the final rule on the expansion of the Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act. Beginning in 2014, Medicaid coverage will extend to individuals between ages 19-64 with incomes up to 133 [...]
Affordable Care Act Update: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Fee
By Jorge Hiram Garcia, Your Insurance Advisor | February 29, 2012
An update on Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Fee has just been released. As part of the Affordable Care Act, health insurance issuers and sponsors of self-insured group health plans will be assessed an annual fee to fund patient-centered outcomes research. The federal government is expected to release proposed regulations in June 2012. We will update [...]
Employee Benefits and Tax Planning Go Hand in Hand
By Jorge Hiram Garcia, Your Insurance Advisor | February 27, 2012
Employee benefits and tax planning go hand in hand in making sure your business stays strong and viable during this uncertain economy. Employee benefits and tax planning can be the difference in ensuring not just the survival of your business, but its growth and viability in today’s economy and business climate. Today we will look [...]
Congressional Update: Stretch IRA Provision Removed
By Jorge Hiram Garcia, Your Insurance Advisor | February 22, 2012
A provision in Senate legislation that would have reduced the value of inherited IRA’s has been removed. Industry officials said an amendment introduced to S. 1813, the Highway Investment, Job Creation and Economic Growth Act, by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., Senate majority leader, last Thursday, effectively killed the provision without the need for floor action. [...]
Congressional Update: Life Insurance and Estate & Gift Tax Proposals
By Jorge Hiram Garcia, Your Insurance Advisor | February 18, 2012
This week President Obama’s administration released its Fiscal Year 2013 budget and for the third consecutive year, the proposal contains tax and reporting provisions that would impact life insurers, owners of COLI policies, and estate and gift planning. Regarding the latter, the budget proposes to permanently set a top rate of 45% with estate tax [...]
Congressional Update: Afordable Care Act Final Regulations Update 2-10-2012
By Jorge Hiram Garcia, Your Insurance Advisor | February 10, 2012
The Affordable Care Act: Final Regulations Issued for Summary of Benefits and Coverage Yesterday, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury released the final rule and related documents for the uniform Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) provision of the Affordable Care Act. This provision requires all insurers and group health plans [...]
Congressional Update: House Repeals CLASS
By Jorge Hiram Garcia, Your Insurance Advisor | February 9, 2012
Recent news from Congress: House votes to repeal CLASS Act The House voted last week to repeal the Community Living Assistance Service and Supports (CLASS) Act, a part of the Affordable Care Act. Republicans have been working to repeal the health reform law since December, a few months after the U.S. Department of Health & [...]
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