Justin Stoltzfus With premiums for employee health insurance on the rise, everyone from hourly workers to the top brass is looking for ways to cut health care costs. For some companies, “self-funded” health insurance may be the answer. In a self-funded health insurance program, the company finances its employees’ health care with its own assets, gaining greater … Read more
Crawford Frazer When your thoughts turn to a new baby, you likely go into planning mode — discussing obstetricians with friends, buying pregnancy books and signing up for maternity classes. But have you considered how the newest member of your family will fit into your insurance coverage? Health insurance This is the best starting point, as … Read more
Mary Lou Jay Where do you go on a Saturday afternoon when the cough you’ve had all week has suddenly become worse? When you’ve cut yourself and may need stitches? When you’ve developed a bad rash that’s spreading over your arms and legs? Although your first impulse might be to head to your local hospital’s … Read more
Marcus Pickett In the two years following the reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the U.S. health care system has expanded coverage for children. Yet within that nationwide improvement are vast regional disparities. The Commonwealth Fund recently released its 2011 “Scorecard” report on children’s health care. The report ranks states based on four categories: … Read more
Daniel Workman The federal health care reform law requires health insurers to offer coverage to all kids under age 19, regardless of pre-existing conditions. But that doesn’t mean getting coverage for your child is simple. As of Sept. 23, 2010, children can’t be denied health insurance under group plans and most individual family or child-only policies. This … Read more
Whether you’re planning a brief trip over the border to Toronto or a multimonth expedition to Uganda, you likely have questions about how — or whether — your health insurance will cover you. Some health insurance policies provide some coverage overseas, but the terms and conditions may be unexpected and baffling. For example, you may not … Read more
Marcus Pickett If the health insurance mandate goes into effect in 2014, most Americans will be required to buy health insurance. Those not already covered through their employers will be able to buy coverage through state-based insurance exchanges — and many of them will have additional assistance in the form of federal subsidies. These “premium assistance” subsidies … Read more
Amy Higgins About one in 110 children in the United States has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to the federal Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. While there is no cure for ASD, diagnosing children early on is vital for treatment. The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) lists the following treatment options: Behavioral and … Read more
Marcus Pickett Health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) allow workers to set aside earnings in tax-sheltered accounts for medical expenses. Earnings go into the accounts pre-tax and can be used for things that aren’t covered by health insurance, like eyewear, orthodontia and even exercise equipment. Because of health care reform, HSAs and FSAs … Read more
Marcus Pickett For many, insurance premiums and taxes go together like flossing and root canals. Despite their necessity, they can be tedious and painful. But just like daily flossing can reduce the likelihood of a root canal, paying your insurance premiums can reduce the likelihood of writing a big check to the IRS. Here are … Read more
