California Creates Online Portal For Insurance Coverage Complaints.
The Sacramento Bee Journal (12/7, Robertson, Subscription Publication) reports that the state HMO regulator has launched a secure, easy-to-use online form to allow Californians to file complaints regarding their health plan on the Department of Managed Health Care’s website.
The online portal will allow people “to request an external review of a health plan’s denial of medical services,” rather than “submit forms via mail or fax,” increasing the speed with which requests are addressed.
The California Department of Managed Health Care receives about 4,000 complaints a year and the new portal was “funded through an Affordable Care Act grant.”
ACA Fee Of $63 Per Person, “Buried” in Regulation, Begins In 2014.
The Associated Press 12/10
Your medical plan is facing an unexpected expense, so you probably are, too. It’s a new, $63-per-head fee to cushion the cost of covering people with pre-existing conditions under President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul.
The charge, buried in a recent regulation, works out to tens of millions of dollars for the largest companies, employers say. Most of that is likely to be passed onto workers.
Based on figures provided in the regulation, employer and individual health plans covering an estimated 190 million Americans could owe the per-person fee. The Obama administration says it’s a temporary assessment levied for three years starting in 2014, intended to raise $25 billion.
Taxable Income
Life Insurance: The IRS requires employees to be taxed on the value of employer-provided group term life insurance coverage over $50,000, called “imputed income.” Even though employees do not receive cash, they are taxed as if they received cash in the amount equal to this imputed income.
HSA Coverage: Any funding by an employer towards their employees’ HSA accounts is considered a taxable event in the State of California for the employees. The amount of the funding must be added to the employee’s W-2.
Let’s Get Moving! Tip of the Month…
It’s that time of year when many of us throw caution to the wind and decide to deal with those extra pounds after the holidays. Our question is, “how has that been working for you?”
You may wish to try a different approach this holiday season especially when attending all of those fabulous parties. Greta Macaire, a registered dietician, offers 3 easy to remember tips:
Be realistic. Don’t try to lose pounds during the holidays, instead try to maintain your current weight.
Don’t skip meals. Before leaving for a party, eat a light snack like raw vegetables or a piece of fruit to curb your appetite. You will be less tempted to over-indulge.
Survey party buffets before filling your plate. Choose your favorite foods and skip your least favorite. Include vegetables and fruits to keep your plate balanced.
And try parking your car farther away from the host’s house so you can sneak in a little exercise before and after.
