With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, there has been some widespread confusion among San Diegans about what the new plans entail and which providers people can see. Similar to many other locations across the nation, provider access is more limited, especially for individual policies. Companies like Health Net have decreased the number of individual providers compared with their employer benefit plans due to costs and other other limitations. In San Diego, Health Net has only 204 doctors in their provider network for the Covered California individual health plans. Furthermore, recent news revealed that only 30-35% of San Diego doctors will be participating in
What to Look for in a Benefits Package
Finding health insurance for employees is never easy. With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, it makes it even more challenging. That’s why we’re here to help. At Steve Grady Insurance Services you’ll find the straightforward answers you want regarding all of your benefits questions. We won’t beat around the bush or sugar coat anything. We believe in giving direct, honest answers. Some things we consider when recommending benefits packages include: How much each plan will cost you and your employees How each plan will benefit your employees’ needs Whether a wellness program may be a beneficial addition to your health plan Whether you
Covered California Expands Deadline to Enroll
By 2AM April 1st, there were 1.2 million Californians enrolled in the exchange. However, the late night surge in applicants attempting to enroll in Covered California by the March 31st deadline caused the website to crash and stall repeatedly. Officials have decided to allow consumers to enroll in person with agents or on the phone until April 15th. “Peter Lee, the executive director for Covered California, said during a teleconference late Monday that the deadline was not being extended. Rather, he said the state exchange was relying on the honor system to allow Californians one more chance to sign up.” Officials feel that they have
Patients with Pre-Existing Conditions May Face Higher Drug Costs
The Affordable Care Act aims to help those with pre-existing conditions get affordable medical coverage. However, some doctors claim that this is not the case. It has recently been noted that patients with serious pre-existing conditions like lupus or multiple sclerosis may not be able to get the health coverage they need to pay for their medications through the current exchange. The primary issue is that many of the medications for serious pre-existing conditions do not have generic versions. This means that these patients will be forced to pay the full cost for their prescriptions (some bills may be upwards of $62,000). Dr. Scott Gottlieb
Survey Shows Majority of Companies View Health Insurance Brokers & Agents as Valued Partners
Opportunities for Brokers Evident as Health Reform Takes Shape By: TNS Published: Thursday, Jul. 14, 2011 – 10:06 am NEW YORK, July 14, 2011 — /PRNewswire/ — The importance of health insurance brokers and agents over the next three years — especially those who specialize in employee health benefits — will be increasing sharply in the eyes of middle market decision makers. This is based on a recent survey, conducted by TNS, a world leader in market information. According to the study, almost two-thirds (63%) of companies surveyed view their employee health insurance broker or agent as a valued partner with 33% describing them
California small businesses still unclear on provisions of healthcare reform law, poll finds
A poll commissioned by supporters of the healthcare law finds that 57% of small businesses surveyed are unfamiliar with new tax credits that small employers can use to offset the cost of an employer-provided health plan. Also, 62% did not know about new state-regulated insurance markets. March 20, 2011|By Noam N. Levey, Washington Bureau Nearly a year after President Obama signed his landmark health overhaul, most small businesses in California are still unaware of provisions in the law designed to help them provide their employees with health benefits, according to a new poll. The survey of more than 800 businesses with fewer than 20 employees
Obama Health Care Reform
Obama Health Care Reform Plan Raises Host of Questions for Employers
Companies are looking beyond Inauguration Day on January 20 for clues about what role employers will have if health care reform is enacted under an Obama administration. But at this point there seem