Archives for: August 2010
08/31/10
DOL Releases COBRA Premium Reduction Fact Sheet, FAQ
The U.S. Department of Labor has released two COBRA documents that will be of interest to individuals currently eligible for COBRA coverage – as well as those who aren’t entirely clear as to what their current eligibility status is.
The… more »
08/27/10
MedBen to Provide Plan Guidance for Mental Health Parity Law
New mental health parity legislation may soon impact your group’s plan benefits.
In 2008, the federal government enacted the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA). The law generally states… more »
08/24/10
MedBen Preparing CDHP Participants for OTC Rule Change
As we noted on this blog several months ago, effective January 1, 2011, participants in a consumer-driven health plan (CDHP) will no longer be able to use their account funds to purchase over-the-counter (OTC) medications (except insulin) without a… more »
08/20/10
MedBen Offers Health Care Reform "Webinar"
If you’re interested in attending a MedBen University health care reform seminar but have been unable to so – or if we haven’t made it to your neck of the woods yet – you’re in luck! MedBen will be conducting a special… more »
08/19/10
Big Employers Anticipate 2011 Health Benefit Cost Increases of Nearly 9%, Survey Says
Following closely on the heels of a report earlier this month that predicted a 9% rise in HMO health care costs in 2011 and 11% rise in PPO costs, large employers anticipate an increase in benefit costs of 8.9% for the coming year, based on a study by… more »
08/13/10
MBU Announces Cincinnati Health Care Reform Seminar
MedBen University continues to tour the Midwest this summer, conducting seminars on the topic “Health Care Reform: What Employers Need to Know". Today, MedBen announced an additional MBU session in the Cincinnati area on Thursday, September 9. The… more »
08/10/10
Swine Flu No Longer Considered a Pandemic
It looks like we can take swine flu off the “Things to Worry About” list for the time being. Earlier today, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the H1N1 virus pandemic officially over, stating that incidents of the virus have… more »
08/06/10
Subsidy Calendar Offers A Glimpse of Future Premiums
The Kaiser Family Foundation website currently features a Health Reform Subsidy Calculator – a nifty little gizmo that allows you to estimate your net cost for individual health insurance in 2014. Why that particular year? Because 2014 will see… more »
08/05/10
Reform, Cost Shifting Factors in 2011 Heath Care Cost Increases
Milliman predicts that group health care costs will rise 9% for HMOs and 11% for PPOs in 2011, based on preliminary results. The actuarial and consulting firm cites uncertainty about the effects of health care reform as a primary reason for the… more »
08/03/10
Get Yourself Some Cheap (But UV Blocking!) Sunglasses
Summer means long days, nice weather and – consequently – more time spent outdoors. But prolonged exposure to sunlight, however warm and toasty it makes us feel, can also play havoc with our eyes.
Wearing proper sunglasses – a pair… more »