Happy Thursday! One more day to go then the weekend.
The California legislature is currently working on a new bill, AB 98, which, if passed and signed into law, will make a significant change to California individual health coverage.
The bill would require all individual & family health insurance plans in California, whether registered with the DMHC or the DOI, to contain mandatory maternity benefits. As I interpret the bill, any plan sold in 2010 would have to contain maternity benefits, and any plan sold prior to 2010 would be adjusted to include maternity at plan renewal.
Many Californians currently covered on individual & family plans have chosen plans without maternity benefits to save premium. Maternity benefits on a health plan are assumed at 100% utilization, meaning that all plans with maternity benefits are priced with the expectation that every subscriber will use the benefit. Those who do not need maternity coverage would lose the choice of purchasing a non-maternity health plan and the premium savings that go along with it.
I will update as this bill moves through the Assembly.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Atlanta Plumber is The Best
Does your house always have any problems? I believe that we sometimes face problems with our house. The problems could be with the inside and outside building or problems with furniture, problems with equipments inside or many others. How about plumbing? Have you ever gotten confused with plumbing problems? Every home owner must have experiences problem with plumbing and so must I. Plumbing is one of confusing problems because when it happens, it will disturb some activity, such as not able to use the water and others. So what are we supposed to do to solve it? Plumber is the only way we should do. Plumber is the right person to handle this problem. Fortunately, plumber service is easily found in the neighborhood and so is in Atlanta. For Atlanta people who are facing plumbing problems, they should be happy because they can contact Atlanta Plumber. Atlanta Plumber is a small business designed to handle all problem about plumbing, such as repairing and installing the plumbing, sewing, doing drains cleaning repairs and installation, and some others. Though, they are a small business, Atlanta Plumber has the best and the highest quality service and maintenance. They also give a very acceptable price for big and small plumbing problem. Now, If plumbing problem comes to you, just contact one name Atlanta Plumber
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Mini-COBRA Expansion States
Hope everyone is having a great spring. Just wanted to update on the increase in mini-COBRA state continuation coverage programs going on currently.
Last month Viriginia added a state mini-COBRA program which went into effect in early April, 2009. I found out today that Pennsylvania is also finishing legislation to add a mini-COBRA program. Virginia's program runs 9 months to coincide with the subsidy. I expect Pennsylvania to go 9 or 18 months, again with the first 9 being subject to the subsidy.
For those who are not aware, a part of the ARRA legislation requires state mini-COBRA programs to provide the same 65% subsidy to qualified beneficiaries as the federal COBRA program.
In California, we have a program called "Cal-COBRA" which is the state mini-COBRA program with a special feature not found in other states.
Cal-COBRA applies to groups 2-19 employees which fall below the federal COBRA size. Additionally, Cal-COBRA contains an extension of coverage provision under AB 1401 which can apply to groups of any size, not just 2-19. This was signed into law by Gray Davis when he was still the governor. Under AB 1401, certain groups above 20 are eligible for an extra 18 months on Cal-COBRA after the first 18 months of federal COBRA. Generally, the groups must be fully insured (not self-insured/self-funded) and must be covered by a carrier domiciled in California. Plans outside of California, like self-funded plans, are exempt.
For more information on Cal-COBRA extension and AB 1401, visit this page on my site.
For more information on Cal-COBRA and California mini-COBRA, visit this page on my site.
Before I forget, Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Last month Viriginia added a state mini-COBRA program which went into effect in early April, 2009. I found out today that Pennsylvania is also finishing legislation to add a mini-COBRA program. Virginia's program runs 9 months to coincide with the subsidy. I expect Pennsylvania to go 9 or 18 months, again with the first 9 being subject to the subsidy.
For those who are not aware, a part of the ARRA legislation requires state mini-COBRA programs to provide the same 65% subsidy to qualified beneficiaries as the federal COBRA program.
In California, we have a program called "Cal-COBRA" which is the state mini-COBRA program with a special feature not found in other states.
Cal-COBRA applies to groups 2-19 employees which fall below the federal COBRA size. Additionally, Cal-COBRA contains an extension of coverage provision under AB 1401 which can apply to groups of any size, not just 2-19. This was signed into law by Gray Davis when he was still the governor. Under AB 1401, certain groups above 20 are eligible for an extra 18 months on Cal-COBRA after the first 18 months of federal COBRA. Generally, the groups must be fully insured (not self-insured/self-funded) and must be covered by a carrier domiciled in California. Plans outside of California, like self-funded plans, are exempt.
For more information on Cal-COBRA extension and AB 1401, visit this page on my site.
For more information on Cal-COBRA and California mini-COBRA, visit this page on my site.
Before I forget, Happy Cinco de Mayo!
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