Donald Trump claims he has finally repealed Obamacare through the Republican tax bill. “The individual mandate is being repealed,” he told a cabinet meeting in December. “When the individual mandate is being repealed, that means Obamacare is being repealed.” He has since tweeted that the tax bill “essentially Repeals (over time) ObamaCare.” Continue reading
The rising costs of health care aren’t just a problem for individuals—they’ve also impacted businesses that make health benefits a priority for their employees.
Small businesses have been particularly vulnerable. Between 19999 and 2016, the cost to cover one employee under group health insurance rose nearly 200 percent—from $2,196 to $6,435. Continue reading
A medical marijuana card used to be the key to buying and possessing pot in Oregon.
But the rise of recreational marijuana is making the cards primarily valuable only as a discount card, and not a necessity to buy, said Sam Elkington, owner of Track Town Collective in Glenwood. The card exempts the buyer from Oregon’s state and local pot taxes, which are levied on recreational pot. Continue reading
Insurers Seek Reimbursement for the High Cost of Opioid Addictions
Big Pharma is having a Big Tobacco moment. Since 1999, the number of prescription opioids sold in America has almost quadrupled. Over the same period, prescription opioid deaths have more than quadrupled and millions have become addicted to legally-prescribed painkillers that are 50 times more powerful than heroin. Nearly two million Americans met criteria for prescription opioid abuse and dependence in 2013… Continue reading
Though the number of physician dispensed prescriptions has declined considerably from just a few years ago, the workers’ compensation industry continues to battle a market seeking to maintain high prices by changing drug strength and formulations.
The impact of physician dispensed pharmaceuticals and drug compounding on workers’ compensation systems nationwide was highlighted recently during a session hosted by the National Conference of Insurance Legislators’ (NCOIL) Workers’ Compensation Insurance Committee at its annual meeting in Phoenix. Continue reading
Despite the Trump administration’s efforts to scale back the health law, about 300,000 more people have signed up for health insurance in the Affordable Care Act marketplaces in the first weeks of this enrollment period than last year. Continue reading
Setting up employee benefits for your small or large business should not be a headache. Incorporating benefits into your employee package is a way to attract and retain employees. With all the changes to the way health care coverage has been implemented since the Affordable Care Act (ACA), to now with possible changes, it is no wonder business owners are concerned about what to offer in their package and what is necessary. One of the biggest hurdles is the basic understanding of the change in requirements that have been implemented in the industry over the past several years. Let’s go back to the basics and explain what a desirable employee benefits package may include. Continue reading
It’s open enrollment season for Affordable Care Act marketplace plans, Medicare Advantage plans and many employer-sponsored plans as well. Lots of evidence suggests you should shop around, and shop carefully, though this is harder than it sounds. Continue reading
