Category Archives: Health Care Reform
New Massachusetts Health Care Cost Control Breakthrough
Harvard Pilgrim announced today that it’s rolling out a new cost control incentive for those covered by group health insurance in Massachusetts. The initiative is called SaveOn and the concept is to actually put cash into the hands of patients for choosing to use lower-cost, high-quality providers.
National Malpractice Reform Equals Lower Health Care Costs
One of the first bills of the legislative season, H.R. 5 (The “HEALTH Act” – Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare of 2011) has been introduced (January 29). I know that many attorneys will be up in arms at the thought of anything that restricts their ability to sue, but this appears to be a [...]
The Doctor Is In — The Workplace, That Is
Wellness is gaining traction among employers, and many are getting aggressive by providing care services at the workplace, and some (obviously the larger ones) are building onsite clinics, These programs have become the hub of a wide range of efforts to promote good health. Employers aren’t being altruistic; rather, they recognize that good health reduces [...]
Just How Expensive Is Massachusetts Health Insurance?
The Commonwealth Fund has put out a document on “Health Reform’s Potential” to reduce health costs. It’s interesting — deeply flawed, but interesting. Let me start by saying that the intended purpose of the report is the part that is deeply flawed… it’s a political treatise, written by a supporter of the Obamacare legislation that [...]
Small Business Health Care Tax Credit: New IRS Guidelines
In late December the IRS issued more guidelines on the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit. Beginning with the 2010 taxable year, eligible small employers that offer health insurance coverage to their employees may qualify for a tax credit of up to 35% of the non-elective contributions they, the employer, make toward premium cost. The [...]
How Effective Will "Tiered" Health Insurance Networks Be?
There is a move afoot (which I endorse) to make end users, patients, employees — whatever you want to call them — carry the cost burden of their health care provider choices. The goal is to reduce health insurance rate increases. As I said, I’m all for it — here in Massachusetts the clear leader [...]
What Constitutes a Health Insurance "Unreasonable Rate Increase?"
I just read a fascinating article on group health insurance rate increases. The information isn’t new, but the way it was explained was super. I’m going to summarize the article here, but if you want to read the original, here’s a link. Written by Dave Oliker, CEO of MVP Health Care, a New Hampshire and [...]
Unconstitutional: Hope for America
A Federal Court judge ruled Obamacare unconstitutional yesterday. Hallelujah!! I’m not against solving our health care problems, but this bill was a classic example of legislative overreach. Yesterday’s ruling doesn’t make the law illegal; rather, it keeps Obama and the central planning gang on the defensive… and that’s a good thing. It also adds fuel [...]
Value Based Insurance Design Offers Help for Employers
It’s pretty well agreed that both cost of health care/health insurance and access to quality care are concerns… and the question is how to get both. Value Based Insurance Design may offer an answer. This is particularly true for the employer who has some control over the design of her plan. Because of the ever-increasing [...]