25 03, 2020

Updates on the COVID-19 Crisis

By |March 25th, 2020 |Categories: Uncategorized|

Benefits Cafe began a COVID-19 Crisis Update page last week where we have information from governments and insurance companies about their revised policies to accommodate these unusual times.  The update page also has breaking news that should be helpful to businesses that are forced to make difficult decisions.  Today, [...]

13 08, 2013

Covered California Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Exchange Rates

By |August 13th, 2013 |Categories: (SHOP) Covered California Small Business Articles, ACA, Covered California, Health Benefit Exchange, Health Insurance Reform,, Small Business Articles, Uncategorized|

Given the rates SHOP released and the new rules for rating individual and small group health insurance, I am led to the conclusion that some small groups (and individuals) will likely pay much more than they currently do - while some may pay less.

30 08, 2012

Blue Shield of CA to give Small Groups 18% Refund September 2012

By |August 30th, 2012 |Categories: Uncategorized|

Blue Cross of California has announced that they will issue all of their small group clients (i.e., employers with 2-50 employees) a one-time credit of 18% of the monthly health insurance premium. The credit will be based on active enrollment in the Blue Shield plan on July 31, 2012 and it will apply to the September 2012 bill. Click for more details and resources about the Blue Shield credit.

2 05, 2011

California Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) vs. California Major Risk Medical Insurance Plan (MRMIP)

By |May 2nd, 2011 |Categories: Uncategorized|

The California Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) was set up under the new Federal health insurance reform law (PPACA). It’s supposed to go until 1/1/2014 at which time there will be no medical underwriting and all insurance companies must take everyone without regard to pre-existing medical conditions – i.e., you can transition to a standard plan. For someone close to age 65, enrolling on this plan would take him/her until he/she is eligible for Medicare which is currently "Guarantee Issue." Read about eligibility and cost of the PCIP based on our analysis of this government program.

18 10, 2010

Guaranteed Health Insurance for Children in California

By |October 18th, 2010 |Categories: Uncategorized|

One provision of the new Federal health insurance reform law (PPACA) that became effective on September 23, 2010 was the requirement that all health insurance companies approve children under age 19 without regard for health status. While the new law requires insurance companies to sell coverage there is no requirement for parents to buy health insurance for their children. Fearing "adverse selection" where people would wait until they got to the hospital to sign up for coverage then cancel it after they received treatment (like buying fire insurance when your house is on fire) virtually all of the insurance companies refused to sell children only health insurance. In response, Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 2244 into law September 20, 2010. This new law requires all California health insurance companies to offer children only individual policies on a "guarantee issue' (GI) basis beginning January 1, 2011. Failure to comply will cause the California health insurance company to be banned from selling individual health insurance plans for 5 years. This penalty is so sever that it forces insurance companies to either accept all children under these conditions, or go out of business. Read more about AB 2244 requirements and the law surrounding guaranteed health insurance for children in California.

30 07, 2009

Aetna to Send COBRA Subsidy Notices

By |July 30th, 2009 |Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: |

Aetna announced that on August 7, 2009 they will send a notice to former employees of their small business clients, terminated from employment between September 1, 2008 and May 10, 2009, advising them that they may be eligible for the Federal Subsidy for COBRA continuation of their health insurance. [...]

19 07, 2009

Health Net Elect Open Access HMO is a Good Buy in Los Angeles

By |July 19th, 2009 |Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: , , |

In the California small group health insurance market Health Net's HMO plans are always well priced. Effective August 1, 2009 for groups located in Los Angeles their Elect Open Access HMO plan will be 5 percent less expensive than the Health Net Standard Option HMO. The Standard and the [...]

23 06, 2009

Health Insurance Information for College Students

By |June 23rd, 2009 |Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: |

With summer and graduation upon us, we wanted to help people understand issues related to college health insurance. Incoming freshmen have different concerns than recent grads; who have different needs than graduate students and we've written an article for each situation. Parents of these students will also find these [...]

Go to Top