A 12 year study of 43,000 people concluded that excess fat around the waist and hips add a considerable risk for certain cancers. Four extra inches around the waist increased the risk for pancreatic and breast cancers to jump by +13% and an additional three inches around the hips increased the risk for bowel cancers […]
Across the country, insurance companies are filing requests asking for double digit rate increases for their ACA plans. Surveys found that in a number of states the larger carriers are asking for as much as 30% rate increases. This reflects the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Affordable Care Act. The recent failure to repeal and replace […]
Blue Cross is advising all groups with Blue Cross coverage that the IRS has found a number of people insured with Blue Cross have incorrect information on some of their identifying data such as Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, etc. These people will shortly receive a postcard from Blue Cross requesting they either […]
A recent Wall Street Journal article pointed out that almost half of the insurance carriers surveyed said they would be seeking rate increases of 20% or greater for plans sold under the Affordable Care Act. This reflects the growing concern for the viability of the ACA in light of increasing claims and slow pace of […]
Recent research shows that nearly 20% of people who have had a previous melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, have reported having a sunburn in the last year. Furthermore, only 62% said that they regularly wear sunblock, even though survivors have a ninefold risk for recurence. From: Rachel Issackson Vogel PhD, Minnesota Masonic Cancer […]
Effective October 1, Aetna must receive written confirmation of customer renewal acceptance in advance of the customer renewal date for all Aetna small groups. This means that beginning with all October 1 renewal dates, Aetna must receive written confirmation in advance of the policy renewal date. Written confirmation may include signed renewal acceptance from the […]
Form 5500 filing season is around the corner. It’s time to think about completing and filing Form 5500s. Employers who had a Welfare Benefit Plan with 100 or more participants are required to file for the plan year. The Deadline for Form 5500 is due on or before July 31, 2016. Employers required to file […]
Long-term care grew more expensive again this year, with a private nursing home room edging closer to $100,000 annually, a new survey says. Americans also are paying more for other care options such as home health aides and assisted living communities, while adult day care costs fell slightly compared to 2015, Genworth Finanacial reported in […]
Effective April 1, 2016 you must ensure that a prior authorization has been approved before you have one of the services listed below: Advanced Imaging: Radiological services such as CTs, CTAs, MRIs/MRAs, PET scans, nuclear medicine and cariovascular system procedures such as myocardial imaging, myocardianl infusion studies and cardiac blood pool imaging. Select Medical Pharmacy […]
President Obama has signed an agreement on two major legislative packages regarding the budget and tax agreements that were previously approved by Congress. These bills included changes that affect several health care related provisions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). ACA provisions included in the agreement would: Delay implementation of the ACA Excise Tax (“Cadillac” […]