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Cambia Health Solutions Announces Industry’s Most Comprehensive Palliative Care Program

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Cambia Health Solutions is announcing a new palliative care program that takes a groundbreaking approach to serving individuals with serious illness and those who care for them. The new program will be available as early as this summer to the more than 2.2 million members of Cambia’s family of health plan companies in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Utah.

Portland, Oregon (PRWEB) June 11, 2014

Cambia Health Solutions is announcing a new palliative care program that takes a groundbreaking approach to serving individuals with serious illness and those who care for them. With the launch of the most comprehensive palliative care program in the nation, Cambia is taking action to create a person-focused system by putting the patient’s goals at the center of an interdisciplinary care team that places quality of life as a top priority and includes the patient’s family in the care plan. The new program will be available as early as this summer to the more than 2.2 million members of Cambia’s family of health plan companies in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Utah.

“We’re changing the conversation about serious illness care,” said Mark Ganz, President and CEO of Cambia Health Solutions. “Our program puts our members and their families in charge of their health care, allowing people to live with dignity and a sense of control even when facing a serious illness. At Cambia Health Solutions, we believe that palliative care is deeply personal and fundamentally rooted in respect for a patient’s wishes. Our investments in palliative care are not about a return on investment. This is about a return on humanity.”

Cambia’s program facilitates health care needs from wellness all the way through completion of life. New health care services, benefits, training and education have been created to ensure the entire team, including doctors, nurses, home health aides and others put the patient’s physical, social and spiritual needs at the center of the care delivery plan. Among the unique aspects of the program is facilitation of discussion and planning for serious illness when patients are healthy, to assure their needs are honored at every step of their long-term health care plans and decisions.

This announcement is a natural progression for Cambia Health Solutions, as both the company and its philanthropic arm, Cambia Health Foundation, have heavily invested in programs, people and organizations that are changing the way patients experience palliative care. Since 2009, Cambia Health Foundation has invested more than $10 million in programs and initiatives to advance palliative care access, awareness and quality across the nation.

While the Cambia Health Foundation worked to elevate the nation’s access to and awareness of palliative care, Cambia Health Solutions undertook an extensive review of more than 25 current palliative care programs across the country. Cambia’s leadership discovered the need for a truly comprehensive, person-centric system that would serve individuals – from initial health care planning all the way through completion of life. The underpinning of this program is an environment where the needs of a patient – and their family – are honored first, and always, by their providers and the larger community.

“A serious-illness diagnosis impacts not only the patient, but their family and loved ones as well. Cambia’s unique, holistic approach honors the patient through every step of their journey,” said Dr. Richard Popiel, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Cambia Health Solutions. “This integrated approach includes support across the care continuum for medical providers, patients and their families. We want our members to feel supported in defining and achieving their ideal quality of life, whether it’s at the point of a serious-illness diagnosis, the advanced-care planning phase, or simply choosing quality health care coverage for their families.”

About Cambia Health Solutions
Cambia Health Solutions is a nonprofit total health solutions company based in the Pacific Northwest/Intermountain region, serving consumers and communities for nearly 100 years. Cambia companies provide a wide range of products and services, including health care information technology and software development, retail health care, health insurance, life insurance, pharmacy benefit management, consumer engagement and wellness. For more information, please visit cambiahealth.com. Reported by PRWeb 43 minutes ago.

June Issue of AIS Newsletter Finds Noncompliance With Patient Access Rules

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In apparent defiance of government regulations, many HIPAA covered entities are not offering patients the option of receiving an electronic copy of their medical records, finds the June issue of Atlantic Information Services’ Report on Patient Privacy.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) June 11, 2014

In apparent defiance of final Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) regulations, many Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) covered entities (CEs) are not offering patients the option of receiving an electronic copy of their medical records, let alone in the “form and format” of their choosing, as has been required since January 2013, finds Atlantic Information Services, Inc.’s Report on Patient Privacy (RPP). For its June issue, RPP took a look at the websites of several prominent health systems and discovered that some are imposing fees for copies and applying limits on what they will provide that do not appear to be in line with regulations. Health systems with multiple hospitals have implemented the access requirements inconsistently across their medical centers, meaning some may be in compliance while others are not.

The process of getting one’s records has never been simple, and it may now be even more complicated than before. Most CEs require patients to go through a number of steps before protected health information is released. Some have different procedures for when the patients are requesting the record to be sent to themselves, versus when it is sent somewhere else, which is technically an authorization; some use a single form for both purposes. CEs typically post a form online for records access, which the patient downloads, prints out on paper, completes, signs and then either mails or faxes back to the CE. The form should give the patient options for how the records are going to be delivered, with one choice being some form of electronic version.

Chris Carpenter, director of operations for Diversified Medical Record Services, Inc. (DMRS), a business associate that processes records requests for hospitals and physicians offices nationwide, tells RPP that the reliance on paper requests and mailed records “is not how the industry is trending.” He adds, “I’d even go so far as to say that’s not how HHS [the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services] sees it working. The ideas are portability and access.”

“Most places don’t have electronic portals. They don’t email us securely,” says Deborah Peel, a psychiatrist and founder of the advocacy group Patient Privacy Rights, who reviewed some of the CEs’ policies for records access at RPP’s request. “They put all these obstacles in the way of us getting our own data. It’s just terrible, awful.” The expanded access requirements aren’t being met, she says, because of “gaps” in the regulation and ignorance on the part of CEs. “People believe what they are doing is actually legal,” Peel says. “The implementation has completely failed patients.”

A spokeswoman with the HHS Office for Civil Rights tells RPP “we can and we have” brought enforcement actions against CEs who violate the access requirements.

Visit http://aishealth.com/archive/hipaa0614-01 to read the article in its entirety.

About Report on Patient Privacy
Report on Patient Privacy is the health industry’s #1 source of timely news and business strategies for safeguarding patient privacy and data security. Published for hospitals and other providers, health plans and other HIPAA-covered entities and business associates, the 12-page newsletter focuses on privacy issues that can result in huge fines, penalties and public relations nightmares, including: security breach notification; business associate relations and agreements; and new federal privacy rules for marketing, fundraising, privacy notices, minimum necessary, patient rights and safeguarding privacy in EHRs. Visit http://aishealth.com/marketplace/report-patient-privacy for more information.

About Atlantic Information Services
Atlantic Information Services, Inc. (AIS) is a publishing and information company that has been serving the health care industry for more than 25 years. It develops highly targeted news, data and strategic information for managers in hospitals, health plans, medical group practices, pharmaceutical companies and other health care organizations. AIS products include print and electronic newsletters, websites, looseleafs, books, strategic reports, databases, webinars and conferences. Learn more at http://AISHealth.com. Reported by PRWeb 22 hours ago.

Chill out, North Carolina! State ranks among most stressed

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North Carolina ranks No. 9 on a list of the most stressed-out states, according to a national survey by Movoto. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey and factors such as length of commute, unemployment, hours worked, population density, percentage of income spent on housing and percentage of population without health insurance, Movoto – a real estate brokerage firm that operates in 30 states – reports the top 10 most stressed-out of the lower 48 states are as follows: 1.… Reported by bizjournals 22 hours ago.

Insurers Will Propose Changes to Obamacare

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Insurers Will Propose Changes to Obamacare Filed under: Health Care, Family Money, Personal Finance, Health Insurance, Financial Education

*LM Otero/AP*

By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR

WASHINGTON -- Insurers want to change President Barack Obama's health care law to provide financial assistance for people buying bare-bones coverage. That would entice the healthy and the young, the industry says, holding down premiums.

So-called catastrophic plans are currently not eligible for the law's subsidies, and only 2 percent of the 8 million consumers who signed up this year picked one. Subsidies bring down the cost of monthly premiums.

The proposed change is part of a package of recommendations that America's Health Insurance Plans, the main industry trade group, plans to release Wednesday. Others address how to smooth transitions for consumers who switch insurance companies, as well as making it easier for patients to find out which hospitals and doctors are in particular plans and whether their medications are covered.

"What is crucial for public policy leaders is to balance access and affordability," said Karen Ignagni, head of the trade group. "Unless people feel that coverage is affordable, they won't participate in the system."

Adults ages 18-34, the health care law's most coveted demographic, are under-represented among those enrolled for subsidized private insurance this year. Insurers are currently filing their proposed premiums for 2015, and increases of 10 percent or more are anticipated. Nonetheless, the new state insurance exchanges are poised to grow, with more carriers entering the market to compete for business.

Given the polarized politics of health care in Washington it's unclear how the industry's latest proposal might advance. It might get a chance if Republicans in Congress abandon their crusade to repeal Obama's law and start focusing on making changes to individual components.

The proposal could also encounter opposition from consumer groups, which take a dim view of catastrophic plans. Some consumer organizations have instead called for reducing out-of-pocket costs borne by consumers who buy a midlevel silver plan, the pick of 65 percent of those signed up this year.Catastrophic plans offer low monthly premiums but require consumers to foot a hefty share of their annual medical costs. They are designed to protect healthier people from financial ruin due to an accident or an unexpected diagnosis of serious illness. Catastrophic plans are only available to people under 30 in the new insurance exchanges.

The industry proposal would create a new catastrophic plan open to people of any age and eligible for tax credits provided by the law. It would have an annual limit on out-of-pocket costs and preventive care would be covered at no charge to the patient.

Other elements of the insurers' plan can be voluntarily adopted by the companies or codified by government regulation.

They include a 30-day transition period for certain patients who switch insurance companies or whose doctors no longer participate in the plan. During the transition, patients would be able to remain under the care of their current physician while paying lower in-network rates. Similar transition policies would apply to medically necessary prescriptions.

The health insurance industry has a complicated relationship with the health care law.

Insurers spent tens of millions of dollars to defeat the legislation as it was being debated in Congress and still seek to roll back taxes and Medicare cuts that affect the plans.

But the industry has also become one of the administration's main allies in carrying out the law, enduring the cascade of rollout problems last fall and working behind the scenes to make sure consumers whose old plans got canceled were able to maintain coverage. That's earned insurers public expressions of gratitude from top health care officials in the administration.
 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments Reported by DailyFinance 22 hours ago.

Maryland wants your feedback on health insurance rates. But it's almost impossible to understand them

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The Maryland Insurance Administration’s database of proposed 2015 insurance rates is so complicated that the CEO of the state’s largest insurance company has trouble understanding it. “It is very difficult, even if you’re an expert actuary, to make heads or tails of what’s in these filings," CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield CEO Chet Burrell said. "It’s not something the ordinary citizen would be able to do. That’s troublesome.” The insurance administration on June 6 released the individual… Reported by bizjournals 20 hours ago.

New Report: Many Exchange Plans Burden the Most Vulnerable Patients with High Out-of-Pocket Costs for Vital Medicines

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New Report: Many Exchange Plans Burden the Most Vulnerable Patients with High Out-of-Pocket Costs for Vital Medicines WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new report demonstrates that the majority of plans in the Health Insurance Exchanges are placing a significant out-of-pocket burden on patients with serious illnesses by requiring particularly high cost-sharing for all medicines used to treat certain conditions. This analysis by Avalere Health finds that the vast majority of plans in the Health Insurance Exchanges require relatively high cost sharing for all medicines in at least one class. This cost burden leaves Reported by Business Wire 19 hours ago.

Milliman to showcase Healthcare Intelligence products at America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) 2014 Institute Conference

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SEATTLE, June 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Milliman, Inc., one of the premier global consulting and actuarial firms, announced today that it will showcase its growing line of Healthcare Intelligence products and solutions at AHIP's Institute 2014, June 11-13, in Seattle. Milliman is... Reported by PR Newswire 3 hours ago.

American Majority Supports Company Contraception Insurance Mandate: Survey

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(RNS) More than six in 10 Americans say publicly held corporations should be required to provide employees with health insurance plans that include no-cost contraception coverage, with smaller majorities saying the same for privately held corporations and small business.

The poll from Public Religion Research Institute comes as the Supreme Court prepares to issue its decision in a challenge to the contraception mandate filed by the evangelical owners of the Hobby Lobby arts and crafts chain and a Mennonite-owned wood cabinetry business.

Churches and houses of worship are exempt from the mandate, but nearly 100 nonprofits, colleges and universities and businesses run by people with religious objections to various forms of contraception have filed lawsuits over the mandate.

The poll found majority support for requiring publicly held corporations (61 percent) and privately owned corporations such as Hobby Lobby (57 percent) to provide contraception coverage at no cost to their employees. In addition, majorities of Americans said religiously affiliated hospitals (56 percent) and religiously affiliated colleges (52 percent) should be covered by the mandate.

The poll found less support (51 percent) for applying the mandate to privately owned small businesses; 53 percent oppose applying the mandate to all institutions, including churches and houses of worship, while 42 percent said it should apply to them.

A 2012 poll by the Pew Research Center found that 48 percent supported a religious exemption to the mandate, while 44 percent said businesses should be required to cover contraceptives like other employers. The PRRI poll asked a bit differently, asking whether institutions and businesses should be required to provide their employees with health care plans that cover contraception or birth control at no cost. Pew asked whether those groups should be extended an exemption.

PRRI’s poll also found that a majority (54 percent) of Americans believe that the right of religious liberty is being threatened in America, up from 39 percent two years ago. Republicans are twice as likely as Democrats (80 percent vs. 40 percent) to say that religious liberty is being threatened.

White evangelicals especially believe religious liberty is being threatened in the United States today, at 83 percent, compared to 55 percent of Catholics and 53 percent of white mainline Protestants.

While more than 50 percent of Catholics believe that public and private businesses should be required to provide employees contraceptive coverage, less than half of white evangelicals support the mandate.

In other findings, the poll found that even religiously unaffiliated Americans (58 percent) support public officials opening a meeting with prayer. Nearly 80 percent of Americans support allowing public officials to open meetings. The Supreme Court held last month that public officials could hold sectarian prayers. Reported by Huffington Post 18 hours ago.

Q1 2014 EveryMove 100 Health Insurance Index™ Indicates Increased Use of Social Media in Member Communication Tactics

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New Data Captures Uptick in Online Engagement During Closing Months of Health Insurance Exchange

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) June 11, 2014

EveryMove, Inc., an innovator in health rewards-based marketing and incentives, today released its updated edition of the EveryMove 100 Health Insurance Index™ (https://everymove.org/everymove-100). The Index ranks the top 100 health insurance companies in the U.S. by how well they engage with and empower consumers to manage their own health. This update includes data compiled for the first quarter of 2014.

The changes in the index for Q1 were significantly impacted by an increase in activity on health plan social media accounts. These health plans leveraged social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to connect with members and enjoyed a boost in likes, followers, and shares. Many plans that invested heavily in social engagement advanced in the EveryMove 100 rankings.

“This quarter we began to see payoff for those health plans choosing to proactively initiate open conversation with consumers, especially during the time of open enrollment,” said Russell Benaroya, EveryMove co-founder and CEO. “Many health plans turned to social media to alleviate confusion surrounding open enrollment and as a means to further consumer engagement. As a result, those health plans saw advancement on the EveryMove 100.”

Humana claimed the top position for the Q1 2014 EveryMove 100 Health Insurance Index™, up from number three in Q4. Their climb in a highly competitive top ten is the result of stronger social media execution as well as improved member responses from the satisfaction survey scores.

Rounding out the top ten are:

1.    Humana
2.    Premera
3.    Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
4.    Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
5.    Kaiser Permanente of California
6.    CIGNA
7.    BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
8.    Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia (new to the top 10)
9.    Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan
10.    Florida Blue

The EveryMove 100™ ranks both regional and national health insurance companies by analyzing more than 50 data points across key indicators such as their mobile and self-service tools, their incentive program offerings, their community involvement and their commitment to social engagement. The EveryMove 100TM also includes a satisfaction survey with more than 10,000 health insurance customers. All data collected is normalized to account for the wide variety of health insurance company sizes. The EveryMove 100™ does not incorporate either the cost or the specific health care services covered by any plan, as that information is presented to consumers through the federal and state exchanges.

To see the top 100 ranked health insurance companies for Q1 and previous quarters, and to filter by state, visit http://www.everymove.org/everymove-100.

About EveryMove:
Founded in 2012, EveryMove is a digital fitness rewards program that strives to bring recognition and real-life rewards to the millions of Americans who are investing in their health. The patent-pending EveryMove points system translates hundreds of different physical activities into a common metric, which allows a growing network of retailers, employers and health plans to offer recognition and tangible rewards while gaining valuable insights and building sustainable relationships with an active, engaged community. EveryMove is also the leading integrator of fitness tracking apps and devices, allowing users to seamlessly sync activities from their favorite tracker. Join in the movement to recognize your active community at http://www.everymove.org. Reported by PRWeb 17 hours ago.

Going 'Fur' World Cup Gold: What Country is That Dog from

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Veterinary Pet Insurance Reviews Its Database of 500,000 Pets to Determine Their Country of Origin

Brea, CA (PRWEB) June 11, 2014

Are German shepherds pulling for the German national soccer team? Are American bulldogs rooting for the “Stars and Stripes?” Are Yorkshire terriers cheering on Wayne Rooney?

As elite teams from around the world gather in Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™, many of the 32 countries competing are represented by dog breeds that most of us recognize but may not know their country of origin. In the spirit of the World Cup, Veterinary Pet Insurance, the nation’s first and largest provider of pet health insurance, recently reviewed its database of more than 500,000 insured pets to break down the country where many dog breeds began. The following is a look at six World Cup teams that also have a number of notable breeds that originated from their country.

United States: American Husky, American Bulldog, American cocker spaniel, Boston terrier, Chesapeake Bay retriever.

England: Beagle, English mastiff, Jack Russell terrier, Whippet, Yorkshire terrier.

Germany: Boxer, Dachshund, Doberman pinscher, German shepherd, Schnauzer

France: Briard, Brittany spaniel, French bulldog, Papillon, Poodle.

Italy: Cane corso, Italian greyhound, Italian shepherd, Maltese.

Russia: Black Russell terrier, Borzoi, Russian spaniel, Samoyed, Siberian husky.

In addition to the countries listed above, below is a list of countries that qualified for the World Cup and are represented by at least one dog breed:

Argentina (Argentine dogo), Australia (Australian shepherd), Belgium (Bloodhound), Brazil (Fila Brasileiro), Chile (Chilean fox terrier), Croatia (Dalmation), Greece (Greek harehound), Japan (Akita), Mexico (Chihuahua), Netherlands (Keeshond), Portugal (Portuguese water dog), Spain (Ibizan hound), Switzerland (St. Bernard).

For more information about specific dog breeds, including tips for choosing the right pooch for you and your home, visit the VPI Pet HealthZone.

About Veterinary Pet Insurance
With more than 500,000 pets insured nationwide,Veterinary Pet Insurance Co./DVM Insurance Agency (VPI) is a member of the Nationwide Insurance family of companies and is the oldest and largest pet health insurance company in the United States. Since 1982, VPI has helped provide pet owners with peace of mind and is committed to being the trusted choice of America’s pet lovers.

VPI Pet Insurance plans cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for multiple medical problems and conditions relating to accidents, illnesses and injuries. CareGuard® coverage for routine care is available for an additional premium. Medical plans are available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Additionally, one in three Fortune 500 companies offers VPI Pet Insurance as an employee benefit. Policies are offered and administered by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company in California and DVM Insurance Agency in all other states. Underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company (CA), Brea, CA, an A.M. Best A rated company (2012); National Casualty Company (all other states), Madison, WI, an A.M. Best A+ rated company (2012). Pet owners can find VPI Pet Insurance on Facebook or follow @VPI on Twitter. For more information about VPI Pet Insurance, call 800-USA-PETS (800-872-7387) or visit petinsurance.com. Reported by PRWeb 17 hours ago.

Statement from Marian Wright Edelman, President of the Children's Defense Fund, Reacting to Senator Rockefeller's New Legislation

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WASHINGTON, June 11, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Senator John D. Rockefeller, the senior senator from West Virginia, introduced new legislation to support children and working families, The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Extension Act of 2014. The Children's Defense... Reported by PR Newswire 17 hours ago.

Minnesota's uninsured drops 40 percent, study finds

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The number of Minnesotans without health insurance fell by about 40 percent between September and May, according to an analysis being released Wednesday by the University of Minnesota. Reported by TwinCities.com 17 hours ago.

18 insurers file to join Michigan marketplace

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Additional insurers are asking to join Michigan's Health Insurance Marketplace. Reported by Miami Herald 16 hours ago.

HealthEdge Partners with AXIOM to Deliver Next-Generation EDI Gateway to the Health Insurance Market

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HealthEdge Partners with AXIOM to Deliver Next-Generation EDI Gateway to the Health Insurance Market BURLINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HealthEdge®, provider of the only integrated financial, administrative and clinical platform for healthcare payers, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with AXIOM Systems, Inc. (AXIOM) that will allow it to embed AXIOM’s TransSend application in the new HealthRules EDI Gateway. The new offering will enable health insurance companies to meet all of their HIPAA transaction requirements with a pre-configured application that will deliver faster Reported by Business Wire 16 hours ago.

Michigan's health insurance exchange offering consumers more plans

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Michigan consumers will have more plans to choose from during the next open enrollment on Michigan's health insurance exchange, according to a list released today of companies signed up to participate. Reported by detnews.com 16 hours ago.

Starting-up or Already Have a Small Business? Watch Out For Flying Monkeys.

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Rules related to small businesses are complicated and can be scary. Deductions, and credits and other tax benefits - OH MY. Where do you start?

First, you must choose which type of business structure or entity you will be. Then, you can worry learn about the tax considerations based on the entity you chose. In this blog, we will discuss what your entity options are related to how you are taxed. Next week, we will cover some of the tax considerations available to you.

There are important tax and operational considerations specific to each type of entity. Tax considerations include when and how to report income including specialty tax deductions such as the home office deduction, start-up expense considerations, payroll, benefits, health insurance, and even special depreciation deductions. We are focusing only on HOW and WHERE YOU ARE TAXED here. Operational considerations such as legal protections, liability issues, and even state rules and regulations are another matter.

There are typically three different choices when it comes to setting up a business entity - a Sole Proprietorship, Partnership or an S Corporation. These are the most common and while other more complex entity choices do exist, including a full C Corporation, we are keeping to the simple and commonly used.

A Sole Proprietorship is the easiest and most common type of business entity because no real organizational or set up activity is required. This business is owned and operated by an individual and reported on Schedule C, Profit or Loss from Business (Sole Proprietorship) with their Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. A sole proprietor has no legal requirements for the business, does not need a lawyer to set it up, and only needs a federal identification number for the business if there are employees other than the owner. Individuals who are sole proprietors pay self-employment taxes on their net profit from the business in addition to the other items included on their individual tax return. Though it is the easiest to set up it has the least legal protections.

The next most common type of small business is a Partnership. Partnerships are formed when two or more people invest in, or simply agree to operate together, and run a business. A partnership generally requires a legal agreement between these owners (partners), but the agreement can be very informal. A Partnership is considered a separate tax entity from the owners, therefore must have a federal identification number - even if the only employees are the partners. Partnerships file a separate tax return, IRS Form 1065, Return of Partnership Income, and each partner receives a Schedule K-1 (Form 1065), Partner's Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc. reporting their share of taxable income and deductions, or business operation loss, from the partnership. Like sole proprietors, partners are subject to self-employment taxes on their share of net profit from the business. Slightly more complicated than sole proprietorship, a partnership is still easy to set up and, even with the separate tax return, is a good, simple structure to run a business from, especially if the business has 2 or more partners that share in the business both financially and otherwise.

Finally, there are Corporations. If you incorporate there are several options to consider, but the S Corporation is the simplest and most common of corporate business structures. The S Corporation is its own entity, much like the Partnership, and files a tax return, a Form 1120S, U.S. Income Tax Return for an S Corporation. In the S-corporation, the profit from the business is passed through to the owners and investors on a Schedule K-1 (Form 1120S), Shareholder's share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc., and taxed on their personal returns - also similar to a partnership. If you choose to set up your business as an S Corporation, you will not pay self-employment taxes on your profit because you pay Social Security and Medicare taxes through withholdings on your compensation received like any other employee.

Choosing the type of entity to run your business has many implications, only one of which is the tax consequences. As noted above, there are a lot of considerations. It takes brains, heart, and nerve to start a small business, but you don't have to be a Wizard. It is always best to consult a small business professional or tax professional for more details before you make any final decisions regarding your small business.

In our next piece, we will cover some of the specialty tax considerations and even deductions and tax credits that are available to small businesses. Reported by Huffington Post 15 hours ago.

Health Integrated takes another million in venture debt financing

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Health Integrated takes another million in venture debt financing Health-focused big data company Health Integrated has borrowed another million from its backer, Western Technology Investment (WTI). Health insurance companies and risk-bearing health providers use Health Integrated’s software to understand and more profitably manage demand for health services among specific … Reported by VentureBeat 14 hours ago.

Minnesota's uninsured rate dropped 41 percent after MNsure

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More than 180,000 Minnesotans without health insurance got it after the Affordable Care Act led to the state's MNsure exchange. Between the end of September 2013 (before MNsure open enrollment started) and the start of May (one month after it closed), the number of uninsured Minnesotans dropped by 40.6 percent to 264,5000. That's according to MNsure and the University of Minnesota State Health Access Data Assistance Center (SHADAC), which attributed the increase to expanded eligibility for state… Reported by bizjournals 13 hours ago.

What happens to the PUP-mobiles when Physicians United Plan is gone?

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Physicians United Plan Inc. is, in the parlance of our time, being sold for scrap. Physicians United, better known as PUP, is an Orlando-based Medicare Advantage health insurance plan. On June 9, a judge approved liquidating the company at midnight on July 1; the Florida Division of Financial Services is the court-appointed receiver. I got an interesting email from a reader asking: What happens to the PUP-mobiles? If you’re not familiar, Physicians United Plan would wrap vehicles, usually small… Reported by bizjournals 11 hours ago.

Automobile Insurance Quote System Now Delivers Prices across USA to Drivers Online

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Automobile insurance quote system built at the Quotes Pros website now delivers national pricing to motorists at http://quotespros.com/auto-insurance.html online.

Miami, FL (PRWEB) June 11, 2014

A new source of automobile insurers can be reviewed publicly while using the Quotes Pros company this year. The installation of the automobile insurance quote system this year has opened up price reviews across the USA for policies drivers can explore at http://quotespros.com/auto-insurance.html.

Motor vehicle owners who gain entry to the Internet platform for researching insurers can view pricing and immediately make a purchase for a selected plan. Each of the partners that calculates rates information now provides a buy link to promote locked in prices for the public.

"The automobile insurance agencies that any person can review while using our website provide a simple way to take a look at pricing and coverage types while not entering vehicle data," said a Quotes Pros company source.

Quotes that are obtained while using the new USA system are attached to more than one type of insurance policy. While the minimum coverage required in most states is a popular choice, motorists accessing the database can find prices for full coverage or risk based plans like SR22 easily.

"A quote for insurance through our website remains private based on the unique way that we deliver pricing based on a single zip code identifier," said the company source.

The Quotes Pros company has revamped its industry tools this year to take advantage of more than vehicle insurance coverage price quotes. American consumers now have access to life, health, renters and homeowner coverage policies at http://quotespros.com/health-insurance.html.

About QuotesPros.com

The QuotesPros.com company offers one of the simplest to access vehicle insurance company databases open to the public on the Internet. The company professionals connect with different agencies to acquire rates and other data consumers can review daily. The QuotesPros.com website offers prices for optional coverage plans that are underwritten outside of the auto industry to expand consumer protection. Life insurance, renters, business and health coverage are now part of the website offerings. Reported by PRWeb 10 hours ago.
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