IHC Specialty Benefits Announces Record Visitor Traffic on healthedeals.com During First Half of 2014

June 25, 2014, 6:14 am

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Website visits jump 1,166% from 2013 to 2014, with informational article and blog content credited for 25% of overall traffic.

Minneapolis, Minn. (PRWEB) June 25, 2014

IHC Specialty Benefits is excited to report the latest analytics from healthedeals.com, comparing website traffic between January 1-May 31, 2013 and the comparable period in 2014. The number of site visitors to healthedeals.com jumped 1,166% during such period. While health insurance product pages accounted for a majority of visits, articles and blog posts on healthedeals.com accounted for 25% of traffic alone.

How to Calculate your 2014 Obamacare Tax Credit was the runaway article, responsible for over 5% of all visits, and Your Guide to the Federal Poverty Level collected nearly 4% of all traffic. The Health Care Calculator came in third with almost 3% of traffic. Other top ranking articles included:

1. How the Affordable Care Act Will Impact Individual Premium Rates in 2014

2. 4 Top Apps for Organizing Your Medical Records

3. 10 Things to Know About Obamacare in 2014

“At the end of March, as open enrollment on the federal health exchange was set to close, healthedeals.com web traffic spiked,” said Brian Dow, Chief Operating Officer of IHC Specialty Benefits. “People are craving information and tools to make a decision about purchasing health insurance, which can be a complex process.”

Dow continued, “The analytics show that we are accomplishing what we originally set out to do. Our mission is to provide health insurance and supplemental products to individuals and families across the nation. Our goal is to be the leading health insurance resource for useful information, simple tools and quality products.”

About IHC Specialty Benefits, Inc.
IHC Specialty Benefits is a full-service marketing and distribution company that focuses on small employer, individual and consumer products. Products are marketed through general agents online, telebrokerage, advisor centers, private label and directly to consumers.

About The IHC Group
The IHC Group is an organization of insurance carriers and marketing and administrative affiliates that has been providing life, health, disability, medical stop-loss and specialty insurance solutions to groups and individuals for over 30 years. Members of The IHC Group include Independence Holding Company, American Independence Corp., Standard Security Life Insurance Company of New York, Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc. and Independence American Insurance Company. Each insurance carrier in The IHC Group has a financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) from A.M. Best Company, Inc., a widely recognized rating agency that rates insurance companies on their relative financial strength and ability to meet policyholder obligations. (An A++ rating from A.M. Best is its highest rating.) Collectively, the companies in The IHC Group provide insurance coverage to more than one million individuals and groups. For more information about The IHC Group, visit http://www.ihcgroup.com. Reported by PRWeb 35 minutes ago.

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Highmark, UPMC reach agreement on end of contract

June 25, 2014, 9:15 am

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Highmark Inc. and UPMC have reached a transition agreement that covers how and where patients are treated after the contract between the health insurance and hospital giants expires at year’s end. UPMC Presbyterian-Shadyside, Magee Womens, Passavant, St. Margaret, UPMC East and McKeesport hospitals will be out of network for Highmark members in 2015. But, UPMC’s Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic and Children Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC’s will be among the hospitals that will continue… Reported by bizjournals 22 hours ago.

Lawyer faces charges linked to claimed $28M health insurance fraud

June 25, 2014, 9:40 am

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A South Carolina lawyer is facing federal criminal charges linked to a claimed $28 million health insurance fraud scheme. Kathleen Devereaux Cauthen is accused of aiding others who allegedly sold some 17,000 phony policies throughout the country, via the American Trade Association, reports the Tennessean. She was charged… Reported by ABA Journal 22 hours ago.

Comprehensive HIPAA Security Audits and Assessments for Austin, TX Covered Entities and Business Associates Now Available from the Healthcare Experts at NDB

June 25, 2014, 10:10 am

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NDB Accountants & Consultants (NDB) now offers industry leading HIPAA security audits and regulatory compliance assessment services for Covered Entities (CE) and Business Associates (BA) in Austin, TX, and other surrounding areas.

Austin, TX (PRWEB) June 25, 2014

NDB Accountants & Consultants (NDB) now offers industry leading HIPAA security audits and regulatory compliance assessment services for Covered Entities (CE) and Business Associates (BA) in Austin, TX, and other surrounding areas. With the passing of the Final Omnibus Ruling in January, 2013, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act now has increased regulatory compliance powers, those that come with large penalties and costly fines. It means that now’s the time for Austin, TX healthcare providers to get serious about ensuring the safety and security of Protected Health Information (PHI), and the proven and trusted HIPAA security experts at NDB are ready and willing to help.

NDB has years of regulatory compliance and HIPAA specific expertise and can help develop all mandated information security and operational specific policies, procedures and processes as mandated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. More specifically, NDB can assist in implementing necessary controls and drafting all information security policy documents for the HIPAA Security Rule and Privacy Rule provisions.

The HPAA security audits and assessment services for Texas businesses offered exclusively by NDB include an in-depth HIPAA Policy Packet, along with essential security awareness training documentation, forms, checklists, and more. Trust the experts at NDB for Austin, TX HIPAA compliance by calling NDB’s healthcare and cyber security expert Charles Denyer today at 214-298-8532, or via email at cdenyer(at)ndbcpa(dot)com. Reported by PRWeb 21 hours ago.

Don't Fall Prey to Medical Identity Theft

June 25, 2014, 10:43 am

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By now, most people know about the perils of identity theft, where someone steals your personal or financial account information and makes fraudulent charges or opens bogus accounts in your name. ID theft can take a serious toll on your credit and take months or years to fix, even if you spot it quickly.

Lately, a not-so-new twist has been getting a lot of attention -- medical identity theft. That's where someone gains access to your health insurance or Medicare account information and uses it to submit phony insurance claims, obtain prescription drugs or medical devices (often for black-market resale), or get medical treatment in your name.

Besides its high cost (an estimated 1.8 million victims paid more than $12 billion in related expenses in 2013, according to the Medical Identity Fraud Alliance), medical ID theft can have deadly consequences as well: Suppose someone poses as you and gets an appendectomy; if you later entered the hospital with abdominal pain, your medical file would show that your appendix was already removed and you could be tragically misdiagnosed.

Here are a few tips for avoiding medical ID fraud and steps you can take if it happens to you:

First, it's important to understand what medical ID thieves are looking for and how they access your information. Your medical files are often full of information they crave: account numbers for Social Security, health insurance, Medicare or Medicaid, contact information, email address, etc. Some doctor's offices even keep your credit card number on file (bad idea). All it takes is one stolen employee laptop or an intercepted piece of mail or email to leave you vulnerable.

Sophisticated thieves will also hack computer networks of insurance companies, pharmacies, medical equipment suppliers or anyone else who might have access to your medical records. And unfortunately, the black market for stolen information is so tempting that employees have been known to steal data. Plus, think about all the news stories of corrupt doctors and clinics defrauding Medicare for millions of dollars.

Common signs of medical identity theft include:· Provider bills or insurance Explanation of Benefits (EOB) forms that reference medical services you didn't receive. (Verify all dates, providers and treatments for accuracy and look for duplicate billing.)· Calls from debt collectors about unfamiliar bills.· Medical collection notices on your credit report.
Just as you shouldn't hesitate to ask your doctor or nurse whether they washed their hands, so you should feel free to ask what security precautions their business office takes to protect your personal and medical information. Here are a few preventive measures you can take:· Never reveal personal or account information during unsolicited calls. If in doubt, hang up and call your doctor's office or insurance company directly. The same goes for emails.· Be suspicious if someone offers you free medical equipment or services and then requests your Medicare number.· Never let people borrow your Medicare or insurance card to obtain services for themselves. Not only is this illegal, but it could be disastrous if your medical histories become intermingled (think about differing allergies, blood types, etc.)· Regularly check your credit reports for unpaid bills for unfamiliar medical services or equipment. This could indicate someone has opened a new insurance policy using your identity and is running up charges. (You can order one free report per credit bureau each year at www.annualcreditreport.com.)· Safely store paper and electronic copies of medical records and shred unneeded forms.· Don't post detailed medical information on social media sites.
If you suspect or know that your information has been compromised, ask for copies of your medical records from each doctor, clinic, hospital, pharmacy, lab or health plan where a thief may have used your information. Although you're legally entitled to see these records, you may have to pay a fee. If a provider denies your request, file a complaint with the Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights.

Ask your health plan and each medical provider for a copy of their Accounting of Disclosures, which lists everyone who got copies of your medical records. By law, you're entitled to one free copy per provider, per year.

Next, write to your insurer and medical providers by certified mail to explain which information is inaccurate, along with copies of documents that support your position. Ask them to correct or delete each error and to inform everyone they may have sent records to (labs, other doctors, hospitals, etc.) Keep copies of all correspondence and logs of all phone calls or other related activities.

You can also:· File a police report and keep a copy as proof of the crime.· Contact the fraud units at the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You may want to place a fraud alert or freeze on your accounts.· Notify the Federal Trade Commission, whose Identity Theft site contains information on fraud alerts, credit freezes, how to work with police and much more.· File a complaint with the government-sponsored Internet Crime Complaint Center, which forwards cybercrime complaints to appropriate law-enforcement and regulatory agencies.· Contact the IRS' Identity Protection Unit.· Report Medicare- or Medicaid-related crimes to the Office of Inspector General's Fraud Hotline.
Bottom line: Medical identity theft is serious business. Make sure you're taking every precaution to protect your medical records.

This article is intended to provide general information and should not be considered legal, tax or financial advice. It's always a good idea to consult a legal, tax or financial advisor for specific information on how certain laws apply to you and about your individual financial situation. Reported by Huffington Post 20 hours ago.

Nearly 1 Million New Yorkers Sign Up for New Health Insurance

June 25, 2014, 10:55 am

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The post Nearly 1 Million New Yorkers Sign Up for New Health Insurance by Associated Press appeared first on The Epoch Times.

ALBANY N.Y.—More than 960,000 New York residents have signed up for insurance under the state’s new health plan marketplace during its first enrollment period.

The state issued a report Wednesday detailing how many people enrolled in coverage through the marketplace, …

The post Nearly 1 Million New Yorkers Sign Up for New Health Insurance by Associated Press appeared first on The Epoch Times. Reported by Epoch Times 20 hours ago.

BCBSNC's Wilson sees more opportunity in next Obamacare enrollment, but tech glitches remain

June 25, 2014, 10:30 am

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As the largest player in the individual health insurance market in North Carolina, all eyes were on how Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina would fare under the first open enrollment period of the Affordable Care Act. The state stood out nationally for its results, with close to 358,000 signing up for subsidized coverage through HealthCare.gov when the enrollment ended April 19. BCBSNC saw 232,000 select one of its plans, with roughly a third signing up for coverage for the first time,… Reported by bizjournals 21 hours ago.

Three SBEB Attorneys Selected as Rising Stars by SuperLawyers

June 25, 2014, 10:40 am

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Danica Dougherty, Jason Sanchez and Howard Shernoff were all recognized for 2014.

Claremont, CA (PRWEB) June 25, 2014

Three attorneys were recognized as “Rising Stars” by SuperLawyers magazine – Danica Dougherty, Jason Sanchez and Howard Shernoff.

All three attorneys have scored a number of major successes in the past few years, including:

Ms. Dougherty was part of a team that represented a couple in a catastrophic injury lawsuit against CALTRANS (Evans v. State of CA, number CIVVS1002497, in the Superior Court of the State of California for the county of San Bernardino). The jury awarded the couple $31.5 million, one of the ten largest verdicts in California for 2012. She also was part of the trial team that obtained a $15 million jury verdict in a 2013 wrongful death case in a Bakersfield hit-and-run (Estate of Paregien v Oliva, Case No. S-1500-CV-272703 DRL, Superior Court of Kern County).

Mr. Sanchez was co-trial counsel in a case which resulted in a $2.3 million verdict in 2013 on behalf of a 26-year Monterey Park Police Sergeant, who suffered traumatic injuries after being struck by a trash truck that pulled away from the curb and out into oncoming traffic (Scott and Stacy Wiese v Athens Disposal Company, GC044216, Los Angeles Superior Court).

Mr. Shernoff represented the widow of a man killed in the largest mass-murder in Orange County history (Fannin v Employers Mutual Casualty Case No. 00603260, Orange County Superior Court). National and local media outlets covered the case, which resulted in a settlement. He has also helped secure millions of dollars in settlements on behalf of clients in the last few years in cases involving auto insurance, life insurance and health insurance bad faith claims.

Ms. Dougherty and Mr. Shernoff have been Rising Stars in 2012, 2013 and 2014. This is the first year Mr. Sanchez has made the list.

About Shernoff Bidart Echeverria Bentley LLP
Shernoff Bidart Echeverria Bentley LLP leads the nation in protecting policyholders from insurance company abuse. The firm has been protecting the rights of insurance consumers, both individuals and businesses, for over 35 years after having set the legal precedent requiring insurance companies to act in good faith. Reported by PRWeb 21 hours ago.

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Footwear Giant Skechers Can Run, but It Can't Hide From Abusive Labor Practices

June 25, 2014, 11:53 am

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Skechers, one of America's largest footwear companies, can run, but it can't hide.

A report released Wednesday by the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), "Out of Step: How Skechers Hurts Its California Supply Chain Workers," exposes the company's troublesome labor practices. It is not a pretty sight.

The report reveals the mistreatment of the workers who deliver Skechers' products -- primarily shoes, apparel and luggage -- from ports to warehouses to retail stores around the country and around the world. In doing so, "Out of Step" also exposes the huge gap between Skechers' carefully crafted image as a hip retailer, which has led it to become a $1.8-billion corporation, and the reality of a company for whom truck drivers and warehouse workers labor under harsh, stressful, and exploitative conditions.

Skechers recently overtook New Balance to become the fifth-largest athletic-footwear brand in the country. With its headquarters in Southern California, Skechers strives to portray its shoe and apparel brands as a reflection of traditional California lifestyles, images, and personalities. With endorsements that, over the years, have included celebrity Kim Kardashian, former NFL quarterback Joe Montana, and even star racehorse California Chrome, Skechers has depicted itself as a company that defines the California dream. Its commercials portray its customers as fun-loving, easy-living, athletically inclined, well-conditioned, prosperous young adults.

That image is in sharp contrast to the lives and working conditions of the people who don't wear Skechers' products on their feet but haul them in their trucks and carry them on their backs. "Out of Step" tells the stories of people who came to California to work and found jobs moving goods for Skechers, but whose low pay, scarce benefits, and dangerous working conditions make it almost impossible for them to realize the California dream. Thanks to these hard-working laborers -- many of them immigrants -- Skechers realized record profits. Its top executives make huge salaries, but the company does not share that prosperity with most of the workers who deliver its products.

Skechers has not taken responsibility for making sure that its contractors not only comply with the law but provide decent wages and benefits so that these workers and their families can make ends meet.

"Out of Step" reveals that the workers whom Skechers depends on to move its products are subject to the latest in cost-cutting schemes, including independent contracting of truck drivers and warehouse workers, often as part-time and/or temp employees. Skechers has adopted the Walmart model: It increases its profits by reducing its costs -- primarily by using subcontractors who pay poverty wages and subject their employees to harsh and dangerous conditions.

In addition, Skechers -- like Walmart and other corporations -- claims that it is not responsible for its subcontractors' pay and working conditions.

Skechers' subcontractors have had difficulties staying within the boundaries of California and federal laws. For example, four truck drivers for Green Fleet Systems -- a Carson-based company that hauls 40 truckloads of Skechers products per day -- filed claims with the California state labor commissioner claiming that they are misclassified as independent contractors and are therefore owed $280,822 for the deductions the company made from their checks. All four won their cases, and the labor commission found that they were indeed misclassified as independent contractors. But the company is appealing, holding out on money owed to these workers. Six more drivers' cases will be heard in July.

By labeling employee drivers as "independent contractors," companies like Green Fleet avoid paying their share of Social Security and Medicare taxes, or paying any Unemployment Insurance, worker disability, and Workers' Compensation taxes. According to a study released in February by LAANE and the National Employment Law Project, the state of California lost more than $3.9 million in tax revenues because these companies misclassified port drivers. The study also discovered that $850 million in wages were stolen from drivers every year.

Green Fleet's workers have been fighting for over a year for dignity and respect at work. The drivers have gone on strike three times to protest illegal retaliation. They have asked the Teamsters to help them unionize.

Because Skechers is Green Fleet's largest customer, the workers have being pressuring Skechers to hold Green Fleet accountable to obeying labor laws. On May 23 Green Fleet workers delivered 25,000 signatures -- from concerned Americans around the country -- on a petition to Skechers CEO Robert Greenberg at company headquarters in Manhattan Beach, California.

The drivers also attended Skechers' annual shareholder meeting last month in Manhattan Beach and made the same demand directly to shareholders and company executives. On behalf of their fellow workers, two drivers, Mateo Mares and Yasser Castillo, raised their concerns directly to Greenberg, who last year made $3.5 million and whose total holdings in the company are worth about $380 million. (Greenberg's son Michael, Skechers' president, was paid $1.5 million last year. Skechers' board of directors is all-white and all-male.)

After the stockholder meeting, the workers had an extended conversation with Robert Weinberg, Skechers' chief operating officer, asking the company to contact Green Fleet and stop the retaliation.

But the retaliation has continued. As the Los Angeles Times has reported, the National Labor Relations Board issued a complaint last week alleging over 50 egregiously unfair labor practices on the part of Green Fleet, including encouraging anti-union workers to pick fights with pro-union workers, firing two drivers when they refused to withdraw their claims with the labor commissioner, retaliating against pro-labor employees, and even planting an anti-union operative amid its workforce. (Yes, that's right. The NLRB determined that one of the company's anti-union drivers is actually an "agent" of the company who made death threats to pro-union drivers.)

"The NLRB's extensive allegations indicate that the company set out to destroy the lawful union organizing effort of its drivers," the Times reported.

Similarly, warehouse workers who move Skechers backpacks at Olivet International in Jurupa Valley, California, face health and safety hazards that have led to serious citations from Cal/OSHA, the state agency responsible for enforcing workplace health and safety laws.

Skechers is not the only California corporation whose business model fits this description. "Out of Step" is valuable not only because it pulls back the curtain on one company's abusive labor practices but because, unfortunately, Skechers is representative of the entire goods movement and logistics industry, which has become a critical part of California's economy and is characterized by low wages, few benefits, poor working conditions, and resistance to giving workers a voice at work.

California's logistics industry -- primarily trucking companies and warehouses but going all the way to the stores and other parts of the supply chain -- is engaged in a dangerous race to the bottom. All Californians lose when we allow a major sector of the economy to drive down wages and exploit workers. If workers don't have enough money to spend for basic necessities, it undermines the larger economy, and everyone suffers -- except, of course, the richest 1 percent, who benefit from the suffering of others.

Only when workers in the logistics industry earn a decent living will they be able to participate as consumers in our economy. Only when these workers receive health insurance and sufficient wages to raise a family will they no longer be forced to access public services and health care just to stay afloat. Only when trucking companies begin paying taxes for truck drivers misclassified as "independent contractors" will the state budget receive the tax revenues it should get from hugely profitable California-based retailers like Skechers. Only when companies like Skechers agree to take the high road and require their contractors to follow the law and treat workers with respect will the company truly reflect the California dream.

Over the past decade the anti-sweatshop movement (including consumer, human rights, and student groups) has traced the abuses at overseas and domestic factories to decisions made at the corporate headquarters of major apparel and footwear companies like Walmart, Nike, and Gap. These global corporations control every aspect of their business: They carefully design their products and spend large sums to market them by promoting a very specific brand image. Although they outsource to subcontractors the manufacturing of their products (typically overseas in low-wage countries) and the distribution of their products from the factories to the warehouses to the stores, they also exercise strict oversight and controls on these parts of the operation.

In the past few weeks we have seen new and groundbreaking examples of retailers yielding to legal or public pressure to take responsibility for irreplaceable subcontracted workers who help make their operations successful. Last month Walmart settled with over 1,800 warehouse workers at Schneider Logistics' warehouse in Southern California, one of Walmart's largest subcontractors, in a lawsuit alleging massive wage theft among workers whom Walmart did not directly employ. Instead, the court looked at the fact that Walmart had a significant amount of control over the work and compensation of these workers. The settlement, for over $21 million in damages, was the first time a retailer has been held responsible for labor violations in the supply chain.

And two weeks ago janitors compelled Target to agree to a responsible contractor policy applying to subcontracted janitorial contractors at Target's stores in the Minneapolis area. Target was the subject of public pressure to recognize the rights of those workers to fair pay and freedom of assembly -- basic human rights that they claim to support.

Skechers' customers must ask whether its subcontractors' abusive labor practices are acceptable. The "Out of Step" report will help consumers with a conscience get informed. But learning about these labor abuses is not enough. Consumers need to pressure Skechers and other corporations to stop profiting from these irresponsible labor practices and demand that they be responsible corporate citizens.

How? The workers are urging people to sign the petition to Skechers' CEO Greenberg to protest the abusive practices of its subcontractors.

Peter Dreier is E.P. Clapp Distinguished Professor of Politics and chair of the Urban & Environmental Policy Department at Occidental College. His latest book is The 100 Greatest Americans of the 20th Century: A Social Justice Hall of Fame (Nation Books, 2012). He earned his Ph.D. at the University of Chicago and is the author of several other books and many articles and reports about public policy. Reported by Huffington Post 19 hours ago.

Michelle Obama Uses Racial Slur "Gypped"

June 25, 2014, 12:57 pm

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Michelle Obama Uses Racial Slur "Gypped"
Michelle Obama Uses Racial Slur "Gypped"
Politics
michelle obama, barack obama, racial slur, gypsy, gypped, slur
Has Been Optimized

First Lady Michelle Obama used the word “gypped” while talking about part-time job salaries Monday, drawing some criticism from media outlets for the racial slur.

Obama was talking about her experience as a working mother with an ABC news reporter at the White House Summit on Working Families when she used the word, according to the Daily Caller.

“The first thing I tried to do, which was a mistake, was that I tried the part-time thing… I realized I was getting gypped on that front,” she said. “What happened was I got a part-time salary but worked full time.”

“Gypped” is derived from the word “gypsy,” which refers to the Romani people. The term means to swindle or cheat someone and has many negative connotations.

President Barack Obama has also used the term “gypped” in the past even though it is considered offensive. At a 2009 town hall meeting in Pennsylvania, Obama said he wanted to regulate companies providing health insurance so he could ensure that their customers are not “gypped.”

Sources: Daily Caller, ABC News

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Regular Piece Reported by Opposing Views 18 hours ago.

Wonkblog: People hate shopping for health insurance. Can Obamacare really change that?

June 25, 2014, 12:46 pm

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Welcome to Health Reform Watch, Jason Millman's regular look at how the Affordable Care Act is changing the American health-care system — and being changed by it. You can reach Jason with questions, comments and suggestions here. Check back every Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon for the latest edition, or sign up here to receive it straight from your inbox. Read previous columns here. Reported by Washington Post 18 hours ago.

State health exchange report: 80 percent of enrollees were uninsured

June 25, 2014, 12:26 pm

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New data from the state backs up claims of initial success when it comes to reducing the number of uninsured. Among the nearly one million individuals who signed up for health insurance through New York’s public health exchange, 80 percent were previously uninsured while more than a third were under the age of 35. That’s according to new demographic enrollment data released Wednesday by the NY State of Health, the state’s official health plan marketplace. The report included information… Reported by bizjournals 19 hours ago.

Michigan health insurers propose higher 2015 rates

June 25, 2014, 1:29 pm

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Lansing — Most people buying their own health insurance in Michigan could see near double-digit premium increases next year. Reported by detnews.com 18 hours ago.

Some Michigan health insurers seek large rate hikes, others price cuts

June 25, 2014, 12:46 pm

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At least four health insurance companies are hoping to boost premiums in Michigan by 9 % or more, while others plan to slash those monthly costs by double-digit percentages, according to numbers released this afternoon by the state Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Reported by Freep 18 hours ago.

Passing the Health Care Buck

June 25, 2014, 1:34 pm

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By now, we've all heard about the challenges and the ups-and-downs of the new health care law. From cancelled plans to delayed programs and technical glitches in online applications, the Affordable Care Act has had its share of problems. However, in the end, the Affordable Care Act -- or ACA -- has turned out to help millions of Americans young and old. Far from perfect, the Department of Health and Human Services declared success with over eight million people enrolled, and over 30 percent being young Americans aged 18-34.

The reality of the new law is that if it is a "success" or not oftentimes depends on where you live. While some states are having problems implementing their own state-based exchange program, other states are relying on the Federal Government to carry its citizens. And in Washington, DC, a disturbing unintended consequence is taking place: The D.C. City Council recently passed a new law that applies a new health care tax on health insurance carriers. The D.C. City Council passed the Health Benefit Exchange Authority Financial Sustainability Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2014 in May that leverages a 1 percent tax on all health-insurance carriers with gross receipts of $50,000 or more within the District of Columbia.

Why? Washington, D.C. and the board of D.C. Health Link -- the Washington, D.C. health care exchange -- are concerned about the financial well-being of the exchange and needs a new revenue stream to help support its program. In fact, there is a growing list of sales taxes -- from gym to yoga fees -- that join the new health care tax.

The addition of this new health care tax will add to the operating costs of the small business community in Washington, D.C. It's not unreasonable to assume that this new tax on health insurance carriers is going to be passed along to the individual policyholder's premium costs. Washington, D.C.'s challenge in setting up its exchange program was its population: many in the area are uninsured and the most needy would contribute to a crowded pool driving up costs thereby hurting those it was trying to serve.

The actions taken in Washington, D.C. are not only shortsighted, but also an unwelcomed trend that we should be wary of happening in other metro-areas across America. Many cities are looking for ways to foster growth of their small business communities, and slapping a new health care tax amidst a fluid health insurance marketplace certainly won't help.

For instance, metro-areas like Colorado Springs, CO, Boise City, ID, and Houston, TX, earn top grades for the most "business friendly" environments, according to a small business study by Thumback in partnership with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. The study rated metro-areas based on elements of starting a business including, overall regulations, ease of hiring and training.

One of the key indicators small business owners reported factoring into their belief about the "business friendliness" of a particular metropolitan area was the fairness of the "tax code and tax related regulations". As states and metro-areas attract the best talent with earning potential of millions of dollars in annual revenues, additional health care taxes isn't the way to go about it.

Millions of small business owners are finally starting to get a grasp on the new costs associated with the ACA health care law. As we all know, containing costs in our family life just as our small businesses takes budgeting and discipline. An increase in our health care premiums, resulting directly from the new health care tax, is an irresponsible way for Washington, DC to deal with its budget woes. In fact, Washington, DC doesn't even rank on the list of business friendly metro-areas in the study mentioned above.

If metro-areas replicate the actions of Washington, D.C. in generating funds from health insurance carriers, it threatens the very livelihoods of many in the small business community and the local economies. Sole proprietors to micro-businesses may be forced to relocate to places where a more robust business environment exists. Leveling a 1 percent tax may seem like a near-term solution to a city's budget misfortunes, but the overwhelming evidence shows in the long-term a city, including the District of Columbia, does itself no favors by going down such a road. Reported by Huffington Post 18 hours ago.

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Kentucky Health Cooperative health insurance literacy initiative helps consumers make the most of their new health coverage

June 25, 2014, 1:13 pm

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LOUISVILLE, Ky., June 25, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kentucky Health Cooperative, Inc., the statewide nonprofit health insurer that will be governed by its members beginning in 2015, has launched a Commonwealth-wide initiative titled "Health Insurance: How It ReallyWorks." This... Reported by PR Newswire 18 hours ago.

Teamsters, Community Allies Picket Republic Services In Alabama

June 25, 2014, 2:03 pm

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MOBILE, Ala., June 25, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Teamsters who work at Republic Services [NYSE: RSG] in Mobile held a "Just Practicing" picket today to protest Republic's plans to enact an unaffordable health insurance plan. The workers, who are members of Teamsters Local Union... Reported by PR Newswire 17 hours ago.

Table: 2015 Michigan health insurance rates

June 25, 2014, 2:08 pm

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At least four health insurance companies are hoping to boost premiums in Michigan by 9 % or more, while others plan to slash those monthly costs by double-digit percentages, according to numbers released this afternoon by the state Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Reported by Freep 17 hours ago.

Transgender discrimination is illegal, state reminds health insurers

June 25, 2014, 4:51 pm

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In a letter Wednesday to health insurance companies, the state makes clear that it is illegal to discriminate against transgender policyholders under both state law and the federal Affordable Care Act. Reported by Seattle Times 14 hours ago.

Rate changes sought by insurers in Michigan

June 25, 2014, 6:00 pm

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Insurers participating in this year's Michigan Health Insurance Marketplace , or state exchange, requested rate changes that need state and federal approval. Reported by Freep 13 hours ago.