A Census Bureau report found 9.1% of Americans were uninsured in 2015, down from 10.4% a year earlier. -More-
Reported by SmartBrief 17 minutes ago.
Census Bureau: 90.9% of Americans had health insurance in 2015
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GOP Cite Obamacare Problems to Improve Chances in Tight Senate Races
An upcoming sharp increase nationwide in health insurance rates has given Republicans in key congressional races needed ammunition to bash Obamacare and help fend off Democratic attempts to take control of the Senate...
Reported by Newsmax 1 day ago.
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Verizon and CareClix Team Up to Improve Patient Access
CareClix and Verizon enter into a business partnership to improve patient access to timely health care.
Tysons Corner, VA (PRWEB) September 19, 2016
CareClix, a leading provider of integrated telehealth applications, technology, and services, and Verizon, one of the largest communication technology companies in the world, entered into a business partnership that will enhance customers’ ability to manage chronic conditions. Together, CareClix and Verizon will provide remote and timely health care to those in need who previously had limited access. This partnership supports the business objectives for both organizations – to deliver a unique, multi-functional telehealth solution at an affordable price.
“The partnership with Verizon strengthens our ability to reach patients with critical needs and limited access,” said John Korangy, MD, co-founder of CareClix. “We now have a close partner who shares our commitment to quality and improves our ability to deliver and support our telehealth solution suite.”
CareClix provides comprehensive and integrated multi-module telehealth applications, technology and services to health systems, health insurance companies, governments, physician practices and corporations among others. The platform stresses ease of use and compatibility with any web-based or HL7-compliant systems. The CareClix solution integrates a multi-user cloud-based video conferencing system, file-sharing technology, a meaningful-use web-based Electronic Medical Record (EMR), Personal Health Record (PHR), Remote Patient Monitoring with Chronic Care Management, and direct real-time access to laboratory, pharmacy, and technical services 24/7. The CareClix provider network includes board-certified physicians licensed to provide care to patient populations across the US and internationally and who are available any time. Reported by PRWeb 19 hours ago.
Tysons Corner, VA (PRWEB) September 19, 2016
CareClix, a leading provider of integrated telehealth applications, technology, and services, and Verizon, one of the largest communication technology companies in the world, entered into a business partnership that will enhance customers’ ability to manage chronic conditions. Together, CareClix and Verizon will provide remote and timely health care to those in need who previously had limited access. This partnership supports the business objectives for both organizations – to deliver a unique, multi-functional telehealth solution at an affordable price.
“The partnership with Verizon strengthens our ability to reach patients with critical needs and limited access,” said John Korangy, MD, co-founder of CareClix. “We now have a close partner who shares our commitment to quality and improves our ability to deliver and support our telehealth solution suite.”
CareClix provides comprehensive and integrated multi-module telehealth applications, technology and services to health systems, health insurance companies, governments, physician practices and corporations among others. The platform stresses ease of use and compatibility with any web-based or HL7-compliant systems. The CareClix solution integrates a multi-user cloud-based video conferencing system, file-sharing technology, a meaningful-use web-based Electronic Medical Record (EMR), Personal Health Record (PHR), Remote Patient Monitoring with Chronic Care Management, and direct real-time access to laboratory, pharmacy, and technical services 24/7. The CareClix provider network includes board-certified physicians licensed to provide care to patient populations across the US and internationally and who are available any time. Reported by PRWeb 19 hours ago.
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Rising Obamacare premiums are still lower than employer-sponsored health insurance
People who warn that President Obama's healthcare law is in dire straits often point to rising health insurance premiums as proof. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has called premium increases on Affordable Care Act exchanges "astronomically high." Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), said premiums have "skyrocketed."
... Reported by L.A. Times 19 hours ago.
... Reported by L.A. Times 19 hours ago.
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NHIS to extend membership renewal period
The NHIA will soon commence what it calls a multi-year membership renewal system, where health insurance policy holders will not have to visit the office every year to renew their membership and take new cards.
Reported by Myjoyonline 9 hours ago.
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Alopecia Areata Awareness Month: New Treatment Utilizes 3D-Printing Technology
Top hair loss expert and new treatment pioneer, Dr. Alan J. Bauman, discusses how new hair and scalp cranial prosthetic hair replacements made with 3D-printing are offering new hope to alopecia sufferers.
Boca Raton, Florida (PRWEB) September 20, 2016
September is National Alopecia Areata Awareness Month and it’s an important opportunity for those suffering from alopecia areata and other less common types of hair loss, like cicatricial alopecia, to get educated about effective new hair restoration options that can help.
According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, over 6.8 million people in the U.S. have, had or will develop alopecia areata at some point in their lives. An autoimmune disease, alopecia areata causes the body’s immune system to attack the hair follicles, resulting in hair loss on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. Depending on the type and severity of the alopecia, sufferers may experience small bald patches on the scalp that spontaneously regrow, or it may progress to full cranial hair loss called alopecia totalis or total body hair loss, otherwise known as alopecia universalis.
“While medical treatments for hair loss have advanced dramatically over the last few decades, there is no true cure for alopecia areata,” explained top hair loss expert and new treatment pioneer, Dr. Alan J. Bauman, founder of Bauman Medical Group in Boca Raton. “For those who suffer from less common hair loss conditions like alopecia areata and cicatricial (scarring) alopecia, traditional medical treatments are not effective, leaving patients with very few options and little hope for a normal life.”
To combat this problem, the hair loss community recently developed advanced “cranial prosthetics” that can conceal patchy or full scalp baldness in cases where it can’t otherwise be treated. A leading product in the cranial prosthetic category is the CR-Lab CNC Hair Replacement System, which uses 3D-printing to perfectly design and conform the prosthetic to the patient’s exact cranial measurements, skin type and other specifications. According to Dr. Bauman, cranial prosthetics may be covered by some health insurance companies.
“For men and women who are not candidates for transplantation and other medical treatments, the CR-Lab CNC Hair Replacement System does an amazing job of restoring a full and natural-looking head of hair,” Dr. Bauman explained.
Case Study: “Claudia C. “ Alopecia Totalis
Claudia first became ill with alopecia areata in 1993, which caused her to lose all of her hair. After seeking treatment for her sudden hair loss, Claudia was informed that because alopecia areata is a genetic and autoimmune disease, there is no cure, and few medical options exist for treating the condition.
After wearing wigs for nearly 20 years, Claudia heard about the CNC Hair Replacement System. “CNC is a fabulous reality for those who want to avoid the shock of losing their self-image. Hair is a very important part of our image,” Claudia explained. “It’s a prosthesis, but its features are way more comfortable than any type of wig.”
Claudia has regained her self-confidence after switching to the CNC Hair Replacement System. “It’s not like wearing any wig, it’s something that fits perfectly. And on me, it fits perfectly, like I was. It’s like I never lost my hair.”
About the ‘CNC’ Hair & Scalp Cranial Prosthetic· CNC (CR Labs, Italy) is a customized medical-grade hair replacement system that is approved by the Italian Ministry of Health.
· The CNC cranial prosthesis is crafted from beautiful, 100 percent unprocessed human hair meticulously implanted into an ultra-lightweight, breathable, antibacterial, dermato-compatable polymeric base made using 3D-printing technology.
· Made with FDA-cleared components, CNC is a unique hair replacement option for patients who suffer from autoimmune alopecia or extensive scarring alopecia, as well as patients who may not be good candidates for hair transplants.
· The CNC can be shampooed and styled with ease and can be exposed to all activities, including swimming, shampooing, hairstyling, and high-impact sports.
· Patients say the CNC becomes “a part of them,” never hot, itchy or uncomfortable—providing a previously unattainable level of confidence, freedom and comfort above and beyond traditional medical wigs.
· With monthly maintenance and proper care, the prosthesis can last between four to five years, which is far longer than traditional wigs and hairpieces, ultimately saving patients more money in the end.
Later this month, Dr. Bauman will be a featured speaker at the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery’s (ISHRS) Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, September 28-October 1, where he will be presenting a scientific abstract on the use of cranial prosthetics in combination with other hair restoration options to improve the quality of life for those patients with otherwise untreatable hair loss disorders. One of Bauman’s patients who had a combination of hair transplantation and CNC cranial prosthesis will be amongst patients examined by his colleagues during the Live Patient Viewing portion of the conference.
To learn more about CNC cranial prosthetics as an option for alopecia, or to request Dr. Bauman’s presentation from the upcoming ISHRS conference, visit http://www.alopecia.md.
If you or someone you know is suffering from alopecia, schedule a long-distance phone consultation or an in-person, in-office consultation with Dr. Bauman online at http://www.baumanmedical.com or by calling toll-free 844-GET-HAIR or +1-561-394-0024. To learn more about scalp and hair treatments and CNC hair replacement systems visit http://www.salonBBoca.com.
About Dr. Alan J. Bauman:
Alan J. Bauman, M.D. is the founder and chief medical officer of Bauman Medical Hair Transplant and Treatment Center in Boca Raton, FL. At more than 11,000 square feet, his clinic is the world’s largest stand-alone treatment center dedicated exclusively to hair loss. Dr. Bauman has been a full-time hair transplant surgeon since 1997, and has treated over 17,000 patients and performed over 7,000 hair transplant procedures.
Dr. Bauman is one of approximately 100 physicians worldwide to achieve board certification from the esteemed American and International Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS). He is a Fellow of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), an accepted member of the International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons (IAHRS), recommended by the American Hair Loss Association (AHLA), a member of the Pantene Hair Research Institute and an active lecturer and physician faculty member for numerous medical organizations.
Dr. Bauman received his M.D. degree from New York Medical College and surgical residency training at Mt. Sinai Medical Center and Beth Israel Medical Center in New York.
Dr. Bauman has appeared in print, radio and television as a medical expert and successful early-adopter of the most advanced technologies in the treatment of hair loss. Appearances, interviews and profiles include the Today Show, The Early Show, Good Morning America, Extra, Access Hollywood and Dateline NBC among other TV appearances. Newspaper and Magazine articles and feature stories include The New York Times, Newsweek, Cosmo, Vogue, Allure, O – The Oprah Magazine and Men’s Health among others.
About Cesare Ragazzi Laboratories:
Owned by AdviHair, a subsidiary of AdviCorp Plc., Cesare Ragazzi Laboratories is the established market leader and innovator in hair enhancement—combining unique proven technology with customer empathy. Since opening our first private clinic over forty years ago we have treated over a million clients from all over the world. We are proud to be working with respected expert physicians and thought leaders like Dr. Alan Bauman who care so deeply about their hair loss patients. Our scientific hair care and scalp treatment programs along with our advanced medical CNC hair replacement systems change lives for the better. CNC clients have the confidence to enjoy a natural and active lifestyle, feel a positive sense of wellbeing and live life without compromises. For more information visit http://www.cesareragazzi.com or call +39-051-6174267. Reported by PRWeb 9 hours ago.
Boca Raton, Florida (PRWEB) September 20, 2016
September is National Alopecia Areata Awareness Month and it’s an important opportunity for those suffering from alopecia areata and other less common types of hair loss, like cicatricial alopecia, to get educated about effective new hair restoration options that can help.
According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, over 6.8 million people in the U.S. have, had or will develop alopecia areata at some point in their lives. An autoimmune disease, alopecia areata causes the body’s immune system to attack the hair follicles, resulting in hair loss on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. Depending on the type and severity of the alopecia, sufferers may experience small bald patches on the scalp that spontaneously regrow, or it may progress to full cranial hair loss called alopecia totalis or total body hair loss, otherwise known as alopecia universalis.
“While medical treatments for hair loss have advanced dramatically over the last few decades, there is no true cure for alopecia areata,” explained top hair loss expert and new treatment pioneer, Dr. Alan J. Bauman, founder of Bauman Medical Group in Boca Raton. “For those who suffer from less common hair loss conditions like alopecia areata and cicatricial (scarring) alopecia, traditional medical treatments are not effective, leaving patients with very few options and little hope for a normal life.”
To combat this problem, the hair loss community recently developed advanced “cranial prosthetics” that can conceal patchy or full scalp baldness in cases where it can’t otherwise be treated. A leading product in the cranial prosthetic category is the CR-Lab CNC Hair Replacement System, which uses 3D-printing to perfectly design and conform the prosthetic to the patient’s exact cranial measurements, skin type and other specifications. According to Dr. Bauman, cranial prosthetics may be covered by some health insurance companies.
“For men and women who are not candidates for transplantation and other medical treatments, the CR-Lab CNC Hair Replacement System does an amazing job of restoring a full and natural-looking head of hair,” Dr. Bauman explained.
Case Study: “Claudia C. “ Alopecia Totalis
Claudia first became ill with alopecia areata in 1993, which caused her to lose all of her hair. After seeking treatment for her sudden hair loss, Claudia was informed that because alopecia areata is a genetic and autoimmune disease, there is no cure, and few medical options exist for treating the condition.
After wearing wigs for nearly 20 years, Claudia heard about the CNC Hair Replacement System. “CNC is a fabulous reality for those who want to avoid the shock of losing their self-image. Hair is a very important part of our image,” Claudia explained. “It’s a prosthesis, but its features are way more comfortable than any type of wig.”
Claudia has regained her self-confidence after switching to the CNC Hair Replacement System. “It’s not like wearing any wig, it’s something that fits perfectly. And on me, it fits perfectly, like I was. It’s like I never lost my hair.”
About the ‘CNC’ Hair & Scalp Cranial Prosthetic· CNC (CR Labs, Italy) is a customized medical-grade hair replacement system that is approved by the Italian Ministry of Health.
· The CNC cranial prosthesis is crafted from beautiful, 100 percent unprocessed human hair meticulously implanted into an ultra-lightweight, breathable, antibacterial, dermato-compatable polymeric base made using 3D-printing technology.
· Made with FDA-cleared components, CNC is a unique hair replacement option for patients who suffer from autoimmune alopecia or extensive scarring alopecia, as well as patients who may not be good candidates for hair transplants.
· The CNC can be shampooed and styled with ease and can be exposed to all activities, including swimming, shampooing, hairstyling, and high-impact sports.
· Patients say the CNC becomes “a part of them,” never hot, itchy or uncomfortable—providing a previously unattainable level of confidence, freedom and comfort above and beyond traditional medical wigs.
· With monthly maintenance and proper care, the prosthesis can last between four to five years, which is far longer than traditional wigs and hairpieces, ultimately saving patients more money in the end.
Later this month, Dr. Bauman will be a featured speaker at the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery’s (ISHRS) Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, September 28-October 1, where he will be presenting a scientific abstract on the use of cranial prosthetics in combination with other hair restoration options to improve the quality of life for those patients with otherwise untreatable hair loss disorders. One of Bauman’s patients who had a combination of hair transplantation and CNC cranial prosthesis will be amongst patients examined by his colleagues during the Live Patient Viewing portion of the conference.
To learn more about CNC cranial prosthetics as an option for alopecia, or to request Dr. Bauman’s presentation from the upcoming ISHRS conference, visit http://www.alopecia.md.
If you or someone you know is suffering from alopecia, schedule a long-distance phone consultation or an in-person, in-office consultation with Dr. Bauman online at http://www.baumanmedical.com or by calling toll-free 844-GET-HAIR or +1-561-394-0024. To learn more about scalp and hair treatments and CNC hair replacement systems visit http://www.salonBBoca.com.
About Dr. Alan J. Bauman:
Alan J. Bauman, M.D. is the founder and chief medical officer of Bauman Medical Hair Transplant and Treatment Center in Boca Raton, FL. At more than 11,000 square feet, his clinic is the world’s largest stand-alone treatment center dedicated exclusively to hair loss. Dr. Bauman has been a full-time hair transplant surgeon since 1997, and has treated over 17,000 patients and performed over 7,000 hair transplant procedures.
Dr. Bauman is one of approximately 100 physicians worldwide to achieve board certification from the esteemed American and International Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS). He is a Fellow of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), an accepted member of the International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons (IAHRS), recommended by the American Hair Loss Association (AHLA), a member of the Pantene Hair Research Institute and an active lecturer and physician faculty member for numerous medical organizations.
Dr. Bauman received his M.D. degree from New York Medical College and surgical residency training at Mt. Sinai Medical Center and Beth Israel Medical Center in New York.
Dr. Bauman has appeared in print, radio and television as a medical expert and successful early-adopter of the most advanced technologies in the treatment of hair loss. Appearances, interviews and profiles include the Today Show, The Early Show, Good Morning America, Extra, Access Hollywood and Dateline NBC among other TV appearances. Newspaper and Magazine articles and feature stories include The New York Times, Newsweek, Cosmo, Vogue, Allure, O – The Oprah Magazine and Men’s Health among others.
About Cesare Ragazzi Laboratories:
Owned by AdviHair, a subsidiary of AdviCorp Plc., Cesare Ragazzi Laboratories is the established market leader and innovator in hair enhancement—combining unique proven technology with customer empathy. Since opening our first private clinic over forty years ago we have treated over a million clients from all over the world. We are proud to be working with respected expert physicians and thought leaders like Dr. Alan Bauman who care so deeply about their hair loss patients. Our scientific hair care and scalp treatment programs along with our advanced medical CNC hair replacement systems change lives for the better. CNC clients have the confidence to enjoy a natural and active lifestyle, feel a positive sense of wellbeing and live life without compromises. For more information visit http://www.cesareragazzi.com or call +39-051-6174267. Reported by PRWeb 9 hours ago.
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State Farm Agent Vince Pascoe Achieves 1,000 Families Protected
State Farm insurance agent Vince Pascoe reaches 1,000 families protected and lists the top three tips regarding common misconceptions about life insurance.
Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) September 20, 2016
Vince Pascoe, an insurance agent with State Farm, is proud to announce he recently reached 1,000 families protected. “My first piece of advice to anyone considering insurance is lock yourself into permanent insurance when you’re young so you can afford it when you’re older,” said Pascoe. “Also, keep in mind that life insurance doesn’t last forever.”
In honor of Life Insurance Awareness Month in September, Pascoe lists the following three common misconceptions regarding life insurance:
No. 1: You don’t need it if it’s provided at work. “People often falsely believe that they don’t need to worry about life insurance because they get it from work,” said Pascoe. “However, it’s usually not enough; sometimes, it’s only about $25,0000. People of all ages need to be aware of the plan they’re on, and seek out external coverage.”
No. 2: You don’t have to service the life policy. “You do indeed have to service the life policy,” stressed Pascoe. “That’s why I follow up with all my clients to make sure they’re assessing if they need the coverage.”
No. 3: You don’t need much coverage. “In fact, in the industry, a common statement is that ten times your income is the rule of thumb for life insurance coverage,” said Pascoe. “I believe in the LIFE acronym, which means loans, income, money for funerals (your own and other family members), and education, which is money for a spouse to further their education, or if you want to have money for your kids to continue their education.”
The four legs to a good plan examines risk and need. There are many other needs, just as important, but not listed below. Here are some ideas to consider:
Loans are a great risk to our future, and devastating to a family if they are not able to be paid. The common debt types are mortgages, vehicle loans and leases, school loans, and other personal loans along with credit card debt.
Income loss is very important to any plan to sustain a household after the loss to the income provider of one’s family. A plan including 5 to 20 years of income loss, depending on one’s circumstances, is average.
Final expenses, medical expenses and/or emergency expenses can be much more than one expects. Some long-term planning is important for these expenses that may not be incurred up to 40 to 60 years in one’s future.
Education for family members is important for many households. “Money for a spouse to further their education or your kids to complete their education are important in many household plans,” concluded Pascoe.
About Vince Pascoe, State Farm
Vince Pascoe offers auto, home and property, life and health insurance, as well as banking products, annuities and investment services. For more information, please call (412) 486-1216, or visit http://www.wemanagerisks.com. The office is located at 1501 Mount Royal Blvd., Suite 101, Glenshaw, PA 15116.
About the NALA™
The NALA offers small and medium-sized businesses effective ways to reach customers through new media. As a single-agency source, the NALA helps businesses flourish in their local community. The NALA’s mission is to promote a business’ relevant and newsworthy events and achievements, both online and through traditional media. For media inquiries, please call 805.650.6121, ext. 361. Reported by PRWeb 8 hours ago.
Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) September 20, 2016
Vince Pascoe, an insurance agent with State Farm, is proud to announce he recently reached 1,000 families protected. “My first piece of advice to anyone considering insurance is lock yourself into permanent insurance when you’re young so you can afford it when you’re older,” said Pascoe. “Also, keep in mind that life insurance doesn’t last forever.”
In honor of Life Insurance Awareness Month in September, Pascoe lists the following three common misconceptions regarding life insurance:
No. 1: You don’t need it if it’s provided at work. “People often falsely believe that they don’t need to worry about life insurance because they get it from work,” said Pascoe. “However, it’s usually not enough; sometimes, it’s only about $25,0000. People of all ages need to be aware of the plan they’re on, and seek out external coverage.”
No. 2: You don’t have to service the life policy. “You do indeed have to service the life policy,” stressed Pascoe. “That’s why I follow up with all my clients to make sure they’re assessing if they need the coverage.”
No. 3: You don’t need much coverage. “In fact, in the industry, a common statement is that ten times your income is the rule of thumb for life insurance coverage,” said Pascoe. “I believe in the LIFE acronym, which means loans, income, money for funerals (your own and other family members), and education, which is money for a spouse to further their education, or if you want to have money for your kids to continue their education.”
The four legs to a good plan examines risk and need. There are many other needs, just as important, but not listed below. Here are some ideas to consider:
Loans are a great risk to our future, and devastating to a family if they are not able to be paid. The common debt types are mortgages, vehicle loans and leases, school loans, and other personal loans along with credit card debt.
Income loss is very important to any plan to sustain a household after the loss to the income provider of one’s family. A plan including 5 to 20 years of income loss, depending on one’s circumstances, is average.
Final expenses, medical expenses and/or emergency expenses can be much more than one expects. Some long-term planning is important for these expenses that may not be incurred up to 40 to 60 years in one’s future.
Education for family members is important for many households. “Money for a spouse to further their education or your kids to complete their education are important in many household plans,” concluded Pascoe.
About Vince Pascoe, State Farm
Vince Pascoe offers auto, home and property, life and health insurance, as well as banking products, annuities and investment services. For more information, please call (412) 486-1216, or visit http://www.wemanagerisks.com. The office is located at 1501 Mount Royal Blvd., Suite 101, Glenshaw, PA 15116.
About the NALA™
The NALA offers small and medium-sized businesses effective ways to reach customers through new media. As a single-agency source, the NALA helps businesses flourish in their local community. The NALA’s mission is to promote a business’ relevant and newsworthy events and achievements, both online and through traditional media. For media inquiries, please call 805.650.6121, ext. 361. Reported by PRWeb 8 hours ago.
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Health Insurers Fire Volley In New Battle Over The Public Option
When Senate Democrats announced a new push for a public option in Obamacare last week, the private insurance industry swung into action. And it did so quickly.
On Friday, the industry’s main trade group sent out an “action alert” to members, asking them to call Senate offices and offering a set of talking points critical of the public option ― that is, a government-run insurance plan for people buying coverage through one of Obamacare’s exchanges.
“We need proven solutions that will make healthcare more affordable for everyone,” Marilyn Tavenner, president of America’s Health Insurance Plans, said in a statement accompanying the action alert obtained by The Huffington Post. “A public option is not one of those solutions – not for consumers, for doctors, for hospitals, or for taxpayers. We need to solve problems, not make them worse.”
The alert came hours after Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced he’d recruited 32 co-sponsors for a new bill expressing support for a public option ― a position that both President Barack Obama and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton have publicly endorsed in the last few weeks.
Merkley’s resolution is nonbinding and unlikely to pass, since Republicans have a majority and unanimously oppose the public option. But the insurance industry’s vigorous reaction suggests it considers the prospect of a public option becoming law to be real ― and dangerous.
“The fact that insurance companies are already rallying to kill this idea shows all the more the importance of a public option in holding insurance companies accountable and providing much-needed competition in the marketplace,” Merkley said.
Democrats have recently renewed their push for the public option to shore up the exchanges, which have been plagued by rising premiums and dwindling competition in many parts of the country. Besides Obama and Clinton, supporters include Democratic leaders such as Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and high-profile progressives like Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
The fight over the public option was one of the most high-profile battles in 2009 and 2010, when Congress was crafting the legislation that eventually became the Affordable Care Act.
Depending on how it’s designed, a public option could use government leverage to demand cheaper prices from hospitals, drug makers and other medical care providers. The idea would be to pass those savings along to consumers as lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs ― in theory, forcing private insurance companies selling through the exchanges to bring down their premiums as well.
During the Obamacare fight, the public option had enthusiastic, sustained support from progressives. But it couldn’t get past opposition from more conservative Democrats ― and even concerned some more liberal ones. One big reason was lobbying from trade groups representing pretty much every part of the health care industry, including insurers.
In the memo that went out to AHIP members on Friday, vice president Jeremy Allen, AHIP’s senior vice president for federal affairs, said that a public option “would not do anything to address the challenges in the Exchanges” and called for other measures to shore up the exchanges ― like tighter scrutiny of people who apply for insurance during the year, outside of the normal open enrollment period.
The letter also called for delaying a tax on insurers that’s scheduled to take effect again this year after Congress temporarily suspended it last year.
“This is not anything new,” Clare Krusing, AHIP press secretary, told HuffPost. “Our position on the public option has been clear and consistent. The public option is not a solution that will fix the Exchanges, nor is [it] an answer to the cost challenges facing consumers.”
“The big insurance lobby is spooked because the public option is back,” said Sarah Badawi, senior lobbyist for the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, which is part of a seven-member coalition leading the public option charge. The other members of the coalition are Daily Kos, Democracy for America, MoveOn.org, Presente.org, UltraViolet, and the Working Families Party.
-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. Reported by Huffington Post 6 hours ago.
On Friday, the industry’s main trade group sent out an “action alert” to members, asking them to call Senate offices and offering a set of talking points critical of the public option ― that is, a government-run insurance plan for people buying coverage through one of Obamacare’s exchanges.
“We need proven solutions that will make healthcare more affordable for everyone,” Marilyn Tavenner, president of America’s Health Insurance Plans, said in a statement accompanying the action alert obtained by The Huffington Post. “A public option is not one of those solutions – not for consumers, for doctors, for hospitals, or for taxpayers. We need to solve problems, not make them worse.”
The alert came hours after Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced he’d recruited 32 co-sponsors for a new bill expressing support for a public option ― a position that both President Barack Obama and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton have publicly endorsed in the last few weeks.
Merkley’s resolution is nonbinding and unlikely to pass, since Republicans have a majority and unanimously oppose the public option. But the insurance industry’s vigorous reaction suggests it considers the prospect of a public option becoming law to be real ― and dangerous.
“The fact that insurance companies are already rallying to kill this idea shows all the more the importance of a public option in holding insurance companies accountable and providing much-needed competition in the marketplace,” Merkley said.
Democrats have recently renewed their push for the public option to shore up the exchanges, which have been plagued by rising premiums and dwindling competition in many parts of the country. Besides Obama and Clinton, supporters include Democratic leaders such as Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and high-profile progressives like Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
The fight over the public option was one of the most high-profile battles in 2009 and 2010, when Congress was crafting the legislation that eventually became the Affordable Care Act.
Depending on how it’s designed, a public option could use government leverage to demand cheaper prices from hospitals, drug makers and other medical care providers. The idea would be to pass those savings along to consumers as lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs ― in theory, forcing private insurance companies selling through the exchanges to bring down their premiums as well.
During the Obamacare fight, the public option had enthusiastic, sustained support from progressives. But it couldn’t get past opposition from more conservative Democrats ― and even concerned some more liberal ones. One big reason was lobbying from trade groups representing pretty much every part of the health care industry, including insurers.
In the memo that went out to AHIP members on Friday, vice president Jeremy Allen, AHIP’s senior vice president for federal affairs, said that a public option “would not do anything to address the challenges in the Exchanges” and called for other measures to shore up the exchanges ― like tighter scrutiny of people who apply for insurance during the year, outside of the normal open enrollment period.
The letter also called for delaying a tax on insurers that’s scheduled to take effect again this year after Congress temporarily suspended it last year.
“This is not anything new,” Clare Krusing, AHIP press secretary, told HuffPost. “Our position on the public option has been clear and consistent. The public option is not a solution that will fix the Exchanges, nor is [it] an answer to the cost challenges facing consumers.”
“The big insurance lobby is spooked because the public option is back,” said Sarah Badawi, senior lobbyist for the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, which is part of a seven-member coalition leading the public option charge. The other members of the coalition are Daily Kos, Democracy for America, MoveOn.org, Presente.org, UltraViolet, and the Working Families Party.
-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. Reported by Huffington Post 6 hours ago.
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Among the Largest Community Health Clinics in US Deploys Innovative Platform for Patient Care Coordination, Engagement and Care Team Communication
Kansas City CARE Clinic selects BluePrint Healthcare IT’s Care Navigator™ platform as part of their Community Health Worker program to better serve uninsured and high-utilizing, under-insured patients.
Kansas City, Kansas - Cranbury, New Jersey (PRWEB) September 20, 2016
The Kansas City CARE Clinic, one of the largest community health clinics in the country, recently announced the upcoming launch of the Care Navigator™ care coordination and patient engagement platform in support of its Community Health Worker (CHW) program. The award-winning Care Navigator™ platform will support the Kansas City CARE Clinic with care coordination, patient engagement and care team communication as part of KC CARE’s commitment to providing quality care, access, research and education to Kansas City patients, with or without health insurance.
“Since 1971, the Kansas City CARE Clinic has been advocating for and meeting the needs of vulnerable populations. In this modern day of healthcare reform, we are bringing the Care Navigator™ platform as cutting-edge technology to equip our Community Health Workers as they coordinate care in the field and add significant value to the provider-patient relationship,” said Sheridan Y. Wood, Chief Executive Officer, Kansas City CARE Clinic.
The Pew Charitable Trusts recently noted the growth in the number of Community Health Workers in the United States to 48,000 in 2015, up 27% from three years earlier, citing the US Department of Labor. Growth is based on the impact of the Affordable Care Act and research studies reporting on the overall positive outcomes of using Community Health Workers (CHWs) as a successful intervention for better health and quality of care at lower costs. CHWs are especially helpful for populations facing adherence challenges, chronic illnesses, and social determinants that increase the risk for gaps in preventive and medical care.
Dennis Dunmyer, Vice President of Behavioral Health and Community Programs explained, “With over 20 KC CARE Community Health Workers, our program will utilize the Care Navigator™ platform to enhance multi-disciplinary care team communication, engage family caregivers as well as patients, streamline care coordination tasks and tap into mobile technology that our patients use every day.”
Vikas Khosla, Chief Executive Officer of Care Navigator Inc. and its parent company, BluePrint Healthcare IT, said “We’ve been working in the Kansas City area for years, supporting the implementation of regional care coordination strategies. Now, we’re very excited to bring our award-winning Care Navigator™ platform to one of the largest community health care clinics in the country. By embracing the value of social determinants of health-- literacy, access to transportation and nutrition--the Kansas City CARE Clinic continues to put itself on the front edge of community care, helping better manage chronic illness and prevent disease for over 40 years. We look forward to helping their stellar program scale to the next level.”
Care Navigator™ provides the Kansas City CARES Clinic’s Community Health Workers the ability to maximize care coordination and improve healthcare access and outcomes while saving cost and increasing care efficiency.
The Care Navigator™ content includes a menu of customizable care plans and assessments that can be utilized in the office and in the field. Care coordination tasks will be streamlined through workflow design, giving CHWs the ability to complete tasks, act on critical care milestones, as well as activate notification and alerting features and escalation scenarios, when needed. The care team directory will offer easy access to member, care team, and provider information, as well as critical contact data for community services.
# # #
About the Kansas City CARE Clinic:
The Kansas City CARE Clinic (formerly the KC Free Health Clinic) is one of the oldest and largest charitable care clinics in the nation. Founded in 1971, the Clinic provides Care, Access, Research & Education for the underserved and all in the Kansas City community. The Kansas City CARE Clinic’s clinical services include adult general primary care, HIV primary care, pediatric care, oral healthcare, and behavioral health and prevention services. With a staff of more than 125 and more than 900 dedicated volunteers, the Clinic provides healthcare, education, and support for more than 9,000 individuals with nearly 18,000 clinical patient appointments and more than 45,000 case management, education & prevention and testing encounters. The mission of the Kansas City CARE Clinic is to promote health and wellness by providing quality care, access, research and education to the underserved and all people in our community.
For more information about the Clinic, visit http://www.kccareclinic.org
About BluePrint Healthcare IT and Care Navigator™
Care Navigator Inc. was launched by BluePrint Healthcare IT, a healthcare transformation and information security company, to focus specifically on providing the leading shared care coordination and care management platform for its customers. In the summer of 2014, BluePrint Healthcare IT released the first version of Care Navigator™. This innovative and award-winning software is focused on managing the shared care of patients, especially those implementing new value-based payment models of Accountable Care Organizations, DSRIP and medical home as well as health systems, health plans, providers and regional health initiatives in pursuit of the Triple Aim. A 2015 Microsoft Health Innovation Award winner within patient engagement, Care Navigator™ enables real-time, team-based care coordination, communication and collaboration across all channels – desktop and mobile – from inside the healthcare organization and across the community.
For more information, visit our website at http://www.mycarenav.com or follow us on Twitter at @mycarenav. Reported by PRWeb 5 hours ago.
Kansas City, Kansas - Cranbury, New Jersey (PRWEB) September 20, 2016
The Kansas City CARE Clinic, one of the largest community health clinics in the country, recently announced the upcoming launch of the Care Navigator™ care coordination and patient engagement platform in support of its Community Health Worker (CHW) program. The award-winning Care Navigator™ platform will support the Kansas City CARE Clinic with care coordination, patient engagement and care team communication as part of KC CARE’s commitment to providing quality care, access, research and education to Kansas City patients, with or without health insurance.
“Since 1971, the Kansas City CARE Clinic has been advocating for and meeting the needs of vulnerable populations. In this modern day of healthcare reform, we are bringing the Care Navigator™ platform as cutting-edge technology to equip our Community Health Workers as they coordinate care in the field and add significant value to the provider-patient relationship,” said Sheridan Y. Wood, Chief Executive Officer, Kansas City CARE Clinic.
The Pew Charitable Trusts recently noted the growth in the number of Community Health Workers in the United States to 48,000 in 2015, up 27% from three years earlier, citing the US Department of Labor. Growth is based on the impact of the Affordable Care Act and research studies reporting on the overall positive outcomes of using Community Health Workers (CHWs) as a successful intervention for better health and quality of care at lower costs. CHWs are especially helpful for populations facing adherence challenges, chronic illnesses, and social determinants that increase the risk for gaps in preventive and medical care.
Dennis Dunmyer, Vice President of Behavioral Health and Community Programs explained, “With over 20 KC CARE Community Health Workers, our program will utilize the Care Navigator™ platform to enhance multi-disciplinary care team communication, engage family caregivers as well as patients, streamline care coordination tasks and tap into mobile technology that our patients use every day.”
Vikas Khosla, Chief Executive Officer of Care Navigator Inc. and its parent company, BluePrint Healthcare IT, said “We’ve been working in the Kansas City area for years, supporting the implementation of regional care coordination strategies. Now, we’re very excited to bring our award-winning Care Navigator™ platform to one of the largest community health care clinics in the country. By embracing the value of social determinants of health-- literacy, access to transportation and nutrition--the Kansas City CARE Clinic continues to put itself on the front edge of community care, helping better manage chronic illness and prevent disease for over 40 years. We look forward to helping their stellar program scale to the next level.”
Care Navigator™ provides the Kansas City CARES Clinic’s Community Health Workers the ability to maximize care coordination and improve healthcare access and outcomes while saving cost and increasing care efficiency.
The Care Navigator™ content includes a menu of customizable care plans and assessments that can be utilized in the office and in the field. Care coordination tasks will be streamlined through workflow design, giving CHWs the ability to complete tasks, act on critical care milestones, as well as activate notification and alerting features and escalation scenarios, when needed. The care team directory will offer easy access to member, care team, and provider information, as well as critical contact data for community services.
# # #
About the Kansas City CARE Clinic:
The Kansas City CARE Clinic (formerly the KC Free Health Clinic) is one of the oldest and largest charitable care clinics in the nation. Founded in 1971, the Clinic provides Care, Access, Research & Education for the underserved and all in the Kansas City community. The Kansas City CARE Clinic’s clinical services include adult general primary care, HIV primary care, pediatric care, oral healthcare, and behavioral health and prevention services. With a staff of more than 125 and more than 900 dedicated volunteers, the Clinic provides healthcare, education, and support for more than 9,000 individuals with nearly 18,000 clinical patient appointments and more than 45,000 case management, education & prevention and testing encounters. The mission of the Kansas City CARE Clinic is to promote health and wellness by providing quality care, access, research and education to the underserved and all people in our community.
For more information about the Clinic, visit http://www.kccareclinic.org
About BluePrint Healthcare IT and Care Navigator™
Care Navigator Inc. was launched by BluePrint Healthcare IT, a healthcare transformation and information security company, to focus specifically on providing the leading shared care coordination and care management platform for its customers. In the summer of 2014, BluePrint Healthcare IT released the first version of Care Navigator™. This innovative and award-winning software is focused on managing the shared care of patients, especially those implementing new value-based payment models of Accountable Care Organizations, DSRIP and medical home as well as health systems, health plans, providers and regional health initiatives in pursuit of the Triple Aim. A 2015 Microsoft Health Innovation Award winner within patient engagement, Care Navigator™ enables real-time, team-based care coordination, communication and collaboration across all channels – desktop and mobile – from inside the healthcare organization and across the community.
For more information, visit our website at http://www.mycarenav.com or follow us on Twitter at @mycarenav. Reported by PRWeb 5 hours ago.
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↧
Federal Court Certifies Nationwide Class Action Filed by Psych-Appeal and Zuckerman Spaeder Challenging United Behavioral Health Coverage Criteria
LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwired - Sep 20, 2016) - In a significant mental health ruling, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California has come one step closer to ordering health insurance giant United Behavioral Health (UBH) to revamp its medical necessity criteria and reprocess thousands of outpatient, intensive outpatient and residential treatment claims it denied since 2011. Plaintiffs in two companion class-action lawsuits, Wit et al. v. UnitedHealthcare et al. and Alexander et al. v. United Behavioral Health, allege that UBH systematically denies coverage for mental health treatment by developing and applying "medical necessity" criteria that are far more stringent than generally accepted standards of care.
Reported by Marketwired 5 hours ago.
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Answer Health on Demand Launches Today-- Largest Online Healthcare Collaborative in Michigan Providing Comprehensive Clinical Services from Independent Practices
Today Answer Health on Demand, http://www.AHonDemand.com, formerly MiDirectCare, launches with an expanded suite of online services focused on expanding convenient, affordable access to health care in Michigan.
Grand Rapids, MI (PRWEB) September 20, 2016
Today Answer Health on Demand, http://www.AHonDemand.com, formerly MiDirectCare, launches with an expanded suite of online services focused on expanding convenient, affordable access to health care in Michigan.
Answer Health on Demand is an online health care solution where patients suffering from common conditions can immediately see a certified provider “live” via secure two-way video from a smartphone, tablet or personal computer. Adding to the excitement, we now offer comprehensive clinical services from independent practices collaborating on one platform.
Online urgent care is available 24/7 and patients can see a doctor from the convenience of their home, office or even on vacation. These visits are $45 and are covered by most Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Priority Health insurance plans. The Answer Health on Demand app is available for Apple and Android devices and can be downloaded for free in Google Play and Apple stores, or by accessing http://www.AHonDemand.com.
Answer Health on Demand was formed as a joint venture between Emergency Care Specialists and Answer Health in July 2016. Services will include primary care, behavioral health, specialty care such as orthopedics and pediatrics, and wellness programming. The service is powered by American Well, a leading national telehealth technology and services company.
“We created our telemedicine service to give community members access to high quality care and direction, along with improved convenience and affordability.”
John Deveau, DO, MPH, Medical Director
Emergency Care Specialists, P.C. and Answer Health on Demand
“At Answer Health, we believe that a diverse community is a healthy community and we think this is true for our health care industry as well. Patients are best served by local, independent physicians who collaborate with each other and larger health systems.”
Khan Nedd, MD, Chief Executive Officer
Answer Health
“ECS is innovative in their approach to collaborating with organizations like Answer Health and American Well to make care easier to access and more affordable for the patients they serve, deepening their connection to their local communities. We are proud to be their telehealth partner of choice and help power this new, comprehensive patient service.”
-Danielle Russella, President, Client Solutions, American Well
Answer Health on Demand features:· Connect easily over the web via PC, tablet or smartphone – from anywhere
· Live “face to face” visits – scheduled or on-demand
· Specially-trained, board certified physicians
· Urgent, primary, and specialty care clinicians
· Secure, HIPAA-compliant video
· Intuitive, easy to use website and app
About Emergency Care Specialists
Emergency Care Specialists, P.C. (ECS), headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is the largest physician owned and physician governed emergency medicine practice in West Michigan. Established in 1984, ECS has been a leader and innovator in emergency medicine for over thirty years and is one of the largest providers of Emergency Medicine including observation, sedation, and toxicology services in the the Midwest. ECS physicians staff emergency departments throughout West Michigan and treat over 325,000 patients annually. ECS also participates in the education and training of Emergency Medicine residents in one of the oldest and most respected programs in the nation.
About Answer Health
Answer Health (AH) is a new Clinically Integrated Organization formed by independent physicians from across several existing physician organizations in West Michigan. It was formed to support the efforts of independent physician practices to provide exceptional care – enhanced quality at reduced cost with high patient and provider satisfaction – and greater value to purchasers and the community.
About American Well
American Well transforms healthcare delivery through telehealth. We make online doctor visits accessible to everyone for one-off care issues like colds or infections, and chronic condition management, such as diabetes or depression. We deliver healthcare into people’s homes and workplaces through our work with top health plans, health systems and employers, as well as our telehealth app, Amwell. American Well and Amwell are registered trademarks or trademarks of American Well Corporation in the United States and other countries.
If you would like more information on Answer Health on Demand, or to schedule an appearance or interview, please contact Karen Bigelow at 720-237-7358 or KBigelow(at)AHonDemand(dot)com.
Please visit http://www.AHonDemand.com for more information. Reported by PRWeb 4 hours ago.
Grand Rapids, MI (PRWEB) September 20, 2016
Today Answer Health on Demand, http://www.AHonDemand.com, formerly MiDirectCare, launches with an expanded suite of online services focused on expanding convenient, affordable access to health care in Michigan.
Answer Health on Demand is an online health care solution where patients suffering from common conditions can immediately see a certified provider “live” via secure two-way video from a smartphone, tablet or personal computer. Adding to the excitement, we now offer comprehensive clinical services from independent practices collaborating on one platform.
Online urgent care is available 24/7 and patients can see a doctor from the convenience of their home, office or even on vacation. These visits are $45 and are covered by most Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Priority Health insurance plans. The Answer Health on Demand app is available for Apple and Android devices and can be downloaded for free in Google Play and Apple stores, or by accessing http://www.AHonDemand.com.
Answer Health on Demand was formed as a joint venture between Emergency Care Specialists and Answer Health in July 2016. Services will include primary care, behavioral health, specialty care such as orthopedics and pediatrics, and wellness programming. The service is powered by American Well, a leading national telehealth technology and services company.
“We created our telemedicine service to give community members access to high quality care and direction, along with improved convenience and affordability.”
John Deveau, DO, MPH, Medical Director
Emergency Care Specialists, P.C. and Answer Health on Demand
“At Answer Health, we believe that a diverse community is a healthy community and we think this is true for our health care industry as well. Patients are best served by local, independent physicians who collaborate with each other and larger health systems.”
Khan Nedd, MD, Chief Executive Officer
Answer Health
“ECS is innovative in their approach to collaborating with organizations like Answer Health and American Well to make care easier to access and more affordable for the patients they serve, deepening their connection to their local communities. We are proud to be their telehealth partner of choice and help power this new, comprehensive patient service.”
-Danielle Russella, President, Client Solutions, American Well
Answer Health on Demand features:· Connect easily over the web via PC, tablet or smartphone – from anywhere
· Live “face to face” visits – scheduled or on-demand
· Specially-trained, board certified physicians
· Urgent, primary, and specialty care clinicians
· Secure, HIPAA-compliant video
· Intuitive, easy to use website and app
About Emergency Care Specialists
Emergency Care Specialists, P.C. (ECS), headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is the largest physician owned and physician governed emergency medicine practice in West Michigan. Established in 1984, ECS has been a leader and innovator in emergency medicine for over thirty years and is one of the largest providers of Emergency Medicine including observation, sedation, and toxicology services in the the Midwest. ECS physicians staff emergency departments throughout West Michigan and treat over 325,000 patients annually. ECS also participates in the education and training of Emergency Medicine residents in one of the oldest and most respected programs in the nation.
About Answer Health
Answer Health (AH) is a new Clinically Integrated Organization formed by independent physicians from across several existing physician organizations in West Michigan. It was formed to support the efforts of independent physician practices to provide exceptional care – enhanced quality at reduced cost with high patient and provider satisfaction – and greater value to purchasers and the community.
About American Well
American Well transforms healthcare delivery through telehealth. We make online doctor visits accessible to everyone for one-off care issues like colds or infections, and chronic condition management, such as diabetes or depression. We deliver healthcare into people’s homes and workplaces through our work with top health plans, health systems and employers, as well as our telehealth app, Amwell. American Well and Amwell are registered trademarks or trademarks of American Well Corporation in the United States and other countries.
If you would like more information on Answer Health on Demand, or to schedule an appearance or interview, please contact Karen Bigelow at 720-237-7358 or KBigelow(at)AHonDemand(dot)com.
Please visit http://www.AHonDemand.com for more information. Reported by PRWeb 4 hours ago.
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HealthSherpa Supports 530,000+ People Enroll in Federal Healthcare Marketplace
Premier technology solution for Affordable Care Act Marketplace adds key executives and team members to prepare for 2017 health insurance Open Enrollment
San Francisco (PRWEB) September 20, 2016
HealthSherpa, a premier technology solution streamlining accessibility to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, today announced its team has supported more than 530,000 people to enroll in the federal healthcare marketplace since its 2013 launch. The tech firm’s rapid growth and high interest from investors spurred key executive appointments and the addition of new staff.
“Since we introduced HealthSherpa.com, consumers and companies with a large pool of part-time employees, as well as entrepreneurs and small business owners contacted us for help with their health insurance decisions,” said George Kalogeropoulos, founder and CEO of HealthSherpa. “In fact, we’ve effectively supported four percent of all Healthcare.gov enrollees. And as much as 20 percent of all insurance brokers who can sell ACA insurance plans go through HealthSherpa. We’re anticipating exponentially higher call volumes for the 2017 health insurance open enrollment and we’re fully staffed to provide personalized, caring support.”
HealthSherpa’s consumer advocates come from nonprofit and social work backgrounds who get licensed as insurance brokers after they join the company. They are trained to help all populations, including part-time and seasonal employees, independent contractors who file 1099 forms, those in career transition and qualify for COBRA, early retirees under 65 years old or those eligible for retirement. Available seven days a week, HealthSherpa’s consumer advocates can connect them to the federal healthcare marketplace, Medicare, Medicaid or CHIP (Children’s Medicaid). The advocates are incentivized to help consumers regardless of specific health insurance carriers’ products.
To prepare for the 2017 health insurance open enrollment, which begins November 1, 2016, HealthSherpa has doubled the number of consumer advocates on staff. In addition, key executives have been added to the team.
Catherine “Cat” Perez was named a late co-founder and chief product officer in May 2015 for her leadership in product, design, culture and vision of the company. Cat was awarded first place and received the $1 million prize in the 2013 Salesforce Hackathon in recognition of her simplified and user-friendly version of HealthCare.gov for iOS.
Nicholas de Raad was hired as HealthSherpa’s vice president of operations in August 2015. He leads operations and assists with building the business infrastructure to handle the company’s accelerated advancements. A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley with a bachelor’s degree in political economics, Nick began his career in finance at Fisher Asset Management working as an Investment Associate before being promoted to Group Manager in 2014.
Kelly Suzuki joined HealthSherpa in September 2015 as vice president of partner development and is responsible for supporting partner companies in communicating with their part-time employees to access HealthSherpa services. Kelly is an experienced professional sales and marketing executive with expertise in leading business development and client engagement efforts for technology and healthcare firms. Prior to HealthSherpa, Kelly worked at HealthStar Communications, Eveo and Giant Creative Strategy.
Michelle Rider was appointed vice president of marketing in July, 2016 and is responsible for developing marketing and service policies, programs and systems to support the strategic direction of HealthSherpa. With more than 15 years of experience in marketing and management, Michelle has helped develop marketing strategies for health and consumer-related Fortune 500 companies, including Aetna, Abbott Labs, Alberto Culver, Kaiser Permanente, and Coca-Cola.
In addition to consumers accessing HealthSherpa.com, leading brands are partnering with the tech firm as a cost-effective solution to healthcare benefits for part-time, seasonal and temporary employees. By offering HealthSherpa.com, partner companies are attracting and retaining employees, as well as reducing the support burden on their benefits teams.
About Healthsherpa
HealthSherpa is a premier technology solution streamlining accessibility to the Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare) Federal Healthcare Marketplace. Launched alongside Healthcare.gov in 2013, HealthSherpa has enrolled 530,000+ people across more than 200 carriers. HealthSherpa has partnerships with private brands, nonprofits and more than 12,000 insurance agents/brokers to support consumer enrollment. Backed by leading investors including Eric Schmidt (former CEO of Google) and Mitch Kapor (founder and CEO of Lotus, Kapor Center for Social Impact), HealthSherpa's mission is to help every American feel the comfort and security of having health coverage. The company delivers innovation, technology, and customer service by real people to make the Healthcare Marketplace easier to understand, faster to sign up, and simpler to use. Learn more at http://www.HealthSherpa.com. Reported by PRWeb 4 hours ago.
San Francisco (PRWEB) September 20, 2016
HealthSherpa, a premier technology solution streamlining accessibility to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, today announced its team has supported more than 530,000 people to enroll in the federal healthcare marketplace since its 2013 launch. The tech firm’s rapid growth and high interest from investors spurred key executive appointments and the addition of new staff.
“Since we introduced HealthSherpa.com, consumers and companies with a large pool of part-time employees, as well as entrepreneurs and small business owners contacted us for help with their health insurance decisions,” said George Kalogeropoulos, founder and CEO of HealthSherpa. “In fact, we’ve effectively supported four percent of all Healthcare.gov enrollees. And as much as 20 percent of all insurance brokers who can sell ACA insurance plans go through HealthSherpa. We’re anticipating exponentially higher call volumes for the 2017 health insurance open enrollment and we’re fully staffed to provide personalized, caring support.”
HealthSherpa’s consumer advocates come from nonprofit and social work backgrounds who get licensed as insurance brokers after they join the company. They are trained to help all populations, including part-time and seasonal employees, independent contractors who file 1099 forms, those in career transition and qualify for COBRA, early retirees under 65 years old or those eligible for retirement. Available seven days a week, HealthSherpa’s consumer advocates can connect them to the federal healthcare marketplace, Medicare, Medicaid or CHIP (Children’s Medicaid). The advocates are incentivized to help consumers regardless of specific health insurance carriers’ products.
To prepare for the 2017 health insurance open enrollment, which begins November 1, 2016, HealthSherpa has doubled the number of consumer advocates on staff. In addition, key executives have been added to the team.
Catherine “Cat” Perez was named a late co-founder and chief product officer in May 2015 for her leadership in product, design, culture and vision of the company. Cat was awarded first place and received the $1 million prize in the 2013 Salesforce Hackathon in recognition of her simplified and user-friendly version of HealthCare.gov for iOS.
Nicholas de Raad was hired as HealthSherpa’s vice president of operations in August 2015. He leads operations and assists with building the business infrastructure to handle the company’s accelerated advancements. A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley with a bachelor’s degree in political economics, Nick began his career in finance at Fisher Asset Management working as an Investment Associate before being promoted to Group Manager in 2014.
Kelly Suzuki joined HealthSherpa in September 2015 as vice president of partner development and is responsible for supporting partner companies in communicating with their part-time employees to access HealthSherpa services. Kelly is an experienced professional sales and marketing executive with expertise in leading business development and client engagement efforts for technology and healthcare firms. Prior to HealthSherpa, Kelly worked at HealthStar Communications, Eveo and Giant Creative Strategy.
Michelle Rider was appointed vice president of marketing in July, 2016 and is responsible for developing marketing and service policies, programs and systems to support the strategic direction of HealthSherpa. With more than 15 years of experience in marketing and management, Michelle has helped develop marketing strategies for health and consumer-related Fortune 500 companies, including Aetna, Abbott Labs, Alberto Culver, Kaiser Permanente, and Coca-Cola.
In addition to consumers accessing HealthSherpa.com, leading brands are partnering with the tech firm as a cost-effective solution to healthcare benefits for part-time, seasonal and temporary employees. By offering HealthSherpa.com, partner companies are attracting and retaining employees, as well as reducing the support burden on their benefits teams.
About Healthsherpa
HealthSherpa is a premier technology solution streamlining accessibility to the Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare) Federal Healthcare Marketplace. Launched alongside Healthcare.gov in 2013, HealthSherpa has enrolled 530,000+ people across more than 200 carriers. HealthSherpa has partnerships with private brands, nonprofits and more than 12,000 insurance agents/brokers to support consumer enrollment. Backed by leading investors including Eric Schmidt (former CEO of Google) and Mitch Kapor (founder and CEO of Lotus, Kapor Center for Social Impact), HealthSherpa's mission is to help every American feel the comfort and security of having health coverage. The company delivers innovation, technology, and customer service by real people to make the Healthcare Marketplace easier to understand, faster to sign up, and simpler to use. Learn more at http://www.HealthSherpa.com. Reported by PRWeb 4 hours ago.
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Insurance Agency Management System, AgencyBloc, Releases Automated Workflow Feature
Automated Workflow increases agency productivity and efficiency, and reduces manual, error-prone tasks
Cedar Falls, IA (PRWEB) September 20, 2016
AgencyBloc, an agency management system/CRM built specifically for life and health insurance agencies, has released Automated Workflow.
An automated workflow is a series of tasks created automatically when a specific event occurs. Tasks can be emails to prospects, activities assigned to agents, and much more. Automated workflows increase efficiency and accuracy in each business process.
When interruptions for redundant tasks can cost your agency 6 hours of productive work per day, automation becomes vital (The Washington Post). For insurance agencies, this means automating tasks like policy renewals, new client onboarding, new lead follow-up, and agent housekeeping items like E&O and license expiration reminders. Though these business processes are vitally important, they can be automated to allow agency owners, agents, and staff members to focus on other items such as servicing clients, lead generation, and agency analysis.
"Workflow automation is an essential part of our agency’s success. By having the proper workflows in place, not only does it save time for my administration and agents, but it also helps us in staying in front of our clients with email automation, policy retention and much more," says Ken Brannigan, Owner/Agent of Senior HealthCare Solutions.
The goal of AgencyBloc’s Automated Workflow feature is to provide agencies a way to quickly and easily create automated workflows that meet their business process needs. Because of AgencyBloc’s expertise in the health and life insurance industry, they have included six built-in automated workflow templates for agencies to get started with:
*Happy birthday
*New individual prospect
*Lead form submitted
*Policy application submitted
*Group policy renewal
*Agent license expiration
With these templates, agencies can use as-is or refine to serve their specific needs. The templates also provide a blueprint for agencies to build their own automated workflows.
“Agencies are concerned about missing new business opportunities or that important client follow-ups are falling through the cracks. Even a well-organized person can risk being less effective when an agency’s processes are not aligned,” says Jennifer Warne, AgencyBloc Product Manager. “We asked our clients if an automated workflow feature would benefit their business and they overwhelmingly told us yes, automation would help them in countless ways.”
Overall, AgencyBloc’s Automated Workflow allows agencies to transition from manual processes that are inefficient and potentially error-prone to automated processes that keep everyone on track and prevent important activities from falling through the cracks.
AgencyBloc strives to help life and health insurance agencies grow their business by organizing and automating their operations using a combination of an industry-specific CRM, commissions processing, and integrated business and marketing automation.
To learn more about AgencyBloc’s Marketing Automation and these templates, schedule a 1-on-1 demo to speak with a representative about your agency’s specific needs.
___________________
About AgencyBloc: AgencyBloc is an agency management system with marketing automation capabilities built specifically for life and health insurance agencies. For more information, contact AgencyBloc at 866-338-7075 or info(at)agencybloc.com. Reported by PRWeb 3 hours ago.
Cedar Falls, IA (PRWEB) September 20, 2016
AgencyBloc, an agency management system/CRM built specifically for life and health insurance agencies, has released Automated Workflow.
An automated workflow is a series of tasks created automatically when a specific event occurs. Tasks can be emails to prospects, activities assigned to agents, and much more. Automated workflows increase efficiency and accuracy in each business process.
When interruptions for redundant tasks can cost your agency 6 hours of productive work per day, automation becomes vital (The Washington Post). For insurance agencies, this means automating tasks like policy renewals, new client onboarding, new lead follow-up, and agent housekeeping items like E&O and license expiration reminders. Though these business processes are vitally important, they can be automated to allow agency owners, agents, and staff members to focus on other items such as servicing clients, lead generation, and agency analysis.
"Workflow automation is an essential part of our agency’s success. By having the proper workflows in place, not only does it save time for my administration and agents, but it also helps us in staying in front of our clients with email automation, policy retention and much more," says Ken Brannigan, Owner/Agent of Senior HealthCare Solutions.
The goal of AgencyBloc’s Automated Workflow feature is to provide agencies a way to quickly and easily create automated workflows that meet their business process needs. Because of AgencyBloc’s expertise in the health and life insurance industry, they have included six built-in automated workflow templates for agencies to get started with:
*Happy birthday
*New individual prospect
*Lead form submitted
*Policy application submitted
*Group policy renewal
*Agent license expiration
With these templates, agencies can use as-is or refine to serve their specific needs. The templates also provide a blueprint for agencies to build their own automated workflows.
“Agencies are concerned about missing new business opportunities or that important client follow-ups are falling through the cracks. Even a well-organized person can risk being less effective when an agency’s processes are not aligned,” says Jennifer Warne, AgencyBloc Product Manager. “We asked our clients if an automated workflow feature would benefit their business and they overwhelmingly told us yes, automation would help them in countless ways.”
Overall, AgencyBloc’s Automated Workflow allows agencies to transition from manual processes that are inefficient and potentially error-prone to automated processes that keep everyone on track and prevent important activities from falling through the cracks.
AgencyBloc strives to help life and health insurance agencies grow their business by organizing and automating their operations using a combination of an industry-specific CRM, commissions processing, and integrated business and marketing automation.
To learn more about AgencyBloc’s Marketing Automation and these templates, schedule a 1-on-1 demo to speak with a representative about your agency’s specific needs.
___________________
About AgencyBloc: AgencyBloc is an agency management system with marketing automation capabilities built specifically for life and health insurance agencies. For more information, contact AgencyBloc at 866-338-7075 or info(at)agencybloc.com. Reported by PRWeb 3 hours ago.
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Colorado individual insurance rates rising significantly in 2017
Individual health insurance premiums will rise by more than 20 percent in Colorado next year as insurers are pulling out of the market or greatly scaling back their offerings to state residents who don’t receive their insurance through their employer. Small-group policies, meanwhile, remain relatively stable, with premiums going up only 2.1 percent for 2017, Colorado Insurance Commissioner Marguerite Salazar said Tuesday while announcing that her office has completed its review of the rates requested…
Reported by bizjournals 23 hours ago.
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AIS Webinar to Analyze the Impact on the Health Care Industry of a Clinton or Trump Victory
A month before the November elections, two October AIS webinars will address what their impact could be on the health care industry.
Washington, DC (PRWEB) September 20, 2016
Atlantic Information Services, Inc. (AIS) is pleased to announce “The Impact of the Presidential Election on U.S. Health Care — A Two-Part Webinar Series,” a duo of early October webinars designed to address the major issues that will arise when a new presidential administration and Congress take office. Whether President Clinton or President Trump moves into the White House on Jan. 20, American health care is certain to be impacted in very substantial ways for health plans, hospitals and other providers, purchasers, pharma companies and others in the health chain.
On October 5 and October 6, webinar attendees will get answers to questions such as:· Will the Affordable Care Act and its exchanges survive? If so, what changes will be enacted to make them more viable for insurers and enrollees alike? If not, what will replace it?
· Will laws be repealed that inhibit the sale of insurance across state lines?
· What initiatives will be proposed to reduce the cost of prescription drugs?
· Will the cost of insurance premiums be deductible for individuals?
· What will be the impact on funding for Medicare, Medicaid and other federal programs? On Medicare Advantage?
· What will be the future of value-based care initiatives?
· Will Medicaid be block-granted to the states?
· What policies will be implemented to reform mental health care?
· Will consumers be permitted to import drugs from overseas?
· Will states be further incentivized to expand Medicaid?
· Will greater telehealth reimbursement under Medicare expand access in rural areas?
· Will contributions to Health Savings Accounts be tax-free, allowed to accumulate and available to any member of a family without penalty?
Visit http://aishealth.com/marketplace/c6m22-23 for more details and registration information.
About AIS
Atlantic Information Services, Inc. (AIS) is a publishing and information company that has been serving the health care industry for nearly 30 years. It develops highly targeted news, data and strategic information for managers in hospitals and health systems, health insurance companies, medical group practices, purchasers of health insurance, pharmaceutical companies and other health care organizations. AIS products include print and electronic newsletters, databases, websites, looseleafs, strategic reports, directories, webinars, virtual conferences and training programs. Learn more at http://AISHealth.com. Reported by PRWeb 23 hours ago.
Washington, DC (PRWEB) September 20, 2016
Atlantic Information Services, Inc. (AIS) is pleased to announce “The Impact of the Presidential Election on U.S. Health Care — A Two-Part Webinar Series,” a duo of early October webinars designed to address the major issues that will arise when a new presidential administration and Congress take office. Whether President Clinton or President Trump moves into the White House on Jan. 20, American health care is certain to be impacted in very substantial ways for health plans, hospitals and other providers, purchasers, pharma companies and others in the health chain.
On October 5 and October 6, webinar attendees will get answers to questions such as:· Will the Affordable Care Act and its exchanges survive? If so, what changes will be enacted to make them more viable for insurers and enrollees alike? If not, what will replace it?
· Will laws be repealed that inhibit the sale of insurance across state lines?
· What initiatives will be proposed to reduce the cost of prescription drugs?
· Will the cost of insurance premiums be deductible for individuals?
· What will be the impact on funding for Medicare, Medicaid and other federal programs? On Medicare Advantage?
· What will be the future of value-based care initiatives?
· Will Medicaid be block-granted to the states?
· What policies will be implemented to reform mental health care?
· Will consumers be permitted to import drugs from overseas?
· Will states be further incentivized to expand Medicaid?
· Will greater telehealth reimbursement under Medicare expand access in rural areas?
· Will contributions to Health Savings Accounts be tax-free, allowed to accumulate and available to any member of a family without penalty?
Visit http://aishealth.com/marketplace/c6m22-23 for more details and registration information.
About AIS
Atlantic Information Services, Inc. (AIS) is a publishing and information company that has been serving the health care industry for nearly 30 years. It develops highly targeted news, data and strategic information for managers in hospitals and health systems, health insurance companies, medical group practices, purchasers of health insurance, pharmaceutical companies and other health care organizations. AIS products include print and electronic newsletters, databases, websites, looseleafs, strategic reports, directories, webinars, virtual conferences and training programs. Learn more at http://AISHealth.com. Reported by PRWeb 23 hours ago.
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Insurance business names new local leader
Medical Mutual of Ohio has named a new leader for the Cincinnati/Dayton region. The health insurance company selected Chad Francis as vice president for the Cincinnati/Dayton region. He comes from UnitedHealthcare's Cincinnati, Dayton and Northern Kentucky office, where he was for eight years, most recently as vice president of small business. “Being from the area, I have a deep understanding of southwest Ohio, and I’m excited about having this opportunity with Medical Mutual in an area that…
Reported by bizjournals 22 hours ago.
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Fully understand the IoT with this report
The Internet of Things (IoT) Revolution is picking up speed and it will change how we live, work, and entertain ourselves in a million ways big and small.
From agriculture to defense, retail to healthcare, everything is going to be impacted by the growing ability of businesses, governments, and consumers to connect to and control their environments:
· “Smart mirrors” will allow consumers to try on clothes digitally, enhancing their shopping experience and reducing returns for the retailer
· Assembly line sensors will detect tiny drops in efficiency that indicate critical equipment is wearing out and schedule down-time maintenance in response
· Agricultural equipment guided by GPS and IoT technology will soon plant, fertilize and harvest vast croplands like a giant Roomba while the “driver” reads a magazine
· Active people will share lifestyle data from their fitness trackers in order to help their doctor make better health care decisions (and capture discounts on health insurance premiums)
No wonder the Internet of Things has been called “the next Industrial Revolution.” It’s so big that it could mean new revenue streams for your company and new opportunities for you. The only question is: Are you fully up to speed on the IoT?
Research analysts John Greenough and Jonathan Camhi of BI Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service, spent months of researching and reporting this exploding trend and have put together a report on the Internet of Things that explains its exciting present and the fascinating future.
It covers how IoT is being implemented today, where the new sources of opportunity will be tomorrow and how 17 separate sectors of the economy will be transformed over the next 20 years, including:
· Agriculture
· Connected Home
· Defense
· Financial services
· Food services
· Healthcare
· Hospitality
· Infrastructure
· Insurance
· Logistics
· Manufacturing
· Oil, gas, and mining
· Retail
· Smart buildings
· Transportation
· Connected Car
· Utilities
If you work in any of these sectors, it's important for you to understand how the IoT will change your business and possibly even your career. And if you’re employed in any of the industries that will build out the IoT infrastructure—networking, semiconductors, telecommunications, data storage, cybersecurity—this report is a must-have.
Among the big picture insights you’ll get from *The Internet of Things: Examining How the IoT Will Affect The World*:
· IoT devices connected to the Internet will more than triple by 2020, from 10 billion to 34 billion. IoT devices will account for 24 billion, while traditional computing devices (e.g. smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, etc.) will comprise 10 billion.
· Nearly $6 trillion will be spent on IoT solutions over the next five years.
· Businesses will be the top adopter of IoT solutions because they will use IoT to 1) lower operating costs; 2) increase productivity; and 3) expand to new markets or develop new product offerings.
· Governments will be the second-largest adopters, while consumers will be the group least transformed by the IoT.
And when you dig deep into the report, you’ll get the whole story in a clear, no-nonsense presentation:
· The complex infrastructure of the Internet of Things distilled into a single ecosystem
· The most comprehensive breakdown of the benefits and drawbacks of mesh (e.g. ZigBee, Z- Wave, etc.), cellular (e.g. 3G/4G, Sigfox, etc.), and internet (e.g. Wi-Fi, Ethernet, etc.) networks
· The important role analytics systems, including edge analytics, cloud analytics, will play in making the most of IoT investments
· The sizable security challenges presented by the IoT and how they can be overcome
· The four powerful forces driving IoT innovation, plus the four difficult market barriers to IoT adoption
· Complete analysis of the likely future investment in the critical IoT infrastructure: connectivity, security, data storage, system integration, device hardware, and application development
· In-depth analysis of how the IoT ecosystem will change and disrupt 17 different industries
*The Internet of Things: Examining How the IoT Will Affect The World* is how you get the full story on the Internet of Things.
To get your copy of this invaluable guide to the IoT universe, choose one of these options:
1. Subscribe to an ALL-ACCESS Membership with BI Intelligence and gain immediate access to this report AND over 100 other expertly researched deep-dive reports, subscriptions to all of our daily newsletters, and much more. >> *START A MEMBERSHIP*
2. Purchase the report and download it immediately from our research store. >> *BUY THE REPORT*
The choice is yours. But however you decide to acquire this report, you’ve given yourself a powerful advantage in your understanding of the fast-moving world of the IoT.
Join the conversation about this story » Reported by Business Insider 21 hours ago.
From agriculture to defense, retail to healthcare, everything is going to be impacted by the growing ability of businesses, governments, and consumers to connect to and control their environments:
· “Smart mirrors” will allow consumers to try on clothes digitally, enhancing their shopping experience and reducing returns for the retailer
· Assembly line sensors will detect tiny drops in efficiency that indicate critical equipment is wearing out and schedule down-time maintenance in response
· Agricultural equipment guided by GPS and IoT technology will soon plant, fertilize and harvest vast croplands like a giant Roomba while the “driver” reads a magazine
· Active people will share lifestyle data from their fitness trackers in order to help their doctor make better health care decisions (and capture discounts on health insurance premiums)
No wonder the Internet of Things has been called “the next Industrial Revolution.” It’s so big that it could mean new revenue streams for your company and new opportunities for you. The only question is: Are you fully up to speed on the IoT?
Research analysts John Greenough and Jonathan Camhi of BI Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service, spent months of researching and reporting this exploding trend and have put together a report on the Internet of Things that explains its exciting present and the fascinating future.
It covers how IoT is being implemented today, where the new sources of opportunity will be tomorrow and how 17 separate sectors of the economy will be transformed over the next 20 years, including:
· Agriculture
· Connected Home
· Defense
· Financial services
· Food services
· Healthcare
· Hospitality
· Infrastructure
· Insurance
· Logistics
· Manufacturing
· Oil, gas, and mining
· Retail
· Smart buildings
· Transportation
· Connected Car
· Utilities
If you work in any of these sectors, it's important for you to understand how the IoT will change your business and possibly even your career. And if you’re employed in any of the industries that will build out the IoT infrastructure—networking, semiconductors, telecommunications, data storage, cybersecurity—this report is a must-have.
Among the big picture insights you’ll get from *The Internet of Things: Examining How the IoT Will Affect The World*:
· IoT devices connected to the Internet will more than triple by 2020, from 10 billion to 34 billion. IoT devices will account for 24 billion, while traditional computing devices (e.g. smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, etc.) will comprise 10 billion.
· Nearly $6 trillion will be spent on IoT solutions over the next five years.
· Businesses will be the top adopter of IoT solutions because they will use IoT to 1) lower operating costs; 2) increase productivity; and 3) expand to new markets or develop new product offerings.
· Governments will be the second-largest adopters, while consumers will be the group least transformed by the IoT.
And when you dig deep into the report, you’ll get the whole story in a clear, no-nonsense presentation:
· The complex infrastructure of the Internet of Things distilled into a single ecosystem
· The most comprehensive breakdown of the benefits and drawbacks of mesh (e.g. ZigBee, Z- Wave, etc.), cellular (e.g. 3G/4G, Sigfox, etc.), and internet (e.g. Wi-Fi, Ethernet, etc.) networks
· The important role analytics systems, including edge analytics, cloud analytics, will play in making the most of IoT investments
· The sizable security challenges presented by the IoT and how they can be overcome
· The four powerful forces driving IoT innovation, plus the four difficult market barriers to IoT adoption
· Complete analysis of the likely future investment in the critical IoT infrastructure: connectivity, security, data storage, system integration, device hardware, and application development
· In-depth analysis of how the IoT ecosystem will change and disrupt 17 different industries
*The Internet of Things: Examining How the IoT Will Affect The World* is how you get the full story on the Internet of Things.
To get your copy of this invaluable guide to the IoT universe, choose one of these options:
1. Subscribe to an ALL-ACCESS Membership with BI Intelligence and gain immediate access to this report AND over 100 other expertly researched deep-dive reports, subscriptions to all of our daily newsletters, and much more. >> *START A MEMBERSHIP*
2. Purchase the report and download it immediately from our research store. >> *BUY THE REPORT*
The choice is yours. But however you decide to acquire this report, you’ve given yourself a powerful advantage in your understanding of the fast-moving world of the IoT.
Join the conversation about this story » Reported by Business Insider 21 hours ago.
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Retirement Looks Good About Now
With all of the new requirements for practicing medicine under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), retirement for those who can do it looks like a pretty reasonable option. Unfortunately, there is a clause under the Act that may take this option off the table. Section 5210 Establishing a Ready Reserve Corps, amends Section 203 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 204) such that there will now be a Ready Reserve Corps for service in time of national emergency.
Physicians have always been subject to a draft during times of war. This new law now makes them subject to a draft during any national emergency. It is not clear under the law as to what would constitute a "national emergency," but Section 203(c)(2)(D) states that the Ready Reserve Corps "be available for service assignment in isolated, hardship, and medically underserved communities ...to improve access to health services."
Physicians are the "ready reserve corps". Not much has been written in the news media about this small section of the Affordable Care Act, but as a physician looking forward to retirement, it is of concern. In fact, the law specifically states that this reserve force must be able to respond on short notice and may even have to serve "involuntarily" (Section 203(c)(2)(B) of the Affordable Care Act). Does this mean that they can keep me from retiring and put me in a medically underserved community which may need a cardiothoracic surgeon? The way I read the law, the answer is "yes."
The uses of this Ready Reserve Corps would be to "(A) participate in routine training to meet the general and specific needs of the Commissioned Corps; (B) be available and ready for* involuntary* (emphasis added) calls to active duty during national emergencies and public health crises, similar to the uniformed service reserve personnel; (C) be available for backfilling critical positions left vacant during deployment of active duty Commissioned Corps members, as well as for deployment to respond to public health emergencies, both foreign and domestic; and (D) be available for service assignment in isolated, hardship, and medically *underserved* (emphasis added) communities ...to improve access to health services."
On July 2, 2008, President Obama stated that "We cannot continue to rely on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded." Could the Affordable Care Act be the first legislation used in setting up this new national security force and will the physicians so drafted be the spear-head of this force? Why should a civilian national security force need to be just as powerful as our military? Why does it need to be as well-funded? Will this force be armed with military style weapons? This seems to be overkill to me but there is not much on the internet or in the main stream media to help discern the role of this force.
Would this new force be constitutional? The ACA funds it and the commissioned officers of the ready reserve are to be appointed by the President. This would be different than the commissioned officers of the regular corps which are appointed by the President with the* advice and consent* of the Senate (emphasis added). Why no requirement for the advice and consent of the Senate for the officers of the ready reserve corps? I don't know but I am worried. Who will the President appoint? What kind of power will these officers have? Will it be the same type of power as the regular corps or will there be differences? Where will the checks and balances be if the Senate has no role in deciding who these officers will be; this is very different from the requirements of the other uniformed services. Why the difference? Will this force only be answerable to the President?
Nancy Pelosi infamously stated that we would have to pass the Affordable Care Act in order to find out what was in it. What she has stated has now come to pass.
Sections of the ACA that I thought were clearly unconstitutional have passed Supreme Court scrutiny. First, mandating the purchase of health care insurance was deemed to be a proper exercise of the taxing power of the United States (National Federation of Independent Business, v. Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, 648 F.3d 1235). Originally, President Obama stated that this power was allowed under the Commerce Clause and it was *not* (emphasis added) a tax. Justice Roberts stated the opposite in his opinion. The mandate was not allowed under the Commerce Clause but it is allowed as a tax. Oh, well.
The other Supreme Court decision that I was way off on was the case of King v. Burwell, 135 S.Ct. 475 (2014). Originally, the ACA would only allow tax credits for those who used exchanges that had been set up by the states. When states did not set up an exchange, then the federal government would set one up but the people in those states would not be given any tax credits which were intended to help pay the premiums for the health insurance. The intent of the Congress was to get the states to buy into Obamacare but many of the states chose not to do this.
Despite the clear language of the statute, the Internal Revenue Service, under the direction of the White House, started giving tax credits to everyone, even to those in states that had not set up an exchange. The Executive branch is supposed to enforce the law, not change it. When this issue made it to the Supreme Court, the Court decided to repair the law. Since the Judicial branch is supposed to state what the law is, it seems like the Court was overstepping its authority when they essentially changed the law such that state exchanges really meant state and federal exchanges.
By its decision, the Court essentially gave the Internal Revenue Service the authority to spend billions of dollars on tax credits for those using the federal exchanges. The power of the purse, I thought, was to be invested to the legislature, not the Court.
It is said that the Supreme Court is not last because it is right, it is right because it is last. There must be finality in the law or we will have a society in disarray. Asking me to make a prediction as to a law's constitutionality would not be a good idea; I am often wrong, especially as it relates to Obamacare.
Darryl Weiman's website is www.medicalmalpracticeandthelaw.com
-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. Reported by Huffington Post 20 hours ago.
Physicians have always been subject to a draft during times of war. This new law now makes them subject to a draft during any national emergency. It is not clear under the law as to what would constitute a "national emergency," but Section 203(c)(2)(D) states that the Ready Reserve Corps "be available for service assignment in isolated, hardship, and medically underserved communities ...to improve access to health services."
Physicians are the "ready reserve corps". Not much has been written in the news media about this small section of the Affordable Care Act, but as a physician looking forward to retirement, it is of concern. In fact, the law specifically states that this reserve force must be able to respond on short notice and may even have to serve "involuntarily" (Section 203(c)(2)(B) of the Affordable Care Act). Does this mean that they can keep me from retiring and put me in a medically underserved community which may need a cardiothoracic surgeon? The way I read the law, the answer is "yes."
The uses of this Ready Reserve Corps would be to "(A) participate in routine training to meet the general and specific needs of the Commissioned Corps; (B) be available and ready for* involuntary* (emphasis added) calls to active duty during national emergencies and public health crises, similar to the uniformed service reserve personnel; (C) be available for backfilling critical positions left vacant during deployment of active duty Commissioned Corps members, as well as for deployment to respond to public health emergencies, both foreign and domestic; and (D) be available for service assignment in isolated, hardship, and medically *underserved* (emphasis added) communities ...to improve access to health services."
On July 2, 2008, President Obama stated that "We cannot continue to rely on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded." Could the Affordable Care Act be the first legislation used in setting up this new national security force and will the physicians so drafted be the spear-head of this force? Why should a civilian national security force need to be just as powerful as our military? Why does it need to be as well-funded? Will this force be armed with military style weapons? This seems to be overkill to me but there is not much on the internet or in the main stream media to help discern the role of this force.
Would this new force be constitutional? The ACA funds it and the commissioned officers of the ready reserve are to be appointed by the President. This would be different than the commissioned officers of the regular corps which are appointed by the President with the* advice and consent* of the Senate (emphasis added). Why no requirement for the advice and consent of the Senate for the officers of the ready reserve corps? I don't know but I am worried. Who will the President appoint? What kind of power will these officers have? Will it be the same type of power as the regular corps or will there be differences? Where will the checks and balances be if the Senate has no role in deciding who these officers will be; this is very different from the requirements of the other uniformed services. Why the difference? Will this force only be answerable to the President?
Nancy Pelosi infamously stated that we would have to pass the Affordable Care Act in order to find out what was in it. What she has stated has now come to pass.
Sections of the ACA that I thought were clearly unconstitutional have passed Supreme Court scrutiny. First, mandating the purchase of health care insurance was deemed to be a proper exercise of the taxing power of the United States (National Federation of Independent Business, v. Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, 648 F.3d 1235). Originally, President Obama stated that this power was allowed under the Commerce Clause and it was *not* (emphasis added) a tax. Justice Roberts stated the opposite in his opinion. The mandate was not allowed under the Commerce Clause but it is allowed as a tax. Oh, well.
The other Supreme Court decision that I was way off on was the case of King v. Burwell, 135 S.Ct. 475 (2014). Originally, the ACA would only allow tax credits for those who used exchanges that had been set up by the states. When states did not set up an exchange, then the federal government would set one up but the people in those states would not be given any tax credits which were intended to help pay the premiums for the health insurance. The intent of the Congress was to get the states to buy into Obamacare but many of the states chose not to do this.
Despite the clear language of the statute, the Internal Revenue Service, under the direction of the White House, started giving tax credits to everyone, even to those in states that had not set up an exchange. The Executive branch is supposed to enforce the law, not change it. When this issue made it to the Supreme Court, the Court decided to repair the law. Since the Judicial branch is supposed to state what the law is, it seems like the Court was overstepping its authority when they essentially changed the law such that state exchanges really meant state and federal exchanges.
By its decision, the Court essentially gave the Internal Revenue Service the authority to spend billions of dollars on tax credits for those using the federal exchanges. The power of the purse, I thought, was to be invested to the legislature, not the Court.
It is said that the Supreme Court is not last because it is right, it is right because it is last. There must be finality in the law or we will have a society in disarray. Asking me to make a prediction as to a law's constitutionality would not be a good idea; I am often wrong, especially as it relates to Obamacare.
Darryl Weiman's website is www.medicalmalpracticeandthelaw.com
-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. Reported by Huffington Post 20 hours ago.
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Colorado health-insurance rates to jump 20 percent on average for individual buyers in 2017
Coloradans who buy their own health insurance will see an average 20 percent jump in prices in 2017, the biggest increase since the implementation of Obamacare in 2014.
Reported by Denver Post 13 hours ago.
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Australians pay thousands more for private health cover
Australian families are paying up to $400 more a month for private health insurance than consumers in comparable countries like Britain and New Zealand.
Reported by Brisbane Times 14 hours ago.
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