ez1095 2015 ACA Software Now Available For Business Owners Filing Extensions

October 19, 2016, 1:03 am

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ez1095 Affordable Care Act software offers business owners filing late a better and easier solution. Download and try it at no obligation by visiting http://www.halfpricesoft.com.

Austin, TX (PRWEB) October 19, 2016

Business owners that have previously filed extensions for forms 1094 and 1095 are turning to ez1095 ACA 2015 (Affordable Care Act) software from Halfpricesoft.com. The program has been updated to accommodate late filing for mid-to-large enterprises. Also available are both print and mail as well as efiling features. With the flexibility and cost of this application, business owners are filing with peace of mind.

“ez1095 2015 software from Halfpricesoft.com is now available for business owners filing forms late,” said Dr. Ge, the founder of Halfpricesoft.com.

Customers can easily efile (additional cost) or print and mail forms depending on how soon the forms need to be sent out. With the new guidelines for the healthcare law, all employers with 50 or more full-time employees or equivalents are required to file an annual return in 2016 reporting health insurance they offered employees.

ez1095 software is compatible Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP and other Windows systems. Potential customers can download and try this software at no obligation by visiting http://www.halfpricesoft.com/aca-1095/form-1095-software-free-download.asp

Also offered is a quick start guide with the following step by step instructions:

1. How to Print Form 1095-C and 1094-C

2. How to Import 1095 C Data

3. How to Print Form 1095-B and 1094-B

4. How to Import 1095B Data

5. How to e File ACA forms

6. How to pass the test scenarios

7. How to validate XML documents before efiling IRS

8. How to print forms in PDF format

9. Network printing (Multiple-user version)

10. How to e File 1095 correction

11. How to apply for TCC

Priced at just $195 for a single user version, ($295 for new efile and PDF version) this ACA forms filing software saves employers time and money by processing forms, in-house. To learn more about ez1095 ACA software, customers can visit http://www.halfpricesoft.com/aca-1095/aca-1095-software.asp

About halfpricesoft.com

Founded in 2003, Halfpricesoft.com has established itself as a leader in meeting the software needs of small businesses around the world with its payroll software, employee attendance tracking software, check printing software, W2 software, 1099 software and bar code generating software. It continues to grow with its philosophy that small business owners need affordable, user friendly, super simple, and totally risk-free software. Reported by PRWeb 18 hours ago.

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Annual Survey Finds Enrollment in Consumer-Directed Health Plans Jumps 22 Percent Despite Increase in Plan Costs

October 19, 2016, 4:05 am

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2016 UBA Health Plan Survey Finds Significant Regional Differences Among CDHP Use

Indianapolis, IN (PRWEB) October 19, 2016

Among employer-sponsored health insurance plans, consumer-directed health plans (CDHPs) continue to increase in popularity even though they are offering less savings than a year ago, according to the 2016 Health Plan Survey from United Benefit Advisors (UBA), the nation’s largest independent survey of employer-sponsored benefits. UBA finds 26.4 percent of all U.S. employees are now enrolled in CDHP plans, an increase of 21.7 percent from last year and nearly 70 percent from five years ago.

Conversely, CDHP plan costs have risen 2 percent from last year, according to UBA. So while they are still 3.5 percent less costly than the average plan, they offered more savings in 2015 when they were 5.6 percent less than the average plan.

“CDHP interest among employers isn’t surprising given these plans’ savings over the average plan,” says Les McPhearson, CEO of UBA. “Employees typically pick up 32 percent of the cost, slightly below the 35 percent average employee contribution rate among all plans, making them an attractive choice for many employees as well. But like all cost benchmarks, plan design plays a major part in understanding value.”

The UBA survey finds that 25.7 percent of plans offered by employers are CDHPs, a 14.2 percent increase in the last five years. Regionally, however, there are major differences in CDHP popularity.

UBA’s survey finds CDHPs account for the following percentage of plans offered by employers:

NORTHEAST    34.4%
NORTH CENTRAL    32.5%
SOUTHEAST    26.6%
CENTRAL 21.0%
WEST 14.2%

CDHPs have increased in prevalence in all regions except the West, which saw the number of these plans decrease by 7.2 percent from 2015. Despite this decrease in the number of CDHPs offered in the West, there was an 18.9 percent increase in the number of employees enrolled, indicating the continued attraction to the lower premiums of such plans.

While most of the country is experiencing slightly increased premiums, California has enjoyed an 11.4 percent decrease in average single premiums, finds UBA. Employers in this part of the country are actually moving away from CDHPs and toward HMOs, which the survey shows are 9 percent less costly than the average plan.

“Cost-saving strategies, like cost shifting, should be taken with a grain of salt, given the increased burdens they place on employees,” says McPhearson. “Given the higher than average out-of-pocket costs of CDHPs, this turbulence in the West (who typically leads the nation in health care trends) indicates that employers and employees are still determining the value and success of these plans, making it a cautious upward trend to watch.”

UBA’s 2016 Health Plan Survey Executive Summary is available now at http://bit.ly/UBAsurvey or it can be downloaded directly at http://bit.ly/2016-executive-summary. For interviews, contact Carina Sammartino, Media Relations, csammartino (at) fishervista.com or 760-331-3547.

ABOUT THE 2016 UBA HEALTH PLAN SURVEY
The 2016 UBA Health Plan Survey contains the validated responses of 19,557 health plans and 11,524 employers, who cumulatively employ over two and a half million employees and insure more than five million total lives. While other surveys primarily target large employers, the focus of the UBA survey is to report results that are applicable to the small and mid-size companies that represent the overwhelming majority of the nation’s employers, while also including a mix of large companies in rough proportion to their actual prevalence, nationally. This is an important distinction compared to other national surveys.

ABOUT UNITED BENEFIT ADVISORS
United Benefit Advisors® (UBA) is the nation’s leading independent employee benefits advisory organization with more than 200 offices throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. UBA empowers more than 2,000 Partners to both maintain their individuality and pool their expertise, insight, and market presence to provide best-in-class services and solutions. Employers, advisors and industry-related organizations interested in obtaining powerful results from the shared wisdom of our Partners should visit http://www.UBAbenefits.com. Reported by PRWeb 15 hours ago.

Donald Trump Says Everything Is A Disaster. Here's The Reality.

October 19, 2016, 4:45 am

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“Disaster.”

It’s Donald Trump’s favorite word. He used it 14 times in the second presidential debate, and chances are good he’ll use it during the final debate on Wednesday.

Hillary Clinton? Disaster. Obamacare? Disaster. Urban crime, the state of the military, the flow of immigrants across the border? Disaster, disaster, disaster.

It’s tempting to think this is just the way that Trump talks ― that he likes hyperbole and that, notwithstanding his Wharton School business education, he lacks the semantic imagination to come up with different, more precise terminology.

But Trump may actually think this way. Or he may think this kind of talk is the best way to build his political brand.

If the country really is on the precipice of apocalypse, after all, and if Hillary Clinton really is likely to push it over the edge, then voting for Trump becomes not just a choice, but a moral calling. And overlooking Trump’s many shortcomings, from his treatment of women to his attitude about nuclear weapons, becomes a lot easier.

Thing is, America isn’t a disaster. Plenty is going wrong in the country, of course. But plenty is going right, too, as a quick survey of the statistical landscape shows:

*The Economy*

Unemployment is down to 5 percent, and since the depths of the Great Recession in 2009, the private sector has been generating jobs every month except one. The recovery has been slower than improvements from other economic downturns, but that’s always the case with recessions (or depressions) that follow financial crises. In terms of employment and growth, the U.S. has actually done as well, if not better, than the rest of the developed world.  Inequality remains a problem. As the economy has gained strength, the wealthy have done far better than the middle class and poor ― in part because so many of the new jobs don’t pay very well.

But this fall’s annual census report suggests even that worrisome trend may be turning around. According to the report, median household income rose by more than 5 percent from 2014 to 2015 ― the largest single-year increase that the Census Bureau had ever recorded. Poverty also fell. Together, they suggest that, finally, the poor and middle class are getting their fair share of growth.

Incomes aren’t back up to where they were before the recession. Poverty hasn’t fallen back to where it was, either. And there are plenty of communities in true economic distress. But overall, the country is doing better than it was a few years ago.

And more improvement may be on the way. Last week, a new Labor Department report suggested that job quitting is at its second-highest level since the Great Depression. Quitting is a sign of economic health, since it suggests workers are comfortable they can find better jobs or wait a while before getting a new one.

*Health Care*

The proportion of Americans with health insurance is at its highest level ever, and the available data suggest that, overall, people now have better access to medical care and more protection from crushing medical bills. All of this is a direct consequence of the Affordable Care Act. The law that Trump despises has made coverage available to millions who previously could not afford it, or who insurers refused because of pre-existing conditions.At the same time, the cost of medical care ― in other words, what the country as a whole spends ― is rising at historically low rates. Eventually, that filters down to most Americans as some combination of lower premiums, lower taxes, and bigger paychecks. The health care law may or may not have played a role in this; it depends who you ask. Either way, though, Americans overall are saving money as a result.

“Overall” is an important word there, since some people are paying more, through either premiums or out-of-pocket costs. And the Obamacare marketplaces are struggling in some parts of the country, as insurers are jacking up premiums or fleeing because they can’t attract enough healthy people to cover their costs.

But these are the kinds of problems that come with all ambitious initiatives. Fixing them wouldn't be difficult, although liberals and conservatives have very different ideas about how to proceed.

*Crime*

This is one of Trump’s favorite topics. He talks about crime, particularly crime in cities, as if anybody walking out the door was in danger of getting shot. The truth is exactly the opposite. Violent crime has fallen dramatically since the early 1990s. Property crime has too.In just the last few months, violent crime in some American cities has increased. Exactly why that’s happening, or how long the trend will last, is unclear. But the experts who follow crime say Trump is still way off.

“He is incorrect,” James Alan Fox, a criminologist at Northeastern University, told the fact-checking organization Politifact this summer. “There are some spikes in homicide and shootings in certain cities, yet other cities continue to experience low rates. As a nation, we are far better off than anytime for the past several decades. Crime rates are low, and there is no consistent and reliable indication that things are getting worse.”

*Energy and Climate*

Trump frequently describes President Barack Obama’s energy policies as a disaster, and warns that Clinton would bring more of the same. But the U.S. now produces more oil and natural gas than any country in the world, thanks to production that has risen pretty steadily through Obama’s presidency. Crude prices are at or near 10-year lows, which is why gasoline is still so cheap at the pumps (an average of $2.47 a gallon.)

Cheap oil is a mixed blessing. It gives consumers more incentive to drive and less incentive to seek out fuel-efficient cars, spewing more carbon into the atmosphere and therefore hastening climate change. But renewable energy sources like solar and wind are growing rapidly, and will greatly contribute toward allowing the U.S. to meet the international climate goals set in Paris last year.The growth of both natural gas and the renewable sector has corresponded with a decline in the use of coal. And when Trump says Obama’s energy policies have been a disaster, he’s thinking about ― and speaking to ― parts of the country where employment in the coal industry has been falling.

But those employment levels have been declining since the Reagan era, thanks to technological improvements that allowed companies to extract coal with fewer workers. And insofar as environmental regulations have curtailed coal use further, they’ve done so by reducing emissions that literally saved thousands of lives ― again, not what most people would describe as a disaster

* * *

The list goes on. Teen births are way down. The smoking rate is at a historic low. The undocumented population is at a relatively high rate, according to the Pew Research Center, but ― thanks in part to broader economic trends ― it actually peaked in 2007, at 12 million, and has stabilized at about a million less since then.

Within any of these statistics, it’s easy to find real problems, and large numbers of people who are still struggling. There are even some real disasters.

But an accurate portrayal of America at the end of the Obama years would be far more nuanced than the one Trump provides. The only real question is whether Trump is too ignorant to know better ― or whether he just doesn’t care if he’s right.

Editor’s note: Donald Trump regularly
incites
political violence and is a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-911_565b1950e4b08e945feb7326"> style="font-weight: 400;">serial liar, href="http://www.huffingtonpost
.com/entry/9-outrageous-things-donald-trump-has-said-about-latinos_55e483a1e4b0c818f618904b"> style="font-weight: 400;">rampant xenophobe,
racist, style="font-weight: 400;">misogynist and href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-stephen-colbert-birther_56022a33e4b00310edf92f7a">>birther who has
repeatedly pledged to ban all Muslims — 1.6 billion members of an entire religion — from
entering the U.S.

-- 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 15 hours ago.

Green Circle Health Launches Care Management Program for Sickle Cell Anemia and Diabetes with a Major Health Insurer

October 19, 2016, 6:07 am

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Green Circle Health announced that one of the nation's largest health insurers has deployed its patient-to-provider communications gateway, the GCH Platform, to strengthen its sickle cell anemia and diabetes care management programs.

Pensacola Beach, Fla. (PRWEB) October 19, 2016

Green Circle Health (GCH) announced that one of the nation’s largest health insurers has deployed its patient-to-provider communications gateway, the GCH Platform, to monitor key vitals and daily symptoms of members using its sickle cell anemia and diabetes care management programs. These year-long trials are intended to engage a total of 300 patients (150 in each care program), track their participation, measure outcomes and then use the lessons learned to bring benefits to a larger population.

Leveraging the GCH Platform’s flexible infrastructure, which allows physician-recommended treatment protocols to be deployed for chronic conditions, case managers will remotely monitor and record members’ vitals, such as blood glucose level, weight, pain levels and daily activities. Case managers can also pose daily health questions to determine if patients are meeting the requirements of their respective care plan. If a member deviates from a specific range of responses or vitals, inbuilt algorithms and workflows will alert members, their families and case managers, who will then follow-up in real-time and address issues before the condition worsens. The GCH Platform is available anywhere on any phone, PC or tablet and engages patients by providing reminders, coaching, educational literature and rewards to establish and maintain healthy behavior. The platform also coordinates care management for families, encouraging and empowering all family members to play a more active role in the use of remote monitoring and other health services.

“Care management programs are critical to helping care managers and patients manage chronic conditions, such as diabetes and sickle cell. With real-time remote monitoring technology, our platform engages the provider’s members in their own health outcome, improving the overall quality of life,” said Dinesh Sheth, CEO and founder of Green Circle Health. “The GCH Platform’s user-friendly technology provides members with the tools needed to improve adherence to treatment protocol and since it leverages existing devices that patients are already using, the platform removes the need to acquire additional technology. These factors, along with its integrated smart agent, mean that the GCH Platform makes it easier than ever for people to manage their care and make necessary life style changes for improved outcomes.”

The GCH Platform is compliant with the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other industry standards and was recently announced as a winner in an ONC Consumer Health Data Aggregator Challenge. Reported by PRWeb 13 hours ago.

Employers spice up benefits, offer help with pets, debt

October 19, 2016, 7:11 am

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Would you like some pet insurance to go with the health coverage your employer provides? Or maybe you need help paying student loans or saving for your kid’s college. Companies have been broadening their menu of benefits to meet the changing demands of younger employees and to make up for health insurance that covers less. […] Reported by Seattle Times 12 hours ago.

1 Million More In Obamacare Next Year, Feds Project

October 19, 2016, 7:52 am

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WASHINGTON ― Just over 1 million more people will enroll into health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act’s exchange marketplaces next year, Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell announced Wednesday.

Sign-ups on the Obamacare exchanges begin Nov. 1 and run through Jan. 31, and federal authorities expect that 13.8 million people will choose health insurance policies during that time, 1.1 million more than during the previous enrollment period. Over the course of 2017, 11.4 million people will actually have these plans on average per month ― as consumers either don’t pay premiums or find coverage elsewhere ― which also is 1.1 million more than the 2016 monthly average, according to the department.

The Department of Health and Human Services projects that 9.2 million of those who will enroll in plans during this sign-up period will be returning exchange customers, 1.1 million will be those who currently buy policies directly from insurers who will switch to exchange plans and 3.5 million enrollees will be individuals who currently are uninsured.

Subsidized health insurance available on these exchanges and the Affordable Care Act’s expansion of Medicaid to more poor adults, which 31 states and the District of Columbia have enacted, have driven the uninsured rate to a historic low. But if the HHS projections prove true, 2017 would mark the second year of minor growth on these exchanges.

The coming enrollment period could prove crucial to the future of the health insurance market remade by the Affordable Care Act. Premium increases are higher, on average, for 2017 than during the first years of Obamacare enrollment, and some consumers are facing significant increases that could make the policies unaffordable. At the same time, competition on the exchanges has diminished after major insurers including Aetna pulled out because of financial losses.

“We know from three years of experience that the Marketplace offers a product people want and need. I know that there has been much talk and discussion about marketplace rate increases this year. But headline rate changes don’t actually reflect what the vast majority of consumers will pay,” Burwell said. “Thanks to financial assistance, most people shopping on the marketplace will still be able to find a plan for less than $75 per month.”

An estimated 85 percent of exchange enrollees next year will qualify for tax credits to reduce their premiums and about 60 percent will be eligible for additional assistance to reduce out-of-pocket costs like deductibles.

But those who receive no tax credit subsidy for their premiums, and those eligible for only a small subsidy, will confront higher rates, sometimes significantly higher, that are likely to push some of them out of the market.
 
-- 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 12 hours ago.

U.S. government sees one million more people in Obamacare in 2017

October 19, 2016, 8:03 am

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Health and Human Services Department estimates that one million more people will sign up for health insurance on the Obamacare exchanges for 2017 compared with 2016, a department official told reporters on Wednesday. Reported by Reuters 11 hours ago.

US government sees one million more people in Obamacare in 2017

October 19, 2016, 7:58 am

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The U.S. Health and Human Services Department estimates that one million more people will sign up for health insurance on the Obamacare exchanges for 2017 compared with 2016, a department official told reporters on Wednesday. The department expects 2017 sign-ups of 13.8 million people versus 12.7 mi... Reported by Raw Story 12 hours ago.

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The government expects 13.8 million Americans to get insurance through Obamacare for 2017

October 19, 2016, 9:11 am

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The Department of Health and Human Services expects that 13.8 million  Americans will sign up for health insurance during the Affordable Care Act (ACA) 2017 open enrollment period between November 1 and the end of January 2017.

This would be an increase of 1.1 million people from last year's 12.7 million enrollees.

Of the 13.8 million, 9.2 million people are expected to be re-enrollees from last year, 3.5 million people are projected to be formerly uninsured, and 1.1 million are projected to be currently on non-marketplace individual plans.

HHS did say that, as with the past three years, the number of people that will actually effectuate their insurance — that is active or start using — will be lower than those that select plans.

"Based on the experience of the Marketplaces’ first three years, we expect that plan selections at the end of Open Enrollment will exceed Marketplace effectuated enrollment as the year progresses," said a release from the HHS. "The number of individuals joining through Special Enrollment Periods (SEP) throughout the year does not fully offset those who leave for other forms of coverage or other reasons."

In 2016, 10 million people effectuated their insurance versus the 12.7 million people that enrolled. This year, the HHS projects the number of people effectuating their coverage to increase to 11.7 million.

There are a few reasons for this: people getting employer-based coverage, switching onto a government plan such as Medicaid or Medicare, or people simply never starting the plan. According to the release from the HHS, a case study in California showed that 85% of people who do not effectuate their healthcare move to another form of coverage.

The HHS did warn that due to the young age of the exchanges there is a "high degree of uncertainty about any projection."

*SEE ALSO: 1.4 million people are about to lose their current Obamacare coverage*

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: LIZ ANN SONDERS: The most unsettling outcome for the markets would be a surprise Trump win Reported by Business Insider 10 hours ago.

Should You Tell Customers You're Rising Prices to Pay for Health Insurance?

October 19, 2016, 11:57 am

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Rising costs have to be paid for with higher prices or lower profits. Reported by FOXNews.com 8 hours ago.

10 Smart Money Moves That Take 10 Minutes

October 19, 2016, 11:18 am

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By Alex Glenn

Whatever your financial goals -- from building a nest egg to flying the coop for a dream vacation -- you're only 10 minutes away from being a step closer. Here are 10 quick ways to get your personal finances in order.

*1. Bump up your 401(k) contribution*

Contributing just 1% more of your paycheck toward a 401(k) will add thousands to your retirement savings. Want to squirrel away money even faster? If your employer matches contributions, increase yours to the maximum amount it will kick in. Otherwise, you're leaving free money on the table.

*2. Start an emergency fund*

The median American household has less than a month's worth of income in liquid savings, according to the Pew Charitable Trusts. That's a scary position to be in if financial disaster strikes, such as a major medical problem not covered by health insurance.

Prepare for financial roadblocks by opening a savings account for emergencies. Arrange regular transfers from your checking account to ensure your rainy-day fund grows every month.

*3. Fine-tune your tax withholdings*

If your withholdings -- the income tax removed from each paycheck -- are too low, you could owe more at tax time than expected. Too high, and you're essentially loaning the IRS money that could be earning interest for you elsewhere.

Contact your human resources department to adjust withholdings on your W4. The IRS withholding calculator can help you plan for your circumstances.

*4. Set up overdraft alerts*

Accidentally outspending your checking account is easy, and the accompanying fees can be a budget killer, especially if you buy several items while in the red. NerdWallet found maximum one-day penalties to be above $200 at several banks.

To avoid this pitfall, log in to your bank account and elect overdraft alerts. If your funds dip below a certain amount, you'll get a warning text -- your cue to stop spending.

*5. Download your free credit report*

Having poor credit can cost you, in the form of expenses such as higher car insurance and mortgage rates.

You're entitled to a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus every 12 months through AnnualCreditReport.com. Many credit card issuers also offer customers free FICO scores, making it easy to find out if your credit could use some TLC.

*6. Seek late-payment forgiveness*

Kicking yourself over missing a credit card payment? Although card issuers don't advertise it, they may waive your late fee if you ask nicely, especially for first-time flubs.

*7. Take a breath before you buy*

Studies show the chemical high of shopping often outweighs the actual satisfaction from impulse purchases -- as if the seldom-worn duds hanging in your closet weren't proof enough.

Next time you feel the pull of the "buy now" button, try lifting your spirits another way first. Meditate, have a snack, go outside. You may be surprised how unnecessary that shiny new item seems afterward.

*8. Shop at the FSA Store*

Contributing to a flexible spending account is a great way to earmark money for medical costs during the year. But what if December comes and you've got a bunch of money still sitting in the account?

Rather than forfeit unused money at year's end, burn up your remaining FSA bucks at fsastore.com -- an online marketplace where you can stock up on sunscreen, bandages, contact lenses and other items.

*9. Double-check your life insurance beneficiary*

Life insurance policies typically last decades. A beneficiary you listed 20 or 30 years ago may not still be the person you want receiving the payout -- for instance, if you named your spouse as the original beneficiary but have since remarried. After such a hefty cash investment, it'd be a shame to see the payoff inadvertently go to the wrong person.

*10. Identify your no-fee ATMs*

Settling for the first ATM you find is tempting when you're on the go, but fees can add up fast. Consumers cough up nearly $5 for every out-of-network ATM transaction, on average, according to 2016 data from Informa Research Services.

Here's a better option: Go to your bank's online ATM locator or mobile app to scout no-fee machines near your usual haunts. Credit unions and small or online banks often reimburse fees at affiliate ATMs, too, which are hard to identify on your own.

Alex Glenn is a staff writer at NerdWallet, a personal finance website. Email: aglenn@nerdwallet.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 8 hours ago.

A head-scratching leaked email exchange showed Hillary Clinton discussing the 'unraveling of the ACA'

October 19, 2016, 1:18 pm

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Over the past few weeks, the WikiLeaks organization has published the stolen emails of Hillary Clinton campaign manager John Podesta, revealing some of the inner workings of the Clinton campaign.

One email exchange released this week between Clinton and top campaign advisers appeared to show the Democratic nominee discussing the "unraveling of the ACA," also known as Affordable Care Act or Obamacare.

Campaign adviser Ann O'Leary asked Clinton about her support for the so-called Cadillac tax built into the ACA, suggesting that she come out for a partial repeal. The Cadillac tax would impose a surcharge on high-cost health insurance plans with expansive coverage that employers provide for their workers.

Since many unions had advocated for getting these high-quality plans for their workers, these traditionally Democratic-leaning groups were opposed to the tax, leading to bipartisan support for a delay or repeal of that aspect of the ACA.

In Clinton's response, the nominee appeared to support a Cadillac-tax repeal bill written by Republicans. Here's the email in its entirety. (The Clinton campaign has not confirmed the authenticity of the emails.)

"Given the politics now w bipartisan support including [Democratic New York Sen. Chuck] Schumer, I'll support repeal w[ith] 'sense of the Senate' that revenues would have to be found. I'd be open to a range of options to do that. But we have to be careful that the R version passes which begins the unraveling of the ACA."

Clinton's supporters, and critics, have found a few different ways to interpret her comments. Jeffrey Anderson, a Hudson Institute senior fellow and opponent of Obamacare, suggested that Clinton was advocating for the "unraveling" of the ACA altogether. The suggested reason: more support to pass a public option — in which the government would offer its own insurance to people to compete with private insurers — or a single-payer system, in which the government is the only insurance provider, similar to systems in the UK or Canada.

Clinton has advocated for a public option for years. Her plan during her husband Bill Clinton's presidential administration in the 1990s, colloquially called HillaryCare, was eventually defeated by Republicans but bears many resemblances to the ACA.

The second option is that Clinton simply misspoke. The email directly after hers in the chain, from foreign-policy adviser Jake Sullivan, read:

"Your point on R version is key. Our Bernie contrast rests on defending ACA, so crucial to cast this as a fix and to be on the lookout for R efforts to make this a Trojan Horse for broader dismantling of the ACA."

Sanders, during the primaries, was more critical of Obamacare and loudly called for a government-sponsored plan. Chelsea Clinton, the eventual nominee's daughter, memorably attacked him for this in the primary, saying Sanders wanted to "dismantle Medicare" and "empower Republican governors to take away Medicaid," despite Sanders plan not really doing either.

Put another way, reading into the context that comes with Sullivan's email, Clinton fat-fingered an email and was trying to establish a middle-ground between Sanders and more progressive Democrats and the Republican position. This version also suggests she was perhaps warning about the Republican version of the Cadillac-tax repeal bill because it had the potential to unravel Obamacare.

Throughout the campaign, Clinton has repeatedly expressed her support for the ACA on the trail and called for improvements and strengthening of the law. 

The Clinton campaign didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

*SEE ALSO: The government expects a huge leap in Obamacare enrollees for 2017*

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 'He never said that': New Clinton ad shows Trump contradicting Pence's VP debate denials Reported by Business Insider 6 hours ago.

Modest gain in health signups as premiums rise, choices fall

October 19, 2016, 2:23 pm

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WASHINGTON — Facing new challenges to a legacy law, the Obama administration on Wednesday set modest expectations for the president’s final health care signup season. Some 13.8 million people are expected to sign up for 2017 coverage, Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell said. [...] the administration is increasing outreach, with a particular goal of enticing younger, healthier people to enroll. Burwell asserted that the health care law’s insurance markets are strong and offer a product that people want and need. [...] she also acknowledged “that doesn’t mean the road has been perfectly smooth,” and the markets face “a transition period.” Burwell criticized Republicans for their unyielding opposition, saying “at nearly every turn, we’ve had to overcome partisan attempts to repeal and undermine the law through legislation and litigation.” Enrollment has been lower than initially projected; insurers say patients turned out to be sicker than expected, and a complex internal system to help stabilize premiums did not work as intended, partly because of actions by congressional Republicans. The law makes carrying health insurance a legal obligation for most people, and prohibits insurers for turning away the sick. The administration is hoping for a strong signup season to validate the president’s signature program, and for a victory by Democrat Hillary Clinton in the presidential election to shut down the Republican campaign for its repeal. “We are using what we believe is a more meaningful metric,” said Kathryn E. Martin, HHS acting assistant secretary for planning and evaluation. Reported by SFGate 5 hours ago.

Emergency Room Use Stays High In Oregon Medicaid Study

October 19, 2016, 2:55 pm

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Health officials hoped giving more people health insurance would curtail their use of expensive emergency rooms for routine medical care. But data from Oregon suggest their overall ER use didn't drop. Reported by NPR 5 hours ago.

Attention Moderators: 20 Serious Questions For The Debating Candidates

October 19, 2016, 3:40 pm

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*For Both Candidates *

1. Polls consistently show a large majority of Americans think the country is headed in the wrong direction and want real change: this could include both conservatives who are upset with gay marriage and progressives who want a public option for health insurance. Bearing this in mind, what are the top three policy changes you will make to get a majority "right direction" poll by the end of your term?

2. Each of you has accused either your opponent or supporters of your opponent of having bigoted views. How do you each define "bigotry"?

3. North Korea appears to be approaching the capability of launching a nuclear missile that could reach some parts of the United States. What is your diplomatic and military strategy for precluding this possibility, and is there a "deal" you could envision with China (which bankrolls the North) if it would verifiably force the Kim-Jung Un to abandon this effort without our military intervention?

*The Economy*

*Mr. Trump*
4. You have argued that the official unemployment statistics are rigged, citing data that over 90 million Americans over 16 are out of work and likewise 50+% of black youth. But millions of those black youth you count are still in high school or college, and the vast and growing majority of that 90 million figure are either over 65 and retired, attending high school or college full time, disabled, or at home caring for their children. Is it your view that all those folks should be forced to go back to work instead, and why and how would you do that?

5. You have said, even in the same speeches sometimes, that the US economy is in a disaster, and Federal Reserve is keeping interest rates low for the political purpose of helping President Obama. But if the economy is the mess you say it is, why would the Fed need any political reason to keep rates low until the economy gets better? Do you really think the Fed should be raising rates into the teeth of a bad economy?

*Secretary Clinton*
6. Underneath the official employment figures, the fact is that the percent of folks in the workforce in their 40s and 50s has increased sharply since the Great recession, and the traditional argument of your party is that the solution is a bunch of job training programs for new tech jobs. But the facts show these programs just aren't working for whatever reason. Why shouldn't we try to bring back the manufacturing and mining jobs man of these people already know how to do? Or how would you change the approach to something that works?

7. Our nations' biggest banks are now even bigger than before the financial collapse of the last decade, and it seems the CEO's still don't know what games are being played with consumers by their employees, if we are to believe the head of Wells Fargo, the latest to get fines paid by their shareholders for cheating their own unsuspecting customers? Do you think it's time to recognize these banks are "too big to run" and just proceed to break them up one way or the other?

*ISIS, Terrorist Threats and Russia*

*Mr. Trump*
8. You say you have a secret plan to defeat ISIS and you have appealed to a "silent majority" of Americans to trust you with that mission. Another candidate, Richard Nixon, also appealed to a silent majority to back his secret plan to end the Vietnam War in 1968 - but that war ended is a US retreat a full seven years later? How are you different from Nixon - he said he would listen to his generals, too?

9. If Russia further invades Ukraine, should NATO be involved in Ukraine's defense? Would the answer be any different if Russia invaded Estonia to protect 'Russian interests" in the Baltic States? Wouldn't that be crossing the NATO "red line" that the US has already subscribed to Regardless of how much Estonia is paying us? Do you or your companies owe money to or have partnerships with any Russian entities?

10. Since mass terrorism today can literally be spread by even just one person with the right equipment and the willingness to die, isn't your proposal to ban visas from any country impacted by terrorism a demonstrably ineffective approach to guarding the Homeland that is both over-kill and under-kill at the same time?

*Secretary Clinton*
11. One of your disagreement with President Obama has been your advice to establish a "No-fly Zone" in Syria, which would also have to be worked out with Russia, and also be a part of any "Safe Zone" Mr. Trump wants to establish somewhere in the region to shelter Syrian refugees in lieu of passing them on the Europe and the US. How then does your strategy for defeating ISIS in Syria and Iraq actually differ from Mr. Trump's?

12. Why do you think it was smart to let all the forces of terror in the Mideast know that if you are President you will never put US combat troops into Iraq or Syria to defend American interests? Not even to reverse a siege of an Embassy?

13. Do we have the right command structure for organizing and directing the US defense against cyber warfare attacks on our businesses, government and infrastructure - given our demonstrated vulnerability, how would you change our
approach?

*On Social Justice*

*Mr. Trump*
14. Do you still believe that the logical cause of increased incidence rape in the military is the fact of female presence and mixing of the sexes in the field? And do you think the same holds true for college campuses and dormitories?

15. Do you agree with the sports authorities that have withdrawn their championship games from North Carolina in reaction to that state's so-called Bathroom Law? Do you agree with that Law?

16. Why does your plan for paid parental leave not cover adoptive parents of newborns - don't they have the same caregiving needs, and don't your anti-abortion supporters believe such adoptions should be strongly encouraged?

*Secretary Clinton*
17. Polls show many of Mr. Trump's supporters sincerely believe that discrimination against white Americans is a bad if not worse a problem as discrimination against racial minorities. Do you think these folks are part of the group you consider "deplorable" bigots or racists? And what can you say to them to convince them you understand their concerns enough to consider voting for you?

18. You are clearly against the idea of a "Wall" on the entire Mexican border and a path to citizenship for the undocumented already here. But what exactly is your plan to prevent illegal immigration and visa overstays?

*The Campaign*

*Mr. Trump*
19) You are holding Secretary Clinton personally responsible for the e-mail efforts of one unpaid volunteer in her 2008 campaign who was fired in terms of raising the issue Barack Obama's citizenship. By that same standard, should you not also be held to answer for the much more widely broadcast expressions of your many talk radio supporters who have repeatedly branded President Obama a Muslim, a secret agent of ISIS, a terrorist, an ISIS sympathizer or worse?

*Secretary Clinton*

20) You have an almost unprecedented problem of trustworthiness among the voters for a Presidential candidate. Do you think it would help address that feeling that you sometimes seem to "play it cute" with the full truth if you were to acknowledge, as you never have to date, that your use not just of personal e-mail for public business but also a secret, private server was also a mistake you regret?

-- 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 4 hours ago.

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AP FACT CHECK: Health insurance costs up, but not doubling

October 19, 2016, 9:28 pm

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The average increase for a popular option called the "lowest-cost silver plan" was 11 percent. [...] some states have reported higher numbers. Many consumers receive subsidies that will offset the rising premiums, but an estimated 9 million people buy individual policies outside the health law's markets and pay full freight. Reported by SeattlePI.com 23 hours ago.

The IHC Group Announces Strategic Alliance between Aspira A Más and LPI Companies, Inc. of South Florida

October 20, 2016, 12:02 am

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Large Independent Hispanic Health Insurance Marketing Agency Expands Product Line-Up by Adding IHC’s Affordable Options that Bridge Gaps in Obamacare Plans

Miami, FL (PRWEB) October 20, 2016

The IHC Group announced today that Aspira A Más, its Hispanic sales and marketing division, and LPI Companies, Inc. (LPI) have established a strategic distribution alliance that will increase the agency’s product portfolio with a suite of health insurance options for the Hispanic communities that it serves.

One of the largest marketing agencies in the region with over 3,000 licensed health insurance producers, LPI was founded in 1996 and headquartered in Doral, Florida. With life and health (domestic and international) insurance, as well as dental, and disability plans, LPI offers competitive products and writes over 100,000 applications per year.

“We are very pleased to be doing business with a company with great reputation, amazing support staff and dedication to customer service,” said Javier Tejeda-Vera, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Aspira A Más. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for like-minded companies to come together to achieve our common goal: to provide access and guidance to Latinos about health insurance that will protect their most valuable asset- their family’s well-being.”

Through the new alliance with Aspira A Más, LPI can offer budget-friendly health insurance options to their thousands of consumers to meet their individual or family needs for:·     Metal Gap, bundled Accident Medical, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity benefits
·     Short Term Medical
·     Critical Illness
·     Telemedicine

“Our main objective is to provide our distribution channel with a competitive product line. And we recognize the same objective with Aspira A Más,” stated R. Victor Leyva, Managing Partner at LPI Companies, Inc. “We are very excited to broaden our product portfolio. It means our loyal customers can learn about health insurance products that will protect them financially, helping them managing their health spending wisely.”

Aspira A Más (“Aspire for More”), a marketing division of IHC Specialty Benefits, which is a member of The IHC Group, is dedicated to serving and creating professional career opportunities for Hispanics along with essential major medical and ancillary health insurance products.

For more information on Aspira A Más, please contact Javier Tejeda-Vera at Javier.Tejeda-Vera(at)ihcgroup(dot)com, visit us at http://www.AspiraAMas.com. Information on LPI Companies, Inc. is available at http://www.lpicompanies.com.

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About The IHC Group
Independence Holding Company (NYSE: IHC) is a holding company that is principally engaged in underwriting, administering and/or distributing group and individual disability, specialty and supplemental health, pet, and life insurance through its subsidiaries since 1980. The IHC Group owns three insurance companies (Standard Security Life Insurance Company of New York, Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc. and Independence American Insurance Company) and IHC Specialty Benefits, Inc., which is a technology-driven insurance sales and marketing company that creates value for insurance producers, carriers and consumers (both individuals and small businesses) through a suite of proprietary tools and products (including ACA plans and small group medical stop-loss). All products are placed with highly rated carriers.

“IHC” and “The IHC Group” are the brand names for plans, products and services provided by one or more of the subsidiaries and affiliate member companies of The IHC Group (“IHC Entities”). Plans, products and services are solely and only provided by one or more IHC Entities specified on the plan, product or service contract, not The IHC Group. Not all plans, products and services are available in each state.

About Aspira A Más:
Aspira A Más is a sales and marketing division of Independence Holding Company (NYSE:IHC) that is dedicated to serving the Hispanic community with a focus on health insurance education as well as providing affordable insurance products. Products are marketed through general agents, online and advisors. Aspira A Más is a part of The IHC Group, whose carriers are rated A- (Excellent) by the AM Best Company, Inc. Learn more about the Aspira A Más opportunity by visiting http://www.AspiraAMas.com, and come join us!

About LPI Companies, Inc.:
LPI Companies, Inc., one of the largest independent marketing organizations of its kind, has been supporting life and health agents with products, service and technology since 1996. LPI Companies Inc., is committed to providing the best choice of products, the best design and the best service. We have developed systems and trained a large support team to get business underwritten and placed on a timely manner. We have specialists in both the domestic and international markets who deal with individual health, life, group health, and specialty markets. We have contracts for the Agent, GA and MGA that will allow businesses to grow accordingly. Reported by PRWeb 20 hours ago.

Established Roofing Contractor is Searching for a Vice President of Operations

October 20, 2016, 12:08 am

≫ Next: New Bright Pink Data Reveals Working Women Like Their Health Plan But Aren’t Aware of Breast Cancer Screening Coverage Gaps

≪ Previous: The IHC Group Announces Strategic Alliance between Aspira A Más and LPI Companies, Inc. of South Florida

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Jasper Contractors, Inc. is seeking an experienced candidate to join leadership team.

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) October 20, 2016

Jasper Contractors, Inc. has been in business since 2004 and is known for being a top high-volume roofing contractor throughout the industry. This is the third year the company has been working in Florida with offices in Ft. Myers, Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa. With the growing need of residential roofing projects throughout the state, Jasper Contractors is looking to build their team.

“The Vice President of Operations position requires strong experience along with constant motivation and drive,” says Brian Wedding, Owner and CEO of EX Capital, parent company of Jasper Contractors, Inc. “This is a leadership role with several responsibilities so the candidate must be able to manage multiple tasks.”

The company is well-known for its pay structure but probably more so for its healthcare coverage. Jasper Contractors pays 100% health insurance premiums for employees and their family members after 60 days of employment. Aside from company benefits, Jasper Contractors provides a company vehicle and fuel card along with additional perks.

“This candidate will be required to show proven results and help drive sales within the company,” says Wedding. “The annual salary for the VP of Operations is $175,000 plus monthly bonuses and benefits, and with these incentives, our team is searching for the best candidate possible.”

To view the Vice President of Operations position or other open positions, visit http://www.JasperCareers.com/jobs. Jasper Contractors, Inc. will be scheduling interviews for this position in the coming weeks.

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About Jasper Contractors
Jasper Contractors, a high-volume roofing company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, has offered roofing services since 2004. Company offices are located in Atlanta, Evansville, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa. Jasper Contractors is an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor and is BBB accredited. Jasper Contractors, Inc. is a subsidiary of EX Capital, LLC. Reported by PRWeb 20 hours ago.

New Bright Pink Data Reveals Working Women Like Their Health Plan But Aren’t Aware of Breast Cancer Screening Coverage Gaps

October 20, 2016, 3:05 am

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1 in 5 HR professionals inaccurately report their breast cancer screening coverage.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) October 20, 2016

New opinion research conducted for Bright Pink finds that working women and employee benefits managers are largely satisfied with their health plans because they assume the plans cover the most advanced screening technology for early detection of breast cancer. Ninety-six percent of the 1,500 women surveyed strongly agree that early detection of breast cancer is important and 86 percent strongly agree their screening should use the most advanced technology available. However, many respondents are unaware that their company health plans may not cover breast tomosynthesis, also known as 3D mammography exams, which is recommended as an option for breast cancer screening by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN).

“We talked to women and HR professionals at many major corporations that are listed as good workplaces for women and should have a strong interest in guaranteeing access to the preventive services that keep women healthy,” said Sarah Storey, President of Bright Pink. “With our mission of prevention and early detection, we believe access to breast cancer screening is critical for delivering better outcomes for women who are diagnosed. Our research shows that working women and employee benefits managers strongly support access to 3D mammography exams without additional out-of-pocket costs to women.”

While the research finds very strong support for breast cancer screening and 3D mammograms, it also reveals that some employee benefits managers assume incorrectly that their health plans cover the better mammograms. One in five HR professionals inaccurately report their company covers 3D mammograms when their health plan provider, in fact, does not. Another 31 percent don’t know if 3D mammograms are covered by their company’s plan.

In addition, working women seem unaware that they lack coverage. Ninety-four percent of women are somewhat or very satisfied with their plan’s coverage of women’s health services. But only one national plan (Cigna) covers 3D mammography exams. This means that the majority of working women are enrolled in health plans that don’t cover 3D mammography exams for breast cancer screening.

“We all want to believe that we have great insurance coverage, but unfortunately plans rarely boast about what they don’t cover,” Storey noted. “Employee benefits managers should ask their insurance plan if they cover 3D mammography exams for breast cancer screening rather than just assume they’re covered – and if they are covered, they should let the women on their plan know.”

The research, conducted by APCO Insight in September 2016, included 1,500 interviews of women aged 30-65 who work for large companies, and 51 employee benefits managers at large companies. The survey of working women reveals:· Ninety-six percent of working women say it is very important that their mammogram detect cancer as early as possible, use the most advanced technology available and be covered by insurance.
· Black women, who are at greater risk than white women of dying of breast cancer, are particularly supportive of early detection and 98 percent say it is very important for their mammogram to detect cancer as early as possible.
· Forty-eight percent of women who have had a mammogram were called back for additional tests – since 3D mammogram exams reduce unnecessary call backs by 15 percent, this number could be lower if more women had access to the better mammogram.

Employee benefits managers are equally supportive of access to the best mammogram technology, especially as it helps detect breast cancer early and reduce false alarms. In addition, most are willing to act in support of 3D coverage. Six in ten employee benefits managers are willing to reach out to their health plans or their company management to get 3D mammograms covered.

“We’re very encouraged by this willingness to advocate on behalf of the women in their workforce,” Storey said. “This research validates Bright Pink’s strategy of working with employers to educate women about breast and ovarian health – and it shows that they can reinforce that education by proactively working to make sure their health insurance plan covers the better mammogram for early detection of breast cancer.”

About Bright Pink®

Bright Pink is a national non-profit focused on the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women. The organization’s mission is to save women’s lives from breast and ovarian cancer by empowering them to live proactively at a young age. Bright Pink’s innovative programs educate and equip young women to assess their risk for breast and ovarian cancer, reduce their risk, and detect these diseases at early, non life-threatening stages. Recently launched, ExploreYourGenetics.org, provides women comprehensive information about genetic testing and breast and ovarian cancer-influencing mutations. Founded in 2007, Bright Pink strives to reach the 52 million women in the US between the ages of 18-45 with this life-saving education. Put Awareness In Action™ at BrightPink.org. Reported by PRWeb 17 hours ago.

AIS, Softheon Partner on Webinar About Benefits of Private Health Insurance Exchanges for Brokers and Employers

October 20, 2016, 4:05 am

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Employers and brokers will learn about the benefits of private health insurance exchanges in a webinar presented by Atlantic Information Services and Softheon.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) October 20, 2016

Atlantic Information Services, Inc. and Softheon, Inc. are pleased to announce “Private Exchanges: How Employers and Brokers Are Adapting to the Changing Benefits World,” a complimentary Oct. 31 webinar explaining the benefits of private health insurance exchanges. Driven by the Affordable Care Act, the employee benefits world has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, altering the role of brokers and providing employers with increased transparency, improved user experiences, lowered costs and increased plan selections. Private insurance exchanges may be among the most important long-term products of the post-ACA era.

In this hour-long program, Eugene Sayan, Founder and CEO of Softheon, Daniel Hughes, Managing Director of Sales at Softheon, and Wayne Sakamoto, President at Health Insurance Interactive, will examine how private exchanges are revolutionizing the benefits selection and shopping experience, answering key questions such as:· What are the benefits of a private exchange?
· How do private exchanges affect consumers shopping for coverage?
· Why are employers choosing private exchanges?
· How can private exchanges reduce costs and improve large self-insured ACOs?
· What are the key features of a successful private exchange?
· How can private exchanges help brokers remain competitive in this market?
· How can private exchanges help employers control costs?

Visit http://www2.softheon.com/Softheon-Webinar-20161031 for more details and registration information.

About Softheon

Empowering the nation's first state health benefit exchange since 2008, Softheon's vision and strategic direction address healthcare payer, provider, and government agencies' goal of meeting Affordable Care Act (ACA) milestones. Softheon provides HIX Integration, Direct Enrollment, Premium Billing, and Edge Server solutions for insurance carriers of all sizes participating in Federal and State Health Insurance Exchange (HIX) Marketplaces. Softheon's Marketplace Connector Cloud (MC2) has been trusted by health plans, in all 50 states, as an accelerated federal, state, and private exchange integration platform. Softheon MC2 is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution where insurers pay a one-time activation and ongoing PMPM fees for exchange members only, while eliminating most, if not all, risks associated with ACA enrollment compliance and other mandates. To find out more about Softheon, visit http://www.softheon.com.

About AIS

Atlantic Information Services, Inc. (AIS) is a publishing and information company that has been serving the healthcare 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 healthcare organizations. AIS products include print and electronic newsletters, databases, Websites, looseleafs, strategic reports, directories, webinars and virtual conferences. Learn more at http://www.AISHealth.com. Reported by PRWeb 16 hours ago.