Posts by bahim

Beware of This Common (and Illegal) Medical Billing Practice

Posted By bahim on Jan 10, 2020

Billing misunderstandings are common, due to the confusing nature of medical bills in general. But if you receive a bill that seems unexpected, it’s always a good idea to investigate it before paying it. In some cases you might have been billed erroneously. One problem that we see occasionally is a situation called “balance billing”. This practice goes against your group insurance provider’s rules, and is actually illegal.  For example, let’s say a medical practice normally charges 300 dollars for a particular service. As an in-network provider with your insurance company, they have agreed to accept a pre-negotiated amount for that service, which is always less than the “cash” price.  In this example, let’s assume that the pre-negotiated amount is $200. If this practice then sends you a bill for the remaining 100 dollars, this is called “balance billing” and it not only violates their agreement with the insurance provider, but it is also illegal. Unfortunately, that fact hasn’t completely stopped some providers from engaging in this practice.  Any time you receive an unexpected bill, you have the right to question it before paying it. In some cases the bill is simply a mistake. The first thing to do is call the physician and inquire about the charges.  Most often, the billing error is not intentional and the provider will fix the issue. However, if you believe your medical provider is engaging in balance billing and they refuse to adjust the charges, the next step would be to notify your health insurance company.  Of course, you also have the right to inquire about fees and insurance payments before scheduling an appointment with any doctor or healthcare provider. If you know what to expect, it can be easier to compare services and choose a provider that is right for...

Dental and Vision Exams Benefit Overall Health

Posted By bahim on Dec 11, 2019

Many of us rely upon an annual physical exam, to detect developing health conditions and discuss prevention strategies with our doctors. But a lot can happen in a year’s time. You might be surprised to know that your dentist or eye care professional can also detect several serious health conditions, even those that seem unrelated to your mouth or eyes. By staggering your check-ups throughout the year, you might stand a better chance at early detection of several chronic health problems. For example, did you know that a routine eye exam can uncover signs of the following conditions? Each of these conditions produce changes that can be seen within the eyes. Diabetes High blood pressure Thyroid disorders Arthritis Several types of cancer High cholesterol Certain tumors Multiple sclerosis Sickle cell disease Early signs that you might be susceptible to a stroke Your dental health can also indicate concerning symptoms of more serious underlying conditions. During a regular dental exam, your dentist might detect early progression of health problems such as… Diabetes Leukemia Pancreatic cancer Oral cancer Heart disease Kidney disease An oncoming heart attack In fact, research has shown that over 90 percent of systemic diseases can include symptoms that manifest in your mouth! Your dentist might be the first to notice subtle signs of something going wrong. He or she won’t necessarily diagnose you with one of the above conditions, but will advise you to visit your primary care doctor immediately to conduct further investigation of a concerning oral health symptom. If your health insurance does not offer coverage for dental and vision care, you can actually add a supplemental policy for this purpose. Contact us to learn more about dental and vision care coverage, and we can match you with a policy that suits your...

Uninsured Californians Now Subject to Penalties

Posted By bahim on Nov 6, 2019

Although the Affordable Care Act resulted in healthcare coverage for the vast majority of Californians, a small percentage still are not enrolled in an insurance plan. Now, with the federal income tax penalty for coverage failure set at 0 dollars, some policymakers expressed concern that the number of uninsured California residents could grow. With that fear in mind, the state has now instituted its own mandate. Those who remain uncovered by a health insurance policy in 2020 will be subject to a penalty, this time on their state tax return rather than federal. The penalty will amount to $695 per uncovered adult in the household, and half of that amount for each uncovered child. The penalty goes into effect with regard to the 2020 tax year, with penalties charged in Spring of 2021 when California residents file their state income tax returns. Some exemptions to the law do apply. In order to avoid the potential penalty, health insurance coverage must be maintained throughout 2020. That makes the current Open Enrollment season vitally important for all Californians. If you are not currently enrolled in a health insurance plan, you must choose one by December 15 in order for coverage to begin on January 1, 2020. Get started today, so that you have time to adequately compare plans and select one that best suits your needs. Give us a call and we’ll be happy to help you protect your family, while avoiding any unnecessary tax penalties in...

The Small Group Special Enrollment Period Offers Unique Benefits to Both Employers and Employees

Posted By bahim on Oct 15, 2019

Many companies in the small group market want to offer health insurance coverage to employees, but are unsure of how to make that happen. What about the cost? Will employee participation be high enough? Will we get turned down if enough employees don’t want to participate? The small group special enrollment period is the answer to these questions. What is the small group special enrollment period? Once per year, the small group special enrollment period allows smaller companies to establish a group health insurance plan for employees without the usual minimum participation or contribution rates. During this one-month enrollment period, your company does not need to contribute to premiums. And, you only need one enrolled employee in order to establish a group plan. A tax-friendly strategy. As an added bonus, you can help your employees earn a valuable tax benefit as they pay their premiums. Premiums can be deducted from paychecks on a pre-tax basis, meaning they will reduce income tax liability by that amount each year. The strategy works in a manner similar to 401(k) contributions, adding a valuable benefit for your employees. When is the small group special enrollment period? This opportunity comes around each November 15, and lasts until December 15. During the special enrollment period, the usual participation and contribution requirements are not enforced. Those who enroll by the deadline of December 15 will have coverage that begins on January 1. Certain rules regarding employer contributions can feel a bit tricky to navigate. Contact us before November 15 so that we can answer your questions about the small group special enrollment period, and help you decide how to proceed with this important benefit for your...

Know Your Open Enrollment Period

Posted By bahim on Sep 12, 2019

For those who need to enroll in a new healthcare plan, or change from one plan to another, Open Enrollment is the time to complete those tasks. More to the point, unless special circumstances apply, you can only enroll in a plan or make changes during this time. Therefore it is extremely important to anticipate your Open Enrollment period, and be ready to complete the process during that window of time. But wait! You might have noticed that there is more than one Open Enrollment period for health insurance. You will need to understand which enrollment window applies to your situation, and then complete the correct steps to select a health insurance plan. Individual Open Enrollment. This enrollment period applies to the general health insurance marketplace for individuals – that is, people who are not covered by health insurance through their employers. In California you will complete your enrollment through Covered California, either online, over the phone, or with assistance from an independent health insurance broker. This year, Open Enrollment for individuals runs from November 1 to December 15, 2019. Coverage under your new plan will begin on January 1, 2020. Group Open Enrollment. Your initial enrollment period for group health insurance will occur at the time you become employed and eligible for that company’s healthcare plan. From that point on, Group Open Enrollment occurs annually upon the anniversary of the company’s enrollment in the plan. So, for example, if an employer originally enrolled in a group policy on October 1, 2015, their Open Enrollment period will occur on the first of October every year thereafter. When you experience a change in your circumstances, allowing for a change to your plan (you get married or have a baby, for example), you can make that alteration to your plan at the time it occurs. Contact your human resources department for more information on your group health insurance plan, or to make necessary changes to that policy. Special Open Enrollment for Small Groups. The Affordable Care Act acknowledged that many smaller employers might want to offer a group health insurance plan, but do not meet standard employer contribution or employee participation ratios. For those cases, the Special Open Enrollment for Small Groups window exists, and will run from November 15 to December 15. Eligible small groups will receive coverage beginning January 1. In the context of small group health insurance, an employer cannot require employees to enroll unless they cover 100 percent of the employee’s premiums. Have more questions about Open Enrollment? Give us a call, and we will help you determine what you need to do...