Benefit Strategies | Health Care Reform

Reform Effort Lands In Byrd Bath

February 16th, 2017

Elizabeth MacDonough Their sentiment is consistent with the limits on Republicans’ power. They simply don’t have the numbers to repeal the law in full. They’re going to attack it piecemeal, eliminating what they consider the most onerous parts of the ACA. William G. (Bill) Stuart Director of Strategy and Compliance February 16, 2017 One of.. Read more

Is Reference Pricing a Part of the Solution?

February 2nd, 2017

Patients were given information before they underwent surgery and understood that they would be responsible for costs above a certain figure. This change gives patients a tremendous incentive to choose the right facility to deliver their care. By William G. (Bill) Stuart Director of Strategy and Compliance February 2, 2017 In the battle to control.. Read more

The QSEHRA Opportunity

January 19th, 2017

President Obama signs the 21st Century Cures Act. Employers: Are you willing to share your expertise with other benefits professionals? Healthcare Trends Institute, a leader in analyzing and disseminating information about employee benefits, is seeking input. You can find more information and the link to a five-minute survey here. “QSEHRAs give employers a fourth option:.. Read more

What to Expect with Health Care Reform

January 5th, 2017

By William G. (Bill) Stuart Director of Strategy and Compliance Jan. 5, 2017 With the 115th Congress convening in the nation’s capital this week, all eyes will be on Republicans and their approach to the Affordable Care Act. Readers know that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (dubbed the ACA or ObamaCare) passed Congress.. Read more

Where Are Accounts Headed?

December 9th, 2016

By William G. (Bill) Stuart Director of Strategy and Compliance December 9, 2016 A business colleague recently called me to secure some information for his annual white paper on the reimbursement industry. He asked me questions about the future of Health FSAs, HRAs and HSAs. Here are the thoughts that I shared with him: Overall.. Read more

Rebuilding Healthcare

November 23rd, 2016

By William G. (Bill) Stuart Director of Strategy and Compliance November 23, 2016 What do this month’s national election results mean for healthcare in 2017 and beyond? We’ll have some solid answers soon enough. Healthcare is likely to be on the agenda for early action when the 115th Congress convenes in early January and President-elect.. Read more

Are You Preparing for the Cadillac Tax?

September 29th, 2016

by William G. (Bill) Stuart Director of Strategy and Compliance September 29, 2016 The so-called Cadillac Tax, the levy on high-premium medical coverage scheduled to go into effect January 1, 2018, is dead, right? Not exactly. Late last year, Congress delayed implementation of the controversial tax for two more years until 2020. Most elected officials.. Read more

Nongroup Insurance Markets, They Are Imploding

June 9th, 2016

By William G. (Bill) Stuart Director of Strategy and Compliance June 9, 2016 Are nongroup (individual) medical insurance markets imploding before our eyes? That’s the conclusion that some observers are drawing following UnitedHealthcare’s decision not to continue to participate after this year in nongroup markets in most of the 34 states in which it sells products. In.. Read more

ACA’s Wardrobe Includes Many Suits

May 26th, 2016

By William G. (Bill) Stuart Director of Strategy and Compliance Benefit Strategies LLC A federal judge recently ruled in favor of House Republicans in a lawsuit that they brought against the Obama administration over a provision of the Affordable Care Act, or ACA. What does it mean? It’s too early to tell. At issue is the.. Read more

A Time to Kill (HSAs)

May 12th, 2016

Author’s note: Since our last post, the IRS has issued the 2017 figures for statutory minimum annual deductible, statutory maximum out-of-pocket and HSA contributions limits. The only change from 2016 is an increase in the self-only HSA contribution limit from $3,350 to $3,400. For more information, please click here. By William G. (Bill) Stuart.. Read more

Category: Health Care Reform