Beginning January 1, 2014, the individual coverage mandate rules of the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (ACA) generally required most American citizens to maintain health coverage meeting the “minimum essential coverage” mandates of ACA or pay an “individual shared responsibility payment.” With the deadline for filing 2014 individual tax returns rapidly approaching, Americans now generally will be required to show their fulfillment of or exemption from this mandate or pay the “individual shared responsibility” payment that ACA imposes as a penalty for failing to meet its individual coverage mandates when filing their 2014 individual tax returns
Empowering Health Care With Teamwork, Knowledge & Common Sense
Tag: health care cost
Administration Extends Deadline For 1/1/14 Exchange Enrollment
With enrollment in the new Federal and State Health Insurance Exchanges, which the Obama Administration calls “Marketplaces” lagging and Americans attempting to use the Federal and state Exchange enrollment platforms continuing to experience technical “glitches,” […]
Keeping Dementia Patients At Home: New Study Gives Tips
A new Johns Hopkins University study has found that most Americans with dementia who live at home have health, safety and care needs that aren’t being met. Regular evaluation of patient and caregiver needs and […]
PBGC Benefit Recipients Health Coverage Tax Credit Eligibility Expires 12/31/13
Individuals receiving pension benefit payments from the Pension Benefit GUarantee Corporation who receiving the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) will not qualify for the HCTC credit after December 31, 2013. HCTC is a federal tax credit for health care […]
HHS Announces $50M In Affordable Care Act Community Health Center Mental Health Services Funding
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced December 12 plans to issue a $50 million funding opportunity announcement to help Community Health Centers establish or expand behavioral health services for people living with mental illness, […]
Will Health Care Reform Be Ready Jan.1? HHS Says Yes; GAO Skeptical
Despite growing concerns expressed by the General Accounting Office (GAO) and others about arrangements and the need for added funding to prepare for the massive conversion in the U.S. health care system slated to take effect January 1, 2014 under the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (“ACA), Obama Administration officials are continuing to claim readiness to begin enrollment of Americans In federal health care marketplace on schedule on October 1, 2013 and to meet other crucial deadlines necessary to effectively implement the next wave of ACA’s health care reforms in the Department of Health & Human Service’s rollout of new consumer health care education and decision-making tools on its newly designed healthcare.gov website.
Economic Downturn, Not Health System Reform, Responsible For Decrease In Health Care Cost Trend
Bad economic times, and not health care reform, account for the record slowdown in U.S. health care spending, according to a new Kaiser Family Foundation study, Assessing the Effects of the Economy on the Recent Slowdown in Health Spending (Study).
According to Kaiser Foundation, government statistics show that the period from 2009-2011 had the slowest growth (3.9%) in health care expenditures since the government began tracking health expenditure data in 1960.
Celebrate Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Through Action In September
President Obama has proclaimed September as 2011 Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. See White House Proclaimation of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Let’s all do our parts to honor those suffering and loved ones lost to cancer by making tangible contributions to Prevent, Advocate and Care for cancer patients and their families.
Finding Ways To Pay For Mental Health: Kaiser Studies Examine Medicaid & Other Mental Health Financing Needs & Options
Its ironic. The epidemic of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, cancer and other lifestyle-based diseases continues to grow as the wellness and disease management industry has grown and unprecedented attention by employers, governments, communities, and American families with the need […]
Finding Ways To Pay For Mental Health: Kaiser Studies Examine Medicaid & Other Mental Health Financing Needs & Options
Treating mental illness and finding a way to pay for mental health treatment present a big challenge for health plans, health care providers, policymakers and the families of Americans afflicted with mental illness. The Kaiser Family Foundation’s Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured has released two new resources that explore key aspects of mental health care financing and access, which may provide valuable insights for employer and other health program sponsors, community leaders and others working to meet the challenges of providing financially viable and effective mental health treatment to meet the needs of their respective constituencies within the bounds of their available budget.
