Author: philip

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As technology continues to advance at an unprecedented rate, the healthcare industry is also changing rapidly, with new tools and solutions emerging every day to help us better understand and manage family health insurance One area where this is particularly evident is in the realm of health insurance, where technology and data analytics are already…

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The cost of health insurance for small businesses can vary depending on factors such as company size, employee pre-existing conditions, and eligibility requirements. This article explores the different types of health insurance available for small businesses and aspects that influence the cost to help employers make informed decisions about coverage.  Overview of Small Businesses Small…

When it comes to health insurance, many people think of it as a necessary expense rather than a tool to help them stay healthy. However, understanding your individual health insurance benefits and how to maximize them can make a significant difference in your overall health and well-being. Here are ten ways to get the most…

As technology continues to advance at an unprecedented rate, the healthcare industry is also changing rapidly, with new tools and solutions emerging every day to help us better understand and manage family health insurance One area where this is particularly evident is in the realm of health insurance, where technology and data analytics are already…

The average cost of health insurance in the United States varies based on many factors such as age, location, plan type, and other individual factors. However, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the average cost of health insurance premiums for individuals in 2021 was $452 per month, and the average cost…

Chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis, can have a significant impact on a person’s health and quality of life. These conditions often require ongoing medical care, including doctor visits, medications, and other treatments, which can be expensive over time. In this context, health insurance can play an important role in helping individuals…

Preventive care and wellness are critical components of a healthy lifestyle and can help individuals avoid or manage chronic conditions, improve your overall health and well-being, and reduce healthcare costs. What is Preventive Care? Preventive care refers to medical services and screenings that are designed to detect and prevent disease before it becomes more serious…

It is critical to have mental insurance coverage on your policy. It ensures that individuals have access to needed mental health care, including psychotherapy, medication, and inpatient services if necessary. This can be especially important for those who suffer from mental illness and need ongoing care to manage their condition. Having mental health insurance coverage…

For better or worse, there was an unintended consequence to the COVID-19 pandemic. More small businesses in the U.S. are hiring remote workers. In fact, over the last year, the number of remote workers in the U.S. has grown to 30 percent. Furthermore, many companies have decided to keep their employees home instead of returning…

If you operate a small business – i.e., 50 employees or less – you are not required to offer insurance to your employees. However, there are numerous benefits to providing group health insurance, including tax breaks and saving money on your individual health insurance. The challenge you may currently face is finding group insurance that…

Do you know how to read your Summary of Benefits and Coverage document (or SBC)? It is a consumer-facing document outlining the coverage provided by a health insurance plan. Devoid of legalese, this summary helps to clarify the cost-sharing structure of a plan without the need to digest lengthy fine print from an insurer. The…

Now that open enrollment is officially closed, your health insurance plan is ready for the next year. That means that you can’t make any changes to your policy until the 2022-2023 open enrolment period. However, if you have private personal or small group health insurance, you have the flexibility to make adjustments to your policy…

If you haven’t enrolled in a health insurance plan in 2023, it’s not too late. Open enrollment doesn’t end in most states until January 15th. That means you still have ten days to find a provider and get a health plan. If you don’t know where to start, one of the best ways to get…

If your business has employees, you may consider providing health insurance for your organization. However, there are several things you need to consider before offering health insurance to your team. For instance, can you legally provide insurance, where do you find a good plan, what options are available, and, most importantly, how does it all…

Congratulations! If you are one of the many small business owners that purchased health insurance for your team, then you are taking a huge step forward for your business and your people. However, you’ve probably noticed that there are some challenges to providing health insurance. You may also be wondering when you’ll need to update…

The health insurance industry has its own language. Terms that professionals use every day may be unknown to people looking for a health insurance policy for themselves, their family, or employees. If you need health insurance, you owe it to yourself to learn a few common health insurance terms. Below we look at some terms…

Every year, employees have the option to change their medical coverage during “open enrollment.” Open enrollment for small employers usually is the month before the policy’s renewal date and lasts about one or two weeks. During this time, employees receive plan materials, have a chance to ask questions about plan choices, and enroll in a…

Whether you are updating your current coverage or enrolling in a personal health insurance plan for the first time, open enrollment is right around the corner. Now is the time to get prepared so that you can get a plan that works for you without waiting. Below we provide some tips on how to prepare…

Do I Have to Wait Until Open Enrollment to Get Personal Health Insurance? Open Enrollment for the 2022 Affordable Care Act ended on December 15th, 2021. That means you have to wait until the next Open Enrollment period starts on November 1st, 2022, to change your health insurance plan or enroll in a new one.…

Health insurance is complicated. With so many numbers and coverage details to keep track of, you’re not alone if you find it hard to keep everything straight. Maybe you visit the doctor and don’t have the benefits you think you did. Or maybe you’re pregnant and unsure how a new baby might change your coverage…

If you know someone who has health insurance through their employer, there’s a good chance their group plan is a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan. While a PPO is a popular type of health plan in the U.S., it can come with some drawbacks. What is a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan? A PPO plan…

Most people are fairly used to the idea that a major claim on their car insurance or homeowners policy could trigger a premium increase (note that this certainly isn’t always the case). So, it’s a common misconception that the same is true for health insurance. But that’s not the case, and it wasn’t the case…

Open Enrollment is a great opportunity to review your small business health insurance. While you can always enroll in a small business health insurance plan at any point throughout the year, this is the perfect time to ensure your health insurance plan meets your needs. We’ll dig into important coverage questions to ask your employees.…

A health insurance subsidy provides tax credits to qualifying individuals to make monthly health insurance premiums more affordable. If your annual income is too high to qualify for a subsidy, you can shop for more affordable alternatives, such as short-term plans, to fulfill your health insurance needs until you can purchase more comprehensive coverage. Who…

When you suffer injuries after a car accident, the extent of your medical bills can quickly become overwhelming. For those who are unable to work due to their injuries, it’s even more stressful knowing you don’t have an income to help cover your medical care. But what about your insurance? Depending on the type of…

Businesses come in all sizes and with varying numbers of employees. And the classification of small businesses and large businesses differ widely depending on the agency or purpose. For example, small to mid-sized businesses fall into three distinct categories Businesses with less than 50 employees Businesses with 50-99 employees Businesses with 100 or more employees…

Summer is the perfect time to get out of the house and spend time outside, soaking up the fresh air and essential vitamin D from the sun. However, spending too much time in hot weather can be dangerous for everyone and lead to detrimental health risks. While the elderly, children and people with pre-existing medical…

Your health insurance company may require approval before you schedule an exam or treatment from a medical provider. This type of approval is known as prior authorization.  Prior authorization is not required for emergency or urgent care at emergency rooms or Urgent Care facilities. Prior authorization won’t prevent you from getting emergency room services. However,…

Are you self-employed? Do you work by contract, or are you freelancing? If so, did you know that you can still get an individual health insurance plan in your state? What are your options in the world of health care? Below, we go in-depth into how to get health insurance if you are self-employed. Being…

There is no open enrollment period for small group health insurance. You can enroll anytime during the year if your company or employees qualify. You do not have to wait until open enrollment to get the coverage you need for your team. Simply contact your health insurance broker and let them help you find the…

A high-deductible health insurance plan (HDHP) is an individual health insurance policy with a deductible of at least $1400 ($2800 for family health insurance). The deductible is how much you will pay out of pocket for medical service before your insurance company pays the rest. Essentially, you pay the first wave of expenses up to…

People often do things that promote unhealthy lifestyles and then wonder why their doctor bills are high, and their health insurance rates keep going up. Sure, some of the rising costs of healthcare can be blamed on the industry. However, living healthy can cut down on healthcare costs. The same principle rings true at work…

Your heart spends every second of the day working hard for your body, and it’s up to you to treat it right. When it comes to heart health, the old adage of “food as medicine” rings true — people who follow a heart-healthy diet have a 31% lower risk of heart disease. You’ll also be…

There are several reasons you may feel tired all the time: poor diet, lack of sleep, stress, long hours at work, or no exercise. Whatever is keeping you down, your energy level will be challenged even more this summer, as temperatures continue to rise.  While you may turn to energy drinks, coffee, or stimulants there…

The primary purpose of health insurance is to reduce the cost of healthcare. This function is why you need to include health insurance in your financial planning. As with a savings account, IRA, or life insurance, health insurance provides a financial safety net when you least expect it and need it most. Health insurance can…

One of the reasons prescription medication can be lethal or ineffective is that patients do not use it as prescribed. There are several reasons for this problem. Either the doctor misdiagnosed the problem, prescribed the wrong medication, or gave the wrong directions to the patient.  Or it could be that the patient did not follow…

Whether you are trying to get personal health insurance or group health insurance for your employees, finding an affordable policy that meets your health needs can be challenging. If you’ve never had insurance before, it is crucial to ask the right questions and know what you are looking for when comparing providers. Health insurance brokers…

If death and taxes are two things that no one can avoid, medical bills could be a close third. The average person pays nearly $13,000 in medical costs. Rarely are these costs paid upfront. Instead, the insurance provider bills you and then you go through figuring out how much coverage your health insurance company provides.…

If you have health insurance, you may have received a renewal bill and asked yourself, “Why did my insurance premium go up?” Some premium increases occur as a result of across-the-board rate increases, which happen when an insurer decides on a new rate plan for that year Other premium increases have more to do with…

One of the most common mistakes people make when enrolling in or updating a health insurance plan is assuming that their doctor or healthcare provider is part of the network. They often experience shock when they pay up to 100 percent of their medical bill because they have an out-of-network doctor. If you encounter a…

As an employer, you face the same task every year: what to add, delete, or update from your employee health insurance benefit. The biggest challenge is balancing benefits with the budget. While you want to give your employees the best possible benefits, you also need to keep your business running. So, you inevitably have to…

Major medical health insurance covers essential benefits for individual and family health insurance plans. Many individuals and families select major medical coverage to ensure medical expenses are covered regardless of the medical. It is important to make sure that you understand what major medical benefits are included in your health insurance plan. Speak with your…

An individual coverage health reimbursement arrangement (ICHRA) allows employers to reimburse employees for premiums they pay for personal health insurance. Employers can reimburse employees for individual market premiums regardless of the company size. Under the newest regulations, there is more flexibility for how much reimbursement an employee can receive or what type of coverage they…

It may shock you that your health insurance provider does not provide health insurance coverage for all emergencies. Many patients may have to pay out of pocket because they went to the ER only to find out that their emergency was considered an emergency by the insurance provider. The lesson here is never to assume…

Springtime means warmer weather, spring break vacation, outside activities, and allergies. The biggest spring allergy trigger is pollen. Trees, grasses, and weeds release grains that get into your nose and wreak havoc on your body. What should be an enjoyable season can turn into a miserable period of health problems. What’s worse, however, is when…

There’s nothing new about telehealth services. Medical professionals have been using video to communicate with patients for over 20 years. What is new is the current trend in telehealth services that have exploded over the last two years.  The main reason for the trend is the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the coronavirus caused many people to…

One of the biggest trends for American families today is full-time RVing. According to the RV Industry Association, about a million Americans live full-time in recreational vehicles. They are traveling nurses, retirees, digital nomads, and people who have taken on remote jobs in just about every industry. Like anyone else, full-time RVers need individual or…

Tax Season is here, which means that it’s the time of the year to pay your federal and state taxes. However, there may be more ways to save on tax season this year that the IRS is not telling you. When you pay your health insurance premiums and medical expenses out-of-pocket, these expenses are considered…

Yes. Health Insurance covers certain mental disorders at various levels and under certain conditions. Before you enroll in a health insurance plan, you need to ensure the provider covers your or a loved one’s condition. If you don’t know where to look for an appropriate provider, check with a health insurance broker in your state. …

One of the great mysteries in the medical world is medical and billing codes. Most patients (and some professionals) have no idea what the codes mean. As a result, numerous billing errors occur, costing individuals and companies thousands of dollars in medical expenses.  The best way to avoid billing errors is to consult a health…

The most common concern that people have with individual or group health insurance is whether it will actually save money on healthcare costs. It’s a fair question and one that needs to be answered regularly. It’s the reason why many people turn to a health insurance broker when they need coverage.  Simply put, health insurance…

There is no question that small group health insurance benefits employees. Workers with health insurance are happier, more productive, and can sleep at night knowing that they and their families have coverage when they need it.  However, what about small businesses? Is there a health ROI of providing health insurance for employees? What’s in it…

It can be frustrating trying to deal with a health insurance adjuster after the insurer denied your recent health insurance claim. The problem inevitably becomes a wrestling match between you, the insurance company, and your health insurance broker. It can take several months for you to finally win your case or get compensation for your…

If your business has employees, you may consider providing health insurance for your organization. However, there are several things you need to consider before offering health insurance to your team.  For instance, can you legally provide insurance, where do you find a good plan, what options are available, and, most importantly, how does it all…

Now that open enrollment is officially closed, your health insurance plan is ready for the next year. That means that you can’t make any changes to your policy until the 2022-2023 open enrolment period. However, if you have private personal or small group health insurance, you have the flexibility to make adjustments to your policy…

If you are like many people in need of health insurance, you may be scrambling to find a solid ACA health plan before open enrollment ends. However, did you know that Obamacare is not your only option for getting coverage? You are also eligible to get private personal or small business health insurance year-round.  Private…

If you haven’t enrolled in a health insurance plan in 2022, it’s not too late. Open enrollment doesn’t end in most states until January 15th. That means you still have ten days to find a provider and get a health plan. If you don’t know where to start, one of the best ways to get…

The health system put the open enrollment period to discourage adverse selection – which happens when sick people sign up for health insurance and healthy people don’t. It reduces the financial risk a health plan takes when insuring individuals or small businesses. It also helps protect you from not having health insurance when you incur…

Every year, employees have the option to change their medical coverage during “open enrollment.” Open enrollment for small employers usually is the month before the policy’s renewal date and lasts about one or two weeks. During this time, employees receive plan materials, have a chance to ask questions about plan choices, and enroll in a…

While many people think about holiday celebrations and new year’s resolutions this time of year, your focus is on year-end business planning for your small business. Part of planning involves closing out the current year while creating your strategy for the upcoming year.  A clear business vision for 2022 will give you a head start…

Congratulations! Your small business has made it through 2021. However, if you are a successful business owner, your mind is already on what lies ahead in 2022. You may be considering all the possibilities and challenges you will face over the 12 months. Regardless of the good, the bad, and the ugly, you have some…

For many small business owners, the holidays present an opportunity to increase their market, boost their sales, get their affairs in order, and plan for the upcoming year. However, it can also create a tremendous amount of stress. If you are not careful, the holidays will pass you by, and you will have missed out…

Over the last few years, a range of highly-publicized issues has surrounded internship programs and whether they are good for business and interns. Regardless of the issues, many small business owners have launched internships to create win-win situations for students entering the workforce and their businesses. Like any other stage of business growth, internships present…

Small business owners must embody and use various skills and traits to keep their businesses in operation. Every business is unique and poses its challenges, but there are traits that many successful business owners have in common.  Whether it’s struggles over payroll, disappointing results from a marketing campaign, or just bad weather that ruins an…

As a small business owner, there are certain areas where you are limited – knowledge, resources, time, or workforce. It’s in these areas that you may want to consider outsourcing your tasks instead of trying to take them on in-house.  Outsourcing your tasks can free up time and internal resources while putting important items not…

The health insurance Open Enrollment Period for 2022 is typically only six weeks long, making Americans choose health insurance coverage faster. However, there may be some flexibility with the upcoming enrollment period This year, ten states and Washington, D.C. set new deadlines that extended beyond the federal government’s 2022 timeline. Whether looking for personal health…

Whether you are updating your current coverage or enrolling in a personal health insurance plan for the first time, open enrollment is right around the corner. Now is the time to get prepared so that you can get a plan that works for you without waiting. Below we provide some tips on how to prepare…

There is no open enrollment period for small group health insurance. You can enroll anytime during the year if your company or employees qualify. You do not have to wait until open enrollment to get the coverage you need for your team. Simply contact your health insurance broker and let them help you find the…

Open Enrollment for the 2021 Affordable Care Act ended on December 15th, 2020. That means you have to wait until the next Open Enrollment period starts on November 1st, 2021, to change your health insurance plan or enroll in a new one. However, open enrollment only applies to ACA health insurance, i.e., Obamacare insurance.  If…

Don’t be surprised if you see more computers in coffee shops, more RVs on the road, and a mass exodus out of the office. One of the unintended consequences of COVID-19 is the rise of digital nomads, remote workers who work anywhere but on-site. The digital nomad trend ranges from people who choose a different…

In today’s employment landscape, there is a growing redefinition of independent contractor rights in the U.S. Independent contractor abuses have led many independent workers and freelancers to file lawsuits against employers, leading to a heightened awareness of worker misclassification issues. If your small business hires independent contractors, temporary workers, remote workers, or freelancers, it is…

Small business owners do not always have the resources to offer employees a full spectrum of competitive benefits. For this reason, smaller companies need to prioritize the benefits that matter the most. But, which benefits do actually matter most to employees today? More importantly, which benefits are going to attract the top talent in your…

The last two years have been brutal on small businesses. The Presidential election, COVID-19 pandemic, massive shift in remote employment, and the housing crisis have all created instability for startups and companies with 50 or fewer employees. Sadly, when the economy is experiencing a downturn, one of the first things that small businesses purge is…

For better or worse, there was an unintended consequence to the COVID-19 pandemic. More small businesses in the U.S. are hiring remote workers. In fact, over the last year, the number of remote workers in the U.S. has grown to 30 percent. Furthermore, many companies have decided to keep their employees home instead of returning…

People often do things that promote an unhealthy lifestyle and then wonder why their doctor bills are high, and their health insurance rates keep going up. Sure, some of the rising costs of healthcare can be blamed on the industry. However, living healthy can cut down on healthcare costs. The same principle rings true at…

When running a business, it is challenging to stay within your budget. Unforeseen costs can creep into your business cause you to drain your business account time and again. However, it is possible to cut costs in just about every area of your business. For instance, you may want to consult a health insurance broker…

How do small businesses turn into corporate giants? Every person in the organization is exceptionally talented at what they do and learns to be a team player. Unfortunately, high-caliber employees are not easy to find. In a world where people complain about not getting jobs, employers are also concerned about finding the best and brightest…

As a small business owner, you try to provide the best health insurance coverage possible for your employees while saving money on your group health insurance rates. However, the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected both your rates and your coverage. Is treatment for COVID-19 covered on your plan? What about vaccinations? It is essential to…

If you own a small business employer (50 employees or less), you may be eligible to take advantage of one or more tax credits. Tax credits can put money back into your pocket and help you recoup your health insurance expenses. Below, we look at some of the tax credits you may receive. If you…

Are you self-employed? Do you work by contract, or are you freelancing? If so, did you know that you can still get an individual health insurance plan in your state? What are your options in the world of health care? Below, we go in-depth into how to get health insurance if you are self-employed. Being…

A Summary of Benefits and Coverage is an easy-to-read summary that lets you compare costs and coverage between health plans. You can compare options based on price, benefits, and other features that may be important to you. You’ll get the “Summary of Benefits and Coverage” (SBC) when you shop for coverage on your own, through…

A health insurance provider network is a group of healthcare providers that have contracted with a health insurance carrier (via an HMO, EPO, PPO, or POS plan) to provide care at a discount and accept the discounted price as payment in full. An example of a network provider is a surgeon who is compensated by…