BMI – Good News for those trending on the Porky Side!
BMI, body mass index, measures the weight to height ratio. Good news for those trending on the high side, according to the report in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the optimum ratio is on the upper side of the index. Currently, doctors define the normal range for BMI is between 18.5 and […]
Predictive Modeling – GRx
Many health insurance companies are looking at prescription usage to underwrite and rate group health insurance. It’s called predictive modeling. GRx uses complete and current prescription histories. Details include drug name, dosage, fill date, pharmacy and physician information. This Healthcare Intelligence allows carriers to make risk assessment decisions with confidence and more accurately develop premiums. […]
IRS Guidelines – Indexed for 2017
FICA Social Security Tax is 6.2% on income up to $127,200 up from $ 118,500. Medicare Tax unlimited 1.45% to Unlimited High Deductible Health Plans Minimum Annual Deductible (Individual/Family) $1,300 / $2,600 Maximum Out-of-Pocket Limit (Individual/Family) $6,550 / $13,100 Health Savings Accounts Individual / Family $3,400 / $6,750 Catch-up Contribution $1,000 Flexible Spending Accounts Health […]
Health Insurance As It Should Be (Part 2 of 2): Preventative, Wellness & Biometrics, Genetics & DNA
Under the ACA preventative care was free. At least there was no charge to the insured at the time they received the exam, the cost was built into the premiums. The argument was that an advanced diagnosis would save long term medical costs because illnesses would be caught at an early stage. If we use […]
Health Insurance As It Should Be (Part 1 of 2): Taxes and Regulations
Much speculations evolves around what changes the Trump administration will bring to health care. Although I don’t know why. The basics have been laid out by the Republicans for months. There is some fine tuning that needs to be done, but the core is in place. In addition to the principles that have been laid […]
Big Increase for 2017 Payroll Taxes while Social Security Benefits, Not So Much
The maximum earnings subject to the Social Security* payroll tax will increase by $8,700 in 2017 to $127,200 —up from $118,500. The Jan 1 adjustment is based on the government’s estimate of real wage growth. The 2017 increase in the taxable-earnings cap is the largest one-year increase since 1983. Monthly Social Security benefits will increase a […]
Public Option and Single-Payer: What’s the Difference?
Both of these programs are public health insurance plans, but they are administered very differently and would have drastically different impacts on the healthcare system, A public health insurance plan, also known as a “public option,” is a government-sponsored plan designed to compete alongside private insurers. It is intended to address the market failure where […]
Public Option – Call me a cynic
The New York Times reports the Affordable Care Act may have to change to survive. Bill Clinton calls Obamacare the “Craziest thing in the world.” Bloomberg Politics reports Obama says ACS has “real Problems.” Wasn’t Obamacare supposed to solve out countries insurance woes? Now, before it can be fully implemented – it is being recommended the […]
Useful App: First Aid
Accidents happen. The app was developed by the British Red Cross for everyday first aid. It provides expert advice for everyday emergencies with videos, interactive quizzes and simple step-by-step advice. Its features include an easy to use Spanish language toggle to switch translation directly inside the app and is fully integrated with 9-1-1 so you […]
Direct Primary Care
Revolutionize health insurance, save states billions and render Obamacare obsolete – that’s the message from the 2016 Direct Primary Care Summit. Under a DPC model, patients pay a monthly membership fee directly to a physician in exchange for preventive care services, consultation by e-mail or phone and in-office procedures and diagnostics. Estimates range from $50 […]