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It can get pretty hot during the summer here in California. In addition to purchasing health insurance to protect you financially should anything happen to your health, you should also take precautions against the summer heat in order to ensure that you don’t have to use your health insurance. Source: iStock.com/andresrimaging The following are five summer health tips that you should be sure to follow: Protect your skin – Wear loose-fitting clothing to help keep cool and to protect your skin from being burned by the sun as well as from mosquitoes. You should also apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before you go outside and reapply it every two hours. Protecting your skin against the sun will help to prevent skin cancer, which is the number one type of cancer that affects Californians. Don’t leave anyone in the car – Whether you’re running inside somewhere for a minute or just unloading groceries, don’t leave children, seniors or pets in the car without the air conditioning on. It can takes as little as ten minutes for the temperature to reach deadly levels in the heat. Protect your eyes – Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection in order to prevent chronic exposure to the sun, which can cause cataracts and even lead to blindness in some cases. Supervise your kids – If you plan on going to the beach or using the pool, do not leave your kids unsupervised. Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related deaths for children under the age of five. Remain hydrated – Drink plenty of water throughout the day in order to stay hydrated. If you get thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. Keep these five summer health tips in mind and be sure to contact us at The Benefits Store for helpful information concerning California health insurance. #healthtips

While private-sector health care market growth is predicted to continue to increase throughout next year and will most likely still grow more quickly than the rest of the American economy, it is expected to slow down according to a recent PricewaterhouseCoopers report. Source: iStock.com/Esben_H The report has predicted that spending in the private-sector health care market will go up by roughly 6.5 percent in 2016, which will be down from the 6.8 percent increase in health care spending that is expected this year. Private-sector health care spending increased by 10 percent back in 2008. The report also revealed that health care spending accounts for around 17.4 percent of the U.S. economy and that health care spending will still be growing at a higher rate than the overall economy of the country. The report predicts that two of the factors that will drive down spending include the Cadillac Tax, which is a tax on costly health plans that will be implemented in 2018, as well as the increased use of new health advisers and telehealth. Not to mention that more employers are offering high deductible plans and shifting the costs of health plans to consumers, which will most likely result in many individuals becoming more aware of health care expenses, thereby resulting in lower spending. Average deductibles have grown by $500 since 2009, during which the number of employers that have offered such plans have tripled. The signs of slow down in Private-Sector health care market growth are not something that most experts are worried about. In fact, the projected slow down is considered good news by many since the medical cost trend is roughly double the rate of overall inflation. For more information about the private-sector health care market, be sure to contact us at The Benefits Store today. #Californiahealthinsurance

Companies were a little bit worried about Ebola’s effect on insurance lines. A serious outbreak could have impacted a number of lines of insurance, including business interruption, supply chain disruption, workers’ compensation and general liability for California businesses. However, because the only Ebola cases within the country have been isolated cases, it’s difficult to determine how it will affect insurance coverage. A press statement revealed that although an outbreak of Ebola was improbable, that the widespread transmission of the virus could result in an increase of claims. These claims could come in the form of workers’ compensation, healthcare coverage, life insurance payouts, contingent business interruption and even travel insurance. According to the World Health Organization, there have been around 9,000 cases of Ebola, out of which there were 4,500 deaths. However, very few of those cases were reported outside of Africa.  The chance of the Ebola virus spreading throughout countries that boast robust healthcare systems is incredibly low. California businesses in the retail, service and food industries should, however, check their policies just in case as there could be key policy exclusions that could apply, such as the pollution exclusion, the bacteria exclusion or the expected or intended exclusion. Businesses that should be concerned about the unlikely event of the virus spreading in terms of liability include those in the airline industry and medical provision industry. This is a basic rundown of Ebola’s effect on insurance lines. Contact us at The Benefits Store for more information regarding our California health insurance services. Our brokers are available to assist you at no cost. To keep up with the latest news and information from The Benefits Store, please leave your email address in the comments below and we’ll add you to our newsletter subscription list. Image Source: FreeDigitalPhotos.net #Californiahealthinsurance #Ebolaandinsurance

Is health insurance required? – Because of Obamacare, health insurance is necessary for pretty much everyone in California, with only a few exceptions. Adults who don’t have health insurance are going to have to pay either $325 or two percent of their family’s income as well as $162.50 per child. Individuals need to enroll in a health insurance program by February 15, 2015 in order to avoid the penalty. Are there tax breaks? – Some individuals could qualify for a tax credit under the Affordable Care Act to assist them in paying for their health insurance. The tax credit, or subsidy, will either be taken as an annual tax credit or used to help reduce the monthly premium. Tax breaks can only be obtained if the individual has chosen a health plan approved by both the government of California the federal government. Are there more affordable options? – If you don’t qualify for a subsidy, you can enroll in an Exchange Plan or a private health insurance plan. Private plans are often more affordable, but they also have less network coverage and often provide less benefits. Where can health insurance be bought? – California’s biggest portal for enrolling in an Obamacare Health Exchange Plan is Covered California. You’ll need income information and social security information to fill out the form. These are some important things to know about health insurance in California. Contact us at The Benefits Store for more information regarding our health insurance plans. Our brokers are available to help at no cost to you. Also, for the latest news and information, leave your email address in the comments below and we’ll add you to our newsletter subscription list. Image Source: FreeDigitalPhotos.net #Californiahealthinsurance #factsabouthealthinsuranceinCalifornia

Assurant, the large insurance company that caters to businesses, employees and homeowners, is about to get out of the health insurance business. The announcement was made in May 2015, but its impact is just beginning to be felt by tens of thousands of people in California who relied on Assurant Health for medical, dental and vision coverage. Today, people previously covered by Assurant Health are looking for other insurance options—and finding that there are a lot of questions to be answered. Here’s a look at what health insurance consumers in California need to know about Assurant leaving the state: Assurant leaving California? It’s not personal Assurant isn’t exclusively calling it quits in California. The company is actually doing away with its entire health insurance operation. According to media reports about the decision, Assurant decided to shutter its health insurance unit because it was losing incredible amounts of money, including between $80 and $90 million in the first quarter of 2015. Consumers might receive a rebate Depending on when payments are made and when a plan will be terminated, consumers may be eligible for a rebate from Assurant. According to the company, rebates are based on customers’ 2014 coverage. Assurant is encouraging all customers with questions about their coverage to contact their representatives. Consumers need to take care of their Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) People with HSAs through Assurant will continue to own the funds—but they will need to appoint a new custodian. Anyone who has questions about HSAs is encouraged to call 1-800-800-1212, ext. 8886, to speak with an Assurant representative. There are other options available Luckily, California is home to an array of companies that offer medical, dental and vision insurance to people in all stages of their lives. Unfortunately, understanding the Affordable Care Act and how it affects which type of health insurance coverage is right for individuals and families in California can be confusing. For help understanding all of the insurance options available in California, contact the experts at the Benefits Store today.

The charges involve two indictments in which a number of individuals, including attorneys, referred patients to the medical clinics that were run by Munir Uwaydah, a physician. In exchange, these individuals were paid upwards of $15,000 a month. Uwaydah documented evaluations at these clinics that never actually happened and his staff justified surgeries that were performed by falsifying records. Additionally, these surgeries were performed by a physician’s assistant who had never attended medical school. Nor were any of the surgeries overseen by an actual surgeon. As many as two dozen patients that had these surgeries performed on them now have lasting scars—and many of these patients have had to undergo additional surgical procedures in order to repair damage caused by the initial surgeries. Those charged in the case, including Uwaydah, are facing 132 felony charges. Uwaydah is currently awaiting extradition in Germany while 11 of the other individuals charged have plead not guilty to the charges. The felony charges include aggravated mayhem and capping, insurance fraud and conspiracy. One of the physicians working for Uwaydah, David Johnson, has been charged with overbilling insurance companies for medical exams that were never performed as well as for prescription drugs. Several others have been charged for falsifying documents that are related to the case. Uwaydah had his license cancelled in 2013 due to a case brought against him by the California Medical Board back in 2009. He has also been charged in a separate indictment for illegal patient referrals, filing false tax returns, laundering money and for conspiring to commit insurance fraud. Uwaydah and 11 of the others that have been charged could face life in prison if they are convicted. We want to keep you informed of important medical and insurance issues as they occur. Please Contact The Benefits Store for Prompt, Professional Service for all California Medical Plans.

Some California residents might think that medical procedures will cost the same no matter where they live within the state. This, unfortunately, isn’t true. For example, the costs of having a baby in California can be drastically different depending on where someone lives—even if they have health insurance. For example, the out-of-pocket costs of having an uncomplicated birth in Orange County is an average of $1,800. In San Mateo County it’s around $920. The California Healthcare Compare website is incredibly helpful in that it provides information about five of the most common medical conditions and procedures. These include childbirth, colon cancer screenings, hip and knee replacement, back pain and diabetes. The only drawback at the moment is that the site focuses on comparing information about either the costs associated with these conditions or procedures, or the quality of care provided by the hospitals treating these conditions or offering these procedures, and not both. However, this information can still be incredibly helpful for people since it will help them determine how much they can expect to pay for medical care and procedures where they live, thereby allowing them to plan accordingly in choosing a health insurance policy that will fit their needs best. Before choosing a health insurance plan, check out the California Healthcare Compare website for helpful information about the costs and quality of medical procedures within the area you live. For more information about healthcare insurance, be sure to contact us at The Benefits Store today.

Fire safety – October marks the first real change in the weather. The temperatures are beginning to get colder, which means that people are going to begin cranking up the heat as well as making use of their fireplaces. It’s important that fire safety becomes a priority through both the fall season and the following winter season. Everyone should make sure that they have smoke alarms installed on every level of their home. Replace the batteries and test every smoke alarm in the house to make sure it’s working properly. Record fall memories – Fall is easily one of the most beautiful times of the year. Begin photographing the trees as the colors begin changing color and dropping off. The addition of more foggy and misty days adds can add mystery and atmosphere to these photographs. Amateur and professional photographers alike should keep an eye out for reflections of these beautiful scenes in water, such as small ponds or lakes, in order to capture particularly striking images. Begin planting for next year – For anyone that wants a bit more color on their property, plan ahead for next October by planting trees and shrubs known for their colorful aesthetic now, such as Japanese maples, sassafras, baldcypress, euonymous bushes and more. Eat healthy to fight seasonal depression – The days are beginning to grow shorter and the weather does take a turn for the gloomy – especially when compared to the preceding summer season. Everyone should make sure that they eat foods that are rich in omega-3s, such as salmon and walnuts. Foods rich in tryptophan, such as spinach and turkey, can help people avoid the seasonal depression as well. Keep this October checklist in mind this month and be sure to contact us at The Benefits Store for health insurance advice.

The new scam involves criminals that already have millions of stolen credit card account numbers. The scam they are pulling involves tricking the holders of those accounts to reveal their three-digit or four-digit security pin numbers that are printed on the backs of all credit cards. You’re probably wondering, “How exactly do they do this?” What will happen is that you’ll receive a phone call from someone claiming to work for the fraud-prevention department of your credit card issuer. As “proof” that they are from your credit card company, they will read the number of your account to you. Remember, they have your credit card information and not your actual credit card—you are probably still in possession of it. They will then ask you about a recent purchase and whether or not you made it. They will identify this purchase as a “suspicious transaction.” When you tell them that you did not make the purchase, they will recommend that you get a new account number—and that you won’t have to worry about the fraudulent charges since they will be removed. The catch is, you’ll have to provide them with that three-digit or four-digit code on the back of your card to prove to them that it is still in your possession. So how do you know if you’re speaking to a legitimate representative of your credit issuer? Ask for their name and employee ID. Then hang up and call the 800-number listed on the back of your card. Ask to speak to the fraud-prevention department and provide the information you have. They will be able to verify whether or not it was a scam. Always be careful when giving out credit card information. Contact us at the Benefits Store today for advice concerning protecting your information with IDShield today.

The Los Angeles Times recently reported that one of the biggest insurers that was affected by this new regulation was Blue Shield of California. They did not meet the 80 percent figure – according to the Times, they only spent 76.8 percent of their premiums on medical care, falling just short of the Affordable Care Act’s required number. This has resulted in Blue Shield of California owing a total of $82.8 million in rebates to its customers, including both consumers and small employers. Broken down further, they will have to pay roughly 400,000 individual consumers around $61.7 million in total. This works out to an average rebate of $136. They will have to pay roughly 19,000 small businesses a total of $21.1 million. According to Blue Shield of California, it plans on sending out rebate checks and letters to all of its eligible consumers by September 30th of this year. The main reason that they missed the 80 percent threshold established by the Affordable Care Act, according to Blue Shield of California, is because of the enrollment uncertainty of the new act. However, Blue Shield of California is the only major insurer that is being forced to send out rebates to their individual customers and small employers. The other major California-area insurers, including Anthem Blue Cross and Kaiser Permanente, have released statements that they were able to meet the 80 percent threshold and that they do not owe any refunds for this year. For additional information about the rebates owed by Blue Shield of California, or for information about the Affordable Care Act and health insurance in general, be sure to contact us at the Benefits Store today.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month was established as a way to spread awareness of breast cancer and to encourage women to get a mammogram, which is a screening test that can identify breast cancer. By identifying signs of breast cancer during the earlier stages of development, there is a much better chance of treating it. So far, around 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer have been reported in 2015. Around 60,290 non-invasive cases have been reported as well. An estimated 40,290 women are expected to die in 2015 due to breast cancer. However, the death rate caused by breast cancer has been dropping steadily since 1989. This is due in part to efforts to spread awareness about breast cancer and to encourage women to get tested early. Earlier detection allows for more effective treatment. Because one of the risk factors of breast cancer is aging, women between the ages of 40 and 49 should speak with their doctors about when they should get a mammogram. Women between the ages of 50 and 74 should begin getting mammograms every two years. Women that have had a first-degree relative, such as a sister or mother, diagnosed with breast cancer are twice as at risk to develop breast cancer.  In fact, less than 15 percent of women who have breast cancer have had a family member who was diagnosed with breast cancer. Because it is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we encourage all women to speak with their doctors about receiving a mammogram and we encourage everyone to speak with the women in their families about breast cancer. For more information, contact us at The Benefits Store today.

What is the purpose of the Cadillac Tax? The Cadillac Tax has been put into place as a way to reduce the tax preferred treatment of employers that provide health care as well as to reduce any excess health care spending by both employees and employers. Additionally, the Cadillac Tax will assist with financing health care coverage expansion under the PPACA (the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act). The tax will be 40 percent of the health coverage cost that exceeds the threshold amounts that were predetermined—$27,500 for family coverage and $10,200 for individual coverage. However, these thresholds will be updated by 2018 to reflect inflation. This will include the contributions made by both the employer and their employees. What is the potential impact of the Cadillac Tax? The 40 percent tax is not something employers are going to want to pay, which is why many employers are already beginning to review and trim down their health plans in order to help minimize the impact of the Cadillac Tax. Employers with generous health plans that include flexible spending accounts will be heavily affected by the Cadillac Tax. Flexible spending accounts are popular with employees since they let them put aside tax-free money for medical expenses. The tax threshold doesn’t just take into account the premiums, but will also factor in other benefits offered to employees by their employers, such as any money that’s put into their flexible spending accounts. What does this mean? Many employers are likely to begin limiting how much their employees can add to their FSA accounts—or they may simply stop offering them altogether. In addition to trimming down their health plans, this could lead to lower quality health plan options for employees. For more information about the upcoming Cadillac Tax, contact us at the Benefits Store today.