Update: Steve Dieckhoff died Saturday morning (3/15) just as the sun began to rise, friends said. He was 56 years old. A memorial service in Boulder has not yet been scheduled. Daily Camera story here Latest info and pics here Steve Dieckhoff is a local Boulder rock climber who is battling lymphoma. His friends and… Read more about Steve Dieckhoff Benefit
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Cavalcade of Risk #26
Everything you do in your life involves some risk. Every decision you make has consequences and the best way to manage the everyday risks is to stay informed. So I present the 26’th Cavalcade of Risk. You won’t find a better source of information about risk anywhere on the internets. I think the most interesting… Read more about Cavalcade of Risk #26
The Final Four
Just as we learn that health insurance premiums in Colorado have increased by 11% for the third straight year (followed by a 22% increase in 2002), the blue ribbon commission has narrowed down it’s options to four proposals. What are they aiming for? I would say the most important factor, even above efficiency, is a… Read more about The Final Four
Submit to the Cavalcade of Risk
I just found out that I’ll be hosting the Cavalcade of Risk on Wednesday. If you have any good risk related articles that you’ve written or know of one somebody else has written, email it to me at jay (at) insuranceshoppers (dot) net.
Misperception of a Free Market
Proponents of private health care make it sound really simple to the average person. I always hear the statement “A free market system will ensure the best price and service”. While that may be true with most other industries, that argument over simplifies what healthcare is and misses the point. I’ll show you what I… Read more about Misperception of a Free Market
Paying for a Pregnancy
Lately I’ve been pondering the expenses involved with having a baby. Jay and I have been married four years, and we’ve started discussing the idea. Obviously, there are enormous costs that continue to accrue over the years – everything from cribs to college, most of which can be lowered through frugal living. But what about… Read more about Paying for a Pregnancy
Green Cavalcade
Getting Green has a short, but sweet Cavalcade of Risk this week. Check it out!
What if…
What if businesses weren’t allowed to deduct the cost of employee health insurance benefits? And what if businesses were required to show the employees how much they pay for their benefits and offer the choice for the employee to either keep receiving the group insurance benefit or to get that same amount as a raise?… Read more about What if…
Employer Group HSA Comparibility
Colorado employers that want to make HSA contributions to employees on a pre-tax basis are required to make those contributions on a “comparable” basis. This rule is designed to prevent employers from favoring one group of employees over another. Of course, it gets somewhat complicated. For one thing, the rules allow employers to treat the… Read more about Employer Group HSA Comparibility
Non-Transparency
Note: This is the first entry in this nightmare to get some transparency on a simple lipoma removal surgery. See the second entry here, and the third entry here. I’ve had a lipoma on my right shoulder blade for the past 5 years. I didn’t do anything about it right away because the doctor told… Read more about Non-Transparency
What’s Next For Colorado Health Care?
Colorado currently has a universal health care system administered out of the emergency room. And companies like WellPoint aren’t doing much to prove that even if you have private health insurance you have any peace of mind. So Gov. Ritter’s Blue Ribbon Commission is hard at work finding a better healthcare system for Colorado by… Read more about What’s Next For Colorado Health Care?
Colorado House Bill 1355 Passes Senate
Colorado House Bill 1355 (in reference to small groups between 2 and 50 employees) was passed by the senate today including an amendment that would have the change slowly brought in over the course of two years. So it will go back to the House for consideration of this (and other) amendments. HB1355 is a… Read more about Colorado House Bill 1355 Passes Senate
A Very Risky Cavalcade
The Cavalcade of Risk #24 is up over at The Digerati Life. A good selection of, but not too many, posts all put together in a good looking presentation will make it easy for you to browse for something of interest. Might I suggest one? Getting Green will open up your eyes with the article: Over… Read more about A Very Risky Cavalcade
Cutting Group Health Insurance Costs
A new study has found that obese employees have more workers’ comp claims than their fit counterparts. This should come as a surprise to no one, as obese people have higher medical costs in most aspects of life, not just during the work day. New York employment attorney Richard Corenthal cautioned employers not to overreact… Read more about Cutting Group Health Insurance Costs
Colorado Small Group Health Insurance Changes
Yesterday in Colorado, a senate committee approved a bill that would prohibit health insurance companies from using health status and claims history to set premiums for small groups (fewer than 50 employees). Since 2003, small groups in Colorado could have a discount of up to 25% or an increase of up to 10% on their… Read more about Colorado Small Group Health Insurance Changes
Colorado Health Insurance Reform
In Colorado, the legislature’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Reform is currently reviewing 31 proposals from various business, union, and consumer groups trying to find a way to solve the state’s health care crisis. There are about 770,000 people in Colorado with no health insurance, and the state has joined a handful of others… Read more about Colorado Health Insurance Reform
It’s Tax Day
Because it’s tax day, we thought we might give you some more to read about taxes (just in-case you haven’t had enough yet). Don’t mess with taxes has a great tax carnival out called “Quit Monkeying Around“. Read up and make tax day a lot less stressful next year…..
COBRA Versus Individual Health Insurance
I came across a blog post this morning that talked about the loss of health insurance that goes along with being laid off from a job. The author mentioned that COBRA is an option, and correctly explained that COBRA allows us to continue to get health insurance coverage through a former employer, as long as… Read more about COBRA Versus Individual Health Insurance
Increased Demand = Better Health
With a new governor in place, Colorado has been proposing changes to the health care system lately. The recent Colorado State-of-the-State presentation focused on health care and boosting the ranks of Colorado insureds. One of the points that was made was that if we insure more people, there will be more of a demand for… Read more about Increased Demand = Better Health
Insurance Help Hub Takes a Risk
A new and exciting blog called the Insurance Help Hub is the host of this weeks Cavalcade of Risk. With nice descriptions of each risk-related article, you’ll find plenty of interesting topics to catch your eye. My favorite article of this weeks Cavalcade is “Does Expanding Health Insurance Affect Health?” from Cato-at-liberty.
IRS Rules On HSAs Not Finished for 2007
I have a Colorado client that has had an HSA with us for a few years. Her husband is on medicare, so she’s had a high deductible health insurance plan with a family deductible of $5,000 with just her and her daughter on the plan. This spring, her daughter graduates from college and will be… Read more about IRS Rules On HSAs Not Finished for 2007
Personal Accountability in Health Care
I strongly agree with Marcy Morrison, the Colorado Insurance Commissioner, on her recent statements regarding personal accountability for health: “If people take better care of themselves, we can look at other options besides how to get more care. We read a lot about diet and exercise, but we have to ignite the public to put… Read more about Personal Accountability in Health Care
Gov. Ritter Fixes a Big Bill Owens Mistake
In May of 2006, a bill supported by 85 out of 100 Colorado legislators came across then-Gov. Bill Owens’ desk. S.B. 198 would have put an end to the practice of large health insurance companies taking advantage of family physicians by having their expert attorneys write contracts that (among other things) are purposely obfuscated and… Read more about Gov. Ritter Fixes a Big Bill Owens Mistake
Wonky Health Affairs
Jane Hiebert-White of the Health Affairs Blog presented a great Health Wonk Review today. With sharp descriptions and relevant quotes, it’s well worth your time to browse the collection of health policy related articles she’s put together. Joe Paduda’s contribution about United Healthcare not helping consumers become better buyers in the consumer-directed health care system… Read more about Wonky Health Affairs
Grand Rounds at UroStream
UroStream blogger, Keagirl, hosts a fantastic Grand Rounds. With a good selection of posts separated into helpful categories, she makes it easy to browse for the most interesting articles. The most interesting article, in my opinion, is from the Health Business Blog. When socialism is good for capitalism talks about a recent Los Angeles Times article about how… Read more about Grand Rounds at UroStream