Tag: Health Insurance

February 4, 2016

Your Guide to Critical Illness Insurance

Critical illness insurance provides coverage over and beyond what your health insurance policy covers. Do you need it?

Critical illnesses can strike anyone, at any time. Critical illness insurance helps you deal with the unexpected costs of these health problems. According to estimates by the American Heart Association, this year alone 600,000 Americans will experience their first stroke, 785,000 Americans will have a heart attack for the first time and about 1.4 million will be diagnosed with cancer. Continue reading “Your Guide to Critical Illness Insurance” →

January 11, 2016

The Costs of Not Having Health Insurance

It’s open enrollment: time to select your health insurance plan for the coming year.

If you were thinking about skipping it this time around, get ready to pay regardless. Fines for not having coverage are increasing. For 2016, they will be $695 for each adult and $347.50 for each child, up to $2,085 for a family. Or it could be 2.5 percent above the filing threshold, says the IRS (individuals $10,150, couples filing jointly $20,300), whichever is higher. Continue reading “The Costs of Not Having Health Insurance” →

September 23, 2015

7.5 Million Americans Paid a Penalty for Lacking Health Coverage

According to the Internal Revenue Service, almost 7.5 million Americans have had to pay a penalty for lacking health insurance in 2014 – and the tax season isn’t over.

As of mid-July, the IRS had processed approximately 135 million of the approximately 150 million individual tax returns it expects for tax year 2014. In 2014, the Affordable Care Act’s “individual responsibility” provisions went into effect, requiring most Americans to have health insurance or pay a penalty. Continue reading “7.5 Million Americans Paid a Penalty for Lacking Health Coverage” →

July 21, 2015

Does Your Wellness Plan Need a Checkup?

Affordable Care Act

The Affordable Care Act recognized the importance of wellness programs allowing employers to offer higher incentives for participation. Just be careful your incentives don’t violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Continue reading “Does Your Wellness Plan Need a Checkup?” →

June 1, 2015

Controlling Emergency Room Expenses

Every year, Americans make 31 million visits to the emergency room for unintentional injuries. Emergency room charges average about $1,200 per visit. Your out-of-pocket expenses could vary wildly depending on the type and severity of injury, where you are treated, and your coverage. Continue reading “Controlling Emergency Room Expenses” →