McCarthy Stevenot Agency, Inc.

Pre-Existing Conditions and Interim Health Reform Updates

Recently, some “interim final rule regulations” were released on health care reform dealing with pre-existing [...]

New Health Care Rationing in the United Kingdom

The UK Telegraph reported recently (July 2010) that the National Health Service plans sweeping cuts in basic services and other restrictions on services for sick or injured [...]

Ohio Health Care Law Updates

Late in 2009, the Ohio legislature passed provisions as a part of its budget impacting health care in Ohio (H.B. 1 Health Care Reform Provisions). These new laws are hoped to add as many as 100,000 uninsured Ohioans to insurance plans over time. [...]

Ohio Health Reform Links

Here are a few links to web pages maintained by the Ohio Department of Insurance that pertain to implementation and information relating to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care [...]

Ohio High Risk Pool Program

Recent news on Ohio Health Reform is the announcement that Medical Mutual of Ohio will administer the Ohio "Temporary High Risk Pool Program." [...]

Health Reform Tax Credits May Cause Disincentive to Hire

Tax credits given to small businesses under the new health care reform law actually create a disincentive for employers to hire new workers under certain [...]

Penalties for Unaffordable Coverage

If the employee’s contribution to the health plan exceeds 9.5% of his or her household income, the employer will be subject to a fine of anywhere from $2000 - $3000 per [...]

Health Reform Survey Results from eHealth, Inc.

Recently the Opinion Research Corporation conducted a survey that was sponsored by eHealth, Inc. revealing that one in five Americans – as well as nearly two out of five uninsured Americans – would wait to look into and purchase new health insurance until the health care reform legislation is fully implemented. Unfortunately, this perspective could [...]

Small Group Insurance Premium Tax Credits – Update

The IRS has released recently updated guidelines on tax credits for qualifying small group health insurance premiums. Eligible businesses qualifying for these tax credits can claim this help.

Credits will now apply to vision and dental benefits in addition to medical benefits/premiums. A business owner’s salary will not be used in the calculation of “average” earnings for [...]

What Is Really Driving Health Care Costs?

Health insurance premiums have been increasing for years far beyond the typical cost increases observed in most other sectors (except college education – but that’s another story). Many have asked what drives health care costs? [...]