The Affordable Care Act’s New Patient’s Bill of Rights

A major goal of the Affordable Care Act – the health insurance reform legislation President Obama signed into law on March 23 – is to put American consumers back in charge of their health coverage and care. Insurance companies often leave patients without coverage when they need it the most, causing them to put off needed care, compromising their health and driving up the cost of care when they get it. Too often, insurance companies put insurance company bureaucrats between you and your doctor. The Affordable Care Act cracks down on the some of the most egregious practices of the insurance industry while providing the stability and the flexibility that families and businesses need to make the choices that work best for them. Read More

Keeping key workers is new challenge

While the improving economy is good news for everyone, some employers are getting slightly nervous as they ask themselves a difficult question: Will workers leave en masse once they see greener grass elsewhere? Read More

Comp group seeks stamp of approval

The workers comp system was born in 1911 when nine states began adopting laws requiring companies to compensate workers for on-the-job injuries in exchange for workers generally giving up the right to sue. Read More

Health-Reform Costs Become Clearer

A few new rules and a flurry of surveys create a clearer picture of health-care costs in 2011.  Read more

Affordable Care Act

SBA Administrator Karen Mills has written an open letter to small business owners across the United States explaining immediate benefits available to small businesses as part of the Affordable Care Act.  Read more

Most U.S. Companies Planning to Apply for Temporary Federal Reinsurance Program

Companies Offering Pre-65 Retiree Medical Benefits Intend to Pursue Reimbursement but are Unsure How They Will Use Proceeds. Read More

Disability coverage is good to have, despite occupation

QUESTION: Do you think I need disability insurance? My work is mostly desk work and I’ve always thought if I have my mind, I can do my work. Also, since I am employed, wouldn’t workers compensation take care of my basic needs if something happened to me? Read More

How Much Does An Employee Cost?

This is another in a series of columns on “how much things cost.” This time, some metrics on the cost of employees. Read More

PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS: Nevada out of high-risk health pool

CARSON CITY — Gov. Jim Gibbons announced Wednesday that Nevada will not operate a health insurance pool for people with high-risk pre-existing medical conditions because the national health care reform bill provides only a fraction of the money needed to run it properly. Read More

AZ State Compensation Fund will be privatized by 2013

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has signed into law a bill to privatize the State Compensation Fund.

The law directs SCF Arizona to become a mutual insurance company by January 2013. SCF provides workers’ compensation coverage to 40,000 Arizona businesses, which are required by state law to provide such coverage for employees injured on the job. Read More