COBRA Subsidy Extension

Congress approved legislation to extend the federal subsidy of COBRA health insurance premiums. The legislation includes an extention of premium subsidy eligibility coverage period of two months. The new end date will be February 23, 2010instead of the orginial date of December 31, 2009. They also extended the duration of subsidy coverage from nine months to fifteen months. Individuals that were scheduled to loss their subsidy on December 1, 2009 will be able to qualify for the subsidy extention.

Workers who have used up thier original nine months eligibility will receive six more additional months of the 65 percent subsidy. Those who did not choose to continue with COBRA coverage once they timed out have the option to rejoin and pay their premium retroactively, receive the subsidy and maintain COBRA continuation. Workers who are involuntarily terminated through February 28, 2010, can now qualify to begin the subsidy and receive the full 15 months.

Demcrats 1, Republics 0, Obama declares it, a "Big Victory"

Senators voted 60 to 40, early Monday morning to move ahead with the health care reform bill. This is the first of four votes to pass the bill in the Senate before the Christmas recess. Not one Republican voted for the bill. Obama was quoted in says, "The United States Senate knocked down a filibuster aimed at blocking a final vote on health care reform, and scored a big victory for the American people."

Although the bill passed its first test,crucial aspects of the bill were left out such as the expansion of Medicare to American under the age of 65 and the inclusion of a government run public health insurance plan. There are still some significant issues that need to be worked out in the coming days. One of the biggest divides on this bill is how to fund it.

The House's bill would be financed through a combination of a tax surchange on wealthy Americans and Medicare spending reductions. Individuals with annual incomes over half a million and families earning more than a million would face a 5.4% income tax. While the Senate's bill would cut Medicare cost by roughly $500 billion dollars and impose a 40% tax on individuals with so-called "cadillac" health insurance plans.

Don't allow the Politicans in Washington to decide your health care future, visit www.GizmoHealth.com to get your coverage in place today.

The "Gang of 10" Senators

Senator Majority Leader Reid, a democrat from Nevada annoucned on Wednesday, December 9th 2009, that a group of senators have reached a concurrence on the public option. No details were released at this time, but the proposal would mirror health care plans already in place for federal employees. The Office of Personnel Management would negotiate with private insurers to create not for profit plans for individuals and small businesses. If the plans fail to drive down costs and level the playing field in the private sector, the federal government would introduce a national sponsored plan. Included in the proposal is a provision to offer individuals ages 55 to 64, the option to buy into Medicare early as well as an amendment to restrict federal funding for abortions. Although these Senators are pushing hard to resolve this health care public option issue, it is unlikely they will be able to get it passed the Senate before Christmas.

Please give on of our friendly health insurance agents a call today to discuss your health insurance options and apply directly online with the top health insurance carriers. Visit www.Gizmohealth.com or call 1-312-884-5150.

The Public Plan and Fears of Pre-Existing Conditions

This first article address the benefits and concerns of a new public option plan:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/29/opinion/29sun1.html?scp=1&sq=11/29/09,%20A%20modest%20public%20plan&st=cse

The second article is an one example of an everyday American who is struggling to obtain health insurance and medical treatment after he has already been diagnosised with a brain hemorrahage.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/29/opinion/29kristof.html?_r=1&scp=10&sq=11/29/09&st=cse

These articles are from the New York Times website, www.nytimes.com. If you have trouble viewing these articles, please copy and paste the link into the address bar at the top of your screen.

The Senate is Set to Debate the Health Care Reform Bill

The Health Care Reform Bill won a vote of 60 to 39 on the Senate floor last Saturday night, opening the door for debate on American's health care system. If the Senate manages to pass the bill, a congressional conference committee would have to merge the House and Senates' proposals into one consensus version. At that point, a final approval from both chambers would be needed before it could move on to President Obama's desk to be signed into law.

The Senate debate is expected to last for weeks and won't begin until after Thanksgiving. The Republicans and Democrats seems strongly divided on this issue, Republicans believe that the bill is an unnecessary government takeover of the health care system that would harm the economy and reduce the quality of our health care coverage. Democrats argue that this reform will help millions of Americans that can't get health insurance because of pre-existing conditions or due to the overall cost of coverage.

There are several issues within the bill that are very controversial including federal funding for aboration, a public option plan, a tax increases on individuals who make more than $200,000, and a five percent tax on elective cosmetic surgery. Both the Senate and House bills require individuals to buy health insurance, with penalties for non-compliance. The House version would mandate that all employers to offer health care where the Senate version does not. The two bills are very similar in that both want to include a health insurance exchange, expanded benefits with Medicaid, subsidied insurance for low and middle income families, cap out of pocket medical expenses, and elimination of denials for individuals with pre-existing conditions.

Please visit www.GizmoHealth.com for health insurance quotes and online applications to the top health insurance carriers.

America's Health Care Reform Sticker Shock

According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, new reports indicate that the total cost of the health care bill would be closer to $849 billion over the next 10 years. The bill would extend health care benefits to ninety four percent of the American public. The bill would prohibit illegal immigrants from participating in the health insurance exchange as well as prohibiting the use of federal funds for abortion coverage.

The Health Care Reform bill is going up against its biggest challenge yet. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) has to get 60 votes from the 100 member senate to even debate the bill on the Senate floor. It is still unclear whether he will be able to get enough votes to fend off the GOP filibuster attempts. If successful, discussion could start as early as next week.

For more information, Read Gizmo Health's blog at Google Blogger or visit their website at www.GizmoHealth.com.

Pass The House

Late on Saturday, November 7, The House of Representatives voted 220 to 215 in favor of the Afforable Health Care for America Act, or H.R. 3962. This bill will restict insurance companies from denying coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions or charging higher premiums based on gender and medical history. It also provides federal subsidies to those who cannot afford health insurance. If passed, this bill would guarantee coverage for 96% of American citizens. This is the first step in the largest expansion of health care in the United States since Medicare was created more than 40 years ago. Now the Senate must pass its own version of the health care bill, before it lands on the President's desk to be signed into a law. Once both chambers have passed the bill, a congressional conference committee will merge the two proposals into a consensus version that would require final approval by both chambers and President Obama.

The Public Option is Back: This Obama Going to Bail Out the Insurance Companies Too?

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced on Monday, October 26 2009, that he intends to include a public insurance option to the health care reform bill. Individual states will have the ability to "opt out" of the plan if they see fit. The state opt out provision was put in place to encourage Republicans and Democrats alike to support the struggling bill. Senate Olympia Snowe of Maine, the only Republican on the Senate Finance Committee to vote for the Democratic plan is opposed to the opt out provision. Stating that all states should work together to fix our ailing health care system, not individual one.

Another idea floating around Washington is the Public Option Trigger which would force insurance companies to make changes to their underwriting guidelines to insure individuals with pre existing conditions and lower the cost of premiums for those who currently have coverage. If those changes failed to occur within the required period of time, the public option plan would be triggered causing increased competition between them, which would theoretically drive down their rates. This public option plan would have to meet the same fiscal requirements as other private plans.

Gizmo Health: Senate Votes Against Public Option

On Tuesday, The Senate Finance Committee rejected an amendment that supported the government-run public health insurance option. They stated that the public option would destroy the private health care carriers/ market causing the health care system to eventually be overrun by the government. "A government-run plan will ultimately force private insurers out of buiness. -Republican Sentor Charles Grassley"

Some Democratic leaders disagree with this decision, stating that the public option would provide needed conpetition for private insurers while making health insurance accessible for millions of American who currently lack coverage. Republicans agree that reform is needed, but oppose a complete overhaul of the health care system stating that it would be too costly. Today, in efforts to bridge political differences, the Finance Committee proposal dropped the public insurance option as while as a mandate for all employers to provide health coverage for its employees.

Don't sit around waiting for these politicians to determine your health insurance options, log on to Gizmo Health, www.Gizmohealth.com. Research your own options and apply directly with the insurance carriers. You can speak to a live Gizmo Health insurance agent at 1-312-884-5150.

A Time for Change; But When?

President Obama stuck to his guns on Saturday night at the annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation dinner. He promised to get health care reform "done (by) this year." Obama reiterated that we can't wait for health care reform, because there are too many Americans out there that need urgent care and can't afford it nor wait or it. "We have been waiting for health reform since the days of Teddy Roosevelt, we've been waiting since the days of Harry Truman. We've been waiting since Johnson and Nixon and Clinton. We cannot wait any longer."

The problem is that under current health care reform proposals most regulations would not go into effect until 2013. More than three years away, almost after President Obama's term is over. If this new health care legislation is enacted, it would not be implemented overnight, insurance carriers will be able to enforce the same current standards and pre-existing exclusions for several years. How long can the sick and poor wait...at least for FOUR MORE YEARS!

If you can't wait for health insurance coverage, please call Gizmo Health Insurace Agent at 1-312-884-5150 or visit our website www.GizmoHealth.com.

New Address for Gizmo Health!

Gizmo Health Insurance Services has moved to a new office space. Our new adress is:

Gizmo Health
29 North Wacker Drive #250
Chicago, IL 60606
(tel) 1-312-884-5150
(fax) 1-312-884-5154

We are still in the same building, but have moved to the 2nd floor. Please give us a call, if you need directions to our new office.

Sincerely,

Customer Service Representative

The President Needs to Step Up This Health Care Debate

President Barack Obama will give a speech to a joint committee of Congressmen on September 9, 2009 to kick start the health care debate again. President Obama is facing pressure from all sides to provide specific details about his public option plan and what is to be included in the health care legislation. Sentor Sherrod Brown of Ohio, stated that "I think the president needs to step forward... (and) be more specific, more aggressively fight for a strong health reform bill with a strong public option. I think he's going to do that." President Obama's approval rating has severely down of the past months due to this unresolved health care reform issue, which was a large portion of his campaign promise. The general public and congressmen a like, have become confused about the direction that this legislation and need the president to address some key issues before anything is going to be passed by Congress.

For more information, read my blog at Gizmohealth.com on Google blogger or visit Gizmo Health Insurance Services' website, www.gizmohealth.com.

Sad Day for Health Care Reform

On Wednesday August 29, 2009, Sentor Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts died at his home in Hyannis Port of brain cancer. President Barack Obama took a break from his vacation with his family on Martha's Vineyard to pay his respect to the last sentor. Ted Kennedy was a leader in the Senate as well as an avid supporter of health care reform. It remains to be seen how his absence will affect the health care debate and final outcome of the reform.

Health Care Reform Heats Up Town Meetings

Town hall meetings across the United States heated up this week over President Obama's new health care reform. Democratic lawmakers returning home for the August recess to face resistance by citizens to overhaul the nation's health care system. At a town hall meeting in Des Moines, IA on Saturday, Senator Tom Harkin was interrupted several times by the audience shouting criticism and questions/ concerns. Democrats leaders are trying to rally support to revamp the health care system, but instead faced hot tempered critics. Similar outbursts have recently taken place drawing widespread media attention. Recent polls have shown a decline in support for President Obama and his health care agenda. Democrats have accused Republicans of encouraging individuals opposited to the reform to show up at this town hall meetings and state their displeasure with this legislation. These exchanges have developed into shoving matches and large scale protests.

For more information, and free instant health insurance quotes, please visit Gizmo Health Insurance Services LLC, at www.gizmohealth.com or at our new location, 29 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 202 Chicago, IL 60606.

Health Care Bill Won't Make It Before August Recess

It sounds like President Obama is getting his way on the issue of health care reform. A group of four Blue Dog Democrats announced Wednesday that they have reached a deal to get the health care bill passed. Although, they have agreed to move forward with new provisions, the bill will not be passed by the House before their August recess. These new talks will address the systemic problems that have plagued the health care industry for years. Democrat leaders and White House executives hope to lower the cost of health care by a $100 billion and introduce a health care exchange plan as a public insurance option. Today, President Obama commanded these politicans for their hard work and stressed the urgency of health care reform at a town hall meeting in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Free Health insurnace quotes at Gizmo Health, www.gizmohealth.com. Speak to a live health insurance agent at 1-312-884-5150.

Time Out on New Health Care Reform

On Wednesday, Conservative House Democrats indicated that President Obama's timeline for overhauling the American health care system before the Congress' August recess is unreasonable. Lawmakers are upset by the idea of tax increases on the wealthy to contribute/ subsidize the middle and lower class citizens health insurance coverage. They are also concerned about allowing the government the ability to provide health insurance coverage to compete with the private health insurance sector.

The health care issue has become a huge test of President Obama's leadership and commitment to the American people. Recent polls have shown that the American public is losing confidences in their leader. As lawmakers continue to debate the issue, the realization that President's Obama's dream of restructuring the American health care system is a long way away.

For more information and quotes on individual and group health insurance, please visit www.Gizmohealth or call one of our health insurance agents at 1-312-884-5150.

The Senate Health Committee Milestone Vote

With a 13 to 10 vote, the Senate health committee passed a bill that would require individuals to obtain health insurance and force employers to contribute to the cost. The government would provide assistance to individuals and families to pay for these premiums. The House Democrat leaders pledged to meet the president's goal of new health care legislation before the Senate's August recess. This vote is one step closer to forcing all Americans to obtain health insurance coverage or face penalties. The medical providers, employers, and the wealthy Americans are ones who are left to pick up the tab on this bill.

The Democrats' plan calls for a 5.4% tax increase on individuals making more than a million dollar per year, with a smaller tax beginning for individuals making more than $280,000. Large business employers who don't provide coverage for their employees would be penaltized up to 8% of the workers' wage (with exemption for small businesses). Individals who are offered coverage, but decline would have to pay 2.5% penalty based on their incomes (up to the average cost of a health insurance plan). Democratic aides indicate that the total cost of the bill would be about $1.5 trillion over next 10 years.

To discuss developing health care legislation and find individual and small business health insurance coverage, please visit www.Gizmohealth.com.

Democrat Blue Dogs Take A Bite Out Of Health Care Reform

On Friday July 10, Vice President Joe Biden reinforced the importance of overhauling the American Health Care system. He warned that if America's small business owners don't act now, there could be catastrophic results for the private insurance sector. He stated that health care reform is the "foremost economic and moral issue that this administration is determined to deal with." He noted that employer-provided health insurance premiums have doubled in the past nine years, rising three times faster than these employee's wages.

The vice president's comments come a day after conservative House Democrats aka "Blue Dogs" put a halt to health care legislation by submitting a signed letter stating that the bill lacks the proper structure to fix the issues of the health care system in the United States. During Vice President Biden speech, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi met with the members of the Blue Dogs Coalition to discuss the details of the bill. In the letter and in the meeting, the conservative Democrats stressed they do not want a "Medicare-like" structure for the public health care option. "What we are saying is - if there is a public option, it can't be based on Medicare rates unless the regional disparity in Medicare rates is fixed."

For free instant health insurance quotes, please visit www.Gizmohealth.com or call one of licensed health insurance agents at 1-312-884-5150.

A $851 Million Dollar Upgrade to Health Centers

On June 29, First Lady Michelle Obama announced the release of $851 million dollars in grant money to aid our failing community health centers. This money will address the immediate and pressing need for new health facilities, equipment, supplies, and staffing. These awarded grants will help increase access of health care for millions of Americans.

"The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided these grants to support health centers across the country. The Recovery Act Captial Improvement Program (CIP) grants will support the construction, repair and renovation of over 1,500 health center sites nationwide. More than 650 centers will use the funds to purchase new equipment or health information technology (HIT) systems, and nearly 400 health centers will adopt and expand the use of electronic health records."

For the full artice, visit:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/First-Lady-Michelle-Obama-Announces-Release-of-851-Million-from-Recovery-Act-to-Upgrade-and-Expand-Community-Health-Centers/

The Captial Improvement Program grant is the third in a set of health center grants provided through the Recovery Act. On March 2, President Obama announced grants worth $155 million to establish 126new health center sites. On March 27, The Department of Health and Human Services also awarded $338 million in Increased Demand for Services grants for health centers. A total of $1.344 billion dollars in the last four months. These grants will help to upgrade and expand community health centers which will in turn to able to provide better quality health care to more patients.

For instant Health Insurance Quotes in less than 30 second, visit www.GizmoHealth.com.

The Pharmaceutical Companies Will Bend, But Won't Break

Today, President Barrack Obama announced an agreement with the pharmaceutical companies to provide $80 billion dollars in prescription drug discounts for seniors on Medicare Part D over the next 10 years. This agreement will help reduce the cost of prescription drugs for millions of American's elderly. As part of the upcoming health care reform legislation, drug manufacturers that participate in Medicare Part D will either pay a rebate to Medicare or offer a substantial discount of at least 50% on the negotiated rate of prescription drugs.

This legislation will aid the seniors who fall into the Medicare "doughhole" gap in coverage, between $2,700.00 and $6,153.75 which is not covered by Medicare. This agreement was introduced by Senators Max Baucus and Chris Dodd as well as AARP President Barry Rand, who called this plan a "new opportunity" for those who have been burdened by the costs of prescription drugs.

Individuals who are looking for Medicare Advantage plans or have questions about new health care reform legislation, please visit www.gizmohealth.com or call 1-312-884-5150.

New Dependnet Information in Illinois

Dependents on an application can not be declined for coverage, regardless of health status, if the parent is offered coverage. Although they can not be declined, underwriting can still rider and/or rate up the dependents.

The New Illinois Dependent Underwriting Guidelines are as follows:

1. As of 6/1/09, health insurance carriers will not decline any dependents in the state of Illinois, regardless of health status. This includes new applicants submitted as of 6/1/09, as well as any applicants that are already submitted and are in the underwiring's queue period.
2. Underwriting can and will still rider and/or rate up the dependents appropriatily based on the applicant's risk.
3. Child only applications are not impacted, the health insurance carriers can still decline for health conditions on a child only application.
4. If the primary (and spouse if applicable) are declined, the dependents can then be declined as well. The health insurance carriers are only obligated to offer coverage to the dependents if the parent or parents are both approved and offered coverage.

You compare and apply online for health insurance in your state, please visit www.gizmohealth.com.

President Obama Delivers Speech on Health Care Reform

This afternoon, President Obama delivered a speech on health care reform to the American Medical Association in Chicago. President Obama wants a health care reform that will allow almost 46 million unisured Americans the opportunity to obtain quality, affordable health insurance coverage. This new reform would focus on preventive care and would not exclude or deny individuals based on their pre-existing conditions.

President Obama has suggested maintaining both a private and public health insurnace sector. Americans will have the chance to decide what coverage they want. If they like their current policy or are on their employer's policy, they don't have to change anything. Everything will stay the same (As President Obama stated "keep it." But, if you are self-employed or without current health insurance coverage, you will be able to elect the Health Insurance Exchange option. This public "Exchange" option will offer a series of different benefit packages primarily focusing on consistent preventative care services.

The White House is concerned with the current status of our health care system and illustrated this problem with a series of scary statistical facts. "If we fail to act, one out of every five dollars we earn will be spent on health care within a decade. And in 30 years, it will be about one out of every three -- And if we fail to act, federal spending on Medicaid and Medicare will grow over the coming decades by an amount almost equal to the amount our government currently spends on our nation's defense. It will, in fact, eventually grow larger than what our government spends on anything else today." Quoted by President Obama.

To read this entire article, please visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Why-Reform-Why-Now/

To research, compare, and apply for individual and group health insurance coverage, please visit www.Gizmohealth.com

Press Release for the White House: Health Care Reform

The White House Council of Economic Advisers released a report titled The Economic Case for Health Care Reform, detailing how theeconomy is going to be affected by the raising cost of health insurance in America. Christina Romer, who holds a chair in the CEA, stated that:

Years of diagnosis on the ills of the U.S. health system have produced no cure. Health care expenditures in this country are currently represents 18% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)and, without new health care reform,it will continue to increase. The CEA predicts that nearly one-third of the GDP's budget will be dedicated to the health care in the United States by 2040.

Currently, about 46 million American lack health insurance coverage, and this number is predicted to rise to 72 million in the next thirty years. With these new health care reforms, several aspect of the GDP will be positively impacted including the deficit, unemployment, standard of living and even the labor markets.

For a full version of this Economic Case for Health Care Reform, click on the link below:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/CEA_Health_Care_Report.pdf

Change in Age Eligible for Dependents

The Illinois General Assembly passed a Illinois Dependent Care Mandate under the Public Act 95-0958. This mandate states that unmarried dependent can receive coverage under their family policy up to the age of 26 regardless of their student status. This mandate will go into effect on 06/01/2009.

Coverage will also extend to unmarried dependents up to the age of 30, who are residents of Illinois and have served in active or reserve components of any branch of the Armed Forces. These dependents will need to provide proof of military release or discharge (other than dishonorable discharged). To qualify for coverage, the dependent will need to submit a US service form approved by the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (showing the date of their release from service).

BlueCross BlueShield of CA on Trial

For the first time, BlueCross BlueShield of California will be go on trail for a rescinded policy with a California man who was involved in a disabling car accident. BlueCross BlueShield is stating that Steve Hailey, a former self-empolyed machinist, misrepresented himself when his wife filled out the application when she did not including his true weight and medical history of hypertension and headaches.

The Haileys are contesting that BlueCross BlueShield continued their coverage even after learning about Steve's condition, but dropped him two months after the accident when his claims started to out weight the premium that BlueCross BlueShield was collecting. For the whole story, please click on the link below:

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-rescind18-2009may18,0,4559862.story?page=1

Parental Guide to Avoid the Swine Flu

The swine Flu, also known as the H1N1 virus has been on everyone's minds lately. To calm these fears, major media outlets such as cnnhealth.com and parenting.com have published helpful websites with useful tips to avoid this new strain of the flu. Check out http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/01/swine.flu.children/index.html or www.parent.com for a complete list of symptoms and preventive measures.

Public Health Emergency: Swine Flu

The U.S. health officals have declared a public health emergency for the recent swine flu outbreak in Mexico. Swine influenza is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease. This virus was previously found in pigs, but the newest strain of the virus has metamorphed to affect the human immune system.

The swine flu symptoms include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, coughing, sore throat, vomitting, and in some cases death. Individuals should use reasonable precaution if they suspect they may have swine flu and contact their primary physician for further advice. You can find another information on this virus at the Center of Disease Control and the Department of Public Health web sites.

Obamacare: Will it bankrupt America?

I thought this Newsmax, www.Newsmax.com, article was interesting and wanted to pass it on to you, the American public. Indiviudals that are un-insured or are shopping the individual health insurance market should read this article.

Here is a link to the article. If this link doesn't work, please copy the link and paste it into the URL address bar.

http://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/obama_health_care_plan/2009/04/22/206196.html?s=al&promo_code=7E96-1

Highest Levels of Unemployment Since 1967

With the unemployment rate in the Untied States quickly approaching 10%, the importance of understanding individual health insurance is ever growing. Even people who are employed are seeing more small businesses are craving out benefits for their spouses and dependents or eliminating the employee benefit program altogether.

Group coverage is a guarantee issued policy with matnerity coverage and a comprehensive prescription drug benefit. This is the only way to go if you are dealing with a preexisting condition. Individual coverage is completely different, you need to fill out an application which the insurance carrier reviews and compares to your previous medical history. At this point, the insurance carrier has the right to adjust your premium amount or deny you altogether.

Gizmo Health agents are explain the details between group and individual coverage. Call a Gizmo Health representative at 1-312-884-5150 or visit www.gizmohealth.com.

Stress in the Workplace and Useful Tips to Deal With It

In these difficult times, you may find it harder than ever to cope with challenges and stress relating to your job. While some stress is a normal part of life, excessive stress interferes with an individual's productivity and reduces their physical and emotional health. It is important to find ways to keep it your stress levels under control. Fortunately, there is a lot of things you can do to manage and reduce your stress at work.

1. Exercise- Get at least 30 minutes of excerise x2 a week.
2. Healthy meals- Eat smaller meal throughout the day to maintain your blood sugar levels. Eating too much can make you lethargic.
3. Drink alcohol in moderation and avoid nicotine- Drinking to relieve job stress can start you on a path to alcohol abuse and dependence. Similarly, smoking when your're stressed out may seem calming, but nicotine is a powerful stimulant which can lead to higher levels of anxiety.
4. Getting an enough sleep- when you're sleep deprived, your ability to handle stress is compromised. When you're well-rested, it's much easier to keep your emotional balance, a key factor in coping with job and workplace stress.

For workers everywhere, the trouble economy may feel like an emotional roller coaster. Since job and workplace stress grow in times of economic crisis, it's important to learn new and better ways of coping with the pressure. The ability to manage stress in the workplace can make the difference between success or failure on the job. Your emotions are contagious, and stress has an impact on the quality of your interactions with others. The better you are at managing your own stress, the more you'll positively affect those around you and the less other people's stress will negatively affect you.

A few things to manage your job stress:
1. Take responsibility for physical and emotional well-being.
2. Avoid the pitfalls by identifying knee jerk habits and negative attitudes that add to the stress you experience at work.
3. Learn better communication skills to ease and improve your relationships with management and coworkers.

Is the COBRA Subsidy Going to Cripple the Small Businesses of America?

Individuals who lose their group health insurance coverage because of an involuntarily termination between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009 are eligible for a 65% federal subsidy on thier COBRA or state continuation coverage. The federal subsidy applies for nine months, in which time the terminated employee needs to find indiviudal health insurance coverage or a job that offers group benefits.

One exception of the federal subsidy is that individuals whose modified gross income is between $125,000 and $145,000 and couples' gross incomes between $250,000 and $290,000 will NOT receive any subsidy.

Employers with more than 20 employees are required to send a Group Continuation letter to their former employees to allow them to elect the coverage and receive the subsidy. The former employees have 60 days after receiving the letter to enroll.

Former employees who qualify for the subsidy will only be required to pay 35% of the group continuation coverage premium, while the remaining 65% will be paid by the former employer. The former employer will be reimbursed by the federal government through a reduction in their quarterly payroll taxes.

So what does this mean for the small group businesses and their former employees? The small group businesses are essentially fronting a load to the federal government to cover 65% of their former employees' health insurance coverage for 4 months at a time. With the raising cost of group health insurance premium, and more and more companies downing their group coverage, this is just one more expense that they are responsible for. For some companies, this additional overhead maybe the straw that brokes the camel's back. For the former employees, this subsidy is just a temportary solution to thier larger problem, not be able to get individual health insurance because of pre-existing conditions or the lack of jobs that offer group health insurance benefits.

Looking for Affordable Health Insurance

Visit www.Gizmohealth.com for the opportunity to shop for individual and smal group health insurance without giving your personal information up front. You can shop, compare plans and health insurance carriers, before apply to the plan that best fit your unique situation. Gizmo Health Agents are available to ask any health insurance related questions, Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm. The website www.Gizmohealth.com is available 24 hours a day. Gizmo Health is dedicated to providing accuracy health insurance information and quotes as while as excellent customer service.

The new ARRA Legislative: COBRA Changes

On Tuesday, February 17,2009- President Barack Obama signed an economic stimulus package that includes a COBRA subsidy for laid-off workers and other HR-related provisions. Both chambers of Congress and the Senate approved the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) last week. The final version of the legislation includes a COBRA subsidy for laid-off workers.

The subsidy will be 65 percent of the COBRA premium for a period of 9 months--employers (or health plans if they administer COBRA benefits) will receive a credit against payroll taxes to offset the subsidy. The premium subsidy will cover workers who were affected by involuntary terminations occurring between September 1, 2008, and January 1, 2010.

There is an income threshold as an additional condition on an individual's entitlement to the premium subsidy during any taxable year. Taxpayers with gross income that exceeds $145,000 will have to repay the entire amount of the premium subsidy. For taxpayers with gross income between $125,000 and $145,000, the amount of the premium subsidy that must be repaid is reduced proportionately. The legislation requires that information on the COBRA subsidy be included in COBRA notices. Under the legislation, the Department of Labor will create a model notice within 30 days of enactment.
The legislation also includes other HR-related provisions.

For example, it increases weekly unemployment benefits by $25. The legislation also provides an extension of the temporary emergency unemployment compensation program (which provides up to 33 weeks of extended benefits) through December 2009. Under the program, no benefits will be payable for any week beginning after May 31, 2010.

The legislation also provides unemployment compensation to workers who leave their employer for “compelling family reasons,” such as domestic violence, illness or disability of an immediate family member, and the need to accompany a spouse to a place from where it is impractical to commute and due to a change in location of the spouse's employment. The Department of Labor will define immediate family member.

This legislation will subsidize COBRA premiums for terminated individuals and allow them to continue their health insurance coverage after thy leave their jobs. The legislation provide a 65% subsidy for 9 months, for workers who lost their jobs on September 1, 2008, or later. Those who didn't intial elect COBRA coverage after leaving their position can re-apply for COBRA to continue their benefits.

BCBS of TX Releases Legislative Update: Addressing Obesity and Cancer

This article is a copy of the Texas 81th Legislative Session: Health Care Topics on the Agenda

Two issues likely to drive much of the health care discussion during the 81st Session are access to health care and the high rate of uninsured Texans. Although the state currently is seeking a federal Medicaid waiver intended, in part, to leverage federal and state dollars to increase health coverage among low-income Texans, approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have been slow in coming. As a result, legislative initiatives addressing the uninsured are likely to be proposed with the same aim of maximizing federal funds, but in a manner utilizing federal stimulus funds to state programs, expanding health care programs such as Medicaid and CHIP (Child Health Insurance Program) and/or small employer-based purchasing pool initiatives. The original Medicaid waiver proposal established a Health Opportunity Pool (HOP) wherein the state would combine federal and state funding to offer a variety of coverage (i.e., catastrophic care) and allow families to blend funds from various programs (i.e., State Child Health Insurance Program and Medicaid Health Insurance premium) to enable families to buy into employer-sponsored coverage. However, approval of the Medicaid waiver has been slow in coming about. It is expected that legislation may be forthcoming to address the same aim as the waiver in maximizing those federal funds, but using federal stimulus funds instead. Bills promoted by key health care advocates addressing increased eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP have already been filed, including proposals that would extend Medicaid continuous eligibility from six months to twelve months, mirroring a significant legislative gain in the CHIP program from last session. Additionally, a renewed effort to enroll all CHIP-eligible kids has emerged as a priority, at least in the Senate. Increased CHIP eligibility levels driven by the federal SHIP reauthorization bill may trigger a serious discussion of program eligibility expansion beyond the current 200 percent Federal Poverty Level limit.
Wellness initiatives continue to be popular legislative proposals. It is anticipated that discussions will range from disease-specific approaches, such as reducing obesity and diabetes incidence, to provider payment structures rewarding wellness care. In fact, during a recent press conference, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst noted, “America is the only country in the world that pays doctors on the basis of the number of procedures they perform…not on wellness.” Health care advocates should anticipate additional pilot programs. Representative Myra Crownover (R-Denton) has introduced legislation, HB 5, relating to the elimination of smoking in all workplaces and public places. “The benefits of a statewide smoke-free law are undeniable,” Crownover said. “It’s good for health, good for business and saves money now spent on healthcare…No one should be forced to choose between their health and a paycheck.” Across the nation, 24 states have strong smoke-free laws that include restaurants and bars – a significant increase from the 16 states that had smoking bans when the Texas Legislature convened in 2007, the first session during which lawmakers debated a smoke-free bill. According to Smoke-Free Texas, 28communities around the state already have smoke-free ordinances, including Austin. Funding related to Frew v. Hawkins, in which Texas parents filed a class action lawsuit against state healthcare officials claiming deficiencies in the state's Medicaid program, continues to be a health care priority. Targeted provider rate increases for physicians and dentists accounted for $1.3 billion of the total $1.8 billion settlement. Several interim studies have recommended increased Medicaid reimbursement rates, especially for physicians. The Senate, at least, will take a “return on investment” approach, as evidenced by the Senate Finance Joint Interim Report with Health and Human Services on Medicaid Rates. This report recommends an evaluation of whether appropriate and measurable outcomes were produced by the most recent provider rate investment before any additional provider rate discussions occur. One significant result, easily attributed to enhanced provider rate levels, has been the documented increase in Medicaid providers. Legislation may also emerge to develop Health Enterprise Zones, which would offer tax incentives to medical providers who locate within identified areas. In addition, franchise tax proposals are expected to change the current franchise tax deduction for health care benefits to a more lucrative deduction. The intent is to provide a tool for increasing the number of insured employees.

Obama is Standing Up for Kids Healthcare

U.S. President Barack Obama has signed a law on Wednesday that expands the health insurance program for children. Obama has raising the tobacco taxes to funded the program. This is a big legislative victory a day after his pack to lead a health care industry overhaul.

President Obama signed the law just hours after the House of Representatives casted a vote of 290 to 135 in favor of the $32.8 billion dollar expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance program, or SCHIP, which was approved by the Senate last week.

"In a decent society, there are certain obligations that are not subject to tradeoffs or negotiations, and health care for our children is one of those obligations," the President said in remarks before signing legislation that reauthorizes federal funding for the CHIP programs and expands its coverage of childre from 7 to 11 million.

This legislation on a bipartisan basis to continue coverage for 7 million children and covering an additional 4 million children that are in need. This law also lifts the ban on state not providing health insurance options to legal immigrant children. The CHIP program will allow children to get care when they are sick, and preventive services to help them stay well.

Mental Development of Children with ADHD

Researchers are using a new image analysis technique to identify the density of the cortex in the brains of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. A National Institutes of Health study found that children with ADHD have thinner areas in the cortex compared to children without the disorder. These cortex areas control thinking, planning, and attention.

The good news is that these children will probably outgrow the behaviors that come with ADHD. The research shows that the brains of children with ADHD mature in a normal progression just at a slower rate. For example, a child who has a healthy brain might achieve maturity in these regions at age 7, while a child with ADHD might not until they recieve age 10.

UnitedHealth Group's Pending Settlement

The New York Times published an article on January 15, 2009 titled UnitedHealth Settlement Near, but Faces a Potest. In the article the author, Reed Abelson, writes about how UnitedHealth has come to a settlement price of $350 millions for several class action lawsuits pending against them for not paying enough money or " reasonable and customary" rates for patients that use their coverage out of network.

The computer software that UnitedHealth had used to calculate the amount to pay toward claims and doctor reimbursement was significantly under estimating health care true market value. "Insurers typically agree to pay 70 to 80 percent of the 'reasonable and customary' local market rate for out-of-network medical services. A n investigation by Mr. Cuomo's office concluded that the database had understated the true market rates of medical care up to 28 percent.

Got a question about health insurance, ask me, the Insurance Guy, from Gizmo Health Insurance. visti www.Gizmohealth.com or call 1-312-884-5150.

Healthcare Spending Grows as Prescription Drug Use Tapers

The overall cost of health insurance and healthcare related expenses has grown signfically over the last decade. The Associated Press "...attributes the slowdown to consumers increasingly using 'generic drugs instead of brand-names to fill their medicine cabinets,' noting that use of generic drugs increased from 63 percent to 67 percent in 2007." With our current economic situation, consumers are looking to cut back on the medical expenses anyway possible. Most are switching their current coveage to higher deductibles and/ or using generic drugs instead of brandname.

Americans are nervious about the skyrocketing cost of healthcare and what the new adminstration can being to the table. There is a clear picture of the underlying problem Obama, and lawmakers "must resolve" because the "healthcare speading continues to escalate at a faster rate than the economy and than workers' wages. The question that is on the mind of all Americans now, is if the bailout money is going to be around when the issue of re-structure the healthcare industry. Call a Gizmo Health representative at 1-312-884-5150 or visit our website at www.Gizmohealth.com.

BMI: Body Mass Index

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight which applies to both men and women. The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measurement tool that compares your height to weight and gives you an indication of whether you are overweight or at a healthy weight for your height.

BMI = ((Weight in Pounds) / (Height in inches) * (Height in inches)) *703

or

BMI = (Weight in Kilograms) / (Height in Meters) * (Height in Meters)

BMI is an important factor in determining your overall health risk. BMI provides an estimate of the degree to which you may be over or underweight. BMI as it relates to health insurance is important because the insurance carriers look that this indicator to judge your health status. A health insurance carrier can adjust the initial premium amount of your policy, if they think you fall outside the bell curve of the Body Mass Index (BMI) chart.

A Gizmo Health representative can help you calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) and the apparent associated with having a high or low BMI reading. Please visit our website, www.Gizmohealth.com for more information on quotes for individual and group health insurance coverage.

Cobra: Continuation of Coverage

COBRA stands for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, which was established in 1985. This act included a provision which allowed employees and their dependents to continue their existing health insurance coverage through their previous employer. This act allowed the terminated employee to temporarily continue their work-based plan until they found individual coverage or other employment.

COBRA applies to work-based health plans sponsored by employers with 20 or more employees. COBRA is a continuation of your existing policy which means that the cost is exactly the same. The difference is that your previous employer is not paying your portion anymore or subsidizing your premium amount. You are paying the full premium amount plus a 2% administrative fee.

COBRA coverage can last for 18 months to 36 months, depending on the reason for termination. For example, if you are the employee's spouse and lose coverage due to a divorce or legal separation, you are eligible for 36 months of COBRA. For a complete list of "qualifying events, " please call a Gizmo Health representative at 1-312-884-5150 or visit http://www.gizmohealth.com.