/PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to help minimize confusion regarding implementation of health care reform provisions among business owners, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGa) has created two new tools to help business navigate the changes in health care, a grandfathering tool and a tax calculator tool.
Both tools are available at www.anthem.com/healthcarereform. The small business tax calculator tool and tax content were developed by The Tax Institute at H&R Block and also may be viewed by visiting www.thetaxinstitute.com.
The interactive grandfathering tool is designed to help businesses better understand what grandfathering means, if they qualify for it, and what options are available to them with regard to their health plan. BCBSGa has also joined forces with H&R Block to provide a convenient, comprehensive tool to help small business owners understand the financial impact, as well as the opportunities that accompany the changes in the health care system.
"The grandfathering tool is another part of our commitment to help make health care reform work," said Morgan Kendrick, President, BCBSGa. "This tool will allow business owners to understand what grandfathering means to them, what the qualification parameters are, and if it is potentially in their best interests to grandfather their current health plan. This tool can help businesses quickly and easily determine a course of action based on their current plan in an easy-to-use and easy-to-understand tool."
Kendrick added, "We are also extremely pleased to be partnering with H&R Block to make the small business tax calculator available, which can help small business owners understand the tax credits they are qualified for and allow them to better control and anticipate their health care costs. It's BCBSGa's hope that this resource will enable owners to focus on running a successful business and add some clarity as they navigate the health care system."
The small business tax calculator can help users understand the following reform provisions:
* The small business health care premium credit for qualified employers with 25 or fewer employees and average annual wages under $50,000 (2010)
* Requirements to provide employee coverage for full-time employees who work for businesses with 50 or more employees (2014)
* Employer penalties for not providing coverage when at least one full-time employee is enrolled in a subsidized health care plan (2014)
* The excise tax on high-cost health plans, which applies to plans that cost more than $10,200 for an individual and $27,500 for a family (2018).
"These tools will provide us with an easy way to navigate and communicate the financial impact that health care reform may have on our small business customers," said Jeff Fishback, President and CEO, Purchasing Alliance Solutions. "They will also help us to better communicate about grandfathering and if it might be in their best interest. For example, whether they should take advantage of the available credits and other provisions designed to improve the affordability of health care. I anticipate that interactive tools such as these will help small businesses save time and money. This is just one more example of why BCBSGa is the leader in the industry."
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Thursday, September 30, 2010
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia Helps Businesses Navigate Health Care Changes with New Online Tools
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
GSU unveils small business tax credit calculator for health reform
Georgia State University researchers have unveiled a small business tax credit calculator to help employers crunch the numbers to see if they’re eligible for health reform credits under the new law.
The tool, called the 50-State Health Reform Calculator for Small Businesses, will help small employers, including non-profits, determine if they’re eligible for tax subsidies to cover part of the cost of health insurance starting this year. It is the first comprehensive nationwide calculator for all states. It can be accessed at www.gsu.edu/ghpc.
“We’re trying to provide information for employers about the impact and effects of health reform on their business decisions,” said Bill Custer, associate professor and director of the Institute of Health Administration in the J. Mack Robinson College of Business.
Small businesses, or employers with fewer than 25 full time employees making less than $50,000, may be eligible for tax credits to help cover the cost of insurance starting this year.
Incentives are being offered because as premiums have increased, the number of workers with employer-sponsored health coverage has declined.
Custer, with associate professor Patricia Ketsche, also of the Institute of Health Administration, developed the tool in collaboration with the Georgia Health Policy Center in the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, the Florida Public Health Institute and the Center for Mississippi Health Policy.
The Georgia Health Policy Center has spearheaded a collaborative effort to break down the complexities of the nation’s health reform law through a series of policy briefs. The latest is “Health Reform Implications for Employers,” which was released last week (http://bit.ly/9u3z4q).
Other topics have included state and community implications and the impact to health care providers. Many states have come to the center to request a breakdown of health reform and its impact in their localities.
The calculator is the latest tool being offered in a series intended to help consumers, employers, providers and policy makers understand health reform.
“This has been a great opportunity to not only partner across Georgia State University, but with other states, to bring relevant information about health reform to those who will be impacted by the law,” said Karen Minyard, executive director of the Georgia Health Policy Center. “Our group’s goal from the beginning has been to interpret, share, and apply what is learned to real world situations.”
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Friday, December 19, 2008
Changes in Major Workplace Laws Affecting Sick Workers, Caretakers and People With Disabilities to Take Effect in January
/PRNewswire/ -- New rules affecting the ability of employees to take time off to care for sick relatives and the rights of workers with disabilities to obtain workplace accommodations will take effect in January, and employers need to make sure they're prepared for these changes in two landmark employment laws.
Chicago labor and employment law firm Franczek Radelet & Rose reminds business owners that changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) take effect on January 1 and revisions to the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) become effective on January 16.
The ADA amendments enacted earlier this year by Congress are meant to restore rights granted in the original 1990 law that had eroded as a result of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions and federal regulations.
"We anticipate that as of January 1, employers will start seeing more requests for workplace accommodations as a result of these changes, which broaden the scope of disabilities currently covered by federal law," says partner Sally J. Scott of Franczek Radelet & Rose (FRR). Scott says the changes to the 18-year-old ADA mean that many employees currently not covered by the law may now be considered to have a disability.
For example, the use of hearing aids, medication, prosthetics or other forms of treatment designed to mitigate the effects of disabilities may not be used to deny protection under the law - undoing a 1999 Supreme Court decision that restricted the number of individuals potentially protected by the law. Another change mandates that an impairment qualifies as a disability if - when active - it limits one major life activity, such as hearing, seeing, eating, walking or communicating.
"The changes to the ADA send a clear message from Congress that prior court decisions have been too restrictive in defining who is covered under the Act," said Scott.
"However, the amendments give very little guidance as to exactly what standards employers and courts should apply in the future when determining whether an employee has a 'disability' that entitles the employee to protection under the Act. This uncertainty is likely to result in increased litigation," said Scott.
The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 allows workers to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a newborn child or a family member with a serious illness or to recover from their own medical condition without losing their jobs.
"The revisions to the FMLA regulations, which are the first major changes since the statute was enacted, were designed primarily to clarify provisions of the law for employers and employees alike, and to implement new leave for members of military families," said FRR partner Michael A. Warner, Jr.
For example, under the new rules, workers with chronic conditions will have to certify for the first time that they visit a doctor at least twice a year for the condition. And workers will be required - "absent unusual circumstances" - to warn employers that they plan to miss work. Employers will also be allowed to require employees to submit a "fitness for duty certification" before returning to work from FMLA leave. To protect workers' privacy, the changes will prohibit an employee's direct supervisor from contacting a health care provider for medical certification.
Under new FMLA provisions affecting military families, workers will be allowed to take up to 26 weeks off each year to care for family members seriously injured in the military. Relatives of active-duty National Guard members and military reservists may take up to 12 weeks off to manage family affairs in certain cases, such as when a reservist is called up to active duty on short notice.
"Because these revised ADA and FMLA regulations will require significant management changes, we advise employers to make sure they are updating policies and procedures, revising appropriate forms and employee communications, and training supervisors at all levels about new responsibilities," Warner said.
"The difficulty and risk in implementing these changes is compounded by the current economic downturn, as employers are facing unprecedented economic pressure to 'do more with less.' The combination of large scale layoffs and significant changes in existing law create a volatile mix that increases the risk of legal liability for employers," Warner said.
Warner noted that these changes may soon be followed by even more sweeping revisions to employment law. For example, Democrats are expected to push for legislation requiring employers to provide paid sick leave. The FMLA requires medical leave, but not that it be paid.
"Whether the result of the current economic crisis or changes in political leadership, when it comes to labor and employment law, change is definitely in the air," Warner said, advising employers to "stay tuned" for expected efforts to expand the rights of workers in a variety of areas, whether mandatory paid medical leave or the ability to more easily unionize.
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Friday, November 14, 2008
Coventry Health Care of Georgia, Inc. Expands Coverage to Offer Medicare Advantage Plans to Beneficiaries in Seven Additional Georgia Counties
(BUSINESS WIRE)--Coventry Health Care of Georgia, Inc. has expanded its current service area to include eligible Medicare beneficiaries in the following Georgia counties:
* Cherokee
* Cobb
* DeKalb
* Douglas
* Forsyth
* Fulton
* Paulding
Coventry Health Care of Georgia’s current service area includes:
* Bryan
* Chatham
* Effingham
* Liberty
During the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, which runs from November 15 through December 31, Medicare beneficiaries in these counties can enroll for coverage that includes services not routinely offered by Original Medicare, including:
* Prescription drug coverage that includes generic coverage-even through the coverage gap
* No- or low-cost preventive services
* Dental program covering preventive dental benefits
* Health club membership
Depending on the plan options selected, Medicare beneficiaries can take advantage of these benefits for no additional monthly plan premium.
“Given the current economic situation, Medicare eligibles and their families are understandably concerned about getting the most value for their dollar,” said Tom Davis, chief executive officer. “The Medicare Advantage plans offered by Coventry Health Care of Georgia offer a way to get coverage and service beyond what is offered by Original Medicare, in many cases for no additional monthly plan premium.”
“Our priorities are to help Medicare eligible beneficiaries be healthy, save money and be independent,” he added.
Individuals wishing to learn more can call 1-866-323-6642 (TTY/TDD 1-888-788-4010) to schedule a home visit by a plan representative or to request an information packet. Additional information can also be found at www.medicare3things.com/GA.
Coventry Health Care of Georgia is also working with licensed insurance agents and brokers statewide to provide information to their clients.
“Our agents and brokers must pass a rigorous examination on Medicare and on our products before being allowed to promote our plans to beneficiaries,” noted Davis. “We want to be sure that Medicare beneficiaries get the information they want and need to help them make the right choice for them.”
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Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Nurses Report Quality Health Benefits Key to Choosing an Employer
/PRNewswire/ -- As more hospitals ramp up efforts to attract and retain quality nursing staffs, a new survey(i) by insurance provider Aflac finds that 86 percent of nurses say a hospital's benefit package is one of the most important factors when determining where they choose to work, and more than half report they would switch jobs solely based on an employer's benefits.
In fact, three-quarters of the registered nurses surveyed say they would prefer to work for an employer that provides voluntary insurance policies, including insurance for short-term disability. Additionally, the vast majority of the randomly polled nurses (87 percent) believe that voluntary insurance is an important factor when evaluating a current or potential employer.
The survey findings come at a time when American hospitals are facing critical nursing shortages: The Journal of the American Medical Association(ii) has forecasted that by 2020, the number of registered nurses will fall short of demand by 20 percent.
"These findings underscore the positive response we've seen among employees with access to voluntary insurance," said Paul S. Amos II, president, Aflac; COO, U.S. Operations. "Not only can voluntary insurance help nurses manage their health care expenses, but it can also have a positive impact on hospitals' recruitment and retention efforts."
Other survey highlights include:
-- 66 percent of nurses say a voluntary insurance package would positively impact their decision to remain with an employer
-- 64 percent of nurses who currently have voluntary insurance policies are unwilling to go without them
-- 54 percent of nurses say that voluntary insurance would improve their benefits package
-- 89 percent of nurses believe that as health care costs rise in the coming years, voluntary insurance will become even more important
-- 47 percent would consider switching jobs if their new employer made voluntary insurance plans available
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Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia Introduces Blue View Vision(SM)
PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGa) is now offering an affordable and flexible vision plan, Blue View Vision, which provides access to more than 600 network providers in Georgia and to more than 44,000 providers and provider locations nationwide.
The Blue View Vision network includes ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians. In addition to private practitioners, Blue View Vision's broad national network includes retailers like LensCrafters(R), Target(R) Optical, JC Penney(R) Optical, Sears Optical and Pearle Vision locations.
"When employees get the vision care they need, productivity increases. And when vision care is covered by the Blue View Vision(SM) plan, employees can get quality care quickly and conveniently," said Monye Connolly, president, BCBSGa.
Blue View Vision members are entitled to a number of important benefits and discounts on products and services, including comprehensive eye examinations and coverage for lenses and frames or contact lenses. Members also enjoy additional savings of up to 40 percent on the purchase of extra pairs of eyewear, conventional contact lenses, lens treatments, specialized lenses and other non-covered items, even after they've exhausted their covered benefits - kids ages 19 and under get full coverage of Transitions(R) and polycarbonate lenses.
With many provider locations open evenings and weekends, members have greater flexibility and convenience when scheduling appointments. And since so many people buy glasses on evenings and weekends, Blue View Vision customer service is available seven days a week to answer customer questions.
As the work force ages, Blue View Vision coverage can help maintain employee productivity. The National Eye Institute estimates that more than 38 million Americans age 40 and older experience blindness, low vision or an age-related eye disease, such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma or cataracts.
"An eye exam is one of the best forms of preventive medicine today. An integrated health benefits plan that includes medical and vision coverage provides consumers with important preventative services with a focus on overall well-being and good health," added Connolly. "BCBSGa offers employers a single source for a comprehensive, competitive total insurance package that can help them to recruit, engage and retain employees."
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Thursday, September 18, 2008
Five New Take Care Clinics Open at Walgreens in Atlanta Area
BUSINESS WIRE --Take Care Health Systems has opened five additional Take Care Clinics at Walgreens drugstores, as the company launched the second stage of a multi-phase expansion plan in the greater Atlanta area. Take Care Health Systems is one of the largest managers of convenient care clinics and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Walgreens (NYSE, NASDAQ: WAG). A total of 21 Take Care Clinics, walk-in, professional health care centers, are open in the region seven days a week with extended evening and weekend hours.
“Take Care Health has treated more than 675,000 patients nationwide since November 2005. Residents throughout the Atlanta area are some of those patients that have embraced this high-quality health care service,” said Lillian Williams, Lead Nurse Practitioner for the Atlanta market. “As a result, we’ve added five new clinics to the 16 clinics we opened last year, giving Atlanta-area residents greater access to convenient and affordable health care.”
Take Care Clinics in the Atlanta market are staffed by board-certified family nurse practitioners who treat patients 18 months and older for common illnesses such as strep throat, ear and sinus infections, pink eye and poison ivy, and are licensed to write prescriptions that can be filled at the patient’s pharmacy of choice. Take Care Nurse Practitioners also provide school, sports and camp physicals and offer vaccinations for chickenpox, flu, hepatitis B, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), meningitis, pneumonia, tetanus and human pappilomavirus (HPV).
Clinics have two patient examination rooms, exam tables, sinks, innovative patient registration kiosks and electronic medical record technology for visit documentation. Clinics are open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. New Take Care Clinics open today are located at the following Walgreens drugstores:
* Atlanta - 3740 Cascade Road
* Fayetteville - 780 North Glynn
* Atlanta - 595 Piedmont Ave., Ste 100
* Loganville - 4398 Atlanta Hwy.
* Atlanta - 3800 Princeton Lake Parkway SW
Take Care Clinics are also open at the following Walgreens drugstores:
* Acworth - 1762 Mars Hill Road NW
* Lithonia - 2945 Panola Road
* Alpharetta - 3003 Old Alabama Road
* Marietta - 2988 Shallowford Road
* Atlanta - 7530 Roswell Road
* Marietta - 2464 Roswell Road
* Austell - 4120 Austell Road
* Norcross - 5985 Peachtree Pkwy.
* Douglasville - 9465 Hwy. 5
* Powder Springs - 5230 Dallas Hwy.
* Kennesaw - 2779 N Cobb Pkwy.
* Smyrna - 2670 Cobb Pkwy. SE
* Lawrenceville - 181 S. Clayton Street
* Stockbridge - 1855 Hudson Bridge Road
* Lawrenceville - 2990 Five Forks Trickum Road
* Stone Mountain - 5320 Memorial Drive
Take Care Health Systems has partnered with numerous insurers including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia, ChoiceCare, CIGNA, Coventry, GreatWest, Humana, Multiplan/PHCS, UnitedHealthcare and traditional Medicare. If insured by one of these plans, patients pay their regular co-pay or coinsurance amount. For the uninsured or cash payers, prices average $59-$74 and are listed on clinic sign-in kiosks.
“Our experienced Take Care Nurse Practitioners understand their local communities and truly care about a patient’s long term well-being,” said Williams. “These clinics are an important part of the solution to the current health care crisis, and we are excited to bring Atlanta area residents more clinics promoting greater access to care.”
Take Care Nurse Practitioners encourage all patients to have a health care home, a provider they see routinely for on-going medical needs and routine exams. If a patient’s condition falls outside of the scope of service at the clinic, the patient is referred back to his/her primary care provider for follow-on care. If a patient does not have a primary care provider, nurse practitioners will offer a list of providers in the area accepting new patients. Take Care Nurse Practitioners collaborate with local physicians who are available for consultation at all times the nurse practitioner is treating a patient. Collaborating physicians and other local providers work with Take Care Nurse Practitioners to accept patient referrals.
Take Care Health Systems uses nationally recognized, evidence-based clinical guidelines for treatment and electronic medical record technology allowing patients to take visit records to other providers, promoting continuity of care. Take Care Nurse Practitioners follow quality and safety standards as outlined by the Convenient Care Association, the industry’s trade association.
Take Care Health Systems is part of Walgreens Health and Wellness division which includes Take Care Consumer Solutions, managers of convenient care clinics located at select Walgreens drugstores nationwide, and Take Care Employer Solutions, managers of worksite-based health and wellness services. Including Take Care Clinics, the Walgreens Health and Wellness division manages 591 worksite health and wellness centers and retail health clinics.
Take Care Health Systems currently manages 229 clinics in 29 markets and 15 states, including locations in: Atlanta, Boulder-Longmont, Colo., Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Ohio, Denver, Green Bay, Wis., Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Louisville, Madison, Wis., Miami, Milwaukee, Nashville, Tenn., Orlando, Fla., Oshkosh, Wis., Peoria, Ill., Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Rockford, Ill., St. Louis, Tampa, Fla., Topeka, Kan., Tucson, Ariz., West Palm Beach, Fla. and Wichita, Kan.
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Wednesday, July 30, 2008
J.D. Power and Associates Study Ranks Kaiser Permanente Highest in Member Satisfaction in South Atlantic Region
PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- J.D. Power and Associates announced that Kaiser Permanente of Georgia has the "Highest Member Satisfaction among Commercial Health Plans in the South Atlantic Region" according to the 2008 National Health Insurance Plan Study(SM).
This is the first J.D. Power and Associates award for Kaiser Permanente of Georgia. The J.D. Power and Associates study evaluated seven plans in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina on coverage and benefits; choice of doctors, hospitals and pharmacies; information and communication; approval process; claims processing; insurance statements; and customer service.
"The J.D. Power and Associates study demonstrates how we're working to satisfy our members and offer what they're looking for from their health plan," said Peter Andruszkiewicz, interim President of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia, Inc. "By helping our members manage their health plan -- as well as their health -- and effectively communicating with them about their benefits, we can provide a highly-satisfying health care experience."
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Ultimate Fitness Celebrates with Fayette Chamber of Commerce
General Manager Chris Babb told the crowd the club has between 1500-1600 members. The spacious fitness center was filled with people working off those extra Christmas cookies.
Plans are underway to open another site in south Fayetteville in the near future.
Ultimate Fitness is located at 220 Northlake Drive in Peachtree City. For more information call 770) 631-3000.
