Ask Colleen King

The news came out last week that Leslie Margolin was leaving Anthem Blue Cross and I had to wonder why. Of course, there’s the obvious, the blow out earlier this year when the rate increase craziness hit. But that was months ago, and things had toned down considerably. Click here for a short story on [...]

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I came across an article last month that was published by USA Today on April 30th that to me, outlines just a part of the big wake up call we have coming in 2014 when the bulk of the health care reform measures go into effect. If you can find it, check out the article [...]

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A few days ago I wrote about how convoluted the small business tax credit for group health plans was going to be. Here’s a reminder. Now here’s a commentary on why the bill was bad for small business, and a very eloquent one at that. The National Federation of Independent Business’s (NFIB) president, Dan Danner, [...]

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With all the discussion around health care coverage, the cost, who’s good and who’s not, I like to see my clients get the most they can from their health insurance. The big tip–the excitement–drum roll please…..You want to use contracted providers whenever possible. With HMO (health maintenance organization) plans you don’t really have a choice. [...]

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In my last article I talked about the impending herd of new graduates, high school and college, and that people are now needing to address what to do about their health insurance. Again, If your high school grad is going to college, then of course they can stay on your group health plan if you [...]

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May into June is such a great time for families as their kids are getting ready to graduate from high school or college. A time of pride, sense of accomplishment, it’s great. As I drive around the LA area I see the signs of upcoming graduation ceremonies and it takes me back. We won’t go [...]

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Now that I’ve heard this from three different sources, I believe it. Because of all the flack from Anthem Blue Cross has received from the impending rate increase on individual health insurance policies. At the request of State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner Anthem will hold off this current round of increases until May 1. During [...]

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Well, depends on how you feel about what you are hearing. If you have concerns about what is (or isn’t) being discussed around health care reform, read on. Personally I’m not a huge on writing politicians but there are times you need to stand up and think you may be counted. This is easy to [...]

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When people understand them, many like the idea of health savings accounts. They aren’t for everyone, but no one type of health care coverage is. Otherwise, we’d all have the same plan, and health care reform would have hit by now. What does a health savings account (HSA) have to do with tax time? Well, [...]

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Anthem Blue Cross should thank Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Georgia for coming up with something causing even more outrage than they did. An article in today’s Atlanta Journal-Constitution tells the story of a gentleman who had a 72% increase in premium. On the surface it looks like maybe one of the reasons was because he [...]

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