By BRIAN JOSEPH
The Orange County Register
SACRAMENTO – It's Jan. 1, a time for hangovers, resolutions and … new state laws.
Unbeknownst to most Californians, hundreds of new laws go into effect every New Year, although many amount to nothing more than minor or technical changes to state programs or statutes.
A few, however, can be felt across the golden state. Here's a look at some that may be of interest to you.
Minimum wage: Fast food workers of the world, rejoice. California's minimum wage rises to $8 an hour today, up from $7.50 an hour in 2007. California, along with Massachusetts, now has the second highest minimum wage in the country, behind Washington state's, which is $8.07 an hour.
Don't smoke in cars with kids: California is now the third state in the nation to ban smoking in the car with minors. The new law imposes a fine of up to $100 for smoking a pipe, cigar or cigarette in a motor vehicle with another person 17 or younger. The infraction is a secondary offense, meaning you can be fined for it only if you're stopped on suspicion of another, more serious offense. And the fine applies regardless of whether the car is moving.
Cash back for gift cards: California stores now have to give you cash back when you have less than $10 remaining on a gift card. Before, retailers could require you to spend the entire amount at their stores, but this resulted in many consumers simply throwing cards away when only a few dollars remained. It's such a common practice that Best Buy booked $43 million in profits from unspent gift cards in 2006. The new law applies to all gift cards, even those purchased before the law went into effect.
Kangaroo products for sale: California retailers can now legally sell kangaroo leather products, the most popular of which is soccer cleats made from the soft skins. Forty-eight other states allowed their sale before California, which banned it to protect endangered animals, although not all kangaroos are endangered and reports indicate the law hadn't been really enforced for years.
HIV testing becomes routine: California patients are no longer required to fill out a consent form before being tested for HIV. Under the new law, doctors still have to tell patients they would like to add HIV to the list of other conditions they are testing for, but the form has been eliminated. The law has been called the biggest change in AIDS policy since the '80s and is expected to result in earlier detection. Patients can still decline if they don't want to be tested.
Citizenship – don't ask, don't tell: California cities and counties are now forbidden from passing any laws that would require landlords to inquire about the citizenship or immigration status of current or potential tenants. This law was prompted largely by the city of Escondido, which adopted an ordinance that barred landlords from renting to undocumented immigrants. The ordinance was immediately challenged in federal court, which issued a temporary restraining order. The city council rescinded the ordinance a short time later.
Notification when you change parties: State law now requires that when county election officials notify voters in writing that their voter registration information has been updated, the letters must note that the change could be to their party affiliation. Before, the notification letters simply listed the new information, including the new party affiliation, but many voters didn't notice it. A 2006 Orange County Register investigation found that more than 100 unsuspecting voters had their party affiliations changed to Republican without their consent by signature gatherers circulating petitions and voter registration cards.
Here are some of the other laws that take effect with the start of the new year:
Lights, water: Legislation by Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, gives the California Energy Commission until the end of 2008 to develop tougher efficiency standards for general purpose lights. Other Huffman bills authorize a $250 million subsidy program to encourage installation of solar water heaters and require the Energy Commission to establish water-efficiency standards for the design of new buildings.
Homeless shelters: A new law written by Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, is intended to remove roadblocks for homeless shelters by requiring cities and counties to designate areas where shelters can be located without obtaining a conditional use permit.
Identification devices: Legislation by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, prohibits an employer or anyone else from requiring a person to have a radio frequency identification device inserted under the skin. The devices, about the size of a rice grain, can be used to track and transmit personal information about the user.
Flood control: Cities and counties could be forced to cover a share of the damage caused by flooding if they approve new development without considering flood risks, under legislation by Assemblyman Dave Jones, D-Sacramento. A related bill by Sen. Mike Machado, D-Linden, will require cities and counties in the flood-prone Central Valley to follow new flood protection requirements in making land-use decisions.
Gang parenting: Courts could require the parents or guardians of gang members to attend parenting classes under legislation by Assemblyman Tony Mendoza, D-Artesia, that attempts to prevent first-time juvenile offenders from committing additional crimes.
Sperm cleansing: Legislation by Sen. Carole Migden, D-San Francisco, allows sperm from a man with HIV to be used to artificially inseminate a wife or partner who does not have the disease if the woman consents and the sperm is processed to minimize the possibility of infection.
Iran investments: The state's two giant public pension funds, the California ublic Employees' Retirement System and the California State Teachers' Retirement System, will be prohibited from investing in companies that have defense- or nuclear energy-related business with Iran. The bill is by Assemblyman Joel Anderson, R-La Mesa.
Phony music: Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, D-La Canada Flintridge, is the author of a law that attempts to ensure that music fans who buy tickets to oldies concerts are not victims of deceptive advertising. The legislation requires performing groups to meet at least one of several standards to be able to legally use the name from the groups' recording days. An example: The group must include at least one member who has the legal right to use the name. Bands also can avoid lawsuits by acknowledging they are a salute or tribute to the original recording group and had a name that did not confuse ticket buyers.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Friday, November 30, 2007
Doctors Seek Cash when Insurance doesn't pay...
Friday, November 30, 2007
Doctors seek cash when insurance doesn't pay
Some patients opt to stay with provider and pay more out of pocket, while others seek new care.
BY COURTNEY PERKES
The Orange County Register http://www.ocregister.com/news/insurance-gersh-patients-1932629-doctors-office A small but growing number of Orange County doctors has stopped accepting private insurance, saying they are fed up with low reimbursements that can take months to receive, lost claims and denials of necessary medical care.
This fall, Women's Medical Group of Irvine dropped roughly 20 preferred provider organizations after more and more staff time went to insurance paperwork rather than patients.
To read the complete article, please visit the OC Register's website.
"There's so much frustration as far as the wrangling over the claims," said Michele Revelle, executive director of the Orange County Medical Association, which on Thursday held a first-ever conference on how to negotiate insurance contracts. "It's too expensive to chase."
As doctors seek to avoid bureaucratic hassles, their patients can be left with higher costs in some cases or finding a new doctor within their insurance network.
Karen Hochwald, a 45-year-old Irvine homemaker, paid $140 for an October visit to Gersh, a change from her usual $10 co-pay through her Blue Shield PPO. She left with an itemized bill, which she mailed to her insurer. Blue Shield sent her a partial reimbursement within about two weeks.
To read the complete article, please visit the OC Register's website.
Here's an excerpt from a follow-up letter Women's Medical Group of Irvine sent to patients to answer questions about the decision to stop accepting private insurance:
"But how much more is this going to cost me? That's hard to say, since each plan sets its own rates for out-of-network payments. Your best bet is to check your policy or call your insurance company to find out what your specific coverage is. We can, however, offer these guidelines:
"First, during the past five years, deductibles have skyrocketed. It is not unusual to find plans with $250, $500 all the way up to $5,000 annual deductibles. In these cases, you end up paying the full bill, whether we submit the claim or you do. We have kept our charges close to insurance-company reimbursement rates so that your actual out-of-pocket payment for services will be virtually the same.
"Second, some insurance plans reimburse out-of-network providers at close to the same rates as in-network providers. In these cases there may, or may not, be a small additional cost to getting your care at our office. If your co-pay is more than the difference in the reimbursement rate, then it will likely cost you less to come to our office now than it has in the past."
To read the complete article, please visit the OC Register's website.
Contact the writer: 714-796-3686 or cperkes@ocregister.com
Julia
Doctors seek cash when insurance doesn't pay
Some patients opt to stay with provider and pay more out of pocket, while others seek new care.
BY COURTNEY PERKES
The Orange County Register http://www.ocregister.com/news/insurance-gersh-patients-1932629-doctors-office A small but growing number of Orange County doctors has stopped accepting private insurance, saying they are fed up with low reimbursements that can take months to receive, lost claims and denials of necessary medical care.
This fall, Women's Medical Group of Irvine dropped roughly 20 preferred provider organizations after more and more staff time went to insurance paperwork rather than patients.
To read the complete article, please visit the OC Register's website.
"There's so much frustration as far as the wrangling over the claims," said Michele Revelle, executive director of the Orange County Medical Association, which on Thursday held a first-ever conference on how to negotiate insurance contracts. "It's too expensive to chase."
As doctors seek to avoid bureaucratic hassles, their patients can be left with higher costs in some cases or finding a new doctor within their insurance network.
Karen Hochwald, a 45-year-old Irvine homemaker, paid $140 for an October visit to Gersh, a change from her usual $10 co-pay through her Blue Shield PPO. She left with an itemized bill, which she mailed to her insurer. Blue Shield sent her a partial reimbursement within about two weeks.
To read the complete article, please visit the OC Register's website.
Here's an excerpt from a follow-up letter Women's Medical Group of Irvine sent to patients to answer questions about the decision to stop accepting private insurance:
"But how much more is this going to cost me? That's hard to say, since each plan sets its own rates for out-of-network payments. Your best bet is to check your policy or call your insurance company to find out what your specific coverage is. We can, however, offer these guidelines:
"First, during the past five years, deductibles have skyrocketed. It is not unusual to find plans with $250, $500 all the way up to $5,000 annual deductibles. In these cases, you end up paying the full bill, whether we submit the claim or you do. We have kept our charges close to insurance-company reimbursement rates so that your actual out-of-pocket payment for services will be virtually the same.
"Second, some insurance plans reimburse out-of-network providers at close to the same rates as in-network providers. In these cases there may, or may not, be a small additional cost to getting your care at our office. If your co-pay is more than the difference in the reimbursement rate, then it will likely cost you less to come to our office now than it has in the past."
To read the complete article, please visit the OC Register's website.
Contact the writer: 714-796-3686 or cperkes@ocregister.com
Julia
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
New Enrollment Opportunities for Small Businesses
Blue Cross of California NEWS FLASH
If your small business is enrolled in one of Blue Cross' Small Business Health Insurance plans, then you need to get a move on!! Blue Cross has a special open enrollment opportunity for Small Groups wanting to move some or all of your employees to any of BC's HSA-Compatible and HIA Plus Plans!
Now is the time for Small Group clients to combine good business and financial strategies with your end of the year Health Insurance decisions.
Why?
Because Blue Cross Life & Health Insurance Company’s Special Small Group Open Window begins December 1, 2007 and ends January 31, 2008 for small businesses that already have a Blue Cross Plan. During this time, any one or all of your currently enrolled employees can move over to any one of these plans:
Lumenos HSA 1500
Lunenos HSA 3000
Lumenos HIA Plus 3000
PPO 2400 (HSA Compatible)
PPO 3500 (HSA Compatible)
These comprehensive health plans offer great benefits such as low premiums and low annual out of pocket maximums ~ as well as the convenient option to set up an HSA (Health Savings Account) through Mellon Bank that works hand-in-hand with the plan. Your employees can fund their HSA with pre-tax dollars – and then use those dollars for qualified medical expenses including prescription drugs.
Remember => for January 1, 2008 effective dates, the IRS has determined that the maximum annual contribution will be $2900 for an individual and $5800 for a family
To enroll your Small Business and/or your currently enrolled Blue Cross employees in an HSA-Compatible or HIA Plus Plan for the New Year, simply email me and I will help you make the change!
julia@crossins.com
CA Lic # 0B28378
If your small business is enrolled in one of Blue Cross' Small Business Health Insurance plans, then you need to get a move on!! Blue Cross has a special open enrollment opportunity for Small Groups wanting to move some or all of your employees to any of BC's HSA-Compatible and HIA Plus Plans!
Now is the time for Small Group clients to combine good business and financial strategies with your end of the year Health Insurance decisions.
Why?
Because Blue Cross Life & Health Insurance Company’s Special Small Group Open Window begins December 1, 2007 and ends January 31, 2008 for small businesses that already have a Blue Cross Plan. During this time, any one or all of your currently enrolled employees can move over to any one of these plans:
Lumenos HSA 1500
Lunenos HSA 3000
Lumenos HIA Plus 3000
PPO 2400 (HSA Compatible)
PPO 3500 (HSA Compatible)
These comprehensive health plans offer great benefits such as low premiums and low annual out of pocket maximums ~ as well as the convenient option to set up an HSA (Health Savings Account) through Mellon Bank that works hand-in-hand with the plan. Your employees can fund their HSA with pre-tax dollars – and then use those dollars for qualified medical expenses including prescription drugs.
Remember => for January 1, 2008 effective dates, the IRS has determined that the maximum annual contribution will be $2900 for an individual and $5800 for a family
To enroll your Small Business and/or your currently enrolled Blue Cross employees in an HSA-Compatible or HIA Plus Plan for the New Year, simply email me and I will help you make the change!
julia@crossins.com
CA Lic # 0B28378
Sunday, September 23, 2007
HDHP's and HSA's
Thanks for visiting my Blog!!
The Health Insurance industry is always changing. With insurance companies merging, consolidating, raising rates and reducing benefits it can be difficult to get the coverage you need in times of crisis. With the cost of medical care skyrocketing at an alarming rate, it can be impossible to keep your family financially solvent when you have a medical crisis even if you do have insurance. And, as with all types of insurance, you need to purchase it BEFORE you need it; once you need it, it's too late.
The most common types of Health Insurance plans in America are the traditional plans that everyone is familiar with ~ HMO's and PPO's.
But have you heard of HSA's?
HSA's (Health Savings Account) are a new way of thinking; or better said, HSA's are a new twist on an old concept.
You start by purchasing a Federally approved "High Deductible Health Plan" (HDHP) thru the carrier of your choice such as Blue Cross of California. Once that policy has been approved and issued, you then open an HSA thru one of many Federally approved financial institutions such as Wells Fargo Bank and Chase Bank.
HSA's are designed by the Fed Government to allow you to fund a separate Health Savings Account using Pre-Tax dollars. You then use this HSA to pay for your out of pocket medical expenses throughout the year. A single person can put nearly $3000 per year into your Tax Free HSA. You can choose to fund the account anyway you want....lump sum annually, regular monthly or quarterly deposits etc. At age 65 any money that you have built up in your HSA can be used to pay for long term medical care premiums and costs or to pay for your Medicare Supplement Policy premiums or it can sit there as an inheritance item.
As with all insurance, the higher your deductible is, the lower your premium will be. The idea behind HSA compatible HDHP is that the money you save by paying lower premiums is put into a Tax Free HSA to be used to pay for your out of pocket medical expenses.
Its a Win-Win situation.
You can more find information at the Department of the Treasury's website including answers to frequently asked questions, related IRS forms and publications, technical guidance, and links to other helpful web sites. The Treasury's HSA website can be found through http://www.treas.gov/ (click on "Health Savings Accounts") or directly at the following address http://www.treas.gov/officers/public-affairs/hsa/
For more information, please email me! To quote or apply for your own HDHP/HSA please visit my website at http://www.crossins.com/
Cheers!
Julia Cross
CA Lic # 0B28378
The Health Insurance industry is always changing. With insurance companies merging, consolidating, raising rates and reducing benefits it can be difficult to get the coverage you need in times of crisis. With the cost of medical care skyrocketing at an alarming rate, it can be impossible to keep your family financially solvent when you have a medical crisis even if you do have insurance. And, as with all types of insurance, you need to purchase it BEFORE you need it; once you need it, it's too late.
The most common types of Health Insurance plans in America are the traditional plans that everyone is familiar with ~ HMO's and PPO's.
But have you heard of HSA's?
HSA's (Health Savings Account) are a new way of thinking; or better said, HSA's are a new twist on an old concept.
You start by purchasing a Federally approved "High Deductible Health Plan" (HDHP) thru the carrier of your choice such as Blue Cross of California. Once that policy has been approved and issued, you then open an HSA thru one of many Federally approved financial institutions such as Wells Fargo Bank and Chase Bank.
HSA's are designed by the Fed Government to allow you to fund a separate Health Savings Account using Pre-Tax dollars. You then use this HSA to pay for your out of pocket medical expenses throughout the year. A single person can put nearly $3000 per year into your Tax Free HSA. You can choose to fund the account anyway you want....lump sum annually, regular monthly or quarterly deposits etc. At age 65 any money that you have built up in your HSA can be used to pay for long term medical care premiums and costs or to pay for your Medicare Supplement Policy premiums or it can sit there as an inheritance item.
As with all insurance, the higher your deductible is, the lower your premium will be. The idea behind HSA compatible HDHP is that the money you save by paying lower premiums is put into a Tax Free HSA to be used to pay for your out of pocket medical expenses.
Its a Win-Win situation.
You can more find information at the Department of the Treasury's website including answers to frequently asked questions, related IRS forms and publications, technical guidance, and links to other helpful web sites. The Treasury's HSA website can be found through http://www.treas.gov/ (click on "Health Savings Accounts") or directly at the following address http://www.treas.gov/officers/public-affairs/hsa/
For more information, please email me! To quote or apply for your own HDHP/HSA please visit my website at http://www.crossins.com/
Cheers!
Julia Cross
CA Lic # 0B28378
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