It’s Open Enrollment Time, So What’s Different This Year?

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Open Enrollment

Main Points

  • Open enrollment for 2022 coverage started November 1, 2021. It will close in most states on January 15. However, people must enroll before December 15 to be eligible for coverage effective January 1.
  • Most of them set the end date for open enrollment in this year’s state-run exchanges at January 15 or 31.
  • Enrollment for 2021 plans is available through several state-run exchanges. People who have been paid unemployment compensation in 2021 may still enroll.
  • California, Colorado, Washington, DC, and Washington, DC have extended open enrollment for a permanent period. Most state-run exchanges also tend to offer open enrollment every year. There has been a shift towards fully-state-run exchanges.
  • Fully state-run exchanges (15 for 2021; increasing to 18 by 2022) could always extend OEP.
  • You will normally need to have a qualifying event
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Biden Admin. Creates Special Enrollment For Health Insurance

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Health Insurance During Pandemic

For those who’ve been without health insurance during the pandemic, relief is in sight! In January, President Biden approved an executive order to start up the national medical insurance market for three months so uninsured individuals can purchase a plan. People who wish to modify their market coverage can do so.

Consumer advocates acclaimed the directive. Since 2016, the number of American citizens without health insurance has increased, approaching 30 million in 2019. The economic explosion caused by the COVID-19 crisis has made a bad situation worse, driving millions out of their insurance programs due to unemployment.… Read More

At Home Coronavirus Test Kits You Can Order Online

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“At Home coronavirus test kits” are now available online to prevent or slow down the spread of the virus. During the first few months of this coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19 test options were not easily available.  You needed a physician’s orders to get analyzed and to get those requests, you had to meet specific criteria, such as with a fever and showing other COVID-19 symptoms.

The US isn’t struggling as much today with a lack of coronavirus test kits and related supplies, thanks partially to the start of at-home testing. These home coronavirus test kits– of which there are now eight approved for use — remove the need for a person who is feeling ill to visit a testing site or doctor’s practice, which means fewer people are vulnerable to the virus.… Read More

Confused About New Marijuana Laws And Getting Hired?

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Employers have been grappling with confusing marijuana laws for many years, and the rules are becoming more challenging to navigate as more states change employment protections.

There are many new improvements with drug-testing and marijuana legislation, making it hard for companies to keep up. In 2020, some places will prohibit employers from testing new hires for weed use or refusing to hire applicants according to a failed pre-employment marijuana test–although there are exemptions for safety-sensitive jobs. This might be a new trend for the coming years.… Read More

Largest Health Insurance Companies In America

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In the United States, there are lots of private insurance companies selling a variety of types of insurance. There is property/casualty and life/annuity insurers, then you have Accident and Medical insurance, as reported by the Insurance Information Institute.

In 2018, the accident and health insurance market’s direct written premiums reached $1.1 trillion, up by 57.3 percent from 2009. The increase in premiums is most likely a combination of more Americans having health insurance and the prices for health insurance plans have gone up.  The ten biggest insurers jointly wrote 51.8 percent of the total US market, as per the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).… Read More

Medical Test Checklist For Refugees Entering The US

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As refugees cross over into the US borders and arrive at the immigration centers or border facilities they may have to wait for medical screening tests to be performed. Here is a listing of potential health screening tests that the medical examiners or physicians may order.  This refugees medical test check listing serves as a guideline for physicians as to what to look for and also for the immigrants as to what they can expect.

physician's medical check list

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Learn All About Temporary Health Insurance

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Temporary or Short Term Health Insurance gives coverage for medical illness and accident for a fixed period, usually with a lower premium than other kinds of basic medical fitness insurance. There are two benefits to buying Temporary Health Insurance.

First, you can utilize your Temporary Health Insurance to pay for assistance from any physician or clinic (any in-network provider). Yes, you may keep your physician!

Second, Temporary Health Insurance policies have no Open Enrollment time constraints you may apply for one at any time of the year. You’ll be notified if your application is approved, and your policy can be used as early as the following day.… Read More

States Allowed To Drug Test Food Stamp Recipients

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The Trump administration is thinking about adopting a plan which would permit the individual states to demand drug testing for food stamp recipients, according to the Associated Press.

The proposal is just one more step in the White House’s potential to allow states more flexibility in executing federal programs for the poor. Additionally, it needs to enable work demands for recipients.

Federal law bans states from imposing their own constraints on the food stamps eligibility. At least 20 states have introduced laws to display safety program participants, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

white house admin signs billIn April of 2018, Trump signed an executive order calling for agencies to establish or strengthen present work requirements for specific people who benefit from federal welfare programs.… Read More

New Medical Test For Early Cancer Detection

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Cancer refers to a group of diseases that occur as a result of abnormal and uncontrollable cell growth that affects different parts of the body. There are more than 100 types of cancer, and each is categorized according to the kind of transformed cell.  Detecting cancer early with a medical test or a screening test is key to fighting the battle.

Cancer causes the formation of lumps of tissue also called tumors, and these can interfere with standard body functions in various ways. Tumors can affect the nervous, digestive as well as the blood circulatory systems. Leukemia is the only form of cancer that does not cause tumors but prohibits the normal functioning of blood.

red blood cells, cancer sceening test

When the tumor spreads to other parts of the body, then the new condition of cancer becomes very difficult to … Read More

Reducing Your Out-Of-Pocket Medicare Healthcare Costs

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doctor office visit insurance medicare

How To Figure Out Medicare Health Insurance

When we reach retirement age, we begin to receive a monthly check from the government. This is not a gift. Throughout our lives, money is taken from our salary and paid into the Social Security Administration.

Medicare is a government administered health insurance program for people over 65 years old or people with disabilities. Medicare health insurance is not free, though Medicaid does help people of low income with some of their health insurance needs at no cost.… Read More

Buy Or Renew Your Health Insurance For 2018

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Health insurance is a bit complicated for millions of families in the US. Different types of networks, a variety of health plans, and income dictates the options available, yet no insurance company created all plans equally. In addition to this, there are variations on costs and coverage depending on location.

The annual open enrollment period offers a chance for applicants and families to make a positive change. This is when they can switch to a better plan or buy a plan for the first time.

The concern this year is that there may not be quite so many plans, and the costs will go up. Some will be pleasantly surprised by the outcome, while others will lose out. It all comes down to the potential changes to the Affordable Care Act, which Congress continues to … Read More

Is The US Any Further Forward With Hair Follicle Drug Testing?

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Drug testing is an important regulation for many Americans under employment contracts. This is true across a spectrum of industries. Workers within a major corporations need to prove they are reliable, safe workers that uphold the principles of the company.

Nurses and medical workers cannot put lives at risk while under the influence. Police officers cannot appear to be above the law and must abide by drugs policies. Athletes and sports teams require regular drug testing to ensure that they are naturally gifted, worthy winners.

There are different ways to test these individuals, and one of the popular approaches these days is hair follicle drug testing. The problem is that while many see the potential of this methods, and the advancements made, there are also critics that highlight ongoing limitations.… Read More

Facts About The Health Insurance Marketplace

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Health insurance is a financial burden faced by many American families. Many have problems finding a plan that is affordable and manageable. Those that struggle are often unaware of their options and the help available.

The Health Insurance Marketplace is a federal government run system providing plans from private health and dental insurance companies. This accessible system offers aid for those in need and does more than some may think.  Using a licensed insurance agent can clear up the mystery and there is no extra charge or higher premium.… Read More

What You Need to Know About Fasting For Blood Tests

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You wake up on the morning of your doctor’s appointment, eager to know your blood sugar level or your body’s cholesterol level.

After you get into your doctor’s office and you see your doctor.  But your doctor sends you back home with instructions not to eat or drink anything besides water as from 7-8 pm till the next morning when you will have your blood drawn for the lab.  One may wonder why get sent back home and what is this fasting for blood tests?

The next morning those growling sounds can be frustrating, and it is hard to ignore the morning cravings for breakfast and a cup of coffee.  However, getting your blood drawn is a quick process, and soon after it is done, you can resume eating and drinking.… Read More

Steps For Effective Employer Drug Testing

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A good employer will want to ensure that the working environment in his or her organization is drug-free; in fact, it is his or her responsibility to do so.

After all, the prosperity of a company and the welfare of its employees are affected by the use of illicit drugs.

There are many consequences of the proliferation of drug users in an organization—from on-site accidents, decreased productivity and profit, absenteeism, and the compromised safety of the employees.… Read More