MHA Health Care Aide

HHS requires insurers to justify premium hikes of at least 10%

The HHS has issued a final rule, effective in September, requiring insurers to explain annual premium hikes of at least 10% to state regulators and post the reasons online. However, the rule does not allow regulators to void increases. The Obama administration in September 2012 also will create state-by-state thresholds for reporting premium hikes to account for regional insurance trends and health costs.

Read more from the New York Times here.

Commentary: NAIC Summary of Health Plan Coverage Ready for Testing

The government-mandated summary of health insurance benefits and coverage, entrusted to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, is about to undergo consumer testing by Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and America's Health Insurance Plans. Read more here.

The Opportunities CFOs Are Missing on Health Care Reform

Health care reform is not a popular topic of conversation among many CFOs. Sixty-four percent of U.S. CFOs feel that health care reform has had an negative impact on their organizations and only four percent think the impact of the law on their companies has been positive, according to a survey of 336 corporate CFOs from the U.S. conducted in January by Financial Executives International (FEI) and Baruch College's Zicklin School of Business.

Read more from Joanne Sammer in Business Finance here.

Health care reform, a year later: small business owners and the tax credit

It's been over a year since the president signed health care reform (the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) into law. One of the earliest incentives offered to small business owners is the tax credit -- small businesses (fewer than 25 full-time employees) that contribute at least 50% to the total insurance premium are eligible for a tax credit of up to 35% of the employer contribution for employees averaging less than $25,000 in annual wages. In 2014, the value of the credit will increase to 50%.

Read more from Susan Dickenson here.