U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Chris Dodd, D-Conn., both members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, today introduced legislation that would require child care providers to disclose whether they have liability insurance.
The legislation was prompted by the story of Anthony DeJuan Boatwright, also known as Juan. In 2001, when he was 14 months old, Juan fell into an unattended bucket of mop water at his child care center in Augusta, Ga. As a result of the accident, Juan has remained semi-comatose and dependent on a ventilator for the past eight years. The center where Juan was injured was licensed, but not insured. At the time, there was no provision in place to let parents know the insurance status of child care providers.
“I hope the Senate will quickly pass this straight-forward, bipartisan legislation to simultaneously honor young Juan and provide parents with much-needed information about child care facilities,” Isakson said. “Juan’s mother Jackie deserves considerable credit for her efforts to ensure all parents know whether or not their child care provider is insured.”
“As the father of two young daughters, I understand the need for parents to be well informed when making decisions about child care,” said Dodd. “This bill will help to protect children and give parents peace of mind. I’m proud to support this important legislation, and look forward to future opportunities to improve the quality of and access to child care in this country for children, families, and providers.”
Specifically, the Anthony DeJuan Boatwright Act would require child care providers that receive Child Care and Development Block Grant funds to disclose whether or not they carry liability insurance for the operation of their facility. The bill also would require that states recommend such coverage in their licensure process.
Senators Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Roland Burris, D-Ill., also are co-sponsors of the bill. A companion bill passed in the House of Representatives on June 2, 2009.
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Showing posts with label gwinnett. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gwinnett. Show all posts
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Oxendine: Can Your Health Insurance Cope with Swine Flu?
Insurance Commissioner John W. Oxendine wants Georgians to be prepared for a possible swine flu outbreak by reviewing whether their health insurance policies will cover possible contingencies like hospitalization and prescription medications.
The Commissioner suggested that you take a few minutes and consider these questions:
* Does your policy have a preauthorization requirement for hospital admission or other services?
* What is your co-payment for the most common H1N1 treatments? The two drugs doctors can prescribe to treat H1N1 flu are Tamiflu and Relenza. Also find out if there are any coverage limitations that apply to the distribution of the medication. Some policies will restrict coverage on the number of doses per prescription or per year.
* What is your out-of-network co-payment? If your area is heavily affected by the spread of the H1N1 flu outbreak, your regular physician may not be able to see you in a timely manner. If you have to go out-of-network, be aware you will have to pay a higher co-payment for your office visit and possibly any tests run during the visit. Get prepared for any eventuality with the following checklist:
-- Have your health insurance I.D. card handy.
-- Review your health insurance policy provisions. Know which doctors and hospitals are in your network.
-- Make note of your co-payments. Know how much a doctor's office visit will cost. Check to see if your co-payments go up if you go out-of-network.
-- Find the list of pharmacies covered by your health insurance policy.
-- If you have plans to travel, make sure you check to see if there are any doctors or medical facilities in-network where you will be visiting.
-- Make sure you have contact details for your health insurance company available in case you have questions. Your employer may gather all pertinent health insurance information together for you in one simple-to-reference form. If they do, post the information where it can easily be accessed by you and your family.
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The Commissioner suggested that you take a few minutes and consider these questions:
* Does your policy have a preauthorization requirement for hospital admission or other services?
* What is your co-payment for the most common H1N1 treatments? The two drugs doctors can prescribe to treat H1N1 flu are Tamiflu and Relenza. Also find out if there are any coverage limitations that apply to the distribution of the medication. Some policies will restrict coverage on the number of doses per prescription or per year.
* What is your out-of-network co-payment? If your area is heavily affected by the spread of the H1N1 flu outbreak, your regular physician may not be able to see you in a timely manner. If you have to go out-of-network, be aware you will have to pay a higher co-payment for your office visit and possibly any tests run during the visit. Get prepared for any eventuality with the following checklist:
-- Have your health insurance I.D. card handy.
-- Review your health insurance policy provisions. Know which doctors and hospitals are in your network.
-- Make note of your co-payments. Know how much a doctor's office visit will cost. Check to see if your co-payments go up if you go out-of-network.
-- Find the list of pharmacies covered by your health insurance policy.
-- If you have plans to travel, make sure you check to see if there are any doctors or medical facilities in-network where you will be visiting.
-- Make sure you have contact details for your health insurance company available in case you have questions. Your employer may gather all pertinent health insurance information together for you in one simple-to-reference form. If they do, post the information where it can easily be accessed by you and your family.
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Saturday, March 07, 2009
Panel Discussion to Address Impacts of Today's Economy on Retirement
Behind The Headlines: Making the Most of Your Retirement targeted to 70 + age group
WHO: Discussion members include Donna Barwick, J.D., Senior Director of Wealth Management for The Bank of New York Mellon; Henry Bowden, founder of The Bowden Law Firm; John J. Geraghty, Executive Vice-President of SunTrust Bank; Jim Hansberger, Managing Director, The Hansberger Group; and Michael A. Mohr, Managing Director of The Bank of New York Mellon in Atlanta. Emory Schwall, an Atlanta attorney, Certified Estate Planner and Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Georgia representing the Insurance Commission, will moderate the discussion.
WHAT: Just how has the change in economy affected retirement? What’s it going to take to retire with security, manage long-term health care, and protect one's estate? Where are the financial risks? A panel of financial experts will discuss these questions and more at the discussion, “Behind the Headlines: Making the Most of Your Retirement.” The discussion will address estate planning, asset allocation, health care management, living wills, retirement strategies and other topics of interest to the 70+ age group.
WHEN: Monday, March 16, 2009, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Woodruff Auditorium of the Atlanta History Center
WHY: The panel discussion is in response to recent news stories about the economy, much of which is aimed at baby boomers and their challenges, but little directly relating to people already enjoying retirement. The event is one in a three-part series hosted by Peachtree Hills Place, a residential community offering a continuum of care in Buckhead for people ages 55 and older, that will discuss the issues directly affecting this demographic.
Please Note: The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. For more information or to register, call Peachtree Hills Place at 404-467-4900
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WHO: Discussion members include Donna Barwick, J.D., Senior Director of Wealth Management for The Bank of New York Mellon; Henry Bowden, founder of The Bowden Law Firm; John J. Geraghty, Executive Vice-President of SunTrust Bank; Jim Hansberger, Managing Director, The Hansberger Group; and Michael A. Mohr, Managing Director of The Bank of New York Mellon in Atlanta. Emory Schwall, an Atlanta attorney, Certified Estate Planner and Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Georgia representing the Insurance Commission, will moderate the discussion.
WHAT: Just how has the change in economy affected retirement? What’s it going to take to retire with security, manage long-term health care, and protect one's estate? Where are the financial risks? A panel of financial experts will discuss these questions and more at the discussion, “Behind the Headlines: Making the Most of Your Retirement.” The discussion will address estate planning, asset allocation, health care management, living wills, retirement strategies and other topics of interest to the 70+ age group.
WHEN: Monday, March 16, 2009, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Woodruff Auditorium of the Atlanta History Center
WHY: The panel discussion is in response to recent news stories about the economy, much of which is aimed at baby boomers and their challenges, but little directly relating to people already enjoying retirement. The event is one in a three-part series hosted by Peachtree Hills Place, a residential community offering a continuum of care in Buckhead for people ages 55 and older, that will discuss the issues directly affecting this demographic.
Please Note: The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. For more information or to register, call Peachtree Hills Place at 404-467-4900
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Monday, February 02, 2009
Oxendine Warns of Consequences of Proposed Health Insurance Tax
Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John W. Oxendine testified to legislators during his agency’s appropriations hearings that increasing the tax on health insurers and hospitals would lead to higher health insurance rates, more uninsured and could add to the financial hardships facing small hospitals already strapped for cash.
“I felt an obligation to inform the members of the House and Senate subcommittees that the proposal is more than just a 1.6 percent tax on health insurers and hospitals,” Oxendine said. “If passed, this measure will increase the cost of health insurance, and could force more Georgians into the ranks of the uninsured. In addition, the financial problems that hospitals are already facing will only be compounded.”
Oxendine’s remarks were in response to the Department of Community Health’s proposal to raise $317 million in revenue for fiscal year 2010 by imposing a new tax on health insurers and hospitals.
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“I felt an obligation to inform the members of the House and Senate subcommittees that the proposal is more than just a 1.6 percent tax on health insurers and hospitals,” Oxendine said. “If passed, this measure will increase the cost of health insurance, and could force more Georgians into the ranks of the uninsured. In addition, the financial problems that hospitals are already facing will only be compounded.”
Oxendine’s remarks were in response to the Department of Community Health’s proposal to raise $317 million in revenue for fiscal year 2010 by imposing a new tax on health insurers and hospitals.
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Thursday, December 04, 2008
Oxendine Orders Blue Cross to Reimburse $12 Million
OXENDINE ORDERS BLUE CROSS
TO REIMBURSE $12 MILLION
Atlanta – Insurance Commissioner John W. Oxendine announced today that he has ordered Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, Inc. to make additional claims payments of $12 million for certain ambulance services rendered to its policyholders that were improperly reimbursed.
The consent order is the result of a market conduct exam initiated by Oxendine’s office which revealed that Blue Cross incorrectly reimbursed out-of-network ambulance providers for services rendered. In a number of instances, Blue Cross made inconsistent payments for comparable ambulance services. In other cases, Blue Cross failed to increase its reimbursement rates over a number of years, in spite of the increasing costs of providing ambulance services.
“The proper payment of claims for emergency services is vital to the maintenance of our trauma system and equally important to protect consumers from excessive balance billing. I want insurers to know that I expect providers to be paid according to the requirements of Georgia law,” Oxendine said.
As a result of this action, Blue Cross has also been ordered to increase reimbursement rates for future out-of-network ambulance services. “Resolving prior practices is only part of the solution,” Oxendine said. “We must ensure that insurance companies reimburse medical providers and policyholders in a fair and equitable manner.”
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TO REIMBURSE $12 MILLION
Atlanta – Insurance Commissioner John W. Oxendine announced today that he has ordered Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, Inc. to make additional claims payments of $12 million for certain ambulance services rendered to its policyholders that were improperly reimbursed.
The consent order is the result of a market conduct exam initiated by Oxendine’s office which revealed that Blue Cross incorrectly reimbursed out-of-network ambulance providers for services rendered. In a number of instances, Blue Cross made inconsistent payments for comparable ambulance services. In other cases, Blue Cross failed to increase its reimbursement rates over a number of years, in spite of the increasing costs of providing ambulance services.
“The proper payment of claims for emergency services is vital to the maintenance of our trauma system and equally important to protect consumers from excessive balance billing. I want insurers to know that I expect providers to be paid according to the requirements of Georgia law,” Oxendine said.
As a result of this action, Blue Cross has also been ordered to increase reimbursement rates for future out-of-network ambulance services. “Resolving prior practices is only part of the solution,” Oxendine said. “We must ensure that insurance companies reimburse medical providers and policyholders in a fair and equitable manner.”
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