6 Kaiser Permanente hospitals win national honors including Bay Area locals in Antioch, Oakland, Richmond, San Francisco, San Jose, San Rafael, Santa Clara, South San Francisco and Walnut Creek. Here; http://bit.ly/dIsS8P

A.M. Best upgrades ratings of Health Net, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries. Article here: http://bit.ly/gGCyFe

After halting children-only policies, Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Cigna, Health Net and UnitedHealth all plan to offer again Jan 1. Quotes here: http://bit.ly/e9TQ2N

Individual health insurance plans/rates are the same regardless of where you purchase. Coming off Cobra? Need insurance? All carrier options here: http://bit.ly/e9TQ2N

GOP blocks move to add repeal of 1099 provision to tax cut legislation. More here: http://bit.ly/hGG2Ga

Check out our latest 5 start review on Yelp - http://bit.ly/833FZU. (don't forget to see the "filtered" reviews - http://bit.ly/ePTzZG)

Aetna insurance study: oral care, healthy births linked. Article here: http://bit.ly/hJ4N5r

Looking for individual dental or vision insurance? Delta Dental ($31) and VSP ($13). Input zip code only to quote and apply here: http://bit.ly/hTNptM

California kids, comprehensive out-patient benefits for only $75 a month. $0 deductible, minimal co-pays, no income restrictions. Link here: http://bit.ly/f94a22

Walking 5 miles per week may slow cognitive decline. Article here; http://bit.ly/fHkAs1

California's largest health carriers are fined nearly $5 million for not properly paying claims. Here: http://lat.ms/eP3Wt3

500M people will be using healthcare mobile applications in 2015. Article: http://bit.ly/dTb5Mq

HHS issues consumer guidance/clarity on Medical Loss Ratios. Here: http://bit.ly/afKrZB

The rise of social networking in HR. Short article here: http://bit.ly/brP4ET

New amendment allows group health plans to switch insurance companies & maintain grandfathered status. HHS release here http://bit.ly/cTFA8P and scheduled to be published tomorrow, November 17, in Federal Register.

Brilliant! PAMF doctors partner with Cisco to create unique health program. Read here: http://bit.ly/c6dy8W

Eating Healthy Foods Can Save You Money. Article: http://bit.ly/9mZ3NW

New online site by Golden Rule Health, one of many, useful tools for comparing if HSA is financially better than your current plan: http://bit.ly/dmjRQh

Though very unlikely to be repealed, health reform details will continue to be "reformed". GOP reiterates plans to combat provisions of bill: http://bit.ly/9m0cyk

more and more firms pushing wellness in the workplace. Article here: http://bit.ly/aIqQXM

Gotta love it! McDonald’s happy meal resists decomposition for six months. Article here: http://yhoo.it/avqZDe

Health insurer HealthMarkets sued by L.A. city attorney over 'junk insurance'. Article here: http://lat.ms/9K4ZTu

Encouraging votes for Mike Villines for California Insurance Commissioner. Believe business climate will benefit most with him in that seat. More info: http://bit.ly/9TErj7

NAIC (Insurance Commissioners) unanimously approve health insurance MLR ppending requirements. Full article here: http://bit.ly/9oftpM

Kaiser Foundation provides short movie (8 minutes) - explains current health care problems, changes coming, and larger changes on way 2014. Watch here: http://bit.ly/bRtuI9

IRS announced it will defer new requirement for employers to report cost of health coverage making it optional in 2011. Here: http://bit.ly/90XANk. Also, issued draft of new W-2 (http://bit.ly/ag9uUb).

High stress levels cost you 46% more in health care. Online wellness vendor The Prevention Plan provides good article and tool here: http://bit.ly/cPmWPW

U.S. Federal CTO, Aneesh Chopra, announced opening of data to developers. Flurry of new companies and innovation in health and wellness. Here: http://bit.ly/ccLidZ and http://bit.ly/bj0h2V.

U.S. Healthcare cost rate increases reach highest levels in five years. Article here: http://bit.ly/ahuFXO

HHS doing a good job updating website with relevant content. Individual health plan pricing now available, including good explanations; www.healthcare.gov.

Schwarzenegger signed landmark health care legislation. The bills, SB 900 and AB 1602, will establish the California Health Benefit Exchange in 2014. Details here: http://bit.ly/dlqDG7

Bay Area medical groups Hill Physicians, Kaiser, Affinity and Palo Alto Medical Foundation top IHA's list of "top performing" in CA. Article here: http://bit.ly/ciaC9J

10 major new health reform benefits take effect today. Overview here: http://bit.ly/azWX8g

On Governor Schwarzenegger's desk over dozen health care bills (Summaries here: http://bit.ly/ajkMuL). Has 8 days from today to sign or veto. Have strong opinions? Now would be time to contact.

Reminder: Effective Jan 1, 2011, rules for FSA's and HRA's change. The cost of over-the-counter drugs or medicine can no longer be reimbursed w/o prescription. IRS details here: http://bit.ly/9QBtQU

Insurers Say New Health Benefits Will Raise Premiums, Kathleen Sebelius of HHS has strong words in return. And so goes the debate... http://bit.ly/bskeZL

Wow! Based on non-discrimination provision, Anthem Blue Cross will not allow new Management-Only Carve-out plans, effective October 1, 2010 and forward.

Blue Cross of California pulls out of child-only plan market this morning citing mandates & need of clarification from HHS. Details here: http://bit.ly/a0j2Vc

Attempt to repeal 1099 provision of health reform bill was defeated Tuesday. Set to take effect in 2012. Debate will continue. Details here: http://bit.ly/cbQQ7y

Insurance or no insurance, free RX card can save you 40-70%. Tried it myself at Rite Aid this week. Retail cost $45, my cost $27 = 40% savings! Get yours here: http://bit.ly/bcR2iD

I am speaking this Thursday, Sept 16 8:30am in San Ramon, CA - Health Reform and Your Business. Register here: http://bit.ly/cS0YlA or here: http://bit.ly/cRF20G

Small companies offering insurance coverage predicted to increase due to health care reform (rand corp.). Good summary here: http://bit.ly/dy8zqu

California's MRMIB has published the final document for PCIP (Pre-existing Condition Insurance Program). Rates are reasonable and benefits fairly rich. If you have been uninsured for previous 6 months, you may be eligible. Details here: http://ping.fm/liJQn

Typically insurance carriers provide 12 month rate guarantees. However, today, Blue Shield notified us that in light of upcoming health reform changes, 12-month rate guarantees (individual plans) will be discontinued for new business with effective dates on or after October 1, 2010.

Innovative small business wellness programs; http://bit.ly/c6vXEA and http://bit.ly/9vbrLk. Making it easier to implement, manage and save.

California Legislature has approved two bills that would establish the California Health Benefits Exchange: http://bit.ly/buUa3e

Anthem Blue Cross redesigned their member website. If you are a member you will need to re-create an account. Details here: http://bit.ly/bBKFvJ

If you are near Palo Alto during lunch tomorrow (July 27) still time to join us for informative talk on health reform. RSVP here: http://bit.ly/cf6KG2

Repealed or not repealed, unpopular 1099 provision in health reform could create new problems, report says. Two good reads: http://bit.ly/bVBsEy and http://bit.ly/cZcgNZ

Useful tool. Order confidential lab tests w/o doctor visit. Direct access labs provides key biometric tests; http://bit.ly/dm7faP

Join us tomorrow night, August 24 for a talk on health reform & it's impact to your business. Sponsored by ASCCA: http://bit.ly/9GRChV

Deductible: the amount you must pay before an insurer will cover any of your expenses. This cool video does a good job explaining this often confusing term: http://bit.ly/blyIxH

Recent participant feedback re our last healthcare reform talk: "I listened in on the webinar you presented at WIC. First, thank you! It was the best explanation of this topic I have found. Archived here: http://bit.ly/bxs4uI

Aetna to stop selling child-only health insurance polices in most states in October. Second carrier (more to come) to pull out of a market based on reform requirements: http://exm.nr/a6i8jP

carriers/vendors providing more tools to prevent disease and live healthier life. one such example here; http://bit.ly/a5lPPC

Health Care reform includes requirements that health insurers cover preventive services with no member cost sharing. Interim final rules/details here: http://bit.ly/93rtS0

Save the Date! I'll be speaking on September 16th - Tri-Valley Consultants Forum, San Ramon Chamber of Commerce and the City of San Ramon have partnered to bring you an informative business event on the Health Care Reform Bill. Details to come...

New online tools allow consumers to track health insurance rate hikes: http://bit.ly/a4e3Sy

Join us for our August event; Navigating the Healthcare Maze. In cooperation with Ameriprise Financial. Register here: http://bit.ly/cf6KG2

What is driving health insurance premium increases? Good read: http://bit.ly/aeNMpU.

HHS Secretary Sebelius announces new Pre-Existing condition insurance. Provides temp coverage for those w/o insurance due to pre-existing conditions: http://bit.ly/b5YxPX

Good article for detail on preventive care coverage following last post; http://bit.ly/d6daYH

HHS Releases Final Interim Guidance on Preventive Health Cost-Sharing. Plans must cover without copay, coinsurance or deductible certain preventive services: http://bit.ly/9brFdR

On July 2, The NY Times (http://nyti.ms/clZWNd) noted that the health care overhaul's beginnings were earning high marks from some quarters.

On Thursday, July 1 HHS unveiled a new web site, HealthCare.gov, where consumers can obtain information about public and private health insurance options in their states.

Blue Cross resubmitted individual rates to DOI and DMHC. Average increases of 14% rather than 40%. Details here: http://bit.ly/9PfcJX

COBRA subsidy (http://bit.ly/dr8gRF) extension ended - May 31, 2010. While Congress may consider extending the government subsidy, there is no immediate news indicating this is the case.

Seechangehealth (http://bit.ly/aAp87r) 1st small group medical carrier to enter California in years. Plan members pay less for health related costs when they are participating in preventive care. Now we are talking...

To help improve health, HHS turning to app developers, mobile, social media, and other cutting-edge information technologies: http://bit.ly/96z9wN

Second California Insurer, Aetna, Withdraws Rate Hike After Major Math Errors Discovered: http://bit.ly/d5V3Mp

If uninsured for prior 6 months, new high risk pool for Californians starts Sept. 1 - not a silver bullet, but will help some: http://bit.ly/9QGfsK

Guidance Released on Grandfathered Health Plans: http://bit.ly/9cQV0i

Would like you to 'like' our business on our Facebook fan page: http://bit.ly/b4NVWs

Webinar: Health Reform and how it will affect you, Wednesday, July 7, 11am-12pm Sign up here: http://bit.ly/cKGzzc

Blue Cross opens network to retail health clinics: convenient, affordable and easy to access: http://bit.ly/deep4r

Links to some of the best site on health reform: http://bit.ly/9LH34N

According to new report, anywhere from one-fifth to nearly one-third of the tests and treatments we get are estimated to be unnecessary and dangerous; http://bit.ly/9vZ8Xe

Great grid showing how Aetna, Blue Cross, Health Net and UHC are handling over age dependents now - October: http://bit.ly/c3LNiq

Webinar: Health Reform and how it will affect you, Wednesday, July 7, 11:00am – 12:00pm Sign up here: http://bit.ly/cKGzzc

Join us at the Sand Hill Room, Menlo Park on June 10 for a discussion on Healthcare Reform. Or dial in. Register here: http://bit.ly/9itdH2

DOL Provides Information on Extension of Coverage for Adult Children: fact sheet - http://bit.ly/d5qZrr, FAQ, http://bit.ly/9s5Vmh

coming soon: employers can offer workers rewards worth up to 30 percent to 50 percent of their cost of health coverage for participating in a wellness program http://bit.ly/9MfQit

10 Questions Every Small Business Owner Should Ask about Health Care Reform: http://bit.ly/dfga5F

Health Care Reform Insurance Web Portal Coming Soon: http://bit.ly/adK3CZ

Did you know? Companies with effective health programs showed a 75% higher 3 year-year return to shareholders.

Participating in health/wellness luncheon with client. Discussing best practices, programs and employee survey results.

Communication is key. However, 44% of employers now offering consumer driven healthcare, and it is working: http://bit.ly/9bance

HSA's - good article on comparing (http://bit.ly/9Q1zjS) and another on common misconceptions (http://bit.ly/ca9Oh5)

Cobra update: employees terminated from April 1 through May 31, 2010 will receive the
15-month, 65% federal premium subsidy. Prior to this extension, March 31, 2010 was the cut-off date. Questions call us 650-419-2403.

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Human will offer dependent coverage to age 26 beginning June 1: http://bit.ly/90JUBU, read the fine print, depends on plan, etc...

Adopting consumer-driven health plans are among CFOs' top efforts to contain rising health-care costs: http://bit.ly/djrCJK

http://bit.ly/9M94fs - Kaiser Permanente Pushes For Health-Care "Farmer's Market": Kaiser is typically 10% cheaper than other health insurance plans.

Lower your medical, dental and vision bills by 20-50%? You should check out Medical Cost Advocates: http://bit.ly/dcYQY8

IRS issues guidance regarding small business tax credits for health insurance: http://bit.ly/9l9Jo2

Save lots of money by asking for and using generic drugs, when possible. Use the site here (pillbot) to compare costs http://bit.ly/d6wI0e. endorsed by AARP, FDA and most medical plans.

Health insurance cost likely to remain the same (increasing) in most cases according to factcheck: http://bit.ly/dqnlqM

one of the best blogs on healthcare reform http://bit.ly/aMRaCP

helped another executive save extraordinary $. Age 49 male, 49 female, 12 child. Previous plan = Blue Cross PPO Share $500. Recommended: Blue Cross HSA $3500. Savings of $1,000 MONTHLY! Best case save over $12k annual, worst case save approx $4k annual. Will post self-analysis tool soon.

Just launched our facebook fan page. Tips, tools and info on being a smart health care consumer: http://bit.ly/ay2HCx

HRA's (health reimbursement arrangements) can reduce a companies health costs by 15-40% if structured correctly. Interesting legal debate taking place in California between carriers and brokerage community. Info here: http://bit.ly/bMErOQ

beautiful day. enjoying the fruits of a productive week. looking forward to time with family.

Great talk today with Herb K. Schultz -just appointed (yesterday) to position in the Obama Administration as Director of the US Department of Health and Human Services' Region IX. Congrats Herb!

Implementing a total replacement CDH (consumer driven healthcare) program is one of the leading health care strategies available to employers http://bit.ly/9bance

high-income individuals ($125k ind, $250k married) taking Cobra subsidy will have income tax liability equal to subsidy. for more guidance http://bit.ly/9IuVuV. Call for alternatives 650.419.2403

Good news for wellness and alternative care providers. Provision in new legislation for more inclusion in health plans: http://bit.ly/c2fXku

Aetna study: companies that use HRA & HSA plans, saved $18 million per 10,000 members over last five years: http://bit.ly/d9DDa0

IRS guidance for small business tax credit

If you are paying 50% of the health insurance premium on behalf of your employees, your business might be eligible for a 35% tax credit beginning in 2010. Call us or click here for guidance.

Immediate Changes of Healthcare Reform

Though many of the provisions in recent health care bill HR 4872 don't take place until Jan 1, 2014, there are some that will happen almost immediately. Click here to see a summary.

Prevention is the best way to keep your costs down

We talk with individuals and employers all day long about how to keep their health insurance costs down. Unfortunately, there is no silver bullet.

In addition, if you are purchasing health insurance as an individual or small business (2-50) employees, the rates are fixed and you just have to "take-it" whenever a carrier says you are getting a rate increase.

So what can you do?

You can focus on what is within your control. You can exercise, eat healthy, manage stress, negotiate with your health care provider (in some cases) and other things that keep you from getting sick or landing in the ER. If you are a user of an HSA (health savings account) you can use some new tools that will help you get more money and find savings.

Here are a couple of sites that you may find useful that help with their online tools and education:

Wellness and Coaching: More Good Years
Provider Negotiations: Medical Costs Advocates
HSA Shopping Rewards: My HSA Rewards

Also, check with your carrier (Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Health Net, Kaiser and more) as most have health coaching, health assessments, cost estimators and other tools that many consumers just are not aware are available.