What's Going on with "Obamacare" Here in California

Are you wondering what is going on with the health care law right now here in California?  There have been a plethora of articles and news reports put out over the last few weeks on this exact topic.  Some articles pertain to California, some to other states, and others are an overview of the law as it affects the country as a whole.  But last week here in California two articles showed up, and though they were not trying to, they did manage to illuminate some of the real world obstacles faced with implementing this law.  The first article by Matthias Gafni from the Contra Costa Times highlights the problems employers face with trying to deliver services while at the same time trying to keep operating costs down.  The issue in this article is that the employer is this state's health exchange, and more precisely the highly sought after call center.  The call center was reported to bring 200 well paying jobs with benefits to the area.  The problem is though the call center is bringing 200 jobs only 100 are full time jobs with benefits (what we are talking about is mainly health insurance).  The other 100 employees will be part-time with no health insurance.  This is exactly what employees and employers all over the state face daily.  To read the article click on the link below:
http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_23733819/concord-half-call-center-jobs-will-be-part

The second article of note was by Michael R. Blood of The San Diego Union-Tribune.  It is about the $300 million being spent in our state to advertise and promote the health care exchange (CoveredCA).  The law, according to this article, needs to be sold to people.  They need to hear about it on the radio, television and see it on the internet.  They want people to hear and see it morning, noon and night.  One example of the spending is on the $18 million that is being spent just on fees to one public relations firm.  It is fascinating and unprecedented, never before has a government program had to be sold to the people like this program does.  To read more about this click on the link below:
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/jul/24/calif-to-see-wave-of-spending-to-sell-obamacare/

What will happen with health care in our state?  I don't know.  But what I do know is that we will all still need good and affordable health care.  If you need it or have concerns about it, please feel free to call us here at 714-680-5900 or email us at info@ansainsruanceservices.com .  You can always find us on the web at www.ansainsruanceservices.com .

Another Health Carrier to Leave California

Last month it was Aetna announcing that they were leaving the individual health market here in California, now this month United Health Care announces that they are leaving as well.  It is important to note that they are leaving just the individual and family plan markets, not employer sponsored group plans or Medicare plans. It is important to note that Aetna and United combined only carried about 8% of the individual market this past year.  They never caught on competitively to the new rules and regulations that California set over the past two years.  Once mandatory maternity was introduced last year their rates and plans never came close to the other carriers.  With that said, it is still sad that there will be less choice for consumers overall and it begs the question "who will we see leave next?"  For those of you that are on either an Aetna or United plan, you will need to find a new carrier prior to January 1, 2014.  If you have questions on what to do, you can email us at info@ansainsuranceservices.com or call us at 714-680-5900.