My employer, with over 1500 employees, is debating whether to offer healthcare insurance to us or drop completely due to the expensive cost it will be for the company who purchases in bulk. I understand they will be paying a $2000 per employee penalty to the IRS due to them declining. It appears that we will be needing to buy our own. Will the insurance premiums still be a pre-tax payment? Are there affordable options for me and my family?

Life Tree Counseling Kathleen Mills

If your employer drops your healthcare insurance coverage and you have to buy your own plan, you would no longer be able to pay your premium with pre-tax dollars. Effective in 2014, if your employer stops offering coverage, you will be able to purchase a plan on the health insurance exchanges in October 2013 in…

Read More

Knowing Your Healthcare Benefits

Life Tree Counseling Kathleen Mills

Your healthcare coverage is one of the most important benefits you’ll receive in your lifetime, and it’s an excellent idea to educate yourself on your plan when it comes to getting the most out of your money.  Mental health or behavioral health care deals with a wide range of issues, from traditional counseling sessions to…

Read More

What is an exchange?

Life Tree Counseling Kathleen Mills

In Section 1311: The “Exchange” is a place (online or store, similiar to the DMV) which will  allow the individual to purchase the required healthcare insurance, as outlined in the Affordable Care Act. If you are not covered by your employer you will have to go through the exchange system to obtain health care insurance.…

Read More

What is “Medicaid Expansion” all about?

Life Tree Counseling Kathleen Mills

Previously and up until 2012, Medicaid was State operated which served it’s poverty and indigent, and was completely within each State’s jurisdiction to run in every way. But now, in the Obamacare law, it commanded each State be required to fulfill the EXPANSION obligation which raises to 133% over the poverty income (about $10,000). So,…

Read More

If the 10th amendment states that any subject not expressly covered in the constitution is a states-rights issue, why is the Federal government forcing me to buy health insurance?

Life Tree Counseling Kathleen Mills

SCOTUS ruled in favor of the individual mandate, which puts a kink in Amendment X. The only way to enforce Amendment X is for Congress to fully repeal Obamacare, or to defund Obamacare due to the current $6.5 Trillion current deficit. The de-fund bill was struck down by the Democrats in March 2013. However there…

Read More

Why are the President, Vice-President, his cabinet and their families and all of congress exempt from having to comply with the Affordable Care Act?

Life Tree Counseling Kathleen Mills

Written into the Affordable Care Act, Obamacare excludes these groups along with seven other groups. For more information about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, visit:  http://housedocs.house.gov/energycommerce/ppacacon.pdf.   “The thoughts and opinions expressed in this article are not to be taken as legal advice. The ACA changes on a daily basis and the material…

Read More

Some of my family members do not currently have health insurance coverage. What if I can’t afford to buy/pay for their coverage?

Life Tree Counseling Kathleen Mills

It is no longer about your family. It is about each individual and the mandate that each individual be covered. All individuals have been ordered to purchase health insurance. The individual may qualify for Medicaid Expansion parameters, by filling out a 16 page application to apply for a partial waiver to help reduce your outgoing…

Read More

Obama promised that health insurance rates would go down an average of $2500 per family. My health insurance coverage has gone up dramatically since passage of ACA and the program hasn’t even fully kicked in. Why are my rates going up?

Life Tree Counseling Kathleen Mills

The individual has been lied to. This was not true when it was promised and it is clear it is not true now. For information about the Patient Protection and the Affordable Care Act visit:  http://housedocs.house.gov/energycommerce/ppacacon.pdf. Kathleen Sebelius did in fact confirm and admit under oath in March 2013, that a general policy would rise…

Read More