Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP)

 The Illinois Department of Insurance site provides information on the Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP). SHIP is a free statewide health insurance counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers. A Medicare Supplement Premium Comparison Guide is available, as is Medicaid Related and Long Term Care Information

Small Business Jobs Act and the IRS

On Sept. 27, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Small Business Jobs Act, a significant piece of small business legislation. The tax provisions intended to lend support, tax cuts, and other opportunities for entrepreneurs and small business owners.  Tax Information for Small Businesses also have a link for Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center.

 

Additional info regarding detailed credits and translated IRS sites follow:

  

Hiring Credits:

English http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=220326,00.html

Spanish http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=220499,00.html

 

Health Care Tax Credit:

English http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=223666,00.html

Spanish http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=224438,00.html

 

Spanish

Business Page (Spanish): http://www.irs.gov/espanol/content/0,,id=162902,00.html

Spanish Information for Individuals & Businesses: http://www.irs.gov/espanol/

Illinois health insurance plan options

A new health insurance plan will open this morning and be made available on a first-come, first-served basis to those who qualify in Illinois. The plan is called Illinois Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (IPXP) and details for enrollment are available as are applications at http://www.insurance.illinois.gov/ipxp/.

Another plan to consider is the ICHIP, the Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan, for those who are either presently uninsured or will soon have exhausted COBRA benefits.

Tax Credit to Help Small Businesses

Small business and tax-exempt organizations which meet certain criteria may now qualify for a special tax credit when they provide health insurance coverage to their employees.

Details on this part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are available at the IRS site.

Small Businesses: Illinois Continuation Law and Health Care

Not all terminated employees are eligible for COBRA, as they may have worked for a small company which employs 20 staff persons or less.  The Illinois Continuation Law outlines what type of coverage may be available in this circumstance, as well as the Illinois Spousal Continuation Law, the Illinois Dependent Child Continuation Law and the federal continuation requirements under COBRA.

Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan (ICHIP)

The Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) is a state health benefits program; it is funded partly by premiums paid by its participants and, to the extent that premiums do not meet anticipated expenses, may receive an appropriation from the State's General Revenue Fund for eligible persons covered under traditional plans.

To apply for coverage online, receive a summary of benefits, or access the premium calculator to estimate monthly costs, please visit http://www.chip.state.il.us/ or call 866-851-2751. Representatives can also assist with the transition from health insurance coverage with a term ending under COBRA to ICHIP.

Health Care Reform

With so much information and misinformation in the news regarding the current health care reform debate, it difficult to know where to find reliable sources.  The following sites have provided comprehensive, factual guides to the issue:  

• New York Times: Health Care Reform
• Media Matters for America: Health Care Reform
• FactCheck.org

For government coverage of the issue, plus the current versions of the Senate and House bills:

• HealthReform.gov is the official government guide to the issue
• The White House: Health Care
• Senate Bill: Affordable Health Choices Act (615pp.)
• House Bill: America's Affordable Health Choices Act (1018pp.)

And finally, from BarackObama.com: Setting the Record Straight

Health Coverage for the Unemployed

Assistance is becoming increasingly available for the unemployed in need of health benefits.

 

COBRA Continuation Coverage Assistance Under The American Recovery And Reinvestment Act Of 2009:  Eligible individuals pay only 35 percent of their COBRA premiums and the remaining 65 percent is reimbursed to the coverage provider through a tax credit. The premium reduction applies to periods of health coverage beginning on or after February 17, 2009 and lasts for up to nine months for those eligible for COBRA during the period beginning September 1, 2008 and ending December 31, 2009 due to an involuntary termination of employment that occurred during that period.

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/cobra.html

 

The unemployed and uninsured may visit Walgreens for free clinic visits through the end of 2009. Visits may include tests and routine treatment, however patients are responsible for prescriptions. 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090331/ap_on_bi_ge/walgreen_clinics