Recently I blogged about a Wall Street Journal article stating that McDonald’s was worried it would have to discontinue offering its hourly employees “mini-med” plans because of President Obama’s health care reform bill. According to ABC News’ Daniel Arnall and Huma Khan, McDonald’s denies any truth to that story in “McDonald’s Fights Back Against Report it Will Drop Health Care Plan.” The so-called “mini-med” plans allow McDonald’s employees to receive limited medical coverage at a very low cost. While McDonald’s did ask the government to compare health insurance and determine if they could have an exemption to the new MLR (medical loss ratio) requirements, a denial of that request does that mean that McDonald’s will stop offering the plans.
The MLR requirements mandate that 80-85% of the premium amount collected go to pay for medical care, rather than administrative or business costs. Due to higher employee turnover for hourly workers and low medical costs associated with mini-med plans, that number will be difficult for McDonald’s to work with. But McDonald’s and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius are adamant that McDonald’s has no intentions of dropping the health insurance coverage options. Many large retailers offer similar plans through health insurers like Mercy Health Plans where employees pay from $14 to $32 per week for basic yearly coverage up to $10,000. While the NAIC says that no exemptions will be offered for MLR requirements, the government points out that requirements haven’t yet been set in stone and everyone will have access to affordable health coverage.
As of today, college students and their parents have a lot to look forward to regarding the health insurance changes going into effect. Health Insurance Sort published a news article regarding the changes entitled 
According to The Vancouver Sun, “Baby boomers have unique dental problems.” The article, by Julie Beun of Canwest News Service, highlights the increased problems with exposed gums, tooth root cavities, and tooth sensitivity as we age. It’s important to look to 
Lawmakers in the House and Senate are hoping to make it mandatory for insurance companies to cover infertility treatments. In The Washington Times article “Insurance-plan coverage for infertility urged,” Cheryl Wetzstein says that Resolve: The National Infertility Association is pushing for the insurance coverage. Florida Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz is cosponsor of a bill requiring insurance companies to cover clients’ infertility treatments. Fifteen states already require insurance companies like 
It can feel nearly impossible for small businesses to offer health coverage to their employees. A special tax credit new in 2010 can help small businesses and tax-exempt organizations provide health insurance, according to “New for 2010 – Tax credit helps small employers provide health insurance coverage,” from The Gilmer Mirror out of Dallas. The credit is included in the health care reform act, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The credit aims to help small businesses obtain or maintain health insurance coverage from companies like 
After a year in the making, the Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act has passed. Katie Adams of Investopedia describes “10 Ways the New Healthcare Bill May Affect You.” As long as they aren’t offered employer health coverage you can insure dependent kids up to age 26 now, regardless of whether or not they are in school. The age limit was 19 or 23 if they were in school. Health insurance companies like 
In Malcolm Ritter’s Associated Press article “Study suggests too many invasive heart tests given,” the frequency of angiograms is taken into question. It is just one of the recent studies suggesting that Americans are getting too many unnecessary health tests. It is a battle between doctors and insurance companies like 
One of Canada’s Olympic hopefuls is 5 1/2 months pregnant, according to Yahoo! Sports’ Chris Chase. Kristie Moore is a 30 year old member of Canada’s curling team. She is only the third known pregnant Olympian, after a Swedish figure skater in the early 1900′s and a German skeleton athlete in 2006. Moore says that her pregnancy does not affect her ability to “throw rocks” just yet, although when her belly grows it just might. Her teammates have been supportive and point out that she is young and fit, which will help her in curling competitions.
According to Megan Johnson of U.S. News & World Report, “Visiting your doctor online is a virtual reality.” The use of technology to connect doctors and patients in real time is spreading fast. Not only is it convenient for both doctors and patients, it saves quite a bit of money. Whether using a video camera to see the patient’s ailment or simply having it described, doctors are able to help patients avoid coming into the office nearly 95% of the time. This saves patients on costly emergency room or urgent care visits off-hours or on the time it takes to schedule an appointment in a doctor’s office. Not only can you 
