#group health insurance for your small business

[ishapandey2]

The Ultimate Guide to Group Health Insurance for Small Business

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, providing group health insurance for your employees is more than a perk it's a necessity. Not only does it enhance your company's attractiveness as an employer, but it also fosters a healthier, more productive workforce. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the intricacies of group health insurance for small businesses, offering detailed insights to help you make informed decisions that align with your business goals and employee needs.

What is Group Health Insurance?

Group health insurance is a type of health coverage provided to a group of people, typically employees of a company, under a single policy. This policy offers a variety of health benefits including medical, dental, vision, and sometimes even wellness programs. Group insurance plans are generally more cost-effective than individual plans due to the risk being spread across multiple participants.

Advantages of Group Health Insurance for Small Businesses

Cost Savings: Group plans are typically more affordable than individual plans because they pool risk among all members of the group.

Tax Benefits: Premiums paid by employers are usually tax-deductible, and employees can enjoy pre-tax payroll deductions.

Employee Retention and Attraction: Offering a comprehensive group health insurance plan makes your business more attractive to potential hires and helps retain current employees.

Improved Employee Health and Productivity: Access to medical care can lead to healthier employees who are more productive and take fewer sick days.

Types of Group Health Insurance Plans

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)

HMOs offer a range of healthcare services through a network of providers who contract exclusively with the HMO. Employees typically need to choose a primary care physician (PCP) and obtain referrals for specialist services.

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)

PPOs offer more flexibility, allowing employees to visit any healthcare provider. While there is a network of preferred providers, employees can see out-of-network doctors at a higher out-of-pocket cost.

Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO)

EPOs combine features of HMOs and PPOs. Employees must use the EPO’s network of providers except in emergencies. However, EPOs generally do not require referrals for specialist visits.

Point of Service (POS)

POS plans are a hybrid between HMOs and PPOs. Employees choose a PCP and can access care outside the network, but doing so often requires higher costs and referrals.

How to Choose the Right Group Health Insurance Plan

Assess Your Employees' Needs

Understanding your employees' healthcare needs is crucial. Consider factors such as age, family size, and specific health concerns. Conduct surveys or use anonymous questionnaires to gather this data.

Evaluate the Cost

While offering a comprehensive plan is ideal, you must consider your business's budget. Compare premiums, deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket maximums. Don’t forget to account for additional costs such as administrative fees.

Provider Networks

Examine the network of doctors and hospitals included in the plan. Ensure that the plan provides a wide range of options, including specialists and hospitals in convenient locations.

Plan Flexibility

Flexibility in choosing healthcare providers and services is a significant consideration. Some employees may prioritize having access to a wide range of providers, while others may prefer a more managed care approach.

Compliance with Regulations

Ensure that the plan complies with all federal and state regulations, including the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Compliance is crucial to avoid fines and legal issues.

Implementing Group Health Insurance

Open Enrollment Period

The open enrollment period is the designated time when employees can enroll in, switch, or waive their health insurance plan. It's essential to communicate the details clearly and provide ample time for decision-making.

Communication with Employees

Effective communication is key. Provide comprehensive information about the available plans, including coverage details, costs, and any changes from previous plans. Use multiple channels such as meetings, emails, and brochures.

Administration and Management

Administering a group health insurance plan involves maintaining accurate records, processing claims, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Many businesses opt for third-party administrators (TPAs) to manage these tasks efficiently.

Maximizing the Benefits of Group Health Insurance

Wellness Programs

Many group health insurance plans offer wellness programs that focus on preventive care and healthy living. These programs may include gym memberships, smoking cessation programs, and health screenings.

Employee Education

Educate your employees about how to use their health insurance effectively. Offer workshops or informational sessions on topics such as understanding benefits, managing healthcare costs, and using online tools for healthcare management.

Regular Plan Review

Review your group health insurance plan annually. Evaluate employee satisfaction, changes in healthcare needs, and cost-effectiveness. Adjust the plan as necessary to continue meeting your employees' needs and your business objectives.

Conclusion

Providing group health insurance for your small business is a strategic decision that offers numerous benefits. From cost savings and tax benefits to improved employee satisfaction and productivity, a well-chosen plan can be a valuable asset. By understanding the different types of plans, evaluating employee needs, and ensuring compliance with regulations, you can select a plan that best suits your business and employees.

[theknightmarket]

"Who wouldn't be angry?"

In which Wilford's return has less fanfare than what he hoped for. TW: cursing, slight sexual references Pages: 13 - Words: 5,000

[Requests: OPEN]

Closing up the bar was the best part of the night. After everyone had gone home, either willingly or under attack from your broom, and the only sound left was the quiet tap, tap, tap of a faucet someone forgot to turn off – that was when you felt perfectly at peace. The adrenaline of work was fun, of course, but reaping the rewards of a 20-dollar tip and pair of earphones made the 2 o’clock chime all the more satisfying. 

You unwrapped the apron from your waist and tossed it over your bag. A wayward sex on the beach meant it would need washing before you could wear it again, not that you minded it too much. It was, after all, where that tip came from, and the man who spilt it was almost too apologetic. You’d had worse. 

Dimly, as you wiped down the tables for the last time, you lamented the loss of your winter-holiday themed apron. 

You preferred the Halloween one anyway, so it wasn’t a weight on your conscience that drew you to breaking into your bar late at night. The work kept you busy enough that you didn’t, and couldn’t, despair over small things. The taxes, the patrons, the staff – they were all great, but sometimes you did wish you had time for yourself. A Sunday off, once a month, that would be enough. But, as you said, no time to despair. There was still work to do. 

That night, the work entailed taking the cash out of the register and tip jar, counting it, and stuffing it into the safe, locking all the interior doors and windows, and, finally, flicking the light switch. The neon pink sign blinked once, twice, and died out at its third breath, while you brought out your keys to officially lock the front door. The little hole-in-the-wall that the bar was, it didn’t run the risk of getting broken into too strongly, but there was no reason not to take precautions. You’d heard your neighbors tell you that it was so much a safe town that you needn’t bother locking everything. You told them that you quite liked having money, thank you very much, and there was no way in hell that you were going to pay any more for insurance. 

The night’s air nipped at your face, reminding you that you were still standing outside. Your brain, meanwhile, reminded you that you weren’t on your couch, wrapped in a blanket, and watching random nature documentaries. It might have also said something about paying your rent, but you decided to ignore that part. 

So, your frigid breath fading away in front of you, you waltzed down the four blocks between you and your apartment, watching the few other folk out and about make their own ways home. A group of teens scuttled across the road, technically jay walking but you weren’t going to say anything, while a ruffled office worker took off in a hurry in the other direction. Probably wanting to get into a safe place with the baggy of drugs stuffed into his suit pocket. 

The town you lived in wasn’t a well-off one. It was two steps up from rock bottom, and only because the local deli hadn’t been closed down due to health hazards yet. You liked to think your bar made it better, but there were going to be people who didn’t agree. Those teens, for instance, who always threw crude remarks when you denied them a beer. You didn’t hold it against them. How could you, when you had done the same thing once or twice when you were a kid. It didn’t bother you anymore, so why not wait until they reached 21, or found good enough fake IDs.

You fished your keys out of your bag when you were at the stairs inside your apartment building. The little, pink bear was the only thing that distinguished it from any others, and you ran your fingers over the dimples and nicks as your legs moved for you. Fourth floor, second door on the left. Whistling the few beats of a song you could still remember from the radio, you spun the plastic toy around in the air, caught it with your other hand, and pushed it into your door.

The entry was cold. That wasn’t anything out of the ordinary, but you were always reminded of the difference between the welcoming warmth of your bar and your home’s casual wave of air. Bringing a jacket with you was a moot point since you only needed it when you were actually inside. No, you just had to put up with it until you could get out of your work clothes and surround yourself with the fluffiest blankets you could find. You had this down to a fine art at that point, there was no reason why you couldn’t do it from muscle memory alone. 

Your keys clattered to the wooden floorboards.

No anticipated reason. None at all. You should have been moving into your bedroom by now. You should have been leaving the line of sight of your kitchen and heading to your dresser. You should have been doing anything except staring right at the man who had settled himself against your countertop with a bowl and spoon in his hands. 

You weren’t certain if you’d have preferred a complete stranger, maybe someone with a mallet ready to bash in your head. Something told you it would have been better that the mallet he had poised to bash in your heart with. 

Your mouth dropped open and you forgot about the keys on the ground. Eyes scanning his figure, you begged to find any reason that this wasn’t him, but, if there was, you were too shocked to see it. First, came the slow, creeping sensation of confusion, then a dismal sadness washed through your veins, followed within the second by a tidal wave of anger. 

In a single movement, you’d scooped up your keys, singled the sharpest one out, and lunged for Wilford. 

The fucker was lucky he had those teleporting, magic, screw-the-laws-of-physics powers that let him appear behind you before you cut through his arm. That didn’t stop you from whirling around and trying to get at his shoulder, though, but you missed again. And again. And again. 

“Stop moving!” you yelled, skidding into the fridge. It was a poorly choreographed dance that involved the two of you going around in circles, neither graceful nor calculated. The most math Wilford was doing was making sure he didn’t end up on your stove-top, and you were barely thinking, regardless of how many times the counter drove itself into your stomach. 

His response of a stern, “No!” went ignored while you flung yourself towards him for a sixth time. You were considering just chucking the keychain at him and hoping you struck gold, but luck always seemed to be on his side – if not for his evading of your attacks, then for the fact that his bowl hadn’t spiled whatever was inside it. Although, just as you cursed him for it and a bunch of other irrelevant things, he placed it near the sink and watched you fumble with the keys. Your hands were sweaty against the frigidness of the apartment, the exercise was wearing you out quickly, but you didn’t let up. He’d always liked that about you, but he was getting tired, more of the repetitiveness of the situation than the exertion.

So, what else could he do but twist your arm behind your back, hold your other hand down onto the countertop, and ignore the suggestive position it put you both in to disarm you? You didn’t stop struggling, to which he tutted and wrenched your shoulder back further. Nothing to hurt you, too much, he just needed you to calm down. If there was one thing he’d learned in your past encounters, it was that you didn’t react well to simply being verbally ordered around. 

“Now, why are you so angry?” Wilford asked. 

For a second, you stilled. He couldn’t be serious, but, then again, when was he ever? This was the norm for him. Both the prudent ignorance and the method of disarmament. After jostling for moment more, you let out a breath that gave you more wiggle room against the countertop. 

“Who wouldn’t be angry? You ate all my cereal and faked your death for three years.” 

Wilford apparently deemed you pacified enough to let you go, and you fell forward slightly. God, your arms hurt. You turned to face him as you rolled the shoulder that he had pulled behind you. Military man. You hated when he actually used what he was taught.

“I didn’t fake my death,” he scoffed. 

“Oh, I’m sorry, you ate all my cereal and abandoned me for three years. That better?”

“I didn’t abandon you.”

You finally met his eyes. Six feet between you, far out of arm’s reach, you hated that they didn’t betray any lies. More often than not, his emotions were masked by a haze of insanity, but the genuineness was crystal clear, like the spark of lighting across a night sky. It was the kind of purity that meant he fully believed he hadn’t abandoned you, but that just made it worse. 

You forced yourself to look away.  

“You still ate all my cereal.”

“For that, I am sorry.”

You believed him there, and you hated that you did. But that was the same Wilford who left all those nights ago, wasn’t it? No reason to anything, not leaving, not coming back, not a single thing.

Huffing, you gave up. It wasn’t worth arguing about, and you now had one more chore to do before you could settle down for the night. “What do you want?” you asked as you dumped the remainder of the cereal from Wil’s bowl.

“Can’t a man check in on an old friend out of the kindness of his heart?”

You levelled him with a blank stare. His grin cracked for just a second, but it was enough for you to spot, not that you changed your expression any.

“I- well, I thought we could catch up. What have you been up to for the last… what did you say, three years?”

You took a moment to try and figure him out again. Even if it would get you nowhere in the long run, you weren’t going to entertain him if he was there out of boredom. The little voice in the back of your mind reminded you that you didn’t have to play along with him, it reminded you that you had a job and a home and a life outside of whatever Wilford was swept up in. You didn’t have to jingle around the room like a court jester playing it up for laughs.

But you still sighed, ran a hand down your face, and vaguely gestured to the kitchen counter. “Go on, then.”

Wilford waltzed over to one of the stools as though that was just what he expected you to say, and, ashamed as you were, it likely was; it was some kind of routine you used to have, albeit without the giant gap in between. When you got home from working the bar, he would be there at the stove, cooking whatever it was caught his fancy in the books lately. You’d talk about your day and ask him about his, pouring both of you a drink. You couldn’t drink on the job, but your shift ended the minute you stepped through the apartment door.

Then, of course, after solid months of strange domesticity, Wilford up and vanished in the blink of an eye. Magic.

And, what, he appeared in just the same manner, and you fell into the habit, just like that? God, you really were weak.

“So, how’s the family?” was Wilford’s first question. You didn’t answer until you got the bottles out of the fridge and laid them on the countertop in front of him.

“Fine. Youngest brother graduated; parents adopted another dog.”

You turned away from grabbing the glasses only to see your guest wedging the top off the bottle of gin with his teeth. The cork pressed to the side of his mouth a clear danger, you swiped it from him, tossed it to your other hand and grabbed a corkscrew from the drawer in one swift motion.

“You’ll crack a tooth,” you muttered, knowing damn-well he wouldn’t heed your warning as you watched him shrug and remove the cap of the vermouth as well.

You didn’t bother to be surprised when the martini glass you’d seen on a shelf disappeared and reappeared in Wilford’s hand. That little voice, whispering again, reminded you that the magic trick was old hat to you now. You didn’t have to be shocked at the casual manipulation of time and space.

“I didn’t think Danny-boy was still in schooling. What’s he going to be, eh?”

Ignoring the sudden pressure in your chest, you replied, “A pilot.”

“Oh, a ladies’ man, then!” His laugh was more suited to a world war general than the pink-moustached maniac sipping straight from the vermouth in front of you. “I wish him the best of luck.” To which he raised the bottle, and, with a final wink, chugged the thing until half of it remained.

You almost didn’t want to risk finishing the martini you were making for him. You were well aware of how high Wilford’s alcohol tolerance was, but that didn’t make it any healthier. Still, when you had taken back the vermouth and poured it into the glass, you slid it over to him, warily eyeing the rest of the bottles to see if they’d been opened in the meantime. The sight of them all the same as before didn’t bring you much comfort regardless.

“And how’s the bar doing?”

You nodded slightly, your brow still furrowed and avoiding looking directly at him. “It’s doing well. We got a new bartender, she’s… she’s good.”

“Maybe you’ll finally take some time off, then,” he thought for a moment and then snapped his fingers, “there’s a new roller rink opening up on Alto Street. We could go there on your next day off!”

That pressure tightened into a vice grip. “We?”

“Yes, we. I wouldn’t recommend it if I didn’t think it’s good.”

“But you want to go together.”

“Is that a problem?”

Avoiding looking at him didn’t help, but making eye contact wasn’t any good, either. You only got an expression of confusion. Nothing betrayed an ulterior motive. You squinted but found only that. Surprise, maybe. You tilted your head one way and then the other, as though an angle would let you see something you couldn’t before. It was all the same.

“What are you doing, Wilford?”

Only more surprise. He laid down the martini glass, a mere sliver of alcohol left in the bottom, before placing his head in his hand. “What do you mean?”

“What is this? What- what do you want?”

A tut broke the tension for a second until it rose again tenfold.

“You’ve already asked that one.” 

“Yeah, and we’ve caught up. You can leave now.”

“Well, you haven’t asked me what I’ve been up to.”

“Oh, yeah? What have you been up to, then?”

Wilford opened his mouth, paused, and closed it again with a hum. Go figure, he couldn’t tell you. Whether it was because he was bound by some contract, or couldn’t remember, or just plain hadn’t done a thing, you didn’t know, and you never had.

“Look, it was nice catching up with you, but I have to work in the morning—”

“Hold on, hold on!” Your moving away from the counter was blocked by Wilford rushing to stand and securing his hands on your shoulders. He held you in place, a new emotion appearing on his face. Desperation. The smallest amount, but it was there, and it had you changing your mind about shoving him away.

“How do I make it up to you?”

“I don’t think you can.”

You weren’t about to beat around the bush with this, even if it made you the bad guy – the kicked puppy look certainly made you think you were, but you stayed your course; you couldn’t give in so easily.

“I just… how do I know you aren’t going to disappear again?” 

“I won’t!”

“How do I know, though? You don’t have the best track record.”

When he moved his hands from your shoulders, you thought he was going to leave, walk straight out the door into the night. It took only a second longer for you to realise he was grabbing your own hands. “This time I promise I’m telling the truth.”

Damn it. Damn it, damn it, damn it. Damn him and damn yourself and damn it all. You were weak, of course, but you were weak for the man in front of you with the stars in his eyes and sugar on his lips. And if that man was asking for a second chance – for a third time – who were you to deny him?

“Fine. Okay. Sure,” you spoke slowly, coming to grips with everything that had happened in the last half an hour.

You felt Wilford’s grip tighten at your hands and then release, and that was all that you expected, but you were talking about the time-travelling maniac in front of you. His arms were wrapped around you before you knew it, warmth and his moustache tapping at your skin. You supposed this was some kind of thanks, which you still appreciated. Gently, you lifted your hands to pat his back, causing him to squeeze slightly more, until he pulled away a few seconds later. 

“Alright,” you mumbled, barely getting the word out in time for a yawn to overtake you, “I’m heading to bed.”

“Goodnight! Sleep well.”

You returned the pleasantry with obvious tiredness in both your tone and your body. Dragging your feet, you made your way to your room while Wilford cleared up, the clinking of glasses and bottles only making you slightly worried about how much you’d have left come morning. It wasn’t enough to stop you from conking out the very instance that you touched your comforter, ready and poised to forget the last half hour’s shenanigans.

You woke up in the morning. Not surprising. It happened a lot. What didn’t happen a lot, though, was the smell of pancakes stirring you from your sleep instead of the blinding sun through your windows. You cracked your eyes open, only to see complete darkness. Immediately, you jumped from your bed and scrambled to stand up straight. Nothing. You couldn’t see anything. A creeping sense of dread curled in your stomach, wrapped around you heart, and pulled. Where was Wilford? Did he do something, was he okay, why did it still smell like pancakes—

You hand made contact with something covering your eyes. Oh. Pulling it off, you were slowly greeted with the light of the day, as you expected, and an unfamiliar piece of fabric in your palm. It was silky when you ran your thumb over it, something you didn’t think you’d ever touched, let alone owned.

You left the sleeping mask on your chaotic mess of sheets. Overwhelmed by the haze of adrenaline and sleep, you stumbled to get ready – which, given that you still had to figure out that smell, consisted of swapping out the uniform that you’d passed out in for a tank top and shorts. You weren’t fully awake when you got to the door, but you had nothing else to do but get to the kitchen and hope it was nothing you’d have to call emergency services about.

All three of your panic-questions were answered when you stopped at the archway between the mini hallway and the kitchen. The scene of Wilford at the stove, his back to you but clearly flipping something in a pan, quickly greeted you. Sizzling filled the air and disguised your footfalls on the wooden floorboards. They were nearly silent anyway, and yet you were caught as you got close to the countertop’s stools.

“Good morning, sleepy head,” Wilford sang, turning to wink at you so that you could see the ‘kiss-the-cook’ apron he now sported. Something panged in your chest, like a string cut loose; you’d bought that for him years ago, back when he was cooking dinner for the two of you. The face of the cashier stuck in your mind, somewhere between amused and sickened, but you didn’t care. The only time he hadn’t worn it when cooking was after you’d wrestled it away from him to wash. And then, obviously, after he disappeared, it was stashed in the back of the drawer, piled onto by old cloths and semi-broken utensils. You wondered how he found it again.

“Did you put a sleeping mask on me?” You collapsed onto a seat and rested your arms on the laminate surface. 

“I did, yes.” He went back to peeling the sides of a pancake off the edge and said nothing else on the matter.

“…why?”

Wilford flipped the pancake once, twice, a third time, then pressed it down in a ritual you had seen many times before. The crack of batter shocked the air around it. “Given how tired you were last night – too tired to change out of your clothes, at least – I didn’t want the sun to wake you up too early.” 

“And the curtains weren’t enough?”

“Oh, no, of course not,” he tutted, “I’ve seen how much gets through those flimsy things. It’s a wonder how the stars themselves don’t keep you awake.”

He wasn’t wrong. It happened often that you would wake up in the middle of the night, drowsy and blinking, only to realise that it was ten hours earlier than when you needed to be out of bed by. It happened now, and it happened three years ago. You just never put in the effort to fix it.

So, you just sighed, giving up the debate as fast as you’d started it, and dragged your hands down your face. According to the clock on the wall opposite you, there was still six more hours until the bar opened – you didn’t like encouraging day-drinking and four o’clock was the lowest you would go – and, frankly, you didn’t know how to spend them. A routine of stupid conspiracy theories and paperwork was offset with Wilford’s presence, leaving you with the shambles of a normal morning.

You blinked back to life when he set out two plates of pancakes on the countertop, one of them in front of you and the other just to your right at the next stool over. As he rounded the jutted-out edge, he brushed the small of your back with his hand, still warm from being near the stove. You couldn’t help but tense up, entirely focused on that point of contact like you’d been called to attention by a drill sergeant. 

Wilford dropped into the seat and handed you a pair of cutlery. You didn’t notice the toppings spread along the edge until you blinked some more times to rid the blur of your vision. Half of them had been pushed to the very back of the cupboard while the other half you weren’t certain you had ever bought in the first place.

Something stopped you from reaching for any of them. Something stopped you from doing anything. 

It was a shared feeling between the pit of your stomach and your throat. Like you wanted to scream and cry and laugh at the same time. Manic, you guessed was the best word for it, but even that felt wrong. Your heart thundered in your chest and raged against your ribcage, as though it were the only thing stopping it from telling you just what was wrong with you. Maybe this was just what happened what Wilford was around you, or maybe this was just what happened when he left. You didn’t think you were sure of anything anymore. 

“Is this it?”

“What do you mean?”

The words struggled against the rush of blood in your veins. You weren’t angry. You understood that you should have been, but you weren’t, and you weren’t bitter, and you weren’t resentful. It was another feeling on the tip of your tongue. But you held onto that feeling because it was undeniably there. You would have bashed your head against the counter if you weren’t paralyzed with…

You were scared. That was it. You were downright terrified.

“Are you,” you swallowed thickly, “are you here now?”

“Honey, whatever are you talking about?” Wilford asked, facing you with that sugar-coated grin you’d always gotten so hung up over. “I’ve been here since last night.” 

Just those words made you break into an internal panic. The only way that it shone through was in the frantic movements of your pupils, darting back and forth, searching desperately for the truth in his own. Meeker than he had ever heard you before, you asked, “Are you staying?”

And, just like that, he realized what you were asking, what you were going through. The eyes were the windows to the soul, after all, and, as he secured his hands on your shoulders, he saw your soul shattered into pieces. He had left, and the memory of stepping out of that front door was seared into his mind. He couldn’t forget, not even under the cover of discos and murder-mysteries, the way that the click of the lock echoed down the hallway and the stairwell, chasing after him when he was out of the building and seeping into the cracks of the pavement. It was karmic justice that the thought of you prevented him from entering any bar from that day onward. He didn’t want to risk it, and, well, he’d already forgotten so much. The few sane memories that remained were ones he didn’t want to taint with similar experiences and get them muddled up in his mind. 

Now that he was back, Wilford couldn’t imagine leaving again, not when you were staring at him, panicked and desperate for a response.

Slowly, gently, he brought you closer until your chest was pressed against his. The embrace was tight but comfortable. Supportive. A promise he couldn’t yet put into words. He shushed you as you tucked your head into the crook of his neck, your own arms tugging him even closer than that, as if you expected him to disappear at any moment – not that it was unjustified. His grip on your shoulder blades tensed alongside yours.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

You didn’t respond. You didn’t need to. On your part, you were too preoccupied with holding back the floods of tears that threatened to spill over at any second. A few had already escaped and dampened his dress shirt. On Wilford’s, he understood already.

The pair of you sat there for five minutes more. It felt like longer, but the clock was barely passing half ten. The most concrete thought that dragged through your head was that the hug was nice. You hadn’t been held like that since the last time Wilford was there. Sure, you’d been close to other people, but the complete relaxation of your body was a sensation you could see yourself chasing like an addict’s high.

It was practically painful to pull away, though you kept your hands secured around his waist.

“Shit,” you laughed quietly, voice clogged with tears, “I-I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to spring that on you.”

“Pish posh! I think we both needed that, and I’m more than welcome for another in the future. For now,” he rose from his seat and gathered your plates, “I’m going to make some more pancakes.”

As Wilford passed behind you, he leaned around and pecked your cheek with his lips. It must have been an unconscious decision because his eyebrows raised, and he sounded apologetic as he spoke.

“Was that too much?”

Truth be told, you weren’t expecting it, but that didn’t make it any less appreciated. You had gone from trying to stab his with your keys to crying in his embrace in less than a day, you imagined you could handle a little kiss. And, as it happened, a larger one, too.

Wilford watched as you got up from your own stool and took a step closer to him. He was almost worried you would shove him out of the door, but you did something different. Very different.

In one swift motion, you grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him forward. For a second, he was focused on keeping the plates steady in his hands, before he felt the oh-so-familiar warmth of your lips on his, and, had he forgotten, this was a pleasant reminder. He sighed into your mouth as his shoulders fell from their tensed position and he tilted his head for a better angle. A lopsided grin spread over his lips, only somewhat messing up the kiss, but you continued. 

You lifted a hand up to cup his jawline, smoothing a thumb over the texture of his skin; the other you used to card through his tousled hair. Your reward? A light groan so quiet that you nearly missed it. Luckily, you didn’t, even as he tried to twist it into a hum. He’d missed this, and so had you. And besides, who were you to ignore the order on his apron?

Eventually, you had to separate. Time-travelers and bartenders both had to breath, after all.

“Oh, honey,” Wilford muttered, slowly but not subtly moving closer again.

You accepted another kiss, and then another when you parted, and then another after that. Each of them was slow and sweet, only half like him in that regard. 

“Still making those pancakes, are you?” you managed to get out in the interim.

His chuckle was just as carefree as his other sounds, but he did step back to put the plates by the sink. You moved to start cleaning them as he prepared the next pancakes. The splash of water against the sizzle of batter warmed your chest, and the glimpse of Wilford standing next to you had you grinning ear to ear.

This was good. Making breakfast in a tiny apartment, not yet dressed for the day but content to stay like this for the rest of it – you were happy with this life.

You were certain of it.

[It's weird that this blog has been open for over a year and yet this is the first Wilford one-shot I've done. Side note: this was inspired by @valentivy-makes so you should go and check out their amazing art of Wilford, because, um, you should. Thanks for reading <3]

[lurkingintheback]

So I was trying something for the Tabletop Game Jam going on, but this is way over 200 words. Still liked the concept, so here's this one while I work on another!

Lemonade Mogul: The Corporate Warfare Card Game

A competitive game for three to five players. Might be able to play it with two, but you're probably going to have more fun flipping the table if there are more people on the other side of it. When a group of kids get the exact same get-rich-quick scheme idea to get them through the summer, tensions get high. There isn't enough room in this town for three, let alone six competing lemonade businesses, and you little Timmy/Suzy/Brook, are not going to be the one getting your hopes and dreams bought out or destroyed.

Materials Needed

Three to Five Players!

One deck of Lemonade Mogul themed cards! (Roughly about thirty cards divided into ten Location, Benefit, and Hazard cards)

Play Money! (Real Money not recommended for games with strangers, exes, or any small lemonade stand owning urchins with a mischievous glint in their eyes and nothing to lose.)

A notepad to keep track of winning bids.

Lemonade! (Optional, but who wouldn't want a refreshing glass?)

Playing the Game!

Lemonade Mogul starts with each player being given an equal small amount of play money, hazard cards, and benefit cards, along with one location card at random while the remaining stacks of location cards, benefit cards, and hazard cards each lie face down on the table. Each player is given some time to look over their cards before the first location card is turned over; revealing one of the places you can sell lemonade at!

Or rather, could sell lemonade at. The first thing you have to deal with is the Bidding Phase.

Bidding Phase: Each location card has their own perks and drawbacks; and each one gets you just a little more money each turn, depending on how much the card states. However, locations can be bought by other players if they have the same amount of money as the winning bid. Though players don't get additional money from new location cards on their first turn, each location provides passive benefits; or passive drawbacks. Maybe that country club provides you with a lot of money, but you're having to spend more time there and can't draw other locations. Maybe that graveyard doesn't provide you with much money, but the local necromancer's a big fan of your lemonade, and he'll sic zombies on one of your competitors every three turns to keep them busy. Maybe the church protects you from THE BOGEYMAN.

Development Phase: Now for the fun part. This is where you slam down your benefit cards or toss a hazard card at someone else. Maybe you trash a player's location, preventing them from getting money from it for another turn. Maybe you get a big sale from a wealthy eccentric old lady covered in cats who thinks your small business is the bee's knees. Maybe you commit insurance fraud; discarding a location for a big sum.

Some benefit cards exist only as counters to specific hazards or benefits (siccing the cops on a fraudster and forcing them to drop the location without a cash boost, exorcising the ghost in your refrigerator sent to stall you from getting your money, ensuring your lemonade stand has a clean bill of health), while other benefit cards specifically just benefit you or another player.

Despite the fact that there can be only one Lemonade Mogul, you're free to use your benefit cards on another player's behalf; or work with them! The competition is as friendly or as unfriendly as you make it.

Hazard cards meanwhile, are legitimately just hazards you're throwing at one player for a turn. Though you can only toss one (usually, unless the card has different rules) at another player, you're free to gang up with other players on someone. Maybe you're summoning a spooky ghost to haunt a competitor's fridge to halve their income via taking up their time, or you've tricked a gang of angry punk rock fans into thinking that your opponent hates the indie band they like, and they're trashing the location. Some hazards only last for one turn, while others are perpetual until they've been handled.

Finally, there's the Buying Phase; the point where players can look over previously bid locations and buy them out; putting their play money back in the pile and swiping the location card. It doesn't matter how much money the player has; as long as it's at least a dollar more than the winning bid, it's their own! The objective is to buy out every location the other players have; if a player runs out of locations and can't bid for any more, they're out of luck and on the buying player's team; though they can still play hazards or use benefits, any money they've made is funneled directly towards the player who bought them out.

All you've got to do is buy out everyone else; then you'll take the coveted title of Lemonade Mogul!

[sapphuric-acid]

Well, while we're all anxiously awaiting the new year (or maybe basking in it by the time I finish this post), I would like to share some personal things: what this past year has given me, and what I hope for in this coming year.

I am first of all thankful for my newfound support system. This began with my best friend getting with his girlfriend (not tagging for privacy reasons). June was rough for you two, and I wasn't yet at the point where I was strong enough to not walk away. But during that one week, I realized many things: that leaving you in your time of need would have been horribly selfish, that you needed me just as much as I needed you, and that if I continued down the path I was heading I would end up as nothing more than some miserable man slowly killing himself because he didn't believe himself worthy of either life or a swift death. That last part was a surprise to me, as was the realization that I was actually a special kind of "in love" with my best friend, one that transcends the desires of regular friendships but doesn't quite align with what I expected from a relationship. Now, I find myself eternally grateful that I have not only a partner to hold, but also two lovely metamours to talk to, and that in your embraces I find myself relaxed in a way that I didn't even realize was physically possible, a moment's breath without the tightness in my shoulders or the racing of my head and heart.

I am also thankful to be closer to understanding my identity. While I was always aware of my tendency of dissociation, I never realized just how divorced I was from my own sense of self. I finally have something to grab onto, no matter how small, no matter how hard to hide from everyone else who insists it is wrong. Throughout my life I was forced into a box, in which I never had the room to grow. Constantly constricted, taught that it would be best for me to be as small as possible, to disappear, to be practically nothing. Now, I finally have something to hold onto, no matter how small and fragile. I am just now learning how to be something again, and how to be secure in that something-ness. While I am afraid of what I might become ("What if I'm a terrible person?", "What if my loved ones don't like me anymore?", "What if I can't find stable housing or jobs because of my self-expression?"), I am happy that I am finally so close to being something, that nebulous goal which I have wanted for the better half of my life.

Lastly, I am thankful that I am finally entering the newest phase of my life. I have just roughly 4 months until I have earned my Associate in Business Management (a degree I picked because I once dreamed to own a café and wanted a professional knowledge base, but which is now purely pragmatic as someone who's become disillusioned with the foodservice industry and learned just how much I hate other business majors' mentalities). I promised myself that I would only stay at my current job (which continues every day I am there to weigh miserably on my mental health with its toxicity and bigotry) until I finished school, which means I won't be too far away from a new job that will hopefully pay me a living wage.

Now, for what I anticipate from this coming year. As previously mentioned, I'm looking forward to getting a new job with my new qualifications, and along with this getting an apartment in a city, where I will be free to exist as I am (or rather, will be) without immediately putting a target on my back. Along with this, starting in January I will be officially off my parents' insurance, which means I will finally be able to talk about my gender openly with my health providers. This will finally open the doors to me getting somewhere in my transition, even if it's something as simple as another group of people referring to me as more than what I was confined into being.

This year will not be easy. I am terrified of what awaits. And the political forecast certainly adds to that terror. But I'm finally getting somewhere, finally becoming something, finally being a part of something. And even if everything comes crashing down, I must hope to finally grasp that safety rope I've been trying to hold onto for all my life. I'm so close, I can't stop reaching just yet.

And I hope to see you all there by the end of the year, holding on alongside me as we climb to self-fulfillment.

[sonicenvy]

I had another conversation with someone who didn't have health insurance today about ACA that she didn't know existed as an option. Ever since I got my first ACA plan last year after turning 26 I have been a big ACA fan because this piece of landmark legislation is the reason I have health insurance instead of being in thousands of dollars of medical debt. It bugs the ever living shit out of me whenever I see internet leftists saying things like "the ACA didn't do anything because it is not medicare for all." It really speaks to me about the privilege that these people likely have because they're not noticing the amount of monumental positive change and harm reduction that was made by the bill.

The ACA is a bill that is comprehensive, and walks, talks, and chews gum at the same time, and I think a lot of people who are either a.) too young to remember how health insurance in this country worked before the ACA or b.) have not had to get government subsidized health insurance because they have always had either their parents' insurance or employer insurance really and truly don't get it. I am obviously too young to remember how healthcare worked before the ACA because I am under 30, but I do have a mom who works in healthcare and lots of older relatives that talk about it a lot so I was pretty familiar with the concept despite this.

I am low-income, in school, and have an employer that doesn't offer me employer subsidized plans, so the ACA quickly became pretty important to me as a person with lifelong disability, higher than normal cancer predisposition and a need for lifelong psychiatric care.

Also, if you are in your 20s but under 26 and still on your parents' health insurance? Bam! You are directly benefiting from the ACA. Before the ACA you would not have been able to be on your parents insurance plan in your 20s.

Some things that the ACA did:

Made it affordable for people who are above the medicaid income limit and/or self-employed to independently purchase health insurance. Before the ACA premiums for independently purchased health plans could be $500+ for individual plans! If you were one of the many Americans who worked multiple part-time jobs that did not provide PT employees with insurance, you were basically fucked and uninsured. If you were a small business or self-employed, you were also fucked. The creation of the healthcare dot gov health insurance marketplace, which is open to anyone was a massive success of the bill, and millions of Americans benefit from it. During open enrollment (or after a specific life event such as "turned 26," or "became unemployed") a person can log on to health care dot gov, see a wide range of plans, and purchase one. The government then provides you with a premium subsidy (which is what your employer does for you if you have an employer plan) to lower the cost of the premium. Subsidies are calculated based on a person's income so people with lower incomes get higher subsidies.

Obviously there is some nuance, and a coverage gap with ACA plans for individuals who make above $60,000 (and are not a small business obtaining a group contract with an insurance company) where premiums are still very expensive because they are ineligible for the majority of the premium tax subsidy, which is a major ACA weakness, but for everyone in the $30,000-$55,000 gap and for owners of small businesses that want to offer plans for their employees, the benefits are huge. I am able to get a PPO with a low deductible, low OOP for less than $200/mo in premiums! There is exactly zero way that I would have been able to do that if I were trying to get insured pre-ACA.

Made it so that insurance companies could not discriminate against patients with so-called pre-existing conditions — so basically if you are disabled, the insurance company can no longer: a.) decline to provide you coverage or b.) increase your premiums/ reduce your plan benefits because you have a disability or get something like, oh, idk, FUCKING CANCER. Like there were people who got cancer and found out that their insurer dropped them because they did not want to pay out for expensive cancer treatment. That was a thing that was legal for health insurance companies to do before the ACA, and they fucking did that. The pre-existing conditions clause was one of the biggest benefits that has been touted since the beginning of the bill's conception and passage. Under the ACA, all health insurance companies are banned from denying plan applications for any reason, or from revoking plan coverage for any reason that isn't "patient stopped paying their premium." Made it so that children could stay on their parents' health insurance plans until they were 26 instead of being booted at 18. Made it so that all plans must provide some level of coverage for a list of specific EHBs (Essential Health Benefits) such as "emergency room care," "prenatal and pregnancy related care," "preventative care such as doctor recommended cancer screenings for patients" "office visits with general practitioners," etc.

If you have an marketplace plan or medicare/medicaid, that plan MUST provide you with contraceptives at no cost to you regardless of whether or not you have met your deductible. Democrats also wanted this to be true for all other plans, but unfortunately in 2014, whacko religious conservatives got themselves an exemption for "companies with fervently held religious beliefs against contraception" from providing this coverage in their employer subsidized plans in the bullshit case of Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., which was decided by a conservative majority vote in the Supreme Court. A case which had other broad and shitty implications btw, and which is yet another example of why allowing weird conservatives to get elected to the presidency is bad for America. btw, in the original intention of the ACA they wanted to also include mandatory coverage for abortion services. Unfortunately, the Republicans (and a group of stupid pro-life dems who suck, and to my knowledge are not in congress now) torpedoed this provision despite Nancy Pelosi's best efforts and refused to pass the bill at all as long as this provision remained in it. Reason #10000000 Republicans suck.

Lots more that I'm not naming here, but I hope you get the idea. My point is that even though ACA was not a medicare for all bill, it was a landmark (and very needed) piece of healthcare reform legislation that changed a lot about the landscape of health insurance in America. Tragically, right wing and far left smearing of it has obscured the truth about the many good things that the bill did do. Was it perfect? Absolutely the fuck not! Even Obama himself admits this. What it was was a major victory against injustices in the system, and a massive piece of harm reduction legislation, and I wish that more Americans credited it for the things it did do.

Dems managed to get the bill passed with the vast majority of their highest priorities still in it despite major republic ratfuckery combined with a minority of independents and dems who sucked. Pelosi walked circles around these fuckers day and night to get this bill passed, and I for one am deeply grateful. Because of the ACA I can get the healthcare that I desperately need as a disabled person with higher than normal cancer risk. I can get my desperately needed medications and see all of my doctors because of this piece of legislation. I was able to get surgery to remove CANCER from my body becuase of this legislation, so yeah, fuck everyone going "the ACA is bad because it's not perfect medicare for all." Girl (gender neutral), I (and many other people) would not be surviving if it were not for this bill, and I for one, think that that is a whole heck of a lot better than all of us dying because y'all want to wait for perfect legislation. Harm reduction is good and is an important step on the road to bigger and better change. Universal health care has risen to more popular and broad public opinion/knowledge because the ACA passed.

Yeah, anyways this is rant about how fucking stupid anti-ACA people are. To deny the gains of meaningful healthcare reform is a clear sign of privilege, ignorance, and tunnel vision that lets perfect be the enemy of good or better.

This is also a post about a clear and obvious way that Dems are infinitely different (and better) than republicans. Voting dem is harm reduction. Not voting, voting third party or protest write in voting is a vote for republicans. And republicans??? They give exactly zero shits about anyone other than themselves. They support stupid and insane religious conservative politics, and look to fuck over the American people (and everyone else abroad) at every turn because they don't believe in helping people; their convictions are all about hate, prejudice, fearmongering, and a right-wing Christian Theocracy. They would rather see millions of people die than give dems a win, because they are spiteful and hateful. They want us to be afraid, disengaged, disorganized and fighting one another, because their ideas, convictions and beliefs are deeply unpopular, and if we organize against them, they will lose.

[sihasah]

Group Health Plans for Small Business Los Angeles: A Comprehensive Guide

Navigating the world of health insurance for your small business in Los Angeles can be a daunting task. However, providing quality group health plans is essential for attracting and retaining top talent while ensuring the well-being of your employees. This comprehensive guide will break down the complexities of group health plans for small business Los Angeles, offering insights, tips, and resources to help you make informed decisions. https://sihasah.com/group-health-plans-for-small-business-los-angeles-a-comprehensive-guide/

[hitechd]

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In conclusion, TheLiveLead is not just a company it’s a catalyst for transformation in the Health Insurance Leads, empowering insurers to thrive in an ever-changing market landscape. Join us in our mission to redefine lead generation and shape the future of health insurance coverage for generations to come.

[xerox-candybar]

Wonderfully organized, well-constructed post! I spent so much time thinking about healthcare issues that the spirit moved me to reboot and expand on this. (Disclaimer: I spent a few hours writing and I fear I don’t have much edit left to energy, or something 😅)

Owning so many companies, with so many different services, allows UnitedHealth to profit from their own mishaps. We have laws against such monopolies, in theory, but these laws are useless without meaningful action. This played out recently (Feb 2024), during the Change Healthcare breach:

The same source (An Arm and A Leg���an excellent podcast from NPR’s wonderful Dan Weissman) continues:

Providers who wanted to take their business elsewhere often found that it was useless—because some of the of the “competing” companies were also owned by United, and each insurance company decides which clearinghouses they will work with. Source? Me. I work in insurance billing and choosing vendors, configuring Clearinghouse software + assisting with electronic payment setup is something I frequently do for small group practices and solo providers. Several asked if they could avoid using Change and my answer was “no, Change is the only way to set up direct deposit with Anthem/Aetna/etc.”

(More venting below)

Every major insurance company needs a clearinghouse (otherwise we’d have to send all claims and payments via snail mail). Upon purchasing Change Healthcare, United Healthcare also obtained definitive information on what their competitors were paying for services, and how much of that cost was shared to the client in the form of a copay.

Providers aren’t allowed to share information about the rates they get but fuck that. My company can’t legally prevent me from telling coworkers my salary. Why does insurance get to bully people like that? Especially when they are treating providers like company employees and not independent contractors, which is how they are classified and paid. Allegedly the gag rule was repealed in NY state recently, but I haven’t bothered to check because…….i find it really hard to care. One disgruntled millennial screaming into the tumblr void is absolutely nothing compared to what insurance companies have done, and will continue to do, to fuck with the markets. (Even if aforementioned millennial had been gifted with hyper focus by the Autism gods and subsists entirely on espresso and spite.)

But back to the non-payments…from the Change Hack and the denied claims and the everyday negligence that is endemic to health insurance companies.

Maybe they do pay out the money eventually—the denials are overturned, the data breach gets fixed (ish) and the money starts getting paid out again…. Here’s the thing, though. As long as that money is in the insurer’s bank account, they get interest on it—oftentimes compound interest because behemoth companies have leverage to demand things like that from their vendors. In many cases, interest is due to providers for mishandled / wrongfully denied claims, but they rarely pay it out. I have seen insurance companies systemically underpay claims for months. It takes me, on average, about a year to resolve and I spend about 10-15 hours on this per month. When the correction payments role in, they come in without interest and I’m too exhausted to bring it up. In my state (NY), the timeline for prompt pay is 45 days but the specifics are never clearly defined… and if you wanted to fight for this money, if you had to time to fight for this money, if you knew your rights and where to find them, you’d still have to complain to the state. Anyway the interest payment is like 2% and amounts to pennies per claim. It’s way less than insurance gets for holding the money (from what I understand, and I’m sure they’re cooking the books with all that surplus cash they’re hoarding. At the end of the day, cash is an asset.

…

Propublica has been doing incredible work on lack of/barriers to receiving mental health care (on all insurance companies, not just United), including their questionable “algorithm” and disproportionate claims denials—UnitedHealth is, quantitatively speaking, The Literal Worst.

Wikipedia lists several different legal cases ranging from compliance failures, to excessive lobbying, to racketeering, to SEC violations, to manipulating insurance rates, to buying previously independent research groups, to influencing high-profile healthcare economists to publish and present misleading research on who is to blame for high health care costs (the culprit is everyone except for United, according to the researches hired by United) but what stands out to me is the Medicare overbilling:

You are defrauding the fucking government. You know the one that’s been tasked with enforcing the rule of law? How much gaul do you think that takes? “We will systemically defraud a government program that is highly popular with one of the most active voter blocks, confident that whatever happens, we will turn out fine.”

And it did turn out fine. The government didn’t fire them. United still offers Medicare Advantage plans. For the love of god, why??

All of this is gross, disgusting, infuriating and unfair. In my honest opinion, as someone who spent more time on the phone with insurance than anyone I know and love, I am begging you to consider a different takeaway:

- UnitedHealth is winning at capitalism, and capitalism is the system we are in. When I look at all this, my writer brain thinks “I could not come up with a better supervillain.” My business + econ brain things, “yeah, these are common strategies most companies take”… granted, companies do not normally try all these strategies at once, but United is big so they can.

- UnitedHealth can afford major fuckups. A lawsuit, a settlement, etc—it’s just cost of doing business for them. They’ve probably done the math and decided “yeah, the potential loss is much less than the possible gain here. Hold onto your hats and RELEASE THE ALGORITHM.”

- UnitedHealth cares little for bad press. What else are you gonna do, find another healthcare company? This is America, we really only have five. Most people have coverage through their employer so it’s not like you get a say. Capitalism gonna capitalism—your company will favor whatever costs coverage the least. The Amazons and Microsofts of the world have some bargaining leverage, but most companies don’t. Most companies won’t consider the cost of time spent dealing with a shitty insurance company, because that is an expense they passed on to you, dear worker.

- This happened because we let it. By “we”, I mean our government, our regulators. I don’t think the average citizen is culpable, but we do have influence.

…From my own anecdotal experience, I remember how strongly some people felt about the Affordable Care Act. I wouldn’t argue with them—that never works—but I would casually mention “well I have a pre-existing condition (depression), and when I sought treatment as a teen in the early Aughts, my parents (both social workers with private practices of their own) opted to pay full fee out of pocket because they worried I would never, ever get insurance coverage if the fact I sought treatment for depression ever appeared in my medical history. This new legislation saves me about a hundred dollars a week for the rest of my life, basically**.” because insurance can’t do that anymore, not since the ACA. (**ymmv, based on your deductible, but I won’t get into that right now.)

Anyway. If my first ACA comment went over well, I might add “I also enjoy not paying more for health insurance simply because I have a uterus and therefore might become pregnant some day, which is exceptionally frustrating because the same company will not cover my birth control or at least acknowledge that an unborn is very much like a parasite, or that giving birth is the most medically expensive thing you can do. There’s a risk I could die and/or my baby could die, if all parties survive the childbirth, the aforementioned offspring will most likely become a dependent on my health insurance plan, and that’s one more human that you’ll have to go through the trouble of denying claims for. That kind of labor doesn’t grow on trees!” This also changed (mostly) because of the ACA.

But my point is this. If privatized healthcare becomes as unpopular as universal health care once was, it might have a fighting shot under some administration (probably not this one, honestly)… if enough people make a fuss, and enough people come to see all the gaslighting that went into making us hate it in the first place.

Original Medicare is socialized health care. People like original Medicare. I don’t really work with it, but I’ve heard from other billers that it is straightforward and (relatively) easy to deal with, especially in light of the ceaseless industry horrors we’ve all come to accept. The few times that Medicare has come up, everyone is easy to talk to, friendly, and they’re all on shore—which is more expensive on paper but most cost efficient for me because they always know what they are talking about. If I work less, I can use those same billable hours doing more productive things like helping to grow the practice, improving office operations, or helping clients fight dumb claims denials.

We are the only industrialized country in the world that does not have Universal Healthcare. Maybe there are some industrialized counties in outer space that we have yet to discover. Idk. anything’s possible, but it wont change my argument. United Health care is the 9th largest company by revenue. The bulk of their business is in one country (US), with a healthcare system that looks radically different from all other industrialized companies. How the hell is that even possible?

…..

When I learned about the death of Brian Thompson, I was not surprised to learn that health executives frequently face death threats. I do my best to exercise compassion in all circumstances but I did not find it readily accessible, here. You are literally killing people. Why are you surprised to learn that countless people believe that you too belong amongst the dead? In the words of my wonderful, talented friend John Minus: “if people are largely indifferent/enthused by your death, maybe you fucked up. That’s just science.”

The gremlin in me wants to argue that the money spent not denying so many goddamn claims could be offset by the costs of not having to worry about getting getting murdered but I just really, really want people to understand that it is so much worse than what you think. Evil innovates, just as capitalism intended. People are getting paid unfathomable amounts of money to visualize and execute more heinous schemes than the average salt-of-the-earth human could ever hope to imagine.

….

Links because tumblr started to eat my formatting halfway through:

- https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/content/dam/UHG/PDF/investors/2023/UNH-Q4-2023-Form-10-K.pdf — their most recent 10-K report. (10-k = 10-K is a comprehensive annual report filed by publicly traded companies. It is mandated by the US SEC (Securities Exchange Commision). The 10-K outlines the company’s current financial situation, risks going forward, and the general strategy. It also includes a detailed summary of the company's financial performance, organizational structure, financial statements, earnings per share, subsidiaries, executive compensation, and any other relevant data (as per Investopedia.)It’s incredibly fascinating if you are into such things.

- https://kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast/the-hack/

- https://armandalegshow.com/

- https://www.hhs.gov/answers/health-insurance-reform/can-i-get-coverage-if-i-have-a-pre-existing-condition/index.html

- https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/fact-sheet/womens-health-insurance-coverage/amp/

- https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/issues/birth-control/facts-birth-control-coverage

https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/issues/birth-control/facts-birth-control-coverage

- https://www.teamhealth.com/news-and-resources/press-release/teamhealth-provider-groups-continue-nevada-fight-for-justice-for-patients-and-clinicians

- https://theintercept.com/2021/08/10/unitedhealthcare-yale-surprise-billing-study/

- https://axenehp.com/international-healthcare-systems-us-versus-world/

- https://www.marketwatch.com/amp/story/if-medicare-for-all-is-so-bad-why-is-medicare-so-popular-c29bb1aa

UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting (4 December 2024)

Sources: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

[tinsleymedical]

Navigating the Medical Practice Acquisition Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Acquiring a medical practice is a significant endeavor that requires careful planning, financial insight, and strategic execution. Implementing the right medical practice acquisition strategies can help streamline the transaction and ensure long-term success. Whether you are a private investor, a group of physicians, or a healthcare organization, understanding these strategies will provide a competitive edge in navigating the acquisition process. This guide will walk you through the essential steps involved in successfully acquiring a medical practice.

Step 1: Define Your Acquisition Goals

Before embarking on the acquisition process, it is essential to establish clear objectives. Ask yourself the following questions:

What type of medical practice are you looking to acquire?

Do you want to expand your current operations or enter a new market?

What financial and operational synergies do you expect?

Are you looking to improve patient care, enhance revenue, or both?

Having a clear vision will guide you in identifying the right opportunities that align with your goals.

Step 2: Conduct Market Research

A thorough understanding of the market is crucial to making an informed decision. Key factors to consider include:

Patient demographics and demand for services

Competitor landscape

Regulatory and compliance requirements

Revenue potential and operational challenges

Conducting market research will provide valuable insights into the viability of the acquisition and help you make data-driven decisions.

Step 3: Identify Potential Practices

Once you have a clear understanding of the market, the next step is to identify potential acquisition targets. You can leverage various sources, such as:

Industry networks and professional associations

Business brokers specializing in healthcare acquisitions

Direct outreach to practice owners

Online listings and marketplaces

When evaluating potential practices, consider factors such as location, reputation, patient volume, revenue trends, and existing staff expertise.

Step 4: Perform Due Diligence

Due diligence is a critical step in assessing the financial and operational health of the practice. It involves an in-depth analysis of:

Financial records (revenue, expenses, profitability)

Patient records and retention rates

Legal contracts and liabilities

Existing staff contracts and compensation structures

Compliance with healthcare regulations

Engaging experts in Medical Practice Performance Consulting can help you conduct a thorough due diligence process, ensuring that you identify potential risks and opportunities before finalizing the acquisition.

Step 5: Negotiate the Terms of Sale

Once you have completed due diligence, you can proceed to negotiate the purchase terms. Key aspects of the negotiation include:

Purchase price and payment structure

Transition period for the existing owner

Staff retention agreements

Non-compete clauses

Asset allocation (real estate, equipment, technology)

Having a legal and financial advisor by your side can help you navigate complex negotiations and secure favorable terms.

Step 6: Secure Financing

Acquiring a medical practice requires substantial financial investment. There are various funding options to explore, including:

Bank loans and Small Business Administration (SBA) financing

Private investors or venture capital

Seller financing arrangements

Healthcare-specific lending programs

Ensuring that you have a solid financial plan will help you secure funding efficiently and sustain operations post-acquisition.

Step 7: Finalize Legal and Regulatory Requirements

Acquiring a medical practice involves various legal and regulatory considerations, such as:

Business entity formation and licensing

Credentialing with insurance providers

Compliance with HIPAA and other healthcare laws

Tax and employment law implications

Working with a legal expert specializing in healthcare transactions can help you navigate the complexities of compliance and avoid potential legal pitfalls.

Step 8: Transition and Integration

The transition phase is crucial to ensuring a smooth handover and continued success. Key steps in the integration process include:

Communicating changes to staff and patients

Implementing new operational and billing systems

Aligning marketing and branding strategies

Retaining key personnel to maintain continuity of care

A well-executed transition plan will help maintain patient trust, staff morale, and overall business stability.

Conclusion

Successfully acquiring a medical practice requires strategic planning, due diligence, and seamless execution. By following these steps and leveraging Medical Practice Acquisition Strategies, you can effectively sell a medical practice or acquire one with confidence. Whether you are expanding your healthcare business or entering the industry for the first time, taking a structured approach will help you achieve sustainable growth and long-term success.

[yetisidelblog]

The health care system in America isn’t broken, it’s been hijacked by corporate giants like UnitedHealth Group, CVS/Aetna, and Cigna who have turned patient care into a for-profit racket, where doctors, pharmacists, and even hospitals answer to shareholders instead of the people they serve.

Every day, doctors are being pulled away from their patients, sometimes from the literal operating table, just so insurance conglomerates can dig through paperwork looking for excuses to deny coverage.

Patients suffering from asthma, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses leave the pharmacy counter empty-handed because middlemen known as Pharmacy Benefit Managers decide which drugs they’ll cover based on corporate profits, not medical necessity.

Big Medicine is too big, too powerful, and too dangerous to be left intact. We need a Glass-Steagall-style reform for health care, legislation that breaks up these monopolies and eliminates the massive conflicts of interest that have turned patient care into a corporate hustle.

It’s time to act. Sign on to demand that Congress break up Big Medicine now.

More than one-third of Americans live in healthcare deserts, places where greedy insurers and hospital systems have shut down independent medical practices and small pharmacies, leaving patients with no options but overpriced, understaffed corporate chains.

Employers and unions are being crushed by skyrocketing premiums, leaving workers with lower wages and fewer benefits. And for all of us, the threat remains the same: one illness could destroy our physical and financial health in an instant.

A system where the same corporation controls your insurance, your doctor, your prescription benefits, and even your pharmacy is a system designed to exploit patients for profit. The solution is clear: Break up Big Medicine now.

Every day that Congress waits, more patients suffer, more independent doctors go out of business, and more families are forced to choose between lifesaving care and financial ruin.

Demand Congress break up Big Medicine by adding your name now.

@upontheshelfreviews

@greenwingspino

@one-time-i-dreamt

@tenaflyviper

@akron-squirrel

@ifihadaworldofmyown

@justice-for-jacob-marley

@voicetalentbrendan

@thebigdeepcheatsy

@what-is-my-aesthetic

@ravenlynclemens

@writerofweird

@anon-lephant

@mentally-quiet-spycrab

@therealjacksepticeye

[clairical-error]

As someone who's entire job history has been in tourism is some shape or form, please don't fucking come here.

Stop giving our dogshit state government that money.

Stop coming down here for your vacation then going home and shitting all over the state for being weird.

A lot of the reasons Florida is like that ™️ is that our state rakes in the tourism money and luxury properties.

Our government caters to the wealthy in order to draw in that billionaire's vacation home money.

This sort of shit is why despite living on the side of Florida with the shitty beaches our beach is fucking impossible to visit. The fucking business and mcmansions built all the way up past where the dunes should be. The destruction of our native ecosystems that should protect from flooding, all gone for another luxury home or fucking McDonalds.

This a long with the state's policy of climate change what climate change, there's no need to build any protective infrastructure, is why every hurricane I have to worry about my friends and family losing their homes, or worse their lives. And hurricane evacuation is no small task, potentially leaving everything behind to be destroyed.

These policies have lead to a massive pull out of Florida by insurance companies. House destroyed by hurricane winds, fallen trees or flood waters, sucks to suck, have you considered taking the pity money, and selling the lot to a land megafirm so you can move into a tiny overpriced apartment?

And guess what, I've lived my entire life in Florida, and while yes we do have absolutely fucking murderous conservatives, we also have completely normal people, ever some amazing people. I have met some of the most amazing people in the world here. And we aren't unaware of the shit our state does either. When I rallied my friend group to drive 3 hours south just to attend the medical board meeting on the trans health ban I was surprised how many people where there on our side, from all over the state. We outnumbered the conservatives in that room, conservatives who had to fly people out from other states.

Florida is not a lost cause, it's not a place to write off as a conservative hellhole, there are real people here, and we fight tooth and nail to make it a better place. It breaks my heart that so many queer people have had to leave for their own safety, and that for every person who can there are more like me who can't. Escape can't be the solution for everyone, there will always be more queer people born here. Condemning them all to rot in a hell not worth changing while fueling and benefiting from their suffering through tourism boils my blood.

Don't fucking come here and make our home your playground.

This here is why that “cutting Florida off” shit doesn’t sit right with me

People love to use the south as a scapegoat and always end up sounding pretty classist and racist

[smallbusinesstaxplanning]

Small Business Tax Planning: Essential Strategies to Reduce Your Tax Burden

Running a small business comes with many responsibilities, and one of the most crucial yet often overlooked aspects is tax planning. Effective small business tax planning can help you minimize your tax liability, maximize deductions, and ultimately keep more of your hard-earned money. Whether you want to reinvest in your business or enjoy stress-free travel, understanding tax-saving strategies is essential. This guide covers key strategies to help you reduce your tax burden efficiently.

1. Keep Accurate Financial Records

One of the most effective ways to lower your tax bill is by maintaining well-organized financial records. Keeping track of all income, expenses, invoices, and receipts ensures that you can claim all eligible deductions and avoid unnecessary penalties. Using accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero can help automate and streamline this process.

2. Take Advantage of Business Deductions

Small businesses are eligible for numerous tax deductions that can significantly reduce taxable income. Some common deductions include:

Home Office Deduction: If you use a portion of your home exclusively for business, you may qualify for a home office deduction.

Vehicle Expenses: If you use your car for business purposes, you can deduct mileage, fuel, maintenance, and insurance costs.

Office Supplies and Equipment: Purchases such as computers, printers, furniture, and office supplies are deductible.

Marketing and Advertising: Expenses related to promoting your business, including website development and social media ads, are tax-deductible.

Travel and Meals: Business-related travel, lodging, and meal expenses may be deducted, but they must be necessary and documented properly.

3. Choose the Right Business Structure

Your business structure plays a significant role in how much you pay in taxes. Sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, and corporations have different tax implications. For example, forming an S Corporation might help reduce self-employment taxes, while an LLC offers flexibility in taxation. Consulting a tax professional can help you determine the best structure for your business.

4. Take Advantage of Tax Credits

Tax credits provide direct reductions in your tax liability. Some of the most beneficial tax credits for small businesses include:

Research & Development (R&D) Credit: Available for businesses investing in innovation and new technologies.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC): Provides incentives for hiring employees from certain target groups.

Small Business Health Care Tax Credit: Helps small businesses that provide health insurance to employees.

5. Contribute to Retirement Plans

Contributing to a retirement plan benefits both you and your employees while reducing taxable income. Options such as a SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, or Solo 401(k) allow you to set aside pre-tax income, lowering your taxable earnings while securing your financial future.

6. Defer Income and Accelerate Expenses

Deferring income to the following year and accelerating deductible expenses into the current year can help reduce your tax burden. This strategy works particularly well for cash-basis taxpayers, who report income when received and expenses when paid.

7. Hire Family Members

Hiring your spouse or children can be a smart tax-saving strategy. Wages paid to family members can be deducted as a business expense, reducing taxable income. Additionally, depending on the business structure, wages paid to children under 18 may be exempt from payroll taxes.

8. Stay Up to Date on Tax Law Changes

Tax laws change frequently, and staying informed about new regulations can help you maximize savings. Working with a tax advisor or accountant ensures that you take advantage of all available tax-saving opportunities and remain compliant with IRS rules.

9. Set Up an Account for Estimated Taxes

If your business generates significant income, setting aside money for estimated taxes can prevent surprises at tax time. Paying quarterly estimated taxes helps avoid penalties and keeps cash flow predictable throughout the year.

10. Work with a Tax Professional

A certified tax professional or accountant can help you navigate complex tax regulations, identify deductions, and implement strategies tailored to your business. Their expertise can save you time, money, and stress while ensuring compliance with tax laws.

Conclusion

Effective small business tax planning is key to reducing your tax burden and keeping more of your profits. By maintaining accurate records, maximizing deductions, utilizing tax credits, and consulting a professional, you can optimize your tax strategy and free up more funds for business growth—or even that well-deserved vacation. Implement these strategies today and enjoy a financially stress-free future!

[liveleadtransfer]

Group health insurance leads represent a significant opportunity to connect with these prospects, tailor solutions to their needs, and grow your client base. At The Live Lead, we specialize in delivering targeted group health insurance leads to help your business thrive in this competitive space.

What Are Group Health Insurance Leads?

Group health insurance leads are potential clients — primarily businesses and organizations — actively searching for health insurance coverage for their employees. These leads may include small businesses, startups, or larger enterprises that recognize the value of offering comprehensive healthcare benefits to attract and retain top talent.

By targeting these leads, your business can focus its efforts on qualified prospects, streamlining the sales process and boosting your conversion rates.

The Benefits of Group Health Insurance Leads

1. Access to High-Quality Prospects

Group health insurance leads are carefully curated to ensure that you’re connecting with businesses genuinely interested in securing coverage for their teams.

How This Helps:

Saves time by eliminating unqualified prospects.

Ensures your sales team engages with decision-makers ready to explore options.

Increases the likelihood of conversion with targeted outreach.

2. Boosts Revenue and Growth

By focusing on businesses seeking group health insurance, you can significantly increase your revenue potential. Each lead represents a long-term client relationship, providing steady and recurring income through annual policy renewals.

Key Advantages:

Higher average policy value compared to individual insurance plans.

Opportunities for upselling or cross-selling additional services.

Builds a portfolio of satisfied clients, enhancing your reputation.

3. Streamlined Sales Process

Group health insurance leads often include critical details such as company size, employee count, and industry type. With this information, your sales team can tailor their approach, addressing specific needs and presenting personalized solutions.

Benefits of a Streamlined Approach:

Faster sales cycles due to customized pitches.

Improved client satisfaction with targeted offerings.

Greater efficiency in lead follow-up and closing deals.

4. Competitive Edge in the Market

The group health insurance market is highly competitive, but high-quality leads give you an edge. By reaching out to businesses at the right time, you can establish your company as the go-to provider for comprehensive group health insurance plans.

How It Helps:

Positions your company as a leader in the industry.

Reduces competition by engaging prospects early.

Builds long-term relationships with businesses.

How to Maximize Group Health Insurance Leads

1. Personalize Your Outreach

Businesses appreciate personalized communication that demonstrates an understanding of their unique challenges and needs. Use the information provided with the leads — such as company size or industry — to craft tailored proposals.

2. Offer Value-Added Services

Stand out from competitors by highlighting the additional benefits your group health insurance plans provide, such as wellness programs, employee assistance programs (EAPs), or flexible policy options.

3. Leverage Multi-Channel Engagement

Reach leads through a variety of channels to ensure your message gets through. Email, phone calls, and LinkedIn outreach are all effective methods for connecting with decision-makers.

4. Provide Transparent Pricing and Benefits

Many businesses hesitate to commit to group health insurance due to perceived complexity or hidden costs. Address these concerns upfront with clear, concise information about pricing and benefits.

Why Choose The Live Lead for Group Health Insurance Leads?

1. Exclusive and Targeted Leads

We deliver exclusive group health insurance leads tailored to your target audience. Whether you’re focusing on small businesses, startups, or larger enterprises, we can provide leads that match your criteria.

2. Real-Time Delivery

With real-time lead delivery, you can engage with prospects at the perfect moment — when their interest is highest and they’re actively seeking solutions.

3. Scalable Solutions

Our lead generation services are designed to scale with your business. Whether you need a steady flow of leads or an aggressive campaign to boost growth, we’ve got you covered.

4. Proven Track Record

At The Live Lead, we’ve helped countless businesses grow by connecting them with high-quality leads. Our proven methods ensure you get the best ROI for your marketing efforts.

Conclusion

Group health insurance leads are an invaluable resource for businesses looking to grow in this competitive industry. By connecting with businesses actively seeking health insurance solutions for their employees, you can increase conversions, boost revenue, and establish your company as a leader in the field.

At The Live Lead, we provide high-quality, exclusive group health insurance leads tailored to your business needs. Let us help you achieve your growth goals with targeted lead generation strategies that deliver results. Contact us today to learn more about how we can transform your business.

Group health insurance leads, Affordable health insurance leads, Employee benefits leads, Small business health insurance leads, Health insurance lead generation, High-quality group insurance prospects, Exclusive health insurance leads

[gremlingottoosilly]

So, fun story. 

There are like two hospitals working in Prague during weekends. One of them, and the easiest to get to, is the military hospital - it's kind of like a hospital for military medics and students who want to become field medics. It's also the only hospital whose staff mostly speaks English and doesn't make you feel like you have to die because your Czech game isn't perfect. I got to the emergency room because I accidentally took too many antibiotics, which fried my stomach while mixing them with my psych prescription. It was a bit eery when some older military guy tried to calm me down (I think he asked me to calm down in Czech) because I was crying non-stop, and he awkwardly patted my shoulder while searching for a not-busy nurse. 

(I was fine in the end, but it was still embarrassing)

Picture this - sitting in an emergency room of a military hospital because you're a silly foreigner who got to a hospital in another country for the first time, and you're absolutely panicking because you somehow convinced yourself you're going to die from stomach ache. Also not being very calmed down since there is too many guys and girls in uniform running around and strict nurses ushering everyone into military and non-military groups - all while you cry and think this is it, you're going to fucking die in London, or Manchester, and you won't even get to use your health insurance. 

And then there is a cute guy with a bright smile and too wide of shoulders patting you on your head and smiling like thousands suns, telling you're going to be okay, and a cute thing like you shouldn't cry. You aren't sure what to take on the compliment, but you let the guy - Gaz, he explains himself - to sit with you on the bench and let him chat you up while you wait for your number in line. You almost forget that you had convinced yourself you're going to die from appendicitis while he talks about his Captain, a stubborn as fuck motherfucker, who refused to come to the hospital until his wound got critical enough. 

It's nice enough when his friend - Soap, he says, and you're too out of it to even question this weird ass name - slides in and gets a hand on your other shoulder - in a friendly manner, of course, and if his touches are a bit too bruising and distracting, you don't say a word. Soap is friendly, his smile is addicting, too, and he has this funny Scottish accent that makes you giggle at every second word. You ignore the nurse asking if you need some sedatives for your crying - you calm down on your own, letting the guys drag you to the same doctor who is patching up their captain - you aren't sure you really need this one, or just a general emergency practitioner, but you're way too tired to resist. 

And so what if their captain casually slides you into his insurance and promises to pay for the expense that may go above it. He is a good man, and you're too exhausted to really think about the implications of him getting your number, home address, and some other data that must be private, but... come on, they all seem like such nice people, who would ever think that letting them know you live alone and don't have anyone to look after you? And when their final friend - a big-looking guy who doesn't speak, but gets you a small chicken salad from the hospital cafe and makes you eat while he drives you home - says that he will come tomorrow to check on you, you don't say a word. 

You need friends in this country, and so what that they are all in the miliatary and stare as you like a pack of dogs. You already cried in front of them, it's not like this can get even more embarrassing.  And so what that they decide to make your tiny apartment their hang out spot - you don't mind waking up to Soap rummaging through your fridge or Gaz buying you groceries. It's nice, really. Besides, as long as you don't mind and let them do whatever they want - including letting Price put a hand on your thigh and lightly massage it while politely smoking in the window - they won't get a reason for kidnapping you for your own safety. A win-win, honestly.

it’d be a cute storyline if Gaz was working the poison control hotline and received a call from a girl who’d taken the wrong medication or something and he was so concerned for her that he clocked out of his shift and showed up at her apartment to personally see to her safety :(((

[rickanderson123]

Why Truck Driver Canada Immigration is a Top Choice for Skilled Workers

Are you looking for a rewarding career in Canada? The Canadian trucking industry needs skilled drivers like you. With thousands of open positions and great pay, truck driver Canada immigration offers a clear path to a new life. Companies across the country are ready to welcome international drivers who want to build their future here.

Moving to Canada as a truck driver makes sense right now. The country needs more drivers to keep goods moving between cities and provinces. This has made truck driver Canada immigration one of the fastest ways to start a new life in Canada.

Essential Requirements and Licensing

You don't need perfect English to start. Many companies help new drivers improve their language skills while working. They also teach you about Canadian roads and weather. The first step is checking if your driving license meets Canadian rules. Most provinces offer simple steps to switch your license to a Canadian one.

Provincial Immigration Programs and Opportunities

Each province has special programs to bring in truck drivers. Ontario and Alberta need drivers the most. They often speed up truck driver Canada immigration papers for qualified drivers.

You can start by looking at which province matches your skills and goals. Think about things like weather, city size, and job options.

Comprehensive Benefits and Compensation

Canadian trucking jobs come with valuable benefits. Most companies offer health insurance from day one. You get paid vacation time and sick days too. Many drivers earn extra pay for long trips or working at night. Your family can also get health care once you settle in.

Canadian roads are well-kept and safe. You'll learn new skills like driving in snow and using special safety gear. Companies teach you everything you need to know.

Settlement Support and Community Integration

Moving to a new country is a big step. That's why many trucking companies help with housing and paperwork. They can connect you with language classes and community groups. Some even help your family find schools and doctors. This support makes your move much easier. You'll find many other drivers who came from your country, ready to share tips and help you settle in.

Career Growth and Business Opportunities

Trucking jobs in Canada offer clear paths for advancement. You can become a trainer, or manager, or even start your own trucking business.

Many drivers who came through truck driver Canada immigration now own their trucks or run small fleets. Your hard work and skills can lead to excellent opportunities in this growing industry.