Doctors can’t be happy with this
FDA may let patients buy drugs without prescriptions – Washington Times.
group health insurance
Health insurer rebates to top $1 billion | BenefitsPro
Interesting read. Something that probably wouldn’tve happened without Health Care Reform.Â
Health insurer rebates to top $1 billion | BenefitsPro.
IRS issues guidance on W-2 reporting
On January 3, 2012, the IRS issued additional interim guidance on the W-2 reporting requirement that is part of health care reform. In this guidance, the IRS confirms that employers filing fewer than 250 W-2s are not required to report the value of health benefits. This guidance extends that relief until further guidance is issued.
Additionally, the release indicates that specialty coverage, if included with medical benefits, must be reported.
The guidance reaffirms that this is a reporting requirement only and does not impact employees’ taxable wages.
Questions and Answers:
Q: Â Are specialty products, if offered as one plan to an employee, included in the W-2 reporting requirement?
A:Â Â Â According to the latest guidance from the IRS, yes. If the products are embedded or provided together, the total must be reported.
Q:Â Â How do contingent premium groups report the value of health benefits under the W-2 reporting requirement?
A:   Please refer any customers with this question to their own tax and/or legal advisers as we do not provide tax advice. The latest information from the IRS related to the W-2 reporting requirement can be found at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-12-09.pdf and may provide additional guidance.
Generic for Lipitor Now Available
On November 30, 2011 Ranbaxy Laboratories launched the generic equivalent for Lipitor, atorvastatin. Â Ranbaxy will be the sole manufacturer of this generic drug for the next 180 days. Â Other manufacturers of the drug will be available in May 2012.
The savings at the beginning will be minimal, but once May 2012 roles around we should see substantial savings. Â This means big savings to consumers and payers alike.
November is Diabetes Awareness Month
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Â This is a cause that we personally have a stake in because my father in law had diabetes. Â Our family participates in the Louisville ADA walk each year. Â I’m also proud to say that my wife’s family is the number one fund-raising family and friends team. Â They’ve been number one now for I’d say at least the last six years.
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