This month, the finance article will take a different perspective. We will focus on bonding and how it affects financing. Next month we will discuss the impact of bonding and its requirements on an acquisition.

Bonding is NOT insurance. The purpose of bonding is to ensure that the project continues on or near schedule despite issues with performance or payment. The bond is there to provide assurance to the owner or general contractor that your company can and will fulfill its obligations as contracted. In the event that the bond is utilized, the bonding company expects full repayment for the amount utilized.

Bond companies need 10% equity (or higher) on the balance sheet. In order to show this, a company must retain a portion of its earnings each year. This retention is shown in the Stockholder’s Equity section of the balance sheet. If your firm has not previously retained earnings due to past losses or large shareholder distributions, one way to shore up the balance sheet is to inject your company with equity capital. This injection will show under Contributed Capital in this section. If you’ve made a Shareholder’s Loan to the company, you can quickly shore up your balance sheet by converting that loan to equity. Check with your accountant and attorney to make sure you document the conversion properly.

Bond companies also like to see 5-10% of the revenues in a line of credit (LOC) for a program. That way if you encounter a hiccup – cost overruns, slow payment by the owner or general contractor, disputed work – the surety can be assured that you have access to funding above and beyond your operational cash flow. This LOC will help you complete the work as contracted, thus reducing the risk that any use of the bond will be necessary.

It can get a little tricky here. Banks and other financial institutions will not provide an LOC against “bonded receivables”. Bonded receivables are those accounts receivables that are generated from contracts that required bonds. Why won’t banks lend against these? Because banks place liens on accounts receivables as collateral for the LOC and in doing so mandate that they are in the first position to obtain these receivables in the event of a default. However, with “bonded receivables” the bond company is in the first position. How do construction companies get around this? Most companies do not have 100% bonded contracts so those non-bonded receivables make good collateral. In addition, companies may utilize equipment, property, or other collateral or strong personal guarantees by its management to obtain or increase its LOC.

Many of you understand what a “bonding program” is but some don’t fully understand precisely how it works. Following are two examples to best illustrate what bonding agents mean when they discuss a “program”.

Example 1: Company A has $12 million in annual sales and that revenue is generated from two large $6 million projects. Project 1 yields $6 million for the January – June period and Project 2 yields $6 million for the July – December period.  Assuming that both jobs/projects are fully bonded, this equates to a $6 million bond program. (This $6 million is the per project maximum bonding capacity.)

Example 2: Company B also makes $12 million in annual sales. However, that revenue is generated from a number of small jobs with an average size of $150,000 – $300,000. In any given month projects are beginning and ending, with the overwhelming majority of jobs lasting only 3-4 weeks. The average monthly revenue from these jobs is $1 million. Assuming all jobs are fully bonded, this equates to a $1 million bond program. (This $1 million is the per project maximum bonding capacity.)

A complete program is typically denoted as “per project maximum” over “aggregate bonding” program. I.e., a “2 over 4 program” would be as follows: per project maximum of $2 million; aggregate bonding of $4 million. Aggregate bonding refers to the maximum amount in total outstanding bonds the company can have. Remember that, as a project is completed the exposure decreases and accordingly, the bonding required for that project decreases.

Source by Tiffany C. Wright

When Should One Change Oil:

This is quite a big issue for most of the drivers. If taken the conventional oil as an example all will know that it should be changed every 8000 miles which is true only for ideal driving conditions and such a thing is really something very unreal. As a result oil change should happen every 3000 miles. With synthetic oil the limit is 10000 and most cars have reminder gadgets mounted on it anyway.

Where You Can Change The Oil:

Choosing which place is best suited to change oil is really a matter of taste of the driver. If you have a mechanic that you can trust you can change oil for no more than $30 and an excellent job will be done. You dealership can also record the visit for you after they change the oil for you for an approximate price of $50. One of the most widespread method is going to the oil change chain store like Firestone, Goodyear, Jilly Lube or any other place where you can get 5 minute oil change for around $25.

Getting Oil Change Coupons:

Unlike the general opinion it is extremely easy to locate the oil change coupons online. There are numerous shops that offer discounts like Goodyear oil change coupons or Firestone oil change coupons. Just print out the voucher and you will have an instant $10 discount for the tire maintenance, transmission oil change or any other thing you want to be looked at. Do not miss out on the saving opportunity when it comes to oil change.

Oil Change On Your Own:

You can do the thing by yourself steering clear of going anywhere or searching for the oil change coupons. You will become perfectly capable of changing oil yourself in time, however your first time might not go as it was expected. Get everything ready and that means that certain tools will be required like gloves, funnels, wrenches and many more. It will only cost you around $20, yet if it is your first time, make sure that you look through the tutorials online. You have to dispose of the used oil appropriately, which means that it cannot be just chucked away, but should be taken to the nearest gas station.

Source by Tamara

Did you know that some of the most successful people in finance and investments never pursued finance in college? Did you know many never even went to college? There are people who have built successful careers in investments or the financial industry grew and learned on the job.

Like I said, there are many branches to this tree. Accountants, CPA’s, and analysts must go through significant educational requirements before finding finance jobs. While these careers are built on heavy education and commitment, there are other areas of finance that do not require stringent or specialized education before entering the job market.

Stockbroker and Financial Advisor jobs

Stockbrokers, Registered Representatives and financial advisors are basically salesmen in the finance industry. That is not to demean what they do, it’s actually true. Once you are a licensed stockbroker and working for a firm, you are a phone broker. Many of the top firms will require 2 or 4 year degrees before hiring you for a job, but a finance or investment related degree is usually not required. Many smaller firms do not require college at all. They are looking for brokers with talent, drive and the ability to communicate and persuade. If you can convince the firm that you can earn money, you can get in. There are successful stockbrokers and advisors who make $200,000 or more and many of them were car salesmen, insurance agents, collections salesmen, real estate agents etc. Training is ongoing and most should decide after 6 months or one year whether this is the finance career or job they want.

Read more on
http://myfreeinfo4u.com/finance/finance_jobs_finance_career.html

Source by Jas

A business acquisition involves a number of documents, the most important of which is the Asset Purchase Agreement (APA), commonly known as the purchase contract.  Legal experts will define a contract as a binding agreement involving two or more people or companies (called parties) setting forth the specific actions that each party will either perform or not perform.  Of all the clauses involved in a contract, few have the importance of the Indemnity Agreement. Indemnification is recognized as the act of making another party “whole” by compensating them for any damages & losses incurred or suffered.  The party who provides the indemnity is called the indemnitor or indemnifier while the party receiving the indemnity is called the indemnitee. These provisions will address the remedies for any breaches of covenants or representations and warranties (topic of a separate article) that are discovered after the closing.  Indemnification is purely a risk/responsibility technique that details the contract’s remedy should any material facts be found to be false or promises not honored.  The most simple description is the removal of liability from one side by transferring it to the other side.

While there are some law experts that draw a distinction between a Hold Harmless Agreement and an Indemnification Agreement, most professionals will use these terms either in tandem or in some cases interchangeably.  Black’s Law Dictionary, a well respected resource, has defined each of these terms as follows:

• Indemnify:  “To reimburse (another) for a loss suffered because of a third party’s or one’s own act or default.”
• Hold Harmless: “To absolve (another party) from any responsibility for damage or liability arising from the transaction.”

It is important to recognize that not all acts can be indemnified.  Several state and federal statutes will prevent actions that are found to be either negligent or illegal from being indemnified.  Also noteworthy, is the recognition that, over the years, a number of courts in the United States have ruled that good faith must have been established for indemnification to be upheld. This requirement states that the party must have acted in the best interest of the business, and its normal practices versus a personal self interest detrimental to the enterprise.

Indemnity provisions can be drafted in a variety of ways and this structure is typically based upon the size, type, and level of complexity. These provisions often require heavy negotiation between parties given the ability to word these clauses either very broadly or narrowly.  Several examples of these structuring methods include:

• Duration:  In theory, the survival or duration period for the indemnity, should be determined by the time table during which a party is reasonably expected to detect any misrepresentation or beach.  Exceptions to survival periods are often made.  Tax liabilities would be one example as these generally have a longer period. 
• Limit:  Depending upon the (perceived) risk of the covenants in addition to the representations and warranties, a dollar limit or cap can be created for the total amount of liability that will be assumed.  In certain cases, a deductible or basket is structured, similar to an insurance policy, where one party will only be held responsible for losses or damages in amounts in excess of this “deductible”.
• Use of Escrow Account:  Setting aside a small portion of the transaction price in an attorney’s escrow account for a defined period of time is an established means of providing an assurance to a party that money is available to satisfy the indemnity obligations.

All purchase & sale contracts involve hold harmless/indemnity clauses and it will be essential for each party to fully understand these provisions and the specific circumstances where they pertain.  The language used in drafting these provisions is very important as ambiguous declarations could invalidate an indemnity claim.  Having experienced legal counsel involved early in the transaction to properly draft and review the contract is highly advised.

Note:  ENLIGN does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice.  We maintain a national network of Business Attorneys & Certified Public Accountants who are experienced in business transactions and would be pleased to provide a referral.

Source by Michael Fekkes, CBI

If you own a small business that is geared to providing services to your community, chances are you will need to invest in e & o insurance.  While you may have built a comprehensive insurance portfolio including building owners insurance and general liability insurance, many entrepreneurs overlook the importance of errors and omissions policies.  Generally referred to as professional liability, an e & o insurance package is designed to cover liability exposures that are excluded under general liability cover.  Understand how this inexpensive policy will protect you against financially damaging claims and make a wise investment for the best interest of you and your company.

In todays sue happy society, buying e&o insurance is essential to protect the financial health of your company.  Even owners who take proactive steps to ensure business processes are fair and accurate can face lawsuits for negligence that are unfounded.  E&O insurance is specialized insurance category that is not required for every professional.  Individuals who have obtained advanced education and training to provide services to a state or city should carry errors and omissions insurance.  If you are held to a higher standard because of your furthered education, chances are you should be protecting the career you worked so hard to be a part of.

Most errors and omissions policies are designed to cover professional error and negligence that causes the customer financial hardship or loss.  Professional errors are weighed on a wide scope.  If agents give inaccurate advice, this could be seen as a professional error.  On the other hand, if a subcontractor damages a customer’s property when completing a job, this is another form of professional error on a different scope.  There is no one-size-fits-all errors and omissions package.  You must consult a licensed agent experienced in selling commercial policies of all sorts.  These agents will suggest a package that is suitable and comprehensive and will protect all areas of risk you are facing during your business operations.

Most doctors, lawyers, real estate agents, mortgage brokers, insurance agents, and financial services professionals invest in e & o insurance.  While these individuals are the common targeted niche, several other professionals dealing in a plethora of industries have a need for this insurance policy.  You will need to weigh the costs and benefits of e&o insurance.  The annual premium for a professional liability package is well worth the million dollars of coverage it provides for defense costs, judgments and settlements.

There are a variety of insurance providers on the market today offering affordable e&o insurance coverage.  When you are comparing insurers, be sure to check their financial rankings and compare the premiums to make the best choice.  With the right agent or broker by your side, you will have a comprehensive commercial insurance portfolio.

Source by Bob Roberts

Anallergy isan abnormal reaction of the human immune system, when it wrongly identifies certain allergens such as pollens, foods, drugs, dust, etc to be harmful foreign substances and produces antibodies against them. When these antibodies are produced in excess, they release histamine and other chemicals in your body, which in turn results in some allergic reaction. Allergy manifests itself most frequently in the respiratory tract or the skin – these manifestations of allergic conditions include allergic rhinitis, eczema, hives and hay fever. Severe reactions include violent cough, cyanosis, fever, pulse variations, convulsions and collapse. Allergic reactions may be acute, chronic, immediate or delayed and the agent causing the allergy is to be identified to provide apt treatment – avoidance, medication or immunotherapy treatment.

Allergy coding involves coding procedures that come under allergy testing, immunization and desensitization. Coders tend to be confused as regards the various types of allergy testing, those who can do the testing, how allergy shots can be properly billed, and so on. Coding for allergy is made more complex with details such as the allowed limits, combinations, units and same day evaluation/management services.The patient’s medical record must clearly document the medical necessity for each test performed, the test results, unfavorable reactions if any to each test, for each date of service submitted on the claim.

Allergy Testing Coding

To know if you are allergic, you need to be tested for inhalants known to cause allergies, for food allergies and so on. Allergy testing is categorized into in vivo and in vitro methodologies. Allergy testing is covered only when it is considered ‘medically necessary’ and is ordered by a physician. The physical examination should indicate allergic signs/symptoms. Allergy testing is also covered when a diagnosis such as asthma, indicative of an allergy has been made.Covered CPT codes include the range 95004-95199. Investigational allergy tests are not usually covered.

In vivo testing includes allergy skin testing:

• Percutaneous test (scratch, prick or puncture test)
  • CPT codes covered: 95004, 95010

Percutaneous test is the allergy sensitivity test most frequently performed; however, the following cutaneous and mucous membrane tests are sometimes included in an allergy evaluation:

• Intracutaneous test (intradermal test)
  • CPT codes covered: 95015 95024 95027 95028

• Photo Patch test
  • CPT codes covered: 95052; the number of tests has to be specified

• Patch or application test(s)
  • CPT code covered: 95044; the number of tests has to be specified

• Photo Tests
  • CPT code covered: 95056

• Bronchial Challenge Test
  • CPT codes covered: 95070 95071 Other CPT codes related to the CPB: 94150 94200 94240 94350 94360 94621 94680 94681 94690 94720 94770

• Exercise Challenge Test
  • CPT codes covered: 94010 94060 94070 94150 94200 94240 94350 94360 94375 94620 94621 94680 94681 94690 94720 94770

• Food ingestion challengetest
  • CPT code 95075

• Opthalmic mucous membranetests
  • CPT code 95060

• Direct nasal mucous membrane test
  • CPT code 95065

• Serial endpoint titration (SET) test (eg, intradermal dilutional testing [IDT]
  • CPT code covered: 95027

• Provocative test (for example, Rinkel test)
  • CPT code: 85078

Percutaneous and intracutaneous allergy tests are accepted as medically necessary and are covered by most insurance providers. However, there are certain limitations imposed:

• The number of scratch, puncture or prick allergy tests eligible for reimbursement per year is 70 (CPT code 95004)
• The number of intracutaneous allergy tests eligible for reimbursement per year is 40 (CPT codes 95024 and 95028)

SET testing is considered medically necessary and is covered up to 80 tests per year (CPT codes 95010, 95015 and 95027).

Patch test, photo patch test, mucous membrane test, bronchial inhalation challenge test, and food ingestion challenge test are also considered medically necessary and covered for the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of allergies. Other allergy testing procedures including sublingual testing, provocative testing, and Rebuck skin window test are not covered because they are considered experimental or investigational. These are to be reported with the CPT code number 95199.

Tests such as Leukocyte histamine release, Prausnitz-Kustner test, Cytotoxic food testing (leukocytotoxic test, Bryans test) and Conjunctival challenge testing (ophthalmic mucous membrane test) are usually excluded from reimbursement.

In vitro testing involves blood tests to identify the presence of specific IgE antibodies to a particular antigen. Procedure codes for allergy tests are usually reimbursed per test for the total number of tests performed.

Allergy laboratory testing includes CPT codes 86000-86999. 86003 and 86005 are codes used to signify allergen specific IgE determinations. RAST, MAST, FAST, ELISA, and ImmunoCAPtests are indicated when percutaneous testing of IgE-mediated allergies cannot be done. Radioallergosorbent testing for allergies has to be reported with code 86003 (allergen specific IgE; quantitative or semiquantitative, each allergen).Service providers reporting with this code have to give supporting documents to validate the medical necessity for the allergy testing procedure, explaining why other routine allergy tests were unsatisfactory. These tests are reimbursed in the following situations:

• When skin tests cannot be performed routinely due to conditions such as infancy, extensive eczema, icthyasis or dermographia
• When the skin test has proven inconclusive
• When the patient is under medication that might interfere with skin testing, but can’t be asked to discontinue
• When the patient has systemic reaction to skin testing

If medical necessity is not validated, code 86003 might not be reimbursed. Apart from CPT codes, the claims should also contain all relevant ICD-9 and HCPCS codes for full reimbursement.

Allergy Immunotherapy Coding

Allergy immunotherapy includes avoidance therapy, pharmacologic therapy and immunotherapy. Avoiding the allergen responsible for causing allergy is the most effective treatment. Allergy immunotherapy also known by the terms hyposensitization, desensitization, allergy injection therapy, or “allergy shots” is recommended for patients

• In whom the allergens triggering the reaction are not easily avoidable
• The allergy is IgE mediated
• The allergy is not effectively controlled by medication

Allergy immunotherapy desensitizes the patient to the allergen that caused the allergy. It protects the patient against the allergic symptoms and inflammatory reactions. Allergy shots are usually provided in a medical setting and contain increasing doses of the allergen. The healthcare provider must accurately document the allergy shots given to the patient to be properly reimbursed. To avoid claim denials, it is important that the patient is examined by a physician; in addition, the examining physician has to prepare the antigens, develop a treatment plan and dosage schedule.

In allergy immunotherapy, the CPT codes covered include 95115-95170, 95199. If other identifiable services are given during office visit, office visit codes can be used in addition to allergen immunotherapy codes.

Some Important Considerations

When percutaneous or intracutaneous sequential and incremental injections (95010, 95015 or 95027) and single injection (95004 or 95024) tests are provided on the same date, all these codes may be reported if the tests are different allergens or different dilutions of the same allergen. The number of separate injections are to be reported, do not report both a single injection test and a sequential and incremental injection test for the same dilution of an allergen. SET testing can be reported and will be reimbursed on a per allergen basis.

The patient’s medical record must clearly document the medical necessity for the treatment provided. Medicare Benefit Policy Manual provides details of services covered, codes and other relevant details helpful in accurate coding. A standardized CPT code is assigned for every medical procedure and task. Medical coders have to be thorough with the reimbursement policies of different insurance providers

Source by Bob Kruse

Also known as Joint Life annuities, Joint and Survivor annuities are intended for and opened by two individuals. In this case, both recipients can expect compensation throughout their lifetime, even if one of them dies. According to the terms and conditions of the contract, the amount of the compensation may decrease if one of the recipients dies. QJSA or Qualified Joint and Survivor annuity rules apply to ‘money purchase’ pension plans, target benefits and defined benefit plans. This annuity pays at one level for entire duration of the primary holder’s life, and between 50-100% of original for duration of the spouse’s life at another level.

Usually, the plan document provides an annuity proportion, but the common prerequisite is that survivor annuity should be 50% to 100% of annuity paid out to the participant. In case the participant is not married, the annuities are over his life expectancy. Furthermore, the participants can opt to surrender the joint and survivor annuities payments and get ad-hoc distributions or lump-sum, provided that the spouse (of participant) agrees to the waiver.
Some Rules for Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity

A ‘joint and survivor annuity’ type is not a qualified one unless the plan allows the participant to begin receiving a delivery in the form of QJSA exactly after he has reached the earliest-retirement-age under the scheme. 
A plan can include more than one ‘joint and survivor’ annuity which is in fact equivalent. In this case, the plan must depict which one is qualified.
The law requires that all ‘survivors’ benefit from the plan should be paid out to the spouse, unless one designate different recipients. If you select a recipient other than spouse, then the spouse should agree to this beneficiary designation in writing.  
Unmarried Participants

As per the law, unless you select otherwise, the benefits from ‘joint and survivor’ annuities are paid out in the form of ‘single life annuity’. You will get payments on monthly basis for your entire life. But after your death, no payments will be made. Also, you are free to cancel your selection within the duration of ninety days before distributions start.
In case any of survivor benefits are ‘payable’ through benefit payment alternative you have selected, then, you can specify a recipient to get those benefits.
Domestic Partners or Same-Sex Spouses

The plan may allow an individual to specify same sex domestic partner as the recipient of survivor benefits other than survivor annuity part of a QJSA. The payments of survivor benefits to the same sex domestic partners must follow certain rules for benefit payments to any elected recipient, who is not spouse:

• Supplementary benefit rules: the pre-requisites that death or other non-retirement benefits owed under the plan be subsidiary to main purpose of the plan.

• Minimum distribution prerequisites: the payment of ‘survivor benefits’ to non spouse recipient be under life expectancy rules.

A person who ties the knot must immediately inform his plan administrator, and a person who gets divorced will be required to treat his current spouse as former spouse in the plan.

At length, the above mentioned rules will certainly help you to get familiar and comprehend the concept of ‘joint and survivor’ annuities.

Source by Robert Eldridge

You think you need a killer presentation and it’s killing your insurance sales success. Your insurance sales success is never about a “presentation”. The only person a presentation is helping is you. You may be using it as a crutch so you don’t forget anything, and so you have something to say. You think it helps you to move the prospect forward and gets them to buy into your line of thinking. These are all false premises and the sooner you change your thinking about your “presentation” the sooner you’ll start having greater success.

If you knew absolutely nothing about your products, but you went ahead and met with a few people you would have greater success than you probably are now. And here’s why: you wouldn’t be trying to sell them anything, you’d really have to listen to what they told you, you could relax and just act like a real person instead of a pushy sales person, and the people you met with would like you. If all you did when you met with them was to engage them in a conversation like you would any new person you’ve ever met, asked them about what they wanted, listened intently and asked more questions to make sure you had a full understanding, and then you told them they’d given you a lot to think about and you wanted to spend a few hours reviewing their needs to make sure you provided the best option for them, and scheduled a follow-up appointment for a couple days later you would make more sales. At the end if this meeting they would like you. Because they like you and you expressed concern for doing what was best for them they would trust you, and because they trust you when you meet for that follow-up appointment and you handle that even half-way right you will more than likely gain their business.

When you try to use a presentation to gain business it doesn’t work because it’s all about you and what you have to offer. That’s selling and people hate to be sold. The minute you open your Power Point, brochure, or presentation notebook your prospect withdraws and disengages because they perceive they’re being sold. Never just whip out your presentation and take off full tilt giving them your whole spiel. Instead, wait until there is an appropriate moment a pertinent question and then gain their permission to show them something you have that speaks to that question. Go directly to that item use it and leave your presentation material. Only go to points in your presentation material when there is a logical reason to do so in relation to the “conversation” you’re having, and always get their permission first. When you do this you’ll notice a big difference in your prospect’s body language. When you whipped out your presentation and launched into your spiel did you notice how your prospects physically leaned backward away from you, and perhaps at certain points they even folded their arms, and the longer you talked the more their eyes glazed over. But when you’ve gained permission to show them something they’re interested in notice how they lean forward, how they focus on what you’re showing them, how they’re engaged and actively listening, and how they ask you questions.

When you fall into the presentation trap you have limited logic. Here’s what I mean by limited logic. The presentation forces both you and your prospect into an artificial sales conversation. Plus this artificial conversation may have little to do with what is on the prospects mind. Because you’re focused on the presentation you’re missing important cues from the prospect; and the prospect feels like they’re being sold, manipulated, or maybe even coerced. These are all feelings you never ever want to evoke in a prospect. When you evoke those feeling you may get this one time sale because there are a lot of people who will go along with things they don’t agree with just to get you to leave. But you will never get a referral from this customer, and they will cancel their policy as soon as a better option comes up. They won’t like or trust you, and the word of mouth marketing they do for you will make others avoid you like the plague.

You don’t need this crutch and the sooner you get rid of it the sooner you will see your insurance sales success increase. Every sale begins with a simple conversation. It begins by you being able to get yourself introduced to your prospects and establishing rapport. When you actually hold the appointment you need to continue what you’ve started by continuing to be a genuine person who cares about other people and wants to help your customers get what they want. It’s a simple conversation where you want to be listening rather than talking, so you can understand and once you understand your objective is to help your prospects discover how your solution is the best option for them. Presentations put you in the talking position and you want to be in the listening position if you want to enjoy greater insurance sales success.

Source by Cheryl A. Clausen

Can you pay your bills for 18 weeks on a 45% pay cut? Do you work for a government employer or as an independent contractor?  Ask yourself these questions if you are planning a pregnancy and work in California.

Why are these questions vital? California has state mandated pregnancy, maternity leave, and paid family leave benefits which can extend for up to 18 weeks. You will be receiving 55% of your income – or less – during this time. Many couples can’t afford having mom away from work so long.

The California disability program applies to private workers only.  Workers for state, county, and municipal governments may not be covered.  Teachers are considered government workers, and often are not covered.  Also, independent contractors are also not covered.

How you Get to 18 Weeks of Maternity Leave

Here’s how California allows you up to 18 weeks of maternity benefits for your normal labor and delivery.

• 4 weeks before your delivery via California SDI
• 8 weeks after your delivery (c-section delivery) via SDI
• 6 weeks of paid family leave so you can bond with your baby

It’s possible that your pregnancy may encounter complications requiring you to leave work before the standard four week period. In this case your total time away from work will exceed the eighteen week barrier.

What’s your Maternity Income Gap?

California SDI (Short Term Disability Insurance) caps your weekly benefit at 55% of income or $959 per week – whichever is less.

If your income exceeds $90,669 per year, you hit the cap. In this case divide $959 by your weekly gross pay to determine how big your pay cut will be for 18 weeks.

Not Everyone is Covered

Government workers, teachers, domestic workers, non-profit employees, contract workers, and employees who claim a religious exemption often are not covered. The California short term disability insurance plan mandate covers private workers only.

Fill the CA Maternity Leave Gap

If you are planning a pregnancy, you have an opportunity to buy additional income protection to cover your normal maternity labor and delivery!

Supplemental California Short Term Disability Insurance can fill the gap in your maternity leave pay. It pays an additional six week benefit for your vaginal delivery, and an eight week benefit for your c-section birth. Your maternity leave benefit may greatly exceed the premium you pay.

At no additional cost, you are also covered in case of: pregnancy complications, delivery complications, premature birth, accidents, and illnesses.

Pregnancy and maternity leave benefits are payable only when coverage begins before conception. Make sure you get started before getting pregnant, and lock in your extra maternity leave income.  Don’t delay!

Source by Kevin Haney

Getting a credit card normally means you’re able to pay for goods that you cannot afford to pay in cash, larger purchases mean it’s more practical to carry a credit card rather than a briefcase full of money.  Being able to repay the credit card purchases off at a slower rate whilst unadvisable is still an option for the more daring spenders.

Some cards even offer multiple different benefits such as fraud protection as standard but the biggest benefits come from Gold and Platinum cards.  This breed of credit card is normally offered to customers who have had credit cards with certain providers for a long period of time and who may also be earning a big wage. 

Their credit limit is normally astronomical compared to other cards in some cases reaching up to £25,000 or £50,000.  These cards do have their drawbacks though, they tend to have arrangement fees, and arrangement fees are normally something we don’t have to pay for conventional credit cards. 

Is this worth it then, to get platinum or gold credit cards?  Well the benefits that can be got from these cards are plenty; if you were to book your holiday then you’d get travel insurance for your flights if they were booked using your credit card. 

They don’t work like other 0% credit cards as they require a monthly payment but you have 59 days from the date of the purchase to pay it off and this 59 day period is interest free.  A much more pleasing option than paying for goods or services at the end of the month and being charged for instantly not paying it off!

Air miles is another benefit that has become associated with gold and platinum credit cards, with flights coming up in price it may pay to use your credit card if only to get next year’s holiday that little bit cheaper.

Obviously the higher credit limit may look tempting but remember that credit cards are to be used sparingly and not to get yourself in over your head.  If you are offered a gold or platinum card then weigh up the benefits and potential problems you could run into before committing.

Source by Andy Adams

Things to consider for your tax return

Most of us with children know the rules for claiming a dependent on our taxes while our children are young.  After all, they aren’t earning an income and if they are, it’s minimal.  We provide for their basic needs; food, clothing, shelter, school supplies, and more.

But, what happens when your child graduates from high school?  If they are working full-time and not attending school, do you still claim them?  What about if they’re off at college or working and attending school?  Here are some of the things you should know about claiming your college-age dependent on your taxes.

The Basics

The general rule behind claiming dependents is if a person receives the majority of their financial support from a taxpayer, then that taxpayer can claim that person as a dependent.  Financial support includes not only money, but food, housing, clothing and tuition payments.  If the student received a scholarship but is still dependent on his or her parents for spending money, car insurance, etc., they are considered a dependent.  If the child provided more than half their own support for the year, they are no longer considered a dependent.

Be careful here.  If your child takes out a student loan in his or her own name, it counts as supporting themselves financial.  However, if a loan is taken out in the parents’ name it’s considered support provided to the student by the parents.  And, if the student has a savings account but did not spend any of that money on their expenses it’s not considered providing their own support.

At some point it may come down to choosing whether to claim your older child as a dependent or not.  The rules are simple here.  The child must be under age 19 at the end of the year or under 24 and a full-time student for at least five months of the year.

The Tricky Parts

So, you’ve determined your college-age child qualifies as a dependent.  Now if your dependent is married and files a joint return, you may not claim them as a dependent unless the only reason they filed a joint return was to get a refund. If your student earned their own income while in school and also qualifies as your dependent, they still may have to file a tax return.  There is an income limit on who must file a tax return.  In 2009, if the single child had earned income of more than $5,700 or unearned income of more than $950, the dependent must file a tax return.  However, if you claim your student as a dependent they may NOT claim themselves on their own return.  The opposite is also true; if your student files their taxes and claims an exemption for themselves, you may not claim them as an exemption on your return even if you qualify to do so.

Even if their income is below the limit set by the IRS it may still be beneficial for them to file a return in order to get a refund.  Again, if you’ll be claiming them as a exemption be sure they don’t do the same on their return.

Other Deductions to Consider

As mentioned previously, any loans taken in the student’s name count as the child’s own financial support.  If a student’s parents take the loan, not only is it considered support provided by the parents but the parents also get the deduction for paying the loan back.  But what if Mom and Dad pay back a loan that’s in the student’s name?  Even if a student claims themselves as a deduction, but their parents paid the interest on their student loans, the student can claim the interest paid as a deduction.  The IRS treats it as money given to the student who, in turn, paid the loan.

The rules for claiming a college-age dependent can be tricky.  Your best bet is to weigh out the options and calculate the benefits of claiming them on your taxes or allowing them to claim themselves.

Check out www.efiletaxreturns.com for more articles on preparing and filing your taxes.

Source by Karin Velez

These policies cover medical procedures that are approved by Medicare at a Medicare Provider.  Here are the top five things that you must be aware of when buying Medigap plans:

1. Medigap policies are only available to individuals who already have Medicare Part A for free hospital services and Medicare Part B for doctor services. Each plan covers one only individual, meaning you and your spouse will have to purchase separate Medigap policies.
2. Medigap has 12 standard plans, through A to L, that offer different levels of health coverage and benefits.  Although different insurance companies sell these policies, they offer the same Medigap plan benefits. Not all Medigap policies may be available in your state.
3. If you intend buy a Medigap plan, you must do it within the Medigap open six-month enrollment period that starts on the first day of the month in which you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B.  During this period, insurance companies cannot use medical underwriting to deny you Medigap policy, or raise your premiums due to your health or apply waiting periods, unless you suffer from pre-existing medical conditions.  However, if you try to buy a Medigap policy after the six month enrollment period is over, there is no guarantee that you’ll be able to get coverage. In case you get covered, chances are that your rates may climb substantially.
4. For a Medigap plan, you have to pay a monthly premium to the insurance company along with your Medicare Part B premium. The cost of the Medigap policy is determined as follows:
   1. Community-rated policies charge the same premium to everyone living in that area regardless of age.
   2. Premiums in Issue-age-rated policies are based on your age when you first bought the policy, however, the rate doesn’t increase automatically as you age.
   3. Attained-age-rated policies are inexpensive at the age of 65, but their rates increase automatically as you age.

   Generally, insurance companies establish their own prices and eligibility regulations, so it is recommended to shop around for the plan.

5. Medigap plans cover some of your Medicare co-payments, co-insurance for hospital stays, and some other medical services such as preventive care, at home recovery, etc., thus reducing your out of pocket costs. It is important to note that Medigap plans do not cover eyeglasses, hearing aids, dental care, long term care etc. Prescription drug coverage can be obtained by enrolling into the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, or Part D. You have to decide what type of plan is best for you. In most cases, if you give up your Medigap policy, you won’t be able to get it back.

Medicare Supplement Insurance has an automated claims process since it is linked to the Medicare B. Make sure that the insurance company has arranged with Medicare to file your Medigap claims automatically.

Once you are done with comparing the Medigap premiums and looked into the financial stability of the insurance companies, take your time to decide which type of Medicap plan can help you protect yours and your spouse’s health.

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Source by Sandra Cohen

** Click Here to Get a FREE Quote on a Kia Sorento Extended Warranty **

If you drive a Kia Sorento, you should consider getting a Kia Sorento Extended Warranty. An extended warranty will protect you from expensive Kia Sorento repair costs. If you are an American resident, use the link below to get a free quote for an extended warranty for your Kia Sorento.

Click Here to Receive a No Obligation Extended Warranty Quote for Your Kia Sorento

Many people wonder: if I haven’t had any problems with my Kia Sorento yet, do I really need to get an extended warranty? The answer is often yes: every vehicle on the road will eventually suffer a major problem. The older your Kia Sorento gets and the more miles that are put on it, the more likely it is that a problem occurs. Unfortunately, many Americans end up paying thousands of dollars on auto repairs because their Kia Sorento is not covered by a warranty. With the complexity of today’s automobiles, one major repair often costs more than the entire extended warranty itself.

A Kia Sorento Extended Warranty will be there for you when the manufacturer is no longer there to protect you from high repair costs. If you drive a Kia Sorento, you owe it to yourself to consider purchasing an extended warranty from the link below and getting the security and piece of mind that comes with it:

You made a smart decision to drive a Kia Sorento – now make another smart decision and see if a Kia Sorento Extended Warranty is right for you. It only takes a minute to request a free, no obligation extended warranty quote and it you could save thousands of dollars in the future.

Source by Thomas Whaley

Through the years, purchasing a full coverage dental insurance seems like a achievable alternative for most of us. With a dental plan or insurance, your expenses on any dental treatments and services can be decreased or discounted. In reality, dental services and procedures may possibly price fairly high. Therefore, a great deal of folks might appear inconvenient spending on such health treatments. Otherwise, you will find different businesses that offer affordable dental insurances and policies.

Apparently, insurance organizations offer a number of dental insurance plans, from cheap or discount dental policies to premium dental insurances. With regards to the dental coverage, insurance businesses likewise offer diverse options on which dental procedures as well as other oral care services are necessary by its clients. So, you might ask: What’s the best full coverage dental insurance? This may possibly seem a complex question, but by digging further, you may learn the full dental coverage you have been searching for.

In order to find the best, you must identify your particular needs and requirements for an proper insurance coverage. Feel over what you generally avail every time you go to your dentist. This could help you narrow down your dental requirements.

Moreover, review on the dental services that your family members regularly avail from your loved ones dentist. Perhaps, you are able to discover full coverage insurance for your whole family. In fact, insurance companies also offer loved ones dental plans which cover all the dental services and procedures for your whole family. You could discover this a lot more practical than obtaining individual dental policies for each family member; therefore, you might evaluate a family members dental strategy to be full coverage insurance.

Be informed, alert, and realistic. Not all full coverage dental insurance programs cover everything. You should carefully read on the policy contents prior to buying a dental strategy. Make sure that complete info on the dental services and procedures is indicated by the insurance provider. Moreover, specific dental treatments, special dental procedures, and other coverage need to be stated on the policy.

Weigh your financial status and after doing so, select wisely from available dental insurance policies. By now, you have to be conscious of your most convenient payment schemes, hence, choosing within your limits is extremely important. Similarly, double check on the coverage period imposed on your chosen dental policy. Nonetheless, most insurance providers supply a minimum of 12 months of insurance plans and coverage.

Regardless of whether you’re choosing a premium full coverage dental insurance or cheap dental insurance, bear in mind that what you’re obtaining ought to offer you with numerous dental rewards, no much less. Possibly, the most economical choice is a dental plan which will meet all your needs regardless of the price, monthly deductible or monthly premium.

Nonetheless, you may contemplate a dental coverage insurance which will assist you in main surgical procedures, basic dental care, normal cleaning, check ups, as well as the like. Other dental plans consist of preventive techniques to make sure adequate oral wellness care; you may want that too. Additionally, other dental policies suggest coverage on X-ray, root canal, braces, retainers, a fixed number of annual cleaning, and so on. Certainly, identifying a best full coverage dental insurance depends upon your certain wants and prerequisites.

Source by Chris Frost

 As soon as the accident takes place, you should make it a point to inform the insurance company about the accident. However, if you are unable to do so immediately, you can wait and make the notification when you are well enough to do it. However, the notification should be made to the company within twenty four hours of the accident and the claim should be made within the time period specified by the insurance policy. The cover provided by different kinds of insurances also varies and the features of one would be different from the other.

Note down all the important details related to the accident, because all accidents are unique and different from each other. You should also take an account of the scale on which damages were caused to the vehicle or property, and also any personal injuries.

The steps you have to perform in order to make a claim after a traffic accident are simple. It is important to consider if the damage is serious enough for you to file a claim. You shouldn’t call the company until you are sure there has been damage and you cannot afford to pay for it yourself. If you think you need to make a claim, then you should gather all the information so that you can provide it to the company to process your claim.

You can make a claim to your insurance company if you or the passengers have suffered any injuries, and also if the car or property has been damaged. Your claim can also include the recovery of any costs that you incurred because of the accident taking place like the taxi fare, medical bills etc.

You should ask your claims solicitor whether or not you would be getting full compensation. If yes, only then you should proceed with the claim, otherwise you should not make the claim. If the accident was the other driver’s fault, then you should make sure that you get fully compensated. You should not have to pay any fees for your claim to be processed, because the service is free from the insurer. If any of the passengers of your car are injured and have visited the doctor, they can also make a claim for injury.

You would be compensated only if the accident was fully or partially the other driver’s fault. If this was not so and the accident occurred due to some irresponsibility of your own, then you should not make the claim as you won’t be given any compensation. However, if the passengers are injured, they can make the claim and would be compensated whether the fault was yours or the other driver’s.

After you decide to make the claim, it would be processed and its validity would be checked. If the insurer thinks the claim is valid, then you would be compensated and any costs you have incurred would be recovered.

Source by David Halbert

Buses generally thought to be a safe method of travel; after all, they are significantly larger than other vehicles on the road and many buses do not even come equipped with seat belts. A study by the National Bus Safety Council between the years 1987 and 1996 found 4.3 bus rider fatalities per year compared to 44,000 passenger vehicle fatalities over the same time frame. However, buses are involved in an alarming number of crashes, many of which prove fatal. Public transportation buses also frequently are involved in accidents leading to injury and death. Accidents involving school children have prompted many school districts to re-outfit school buses with seat belts, even though many states still do not require school buses to have seat belts.

Data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) reveals that 5,212 deaths in 2005 were caused by crashes involving large trucks and that 91,824 injuries were a result of crashes involving large trucks.

Who is at Fault for Bus Accidents?

Because buses can carry large numbers of people and often are cumbersome to drive, it is important that bus drivers are well-trained and qualified for the job. A bus driver can be held at fault for causing an accident. However, bus accident lawsuits are not always clear because state and federal laws differ in who they say is at fault for such accidents. “Common carriers” are defined as being someone whose business is transporting people or material items from one place to another for compensation; such services typically are open to the public.

Common carriers, which include commercial bus companies, are governed federally and by most state governments, and the drivers of these vehicles are required to have adequate training and equipment to complete their duties. Bus drivers consequently are subjected to strict standards for their performance and can be found at fault in bus accidents. However, the involvement of insurance companies and contractors in accident legal proceedings make questions of who is at fault much more complex. Because state governments are involved in establishing their own common carrier regulation, bus accident litigation action can vary widely from state to state.

Finding an experienced lawyer who is familiar with the common carrier laws of the area in which the accident took place and insurance policies regarding bus accidents is highly advisable.

What Should Be Done in the Event of a Bus Accident?

– If no law enforcement is present at the scene, immediately file an accident report with the police, sheriff, or highway patrol.

– Be sure to record the name, address, insurance information, vehicle license number, and driver’s license number of everyone who was involved in the accident. Also obtain names and contact information from any witnesses.

– Take photographs of the accident scene, of all vehicles involved, and any injuries to victims of the accident.

– Do not discuss the accident or any injuries you suffered with anyone other than your doctor or lawyer.

– Do not agree to making a recorded statement or sign any document that you have not first reviewed with your lawyer.

– Immediately seek medical treatment and be sure to tell your doctor how your injury occurred and about any pain from which you may be suffering.

Should I Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer?

In the event of a bus accident, it can be incredibly beneficial to have the counsel of an experienced bus or auto accident attorney. If you or someone you know has been injured in a bus accident and believe someone else may be at fault, use the auto accident attorney information request form on this page to get in touch with an expert auto accident attorney or law firm in your area today!

Source by Alan Haburchak

The medical records that come under medical coding and billing processes contain highly confidential patient information. To ensure protection of sensitive data, it is necessary that medical practices go in for HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) compliant services. HIPAA has requirements on security, data backups and other issues that keep patient information safe. Medical facilities can easily find reliable service providers for their medical billing and coding services by doing a web search on ‘HIPAA compliant hosts’.

Secure Medical Coding and Billing Service

Professional medical coding and billing have AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders) certified coders. They file patient claims electronically which ensures accuracy, reduces cost and makes management and tracking of claims easy. In short, HIPAA ensures that healthcare providers improve their administrative processes. Tasks ranging from patient scheduling and verifications to authorizations are efficiently handled in the medical billing process.

Features of HIPAA Compliant Services

Companies observing HIPAA regulations provide security to prevent theft or vandalism of any sensitive data that they are entrusted with. Their capabilities, software, functions and even the electronic claims are streamlined according to HIPAA security norms. Their employees are made to sign confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements. They follow 128 bit encryption for all transferred files. Other important highlights of HIPAA compliant services include:

• Special privacy regulations for staff managing the vital patient information
• Periodic backup of data and critical facilities accessibility
• Secure workstations, storage facility and authorized access
• Password protected computers made secure with lockers for critical patient data
• Frequent updates of firewalls and antivirus software on all systems
• Technical evaluations performed on a routine basis

Hiring a HIPAA Compliant Service Provider

Before hiring a service provider to handle their billing and coding tasks, healthcare facilities should check as to what measures have been taken to ensure HIPAA compliance, whether the staff is trained in HIPAA compliance, if periodic records will be supplied and if the provider’s software is compatible with their records management system.

Source by Bob Kruse

It is highly likely that you have seen ads where employers are wanting medical billing and coding professionals. They are two of the most important careers in the healthcare industry, which is in high demand.

Though surely this is not the first time that you have heard about these terms, but do you really know what a medically billing and coding person does?

Both medical billing and coding belong to the group of service providers to doctors, who are too immersed in their professions to have the time to file for insurance claims to get paid for their services. Most patients today are tied with health insurance companies who pay for their healthcare needs. But how does the doctor get paid? They have to file claims for reimbursements for the services rendered to their patients. It is at this juncture that the medical billing and coding professionals step in.

A person knowledgeable in medical billing and coding is usually considered an expert in his field because of their highly-developed skills. These professionals are remunerated according to their training, experience, skills and the effective application of these skills. It is said that a medical billing or coding person can earn any where between $33,370 and $415,061 annually. This kind of income surely attracts many ambitious individuals in this field.

Which are the people or institution who seeks the help and support of medical billing and coding personnel? These would normally include physicians, clinics, hospitals, and patients in handling allied health issues. Also included are various medical offices and health insurance companies, and many more allied institutions. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical billing, coding and health information technicians are among the ten fastest growing careers in the healthcare industry.

It is important however to note that entering either medical billing of coding profession is an easy task. These jobs require a high degree of skill, expertise and experience in handling several important and critical areas of healthcare management including billing and accounts receivable, medical office management, insurance claims processing, submitting claims, etc.

The whole process of medical billing and coding would start much ahead of the patient actually turning up at the medical center and finishes long after the patient has been diagnosed and prescribed medicines. This is to avoid any delay, inaccuracy or miscommunication during filing for insurance claim.  Hence it is important to verify and rectify the insurance benefits much before the patient lands up at the clinic. After the doctor has seen the patient, his observations are recorded in the medical record which is converted into appropriate codes for coding the insurance claim.

While undoubtedly medical billing and coding can become a very challenging career it could be rewarding too if you can become an expert in the field. With proper education and training, the sky is the limit as far as your personal achievements are concerned in this field.

One of the best parts about this profession is that depending on the company that you work for, you could do the job from home too. This is a very viable option for many who enter this profession. All you need to do is to consult your local college or adult education center and make enquiries about the details about their medical billing and coding programs.

Source by Marlon Dirk

When you need to move your car from one place to another destination, auto transport companies can save you the time and expense of doing it yourself. An auto transport company will not only save you time, fuel and money, but also protect you against vehicle damage and theft, since many licensed carriers have their own insurance. Shipping your car also saves mileage on the odometer and preserves your cars value. If you are shipping a luxury or a classic car, enclosed trailers are recommended. Open trailers are most often used to transport automobiles since this is the most cost effective way. Finding a reliable and trustworthy company with our tips below should be an easy process. Selecting a company begins with the price estimate or a quote. Here is the information you need to get the best deal and the most accurate quote:

• Location of the car where to be picked up and where it will be delivered to.
• The approximate departure date.
• Type of vehicle (standard size car/sedan, SUV, pick-up truck, van, etc.).
• Special services or requirements like enclosed trailer or top vehicle placement.

Brokers vs. Carriers
A carrier is the trucking company that will actually transport your vehicle(s) from point A to point B. Auto transport carriers will often deal directly with consumers, but usually they rely on brokers to provide much of their business. Carriers typically don’t have the staff or budget to market themselves to the public. They typically rely on word of mouth or local advertising to generate revenue for their business they get from brokers.

Brokers specialize in finding carriers who can move a vehicle for the price you want and when you want it. Brokers deal with a number of carriers and therefore have more options for faster delivery at their disposal. Also, auto transport brokers offer pricing that is equal to or better than you might find on your own dealing directly with auto shipping carriers because they can find those empty spots.

Check the insurance of your auto transport company. The law requires the car transport carrier to fully insure your vehicle against damage or theft while it is in the carrier’s possession. To verify this, visit Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), to look up insurance information for auto shippers, along with their safety record. Make sure to read your contract carefully for any mention of a deductible or exclusions. Although your vehicle and its original equipment are usually insured, other stuff that may be in the car like jewelry, CDs, luggage, etc… may not be covered. It is always a good idea not to put expensive things in your along for the ride. Your own insurance may cover such items, but many auto shippers will refuse to accept your vehicle until it’s empty. ShipAnyCar.com, certifies that all of the auto transport companies they represent are fully bonded and insured.

Check references and reviews for auto shippers. You may find the complaints filed with the local Better Business Bureau in the auto transport company’s city or state.

Before accepting your car at the pickup location, the auto transport company will inspect the vehicle and note any damage such as dents, dings, scratches, etc. An inspection report or bill of lading will be given to you for your signature as well as a copy. Check it carefully for accuracy before signing it. When your car is delivered, you’ll want to inspect it again for any damage; if you find any damage not already listed on the report, file a damage claim with the auto transport company.

Below are some tips for helping you select the right auto transport company:

• Many auto transport companies cannot guarantee exact delivery dates. Three days to one week is a typical delivery time.
• Many auto shippers require that you drop off your car at least one week in advance, but some require two weeks or even four weeks. So it’s a good idea to plan ahead.
• Your car should be driven very little during auto transport – on and off the truck and to a nearby parking space or terminal. Make sure it has at least a quarter tank of gas when you drop it off.
• See if the company offers GPS tracking so you can access the exact location of your vehicle.

Source by Jay Sweeney

At the beginning of September a wave of panic and confusion passed through the expat community in France : radical measures by France’s new president would soon be introduced meaning that thousands of Britons enjoying early retirement in France could lose their rights to state health care under a new law that limits benefits to nonworking expatriates. The new rules will apply to all non French EU nationals, not only to the Brits. During his election campaign earlier this year Mr Sarkozy said: “If you think 53 makes you old enough to retire, then fine, go ahead and retire. But don’t expect the state to pay for it.”

The change concerns Britons who have retired to France, are not working, and are not yet old enough to receive a UK pension, which represents around 6,000 people.

Until now British expats were allowed to pay contributions (8% of their income) in order to get treatment through the French health-care system via the Couverture Medicale Universelle(CMU) but most of them previously covered by the NHS took up French residence before retirement age and benefited from France’s healthcare system without even paying for it. This of course is unfair as France should not have to foot the bill of early retirees just because they were benevolent enough to do so in the past.

There is a similar situation for these early retired expats on low incomes who won’t be able to claim free health insurance via the CMU anymore or for those who have reached UK retirement age but do not qualify for a UK pension.

For all those expats insured via the CMU, the French authorities will give them until end of March 2008 to find private health insurance. However these changes won’t affect retired people receiving a state pension from the UK. They will keep their health insurance in France via form E121.

In the short term, new arrivals in France don’t need to worry as they can be covered for up to 2 years by using the E106 form- this cost being met by the UK government. Private health care will have to be taken out and paid for by these individuals in the long term though. Cover starts at around 1800 Euros per year for a healthy 60 year old requiring only basic cover and who is willing to pay a top-up himself for certain treatments. If the same person requires full cover then the cost of insurance will be around 2700 Euros per year which when you compare it to the cost of private medical cover in the UK is actually still very reasonable.

Thos who are not affected by the new measures include the self-employed, employed and those married to or living with a French person. It is the same for those who are living with or married to a person in possession of an E121 or E106 form.

The French government points out that, as laid down in EU Directive 2004/38, it does not have any obligation to pay the health-care costs of non French EU nationals who have never worked in the country, and nor does it have any obligation to let them pay to join the French health-care insurance system via the CMU. France must reduce its deficit as it has the highest public spending within the EU and cutting out the spending on immigrants that do not contribute to the French economy is one way of doing this.

There are however a good number of people who come to France who are disabled or with serious conditions who may be denied free treatment. The negative publicity from this may encourage the French authorities to re-think this attitide to those specific groups of people. And there is a possibility they will allow expats taking early retirement in France to continue paying their health insurance contributions via the CMU. We will not know for sure until the beginning of 2008 when the final laws have been passed and will update you as soon as we hear about it.

Source by Nick Dowlatshahi