The Milwaukee Post

14 • Milwaukee Post • September 6, 2013 Federal department trying to answer health care questions By ARTHUR THOMAS Conley News Service MILWAUKEE – As the full implementation of Obamacare moves closer to reality, many people have lingering questions or concerns about how the law will impact individuals, families and businesses. The agencies charged with implementing the law are working to clear up any confusion. The U.S. Department of Labor and the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance have planned a seminar for Sept. 11 and 12 in Madison for employers about complying with state and federal health benefit laws. The seminar will include a discussion on employer-shared responsibility and the health insurance marketplace under Obamacare. The free event is open to the public and will be held at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. For more information and to register, visit www.dol.gov/edba/healthreform and scroll down to Compliance Workshops, Seminars and Webcasts. The U.S. Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services also held a webcast Thursday to address how the Affordable Care Act will impact individuals. While it did not address questions of long-term funding or the possibility of successful implementation, the webcast did attempt to address questions about consumer protections and the health insurance exchanges. HHS Regional Director Joanne Grossi explained that the exchange is intended for those who are uninsured or who purchase private health insurance. These are either statebased, a federal-state partnership or federally facilitated. Each state was allowed to choose which model to use. Wisconsin opted for the federally facilitated model. Roughly 500,000 Wisconsinites are eligible for the marketplace and 92 percent of them may qualify for tax credits to help purchase coverage. Those tax credits are for those with household incomes between 100 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty line who do not otherwise qualify for health insurance coverage. The maximum income would be just under $46,000 for an individual. The money is paid each month directly to the insurer, so individuals would not actually see it. Aid and Attendance Benefit There are also cost-sharing reductions available to those below 250 percent of the poverty line. These help to reduce the out-ofpocket costs for things like deductibles and copayments. The income cutoffs are based on the previous year's tax returns, but Grossi said if an individual's circumstances change, he or she can change his or her status with the marketplace, the system will trust that the change is accurate and give the individual 30 days to provide documentation. Businesses will be able to participate in the exchanges as part of the Small Business Health Options Program, also known as SHOP. Grossi noted that companies with fewer than 50 full-time equivalent employees are exempt from being required to provide insurance. She said companies are still encouraged to offer insurance and there is a tax credit of up to 50 percent available for small businesses with fewer than 25 full-time employees who purchase through the marketplace. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends those with questions visit www.healthcare.gov. Contact Arthur Thomas athomas@conleynet.com Health Tip of the Week 234058126 Seminar in Madison on Sept. 11-12 Are you a Veteran or a Surviving Spouse of a Veteran who Served during War Time? Wednesday, September 18, 2013 6:00 - 7:00 pm RSVP at 414-489-1400 by Friday, September 7th. 234117006 Senior community 2500 E. Howard Ave., St. Francis, WI 53235 414-489-1400 www.laureategroup.com • No endowment fee Post Staff MILWAUKEE – Café Centraal, 2306 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., will host the 87h annual Lakefront International Festival of Sausages, better known as Sausage Fest, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday . Sausage Fest features allyou-can-eat sausage from local sausage makers and purveyors for $10. This year, Buddy's Meat Market and C&R Market will be co-sponsoring the event, serving a variety of sausages on Miller Bakery buns. Additonally, there will also be live music, a sausage-eating contest, and activities for children. Proceeds from Sausage Fest go to support the Wisconsin branch of the American Legion. Last year, the American Legion received a more than $1,500 donation from the event. For more information, visit www.wilegion.org. Use a NARI certificated professional for your next home project. Check out Milwaukee/NARI Home Connection for trusted professionals in your area and featured articles on home improvement/remodeling. If you are, you may qualify for this service related pension available to help offset some of the cost of home health care, assisted living, or nursing home expenses. Veterans and their families are encouraged to join us for this presentation given by Jim Duff of the Milwaukee County Veterans Service Office to learn more about the financial, medical and military service requirements for you to qualify. Bring along your questions! Light refreshments will be served and tours will be available. Café Centraal hosts Sausage Fest Saturday Registered Pharmacist Bob Stresing and the Serv-U Team Vitamin D May Ease Crohn's Disease Symptoms Crohn's is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms may include persistent diarrhea, abdominal cramps, pain, constipation and rectal bleeding, as well as fatigue and muscle weakness. In a new study, patients were assigned to take a daily vitamin D supplement or a placebo for 3 months. Researchers measured participants before and after the study and found that the vitamin D group showed improved muscle strength, less fatigue, higher vitamin D blood levels and better quality of life. If you have Crohn's, talk with your physician or pharmacist before starting supplementation. 709 W. Oklahoma Ave. 481-8170 Accepting Blue Cross, Anthem, TRICARE, Express Scripts and more... Inside the September 13th issue.

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