Government shutdown stops worker pay but not heath care coverage

Government Shutdown - Sorry we're closed sign

As this record breaking ongoing shutdown continues, federal employees continue their health insurance. The government shutdown continues to stop 800,000 federal employees and others from receiving their paychecks. That said, as they go unpaid, many have questions about their employee health insurance and other health benefits. Workers are worrying about their health, vision, dental and long-term care coverage. For those who wonder about their insurance benefits, most will continue even while workers go unpaid. Federal employees, for the most part, don’t need to worry that the government shutdown will affect…

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USAA insurance company offered military members financial help during shutdown

servicemembers military USAA Insurance company

The insurer was providing interest-free loans to military members whose paychecks were impacted by the government shutdown. Military members whose paycheck depends on the government staying open had a bit of help from the USAA insurance company. The insurer offered military members interest-free loans to help them to fill the gap until they start getting paid again. USAA members in the armed services were essentially offered interest-free payday loans. The money wasn’t being handed out for free, but the USAA insurance company did provide armed services who wouldn’t be paid…

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US government shutdown leaves CHIP without funding

US government shutdown CHIP

Senate failed to pass the House-sponsored continuing resolution (CR) to the president on Friday. The Senate was unable to advance the House-sponsored CR ahead of a US government shutdown last week. It left the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) unfunded, placing many states at risk of losing their medical coverage for kids from low income families. The “Cadillac tax” has also failed to move forward, as the government shutdown began at midnight on Saturday. The six year extension of CHIP funding had bipartisan support. Both Republicans and Democrats were in…

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Health insurance exchange launch day was a rough one, to say the least

Federal Health Insurance Exchange website problems

The opening day for the online marketplaces faced tremendous struggles with a closed government and web traffic jams. What was meant to be a smooth transition into the next phase of the healthcare reforms was a constant battle for the health insurance exchanges which went on to open despite the shutdown of the U.S. government, only to face technical glitches preventing access to many of those who wanted to take part. Web traffic snarls and glitches in websites stopped many Americans from using the exchanges on the first day. The…

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