health insurance

State health insurance exchanges, like Covered California and Nevada Health Link, are now in open enrollment - the time when we can sign up for coverage for the year ahead. It’s always a good idea to make sure you and your family have health insurance, and with the current surge of COVID-19, you don’t want to be uncovered. Luckily, there are many options for families and individuals to enroll virtually, including free, bi-lingual enrollment services offered here in our community.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Barton Health has expanded acupuncture services at its Center for Orthopedics & Wellness to now offer community acupuncture treatments. Community acupuncture provides similar health and wellness benefits of private acupuncture but differs from the private clinical room setting – taking place in a group environment with lower costs per treatment.

New laws will be going into effect in California in the new year, putting into place California legislature action during 2019. There are many changes including road safety and distracted driving penalties, roadkill rules, minimum wage, independent workers and rent caps.

Except where noted, these laws are effective January 1, 2020:

Traffic Safety

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is highlighting several new laws passed this year:

Did you know that Medicare has an ombudsman to help you resolve complaints you may have about your healthcare?

Congress created the job of Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman to assist people with Medicare with their inquiries, complaints, grievances, appeals, and requests for information.

The Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman also shares information with Congress, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and other organizations about what works well and what doesn’t work well to improve the quality of the care you get through Medicare.

Signing up for a health insurance plan can be daunting and time consuming. As a Certified Enrollment Counselor, my job is to make it easier for South Lake Tahoe families and individuals to navigate Covered California and enroll in a health care plan.

With all the talk the about health care, I have heard rumblings and rumors about what is happening with the Affordable Care Act and what is changing with insurance. Get informed! Make a free one-on-one appointment with me or one my fellow enrollment counselors, have your questions answered, and get enrolled for 2019.

Signing up for a health insurance plan can be daunting and time consuming. As a Certified Enrollment Counselor, my job is to make it easier for South Lake Tahoe families and individuals to navigate Covered California and enroll in a health care plan.

With all the talk the about health care, I have heard rumblings and rumors about what is happening with the Affordable Care Act and what is changing with insurance. Get informed! Make a free one-on-one appointment with me or one my fellow enrollment counselors, have your questions answered, and get enrolled for 2018.

Every parent wants to provide a safe and healthy environment for their child. El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health Nursing is hoping to increase awareness among parents about the hidden dangers of lead exposure to children. October 22 through October 28, 2017, is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county.

The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at press time and the story will be updated when provided.

11/15

No Report

11/16

8:50 a.m. - Death Investigation - South Ave - A 75 YEAR OLD FEMALE WAS PRONOUNCED DECEASED AT BARTON HOSPITAL

Medicare Open Enrollment is October 15 through December 7, 2015. This enrollment period is one of the few times Medicare beneficiaries can change, enroll into or disenroll from, a Medicare Advantage Plan (such as an HMO) or a Part D drug plan. Changes to plans will be effective January 1, 2016.

Some children live a life characterized by habit and routine. Imagine them being forced to leave their life behind all because there wasn’t enough space and funding. This is what foster children in Lake Tahoe are forced deal with. Primarily, SLT should pass a General Obligation Bond, and, though the cost of raising a child is exorbitant, this cost could be ameliorated by support from passing a General Obligation Bond measure.

The window for many Californians to sign up for health coverage widened Friday when the state exchange said it would extend this month’s deadline to enroll in a plan until the end of April.

Covered California said it was making the change to accommodate taxpayers who are just now realizing that they’ll be charged penalties on their tax returns if they don’t have health insurance. This is the first year such penalties kick in under the federal health care law.

Tahoe Chamber and Barton Health, in conjunction with Small Business Majority and Covered California, will host a free interactive event on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014 on the state’s new health insurance marketplace, Covered California, and how it impacts small employers in South Lake Tahoe.

The 2014 Fall Aging & Caregiver Series will be given for the next six weeks in South Lake Tahoe. This six week series of classes are designed to provide instruction and support for caregivers who are, or are planning to, care for a family member or friend age 60 or older.

All classes are held at the Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel (formerly Embassy Suites) from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Participants must register by calling 530-621-6369 or 800-510-2020. Free in-Home respite is available to qualified caregivers. Pre-authorization is required for respite services.

The March 31 deadline to sign up for health insurance is rapidly approaching. For those who haven't signed up yet, Barton Health is having an enrollment session on March 25 in the Lake Tahoe Community College Room D123.

Don't get caught with no insurance on April 1 as you'll be subject to penalties.

Meet with Barton's certified enrollment counselors (English an Spanish-speaking), determine eligibility and subsidy information, and get enrolled.

The session will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, contact Leanne Wagoner at 530-543-5537.

It’s not too late to enroll for the new healthcare exchange program, Covered California. Barton Health offers free Enrollment Sessions. Uninsured California residents can meet with Barton’s Certified Enrollment Counselors, visit the Covered California website, determine eligibility and get enrolled with insurance. For more information, call 530-543-5537. No reservation required. First come, first served. Spanish-speaking counselors available.

When: Saturday, February 1, 10:00am-12:00pm
Where: South Lake Tahoe Library, 1000 Rufus Allen Blvd

Signing up for health insurance can be a frustrating and time-consuming process. To ease the insurance buying process, Barton Health has stepped up by partnering with Covered California, California’s Insurance Exchange Marketplace, to assist our community members and provide Certified Enrollment Counselors for the uninsured.

Julian, 5, is diagnosed with cerebral palsy and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy that is difficult to treat. He has many different types of seizures multiple times a day. The journey to control his seizures has been difficult and on-going. The fundraiser will help raise money for alternative medicine not covered by health insurance. The fundraiser is free, and includes music, food, beer, wine, balloon twisting, and face painting. There will also be a silent auction from 6 -8 p.m. with great prizes. Everyone in the community is invited and encouraged to attend.

Nevada son and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid addressed a joint session of the Nevada State Legislature today in Carson City. Here is the text of his speech:

For some American workers, picking the right health insurance is becoming more like hunting for the perfect business suit: It takes some shopping around to find a good fit and avoid sticker shock.I...

CARSON CITY – Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley used a second Senate debate tonight to attack Sen. Dean Heller on issues ranging from Medicare to online poker legislation, while her Republican opponent took a more restrained approach in the hour-long discussion on public television.

Five Douglas County, Lake Tahoe and Northern Nevada area non-profit organizations are the recipients of Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District employee insurance money designed to benefit community groups.
The money directed to the nonprofit groups comes from the fire district's health insurance plan operated through consultant LBG Advisors.
The following organizations were given the gifts:

CARSON CITY – A board overseeing the creation of the state’s health insurance exchange opted today not to seek general fund support to subsidize the fees charged to participants in the program.
The Finance and Sustainability Advisory Subcommittee of the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange Board had proposed subsidizing the monthly fee paid by enrollees with a general fund appropriation from the state Insurance Premium Tax.

CARSON CITY – A letter from 12 U.S. Senators and 61 members of the House to the nation’s governors asking them to oppose the creation of health care exchanges under the Affordable Care Act comes too late to have any effect in Nevada.

As usual, conservatives like Harold Parks seems to think that Michael Zucker doesn't love this country as much as himself because Zucker, along with myself, has a different view of where this count...