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State worker health insurance premiums may see double-digit hikes. What CalPERS is considering

CalPERS health insurance policyholders will likely see their premiums grow by more than 11% on average next year, according to preliminary prices that the board of the nation’s largest pension will consider at its meeting next week in Monterey. The California Public Employees’ Retirement System provides health insurance for more than 1.5 million people, including roughly 770,000 state and local public employees and retires and about 770,000 dependents. The price hikes reflect the larger trend of medical inflation across the country. A combination of rising demand for non-COVID-related health services, high labor costs and a desire to recover pandemic-era losses…
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Restaurants charging extra for water, bread and workers’ health plan

A Los Angeles restaurant has come under fire after a prominent podcaster took issue with an unfamiliar surcharge on his guest check: an extra 4% fee automatically added to the bill to help fund the workers’ health insurance. While Alimento, the restaurant in the Silver Lake neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, was singled out for the move, eateries across the US are increasingly upcharging diners beyond the stated food prices on menus. One in six restaurants said they are adding fees or surcharges to checks to combat higher costs, according to an August survey from the National Restaurant Association. Alimento’s…
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Aretha Franklin’s Wills Dispute – Rickard & Associates

If you have been following the news, you may have seen that there is a dispute regarding Aretha Franklin’s estate plan. Her sons are in court fighting over her estate and multiple wills. We can help you stay on top of the latest news that affects your everyday life. Subscribe to stay up to date. (To subscribe to our blog click here). Aretha Franklin died in 2018, and because she did not have a trust, she wills went through probate court where they are being disputed by her sons. A Will from 2014 and two Wills from 2010 were found…
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Which Could Save Me More Cash?

SmartAsset: Dental savings plan vs. insurance: Pros and Cons Health insurance doesn’t cover your teeth. Your teeth can cause pain, get infected and need treatment, just like any other part of the body. But when it comes to actually getting treatment the standard health insurance doesn’t cover it. Instead, you need specialized coverage to pay for a trip to the dentist’s office. The specialized coverage comes in two main forms. The first is dental insurance. This is standard insurance that covers most of the cost of treatment in exchange for a monthly premium and co-payments. The second is a dental…
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Base Salary Increases, Social and Health Insurance Caps to Rise

While changes to the base salary (not to be confused with the minimum wage) generally only impact government workers, there are some changes to social and health insurance payments that foreign firms should be aware of. What’s changed? On November 11, 2022, the National Assembly approved a resolution to increase the base salary from July 1, 2023. This would see the base salary of government employees increase from VND 1,490,000 (US$63.25) to VND 1,800,000 (US$76.41) per month. This salary represents a 20.8 percent increase over the current base salary. This was codified in Decree No. 24/2023/ND-CP dated May 14, 2023.…
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New Baby? Time to Update Your Estate Plan

We often have clients ask us when the best time to do their estate plan is and the answer is usually, right now! This is especially true for people turning 18 years old, people who don’t have a plan, and people who have had recent life changes. We can help you stay on top of the latest news that affects your everyday life. Subscribe to stay up to date. (To subscribe to our blog click here). One event that should trigger you to meet with an estate planning attorney is a new baby. When you are expanding your family, that…
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The Dangers of the EHR

Electronic Health Records can be an incredibly helpful tool. However, they are not without fault. A recent warning highlights that electronic health records (EHRs) are a top target of cybercriminals. They can also lead to inappropriate billing if they are not set up correctly. We can help you stay on top of the latest news that affects your everyday life. Subscribe to stay up to date. (To subscribe to our blog click here). The Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3) issued a warning to healthcare entities regarding EHR vulnerabilities and protections. Protected health information (PHI) continues to hold its value…
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Town of Massena retirees happy with new health insurance plan

Jun. 24—MASSENA — Town of Massena retirees say they’re happy with a new health insurance plan that will kick in on Jan. 1. Zachary Zuckerman, a group benefits consultant at USI Insurance Services in Syracuse, outlined the new plan for the Massena Town Board, with several retirees in attendance. Among them were some who had served on a town committee that examined potential retirement health insurance plans. Mr. Zuckerman said he was no stranger to Massena, having worked with village officials as well as current Deputy Town Supervisor Patrick M. Facteau when he was the chief financial officer for the…