Payer

Question: What is the difference between a payer and insurance? I am learning about health finance, and I am a bit confused about the difference between a payer and an insurer. They seem to be the same to me.

Answer: ~~The payer can be the insurance company, insured member, the guardian or parent of a minor, or an HMO group. It depends on the context of how the question is presented. It can also be any adult who is responsible for the bill should the insurance company deny the claim.~~

Question: What are the tax rules regarding assigning income to another tax payer? What are the rules regarding a tax payer assigning income from personal services rendered to another tax payer? Ex. A football player assigns his son 5% of his income. Can you do that and how would that affect his taxes?

Answer: Since the son did nothing to earn the money that dad was paid it's a gift from dad and dad may need to file a Gift Tax return. Sonny has no beneficial interest in the income so it's not income to him.

Question: Why in the world would you oppose single-payer health insurance in these rocky times? Simple and fair to serve fairly, what is wrong with that. The health insurance companies just keep going up and tossing anybody out who has a serious problem. Private health insurance is dead but the stupid, greed beasts in the U.S. Congress say they refuse to allow single-payer health insurance. These politicians and the insurance corps are lying like dogs. Single-payer beats the hell out of nothing and nothing is what you will have, eventually. Single-payer is t he only way to go, dude. Better study this issue very, very carefully before we are all eliminated.

Answer: We don't need to haggle over insurance. We need market pressures to drive prices down. Right now, we don't have any.

Question: Is it possible to achieve single-payer through a non-mandatory means? What if huge financial burden to avoid? Can it still be considered a Single-Payer system if there are drastic financial burden at both the individual consumer and the employer level for trying to stay out of the government-run option? Isn't this what people mean by SINGLE-PAYER TROJAN HORSE?

Answer: A single-payer system is not currently under consideration in this country. A single payer system would be the equivalent of Medicare for everyone. Your question is confusing because it assumes a financial burden for not choosing the government option. That assumes that the public option is a more reasonable cost alternative. The point is to provide competition to the private insurance companies and if it achieves that goal then presumably the costs of private insurance would also be lower. The consumer wins all around.

Question: How does the tax payer wil bail out industrie, banks and himself? We are punished by our unsustainable consumption with a cold shower of reality. Now, we the tax payer, are going to bail our economy out? How will that work? Is that the same as holding ones own head over water by ones own hair? What do you think?

Answer: I agree, I don't want to help out a financial market that thought that offering us homes with zero money down, no credit check, and extremely high interest would make them rich quick. But, we were dumb enough to accept it. Plus, if the government didn't involve itself in the economy, who else would regulate this mess. How else can we as a nation get out of this mess? When will gas prices stop fluctuating for SURE? When will new jobs become available and education not be too far out of reach. We have to make some sort of sacrifice to get the personal joys of life. Because if it is not available to anyone, it will not be available to us. I really don't know. I don't want to, but I don't see another way of getting us out of this crisis.

Question: How in the world is the tax payer responsible for the child support system? Does the tax payer pay the court system and the attorney fees that it takes to fight in court over child support? If it is the tax payers who are supporting the child support system then why is it costing the individual so much money to fight it in court? I do not understand!

Answer: Yeah... Dead Beat dad's suck on many MANY levels... don't they? I raised a child by myself, with absolutely no finacial help for 7 years until I remarried. He (the dead beat) in that time, fathered another child that he also does not support. He is a worthless sack of human waste and doesn't count in this world as anything other than a waste of oxygen and the hops it takes to make beer.... My son needed braces, daycare, medical... When all these things come into play and mothers are forced to get government assistance because the load becomes too much to bare alone... That is yet another way that the screw up's of one useless indivisual, trickles down into the pockets of the people paying taxes... I say we just lynch them, right after public castration and get it over with! Some men are not worth the balls or penis they have been given... My ex is their KING!

Question: What is the Alaska Unemployment payer name and address? I'm trying to file my taxes online. I called the automated system which said I didn't need to wait to receive my 1099-G. I got the amount of unemployment I received, the amount of taxes withheld and the Federal ID #, but it didn't say what the payer name and address are.

Answer: For more information, contact your state's local employment office. You can also look in the state government section of your phone book under Unemployment Insurance, Unemployment Compensation, Employment Insurance, or Employment Service. Here is a link for you...

Question: What all can the bill payer check on a verizon phone? For verizon as far as texts go can the bill payer see the location or identity of a texter when looking at the bill? Also is there any way they could read the texts? Another question, is it true that on weekends all texts and calls to fellow verizon customers are free?

Answer: The account holder can read all texts upon request - this is the case for all carriers. Texts are free if you have a texting plan. If you don't you are always charged. All calls to US numbers are free during free nights and weekends.

Question: How and when to get a tax payer identification number if i'm on h4 and not wrking? My husband is about to file his taxes.. we got married last year and that is when i came to US. i don't have a SSN as of now. to include me in his returns... would i need a tax payer ID. and when, where and how to apply it.. how long does it take to come. would i get it b4 this year's tax filing date?

Answer: You and your husband will file the tax return like normal except for three differences. First, where it asks for your SSN leave the information blank or write "Applied for" next to the space. Second, fill in Form W-7 "Application for Taxpayer ID Number" and attach it to the front of the return. The federal tax return will be considered timely filed. Third, instead of mailing the tax return to the normal address listed in the 1040 instructions, mail it to the Austin, TX address that is listed on Form W-7. After 4 to 6 weeks you will receive a card from the IRS with your Tax ID number that you can use on all other tax returns in the future. The number will be in the format 9XX-XX-XXXX. An important note is that there are some tax benefits that can not be claimed if both you and your spouse do not have a Social Security Number. Make certain to read all instructions over carefully to make certain that this is the case. If in the future you receive a Social Security number you can amend up to the last 3 years of tax returns to claim those lost benefits.

Question: Can Democrats pass bill without a tax-payer underwritten insurance to becomes only choice once price goes up? Since they're are planning to add 30+thousand new consumers subsidized and with no pre-existing condition limits and totally disconnect the price paid from the actual cost of services such that prices will likely hit a sky-high limit until rationing by bureaucrats becomes necessary....isn't it to be expected that the only insurance choice that consumers will have is the one with the power to usurp tax monies by force? Can Democrats ever pass a bill that won't by design turn into Single-Payer?

Answer: What's wrong with single payer? That's the goal. Duh

Question: Joe Wilson says start from scratch. How many others want to go to a SINGLE PAYER system also? I think we should just scrap the whole plan as it stands. Obama is trying to work within an existing framework already set up for Vets, Seniors and Federal Employees. I say forget about that. Scrap the whole system since it does not work and start from scratch with a single payer system.Even the GOP wants this and I know many in the Congress want this also. If we finally agree...why not "just do it" like the Nike ads says.

Answer: I am for a single payer system such as they have in Canada. But it suddenly occured to me that that system was set up at a time when few people had health insurance. Now, in the U.S., the majority belong to HMO's--with the number rising drastically during the Reagan years. This in fact may be responsible for the rising costs. To get a single payer system now would effectively mean nationalizing the health insurance industry. And that's not going to happen. Not unless we get someone as effective as, say, Stalin in authority.

Question: what do tax payer subsidies given to health insurance companies pay for? President Obama has mentioned in several of his speeches that health insurance companies receive BILLIONS of dollars in tax payer subsidies. What exactly do these subsidies pay for and through what method? (I know through subsidies, but are they direct or are they given in a quarterly or yearly basis?). Please give examples and/or provide links to available documented information.

Answer: The only health insurance programs that currently receive billions in taxpayer subsidies, are Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Supplemental programs, and SCHIP - state children's health insurance programs. Welfare based health insurance, run by state and federal governments. Our EXISTING government run health insurance programs.

Question: Why was the single payer option thrown out? Single payer without outlawing private institutions makes the most sence. Seems like the only reason they're doing the current one is so that insurance companies stay in business and they're the reason this is an issue in the first place.

Answer: (Full disclaimer: I'm a 2nd year actuary with a health insurance company) Well it's true that with single payor, health insurance companies would fold. That's not to be denied, but to say that's the only reason why single payer option was dropped is like saying the mortgage crisis was caused by just the real estate brokers. Imagine you run a hospital with doctors and nurses. And let's say you bill people $1,000 for a colonoscopy. Even though you bill $1,000, that's not how much you're getting paid. Private insurance companies like to negotiate rates. So we have a contract in place that says, for our members, we will reimburse you $500 for the colonoscopy. Then you have the Medicare patients. Medicare always pays less than what private insurers would reimburse the hospital. So Medicare pays, say, $300 for the colonoscopy. And this $300 is non-negotiable. CMS lists out how much Medicare will pay based on procedure and region. Now how is this different under single payer? Well, a single payor would act like Medicare and tell all hospitals in the US that they would be reimbursed $300 for a colonoscopy (with variations due to region). And single payer WOULD reimburse less than private insurers. So you; as a hospital administrator who have doctors, nurses, and bills to pay; would find that your reimburse for virtually EVERY procedure your hospital performs drops, lowering your HOSPITAL's revenues. I work on the financials and contract negotiations with medical providers, and it's the hospitals' faults as much as it is our (insurance company's) own. In our contract negotiations, medical providers (hospitals, urgent care centers, etc) have been demanding double-digit increases to their reimbursements every year. Under single payer, they would only see single-digit increases every year. Just one last thing, what do you think the profit margin in health insurance companies are? For every dollar the "evil" health insurance companies take from you, how much of it do they keep for profit? Well the largest health insurer in the US only made 3.7% in profit in 2008 (that's 3.7 cents per dollar). In 2007, they made 6.2% profit off revenues.

Question: How will the UK bank rescue actually affect the tax payer? It has been said that this will cost each tax payer £2000, but how is this taken? Will there be an increase in income tax / NI / VAT, or will we just notice more stealth taxes in the future to account for the extra spending now?

Answer: all this time of the banks charging us £25-£40 everytime we go over our overdraft for a bloody LETTER and ripping us off we now have to pay to sort them out!! this is ridiculous - the normal person is paying for the banks problems and the fat cats behind them don't even break a sweat! i didn't know that we would have to pay that so thank you for letting me know check out this site for any info regarding banks etc http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/

Question: Do anyone know in a round about figure how much of the American tax payer are sending to other countries? To help them have a better life and when the average american tax payer ask for a little help they get degraded by their own people. How much of your tax dollars are spend on the war on drugs? The U.S can not account for a Billion dollars that came from tax payer to train the Iraqi Police. The whole world is laughing at you). How can you stop secreterian violence overseas when you have the same hate in your back yard?

Answer: Very little. US dollars seem to get written out in government checks to big corporations for goods and services for foreign countries. This does not benefit those countries, it benefits teh corporations. Canada has a record for giving that is much greater than the US record.

Question: Is the Primary Tax Payer the person who makes the most money? I am filling in my taxes online and make more money than my husband...the form is asking me who the primary tax payer is? Is it me?

Answer: It really doesnt matter, in most cases the husband is listed as the primary. bottom line it just means whose name goes on the forms first

Question: what is the texas unemployment payer number for my taxes? I need to file tonight since it's the deadline and everytime i've called the workforce they say i dont need a 1099. Well of course, I tried to do my efile today & I need the texas workforce commission's payer number. I assume it would be like their EIN though obviously not my employer...... Anyone else got their 1099 who could help! i tried to call them twice today and I did all I could on their websites. THANKS!!!

Answer: Texas Workforce Commission - Ferderal Tax ID number 74-2764775

Question: Why do you think President Obama is advocating for a public option rather than a single payer system? What is the political calculus involved here? What do you think his strategy is? The Democrats control both the House and Senate, and I know that President Obama truly believes in a single payer system. He is too intelligent not to. Why does he not muster the political will to get a single payer system? Having universal access and coverage is a social justice issue plain and simple. I just wish he would champion the cause outright rather than via the public option.

Answer: It's about power and control. It is only common sense that since he wants to add 40 million more to receive "benefits", less talented youth will choose to become doctors, health care will be seriously rationed. He isn't doing this because he cares about anyone. That's a given.

Question: How does the IRS determine a home value when calculating if tax payer was insolvent after "settling" a debt? I "settled" with several credit companies for over $40,000 in debt. The IRS considers the settlement amount as earned income unless the tax payer was "insolvent" at the time of the settlement. My home has minimal equity but I don't know how to determine the value the IRS will use in calculating my debt to income ratio. It could make a big difference in my tax liability for the past year but was better than filing for bankruptcy or losing my home. This question even seems to stump tax advisors. Any wisdom out there in Yahoo land would be appreciated.

Answer: Your insolvency is the difference of your liabilities and the fair market value of your assets just before your debt was cancelled. Example 1: Home purchased for $100,000 with a $80,000 mortgage. Home is now worth $250,000 and your mortgage is $75,000. The only asset you have is your house. The only other debt you had was the credit card debt. Liabilities: $75,000 + $40,000 = $115,000 Assets: $250,000 You are not insolvent, your net worth is $110,000. Example 2: Same situation as above, but you have another $150,000 of debt owed in addition to the credit card debt. Liabilities: $265,000 Assets: $250,000 You are insolvent $15,000. You must include $25,000 of the debt forgiveness in income. Obviously your situation will be much more complicated and you need a tax professional to assist you if you want to reduce your taxable cancellation of debt through insolvency.

Question: Is the current health care bill setting the stage for a future socialist single payer option? Under current constitutional standards, the health care bill is (arguably) unenforceable. Now, if Barrack Obama was a constitutional law professor, he should be well aware of this. Therefore, has it been his plan all along to amend the constitution? Or is the only logical conclusion to this a single payer, government option? Wouldn't the latter make the "service" a "federally funded" entity and thus not unconstitutional to tax and mandate?

Answer: If the current Health Care Bill is upheld as Constitutional that the Congress and by order of the President; can dictate to Americans to purchase one thing then what is to prevent them from dictating other things...One has to look at all the ramifications of passing this type of legislation...Does it have any good parts yes...but the bad parts outweigh the good. Control of health care is one of three things that must be accomplished in order to control the masses...the other two are food and energy. Those who are behind the power of Congress and the White House are attempting to make a reality of creating the North American Union... This explains a great deal of what is happening now, why it happening and the end game of those who hold the Power now....America is not big enough for those in Power they want more...always want more... http://www.scribd.com/doc/5495649/Emergi… 3NEW: U.S. House Concurrent Resolution 40 Introduced in the 110th Congress on January 22, 2007 — “Expressing the sense of Congress that the United States should not engage in the construction of a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Superhighway System or enter into a North American Union with Mexico and Canada.” 4House Concurrent Resolution 487 , 109th Congress, Sept. 28, 2006. 5NEW: Utah’s H.J.R. 7 — Resolution Urging United States Withdrawlfrom Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America 6The Emerging North American Union — Time-line A chronology of events leading to regional governance in North America. 21Declaration of the Presidents of America Meeting of American Chiefs of State, Punta del Este, Uruguay, April 12-14, 1967 18Educate Yourself Learn more about the developing North American Union. 19Members of the 110th U.S. Congress (1st Session)