Lisa Jaffe Hubbell

For those who can’t conceive naturally, fertility treatments provide an alternative — albeit a costly one.

Fifteen states require some level of health insurance coverage for infertility diagnosis and treatment, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. But don’t get too excited if you live in one of them. Even with insurance coverage, big obstacles and big costs likely will stand in the way of motherhood or fatherhood.

Stumbling blocks

Some state laws include waiting periods, and some don’t mandate enough coverage to pay for the entire treatment. Some ex

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The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will increase 3.6% for Social Security beneficiaries in 2012, affecting more than 60 million consumers, although an insurance trade group says most will not see the full COLA.

The 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits that about 55 million Social Security beneficiaries receive in January 2012, the Bureau of Statistics announced Oct. 19. Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin Dec. Read more…

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A: In many states, lying about smoking habits and drug use is treated just like lying about your health history. I wrote about the importance of being honest about your mental health history in one of my previous columns. Lies will catch up with you and be punishable, putting your and your family’s insurance coverage, financial stability and job security in jeopardy.

Jason Beans is CEO of Chicago-based Rising Medical Solutions, a medical cost containment/care management company. Read more…

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A Brown & Brown subsidiary in Michigan bought a employee benefits company in Saginaw, Mich., that generates about $2.3 million in annual revenues.

Brown & Brown of Central Michigan, acquired substantially all of the assets of Public Employee Benefits Solutions (PEBS) in a deal whose financial terms were not disclosed by either party.

Founded in 2003 by Fred D. Todd and Mitchell T. Singer, PEBS provides employee benefits coverage and advice to municipalities, public and quasi-public agencies, and nonprofit organizations throughout Michigan.

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