HealthFirst Plans for small business began on October 1, 2009.

In these tough economic times, many small businesses are facing decisions about severely limiting health insurance coverage, or dropping coverage all together.

Recognizing that small businesses are the backbone of NH’s economy, and therefore a critical link in our health care system, NH enacted HealthFirst, an affordable, wellness-based health insurance plan for small employers.

“We set out to give small businesses and their workers a more affordable health care choice.” – Gov. John Lynch

HealthFirst is aimed to be comparable to the most popular, comprehensive health insurance plans for small businesses with an average 15 to 20 percent lower cost. The target rates are to be no more than 10% of the median income in the prior year, but will be rated based on risk like other health insurance rates.

In addition to providing a lower-cost alternative for small businesses of 50 or fewer employers, HealthFirst also focuses on keeping people healthy, which will help reduce the state’s overall health care costs. The plan calls for annual financial incentives for enrollees to quit smoking, maintain a healthy weight and participate in health management plans for chronic illnesses.

Starting Oct. 1, 2009, Anthem, Cigna, Harvard Pilgrim and MVP began offering NH HealthFirst Plans for small employers.

For more information, contact Attorney Chris Ratté.

NOTICE: The information and articles posted on this website are for informational purposes only and are not intended as legal advice. Contact me to discuss your particular situation or consult a licensed attorney in your state.

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1. How NH’s Same-Sex Marriage Law Will Affect Your Business
2. New Laws Affecting NH Business Owners
3. NH Enacts WARN Act in Response to Recent Mass Layoffs and Plant Closures

Program: Upcoming Legislation Affecting NH Businesses

Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 11:30-1:00

Location: ReMax Coast to Coast Realty, 150 Mirona Road, Portsmouth, NH

Cost: Free

On Friday, October 23rd, I will be giving a presentation on recent legislative changes affecting small businesses in New Hampshire. This should be an informative and interesting program for all NH business owners and managers. I hope to see you there. Details are below.

Program: Upcoming Legislation Affecting NH Businesses

Date: Friday, October 23, 2009, 8-9 am

Location: IOS, Pease International Tradeport,1 New Hampshire Ave., Rm. 300, Portsmouth, NH

Cost: $10

RSVP: Diane DeVries 603-534-2040 or diane@digrafika.com

NOTICE: The information and articles posted on this website are for informational purposes only and are not intended as legal advice. Contact me to discuss your particular situation or consult a licensed attorney in your state.

Related posts:

1. Tax Problems? IRS Dispute?
2. NH Creates HealthFirst as an Affordable Wellness-Based Health Insurance Plan for Small Business
3. NH Small Claims Jurisdiction Increased to $7,500; A quick, low cost alternative to collect business debts.

Owner’s title insurance protects the homeowner’s title, or legal ownership, of the property free from any unknown encumbrances. An encumbrance is anything that burdens the property, such as a lien or easement. While most encumbrances will be discovered during a thorough search of the public records at the local Registry of Deeds, many encumbrances cannot be determined by a title search. A few of the most common hidden risks that can cause loss of title or create an encumbrance on title are:

• False impersonation of the true owner of the property
• Forged deeds, releases or wills
• Undisclosed or missing heirs
• Instruments executed under invalid or expired power of attorney
• Mistakes in recording legal documents
• Misinterpretations of wills
• Deeds by persons of unsound mind
• Deeds by minors
• Deeds by persons supposedly single, but in fact married
• Liens for unpaid estate, inheritance, income or gift taxes
• Fraud

In the case of any defect such as these, the owner’s title insurance will pay for defending against any lawsuit attacking the owner’s title, and will either pay to clear up the title problems or pay the insured owner’s losses. The cost of an owner’s title insurance policy for an average home of $250,000, is only about $575. Compare that to the thousands, or tens of thousands, of dollars it will cost to hire an attorney to defend you in a lawsuit or repair the title defect, and it is easy to see why title insurance could be the best money you’ve ever spent in your life.

For a free consultation to learn more about owner’s title insurance, contact Attorney Chris Ratté.

Helpful reading:

Related posts:

1. TIMING IS EVERYTHING: First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Increased for 2009.
2. First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Extended
3. Closing Deadline Extended to September 30th for Home Buyer Tax Credit