Kim Kardashian Leaves Vienna Ball After Alleged 'Blackface' Insult

Austrian businessman Richard Lunger paid Kim $500,000 to accompany him to the annual Vienna Opera Ball - but no amount of money could have kept her there after this shocking incident! Kim reportedly stormed out of the ball after she was allegedly harassed by a man who was in blackface!

Kim Kardashian got some very unwanted attention at the 2014 Vienna Opera Ball on Feb. 27, which she attended as the celebrity escort of millionaire mall developer Richard Lugner. The 34-year-old Keeping Up with the Kardashians star's evening was ruined when a man, allegedly in blackface, came up to her and pretended to be her fiance Kanye West. How horrifying!

Kim Kardashian's Vienna Insult - Star Leaves Ball After 'Blackface' Incident

Poor Kim! She's probably still shaken up over what happened at the ball. She was reportedly posing for pictures with Richard when a white man in blackface approached her and said he was Kanye, according to a new report from TMZ.

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Kim was shocked and she quickly walked away from the man, but unfortunately she was obligated to stay at the event for another hour and half.

But that's not all - a little while later, another man came up to Kim and asked her to dance. She declined, saying she wasn't a good dancer, and he reportedly said he would dance with her if the band played 'N****rs in Vienna,' according to TMZ. Wow! How did these creeps make the guest list?

Kim Kardashian's Vienna Ball Date: She's 'Annoying Me'

It doesn't sound like Kim's date defended her honor either. Richard complained about Kim to the press hours after she arrived with mom Kris Jenner and baby North West, according to a new report from Radar Online. He even accused Kim of standing him up to film scenes of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, which she was shooting at the event.

'Kim is annoying me,' Richard told reporters. 'Because she's not sticking to the program.'

Ouch! Kim must be so glad that date is over! What do YOU think, HollywoodLifers? Was Kim right to leave the ball after the alleged blackface incident? Let us know.

- Tierney McAfee More Kim Kardashian News: Kim Kardashian & Kanye West: Inside Their Shocking Proposal Kim Kardashian: Why She Supports Kanye West's Raunchy Sex Rap Kim Kardashian: Getting Boobs Lasered For Stretch Marks Was Smart

Kim Kardashian Kisses North West (Wearing an Animal Ears Hoodie!): See the ...

Kute mommy kisses! Kim Kardashian caused a stir at New York's JFK airport on Tuesday, Feb. 25 as she lovingly planted a smooch on 8-month-old daughter North West's cheek. The jet-setting duo were headed overseas with the help of Grandma Kris Jenner. See more cute pics of the two here.

PHOTOS: Kim Kardashian's post-baby body style

Kardashian, 33, wore an over-sized tan faux fur coat with her hair in a sleek ponytail. Her tiny tot was decked out in a precious pink outfit with little animal ears on the hood of her jacket.

The famed family attracted lots of attention while heading through security, and yes, even Kim had to take off her designer boots at the checkpoint.

PHOTOS: North West's fabulous life

Kardashian's fiancé and North's father, , appeared on Late Night With Seth Meyers on Feb. 25 where he admitted that his new bundle of joy will influence his new music.

PHOTOS: Kimye's sweetest moments

'Totally, everything, and my approach to life,' a newly mellow West, 36, tole Meyers. 'She's changed it.'

Kanye West announces Yeezus the movie

Kanye West: Yeezus the movie will be directed by Hype Williams. Photograph: NBC/Getty Images

Kanye West has announced that there will be a film based on his latest world tour.

Yeezus, the movie, is 'coming to theatres' according to a teaser posted to West's official website. The trailer mixes footage from the rapper's elaborate stage show - full of lasers, man-made mountains, and bejewelled masks - as well as the time-lapse skies and galloping horses that marked his recent Bound 2 music video. The Yeezus film will be directed by Hype Williams, one of West's favourite collaborators, who shot more than a dozen of his videos, including All Of The Lights, Stronger and Gold Digger.

West has yet to disclose the release date for his movie, and he also hasn't responded to Bret Easton Ellis's recent discussion of a separate project. The rapper and the author apparently came together last year and began working on a scripted feature. 'I didn't want to at first,' Ellis said. 'Then I listened to Yeezus ... and I thought, regardless of whether I'm right for this project, I want to work with whoever made this.' The proposed film is now apparently stuck 'in Kanye land', with its 'whole other time frame'.

Yesterday, Radar Online reported that the West/Ellis team-up is a biopic based on 'a narrative of Kanye's life'. While West will not himself appear on screen, his fiancée Kim Kardashian will have a 'pivotal' role, according to an unnamed source. 'Her [part] is going to be very dramatic, far from the bubbly happy persona that she's always played.'

West himself has previously directed two short films, 2010's Runaway and 2012's Cannes-premiered Cruel Summer. He also worked on a proposed HBO comedy series, in 2008, which never made it past a reportedly dire pilot episode.

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Lily Allen worries about receiving an angry phone call from Kanye West

By Daniel Van Boom

PUBLISHED: 23:03 EST, 27 February 2014 | UPDATED: 05:09 EST, 28 February 2014

On Thursday night she beat out Kanye West to score the Best Solo Artist gong at the NME awards.

But on Friday morning Lily Allen revealed to NovaFM's Fitzy & Wippa in Australia that while she truly admires the outspoken rapper, she's prepared for an angry phone call from him.

Allen, 28, has named her upcoming album 'Sheezus', and stressed that the title is a homage, not an insult, and hopes 'Ye takes it as such.

'I'm terrified...I thought he'd think it was a diss, but it's totally not a diss, I love Kanye I think he's brilliant', she said after being asked if she was waiting for an angry phone call from Kanye.

Allen, who's been outspoken about the music industry before, told the radio funnymen that she finds West's honesty refreshing.

'He speaks his mind, whether what he's saying is ridiculous or not, he honestly does believe it and I think there's a lot to be said for that

In this day and age people are so bland and beige and 'uhuh, yeah, I love everyone and everything and I like, totally don't have a problem with everything', but he does have a problem!'

During a seperate interview with 2dayFM Breakfast co-hosts Sophie Monk, Jules Lund and Merrick Watts, she revealed that Kanye West isn't the only thing that's terrified her recently.

During the shooting of her video 'Air Balloon', which features all sorts of exotic animals, she had a questionable run in with a Cheetah.

'They actually rubbed steak of my face at one point and let him lick me, which if you think about it is kind of stupid... I was petrified.

Lily, who has a notorious foul mouth, was then asked by the 2dayFM hosts how she censors herself in front of her children, and quite amazingly, she doesn't.

'I just swear in front of them. I don't find swearing offensive, I just find it a form of expression.'

'I'm not going to encourage my kids to swear', she continued, 'but I'm not going to stop swearing because I don't think it's bad.'

Allen said in 2009 that she didn't plan on making another album, and took a hiatus from the music industry in 2010, which would last until June of 2012.

During that time she got engaged and married to boyfriend Sam Cooper, and had two children, Ethel Mary in November 2011 and Marnie Rose in January of last year.

She began performing and recording new music in 2012, and her third studio album Sheezus is expected to be released this year.

Kanye West Performs Medley of Hits, Talks Fashion on 'Seth Meyers' (VIDEO)

When it comes to late-night TV, Kanye West likes to show up in a big way. From his performance of 'Bound 2″ on 'Late Night with Jimmy Fallon' to his visually arresting 'SNL' performance last year, the 36 year-old has a knack for delivering big, powerful moments on the talk show circuit and Tuesday night was no exception.

Seth Meyers' second episode of 'Late Night' featured a 10-minute interview with West, who discussed his recent 'Yeezus' tour, fashion, the 'College Dropout' album and fatherhood, among other things.

'It would be great if you owned a fashion company and could support me,' Kanye joked, to which Meyers replied, 'I'm pretty happy, I just got a talk show.'

Later, the rapper performed a career-spanning medley featuring 'Jesus Walks', 'Touch the Sky', 'Stronger', 'Heartless', 'All of the Lights', 'Mercy', and 'Black Skinhead.'

Kanye's performance:

Interview:

The Big Health Insurance Question

piotr_pabijan/Shutterstock.com

Turning 65? If you are like most federal retirees and employees, you might be feeling confused and unsure of how Medicare will work with your Federal Employee's Health Benefits Program coverage. This is a topic that always gets a lot of questions and some debate during my pre-retirement seminars.

Most people will agree that enrolling in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance), is the right thing to do. After all, there is no premium for anyone who has paid the 1.45 percent Medicare tax. Part A is also available to the spouse of someone who has qualified.

The bigger question involves Medicare Part B (health insurance) -- specifically, whether you need it if you already have FEHBP. Here are some of the reasons I've heard for not wanting to enroll in Part B.

My FEHBP has served me well and will continue to cover me even after I turn 65. Part B is expensive. My FEHBP plan does not lower its premium when Medicare becomes my primary coverage. Since FEHBP has catastrophic protection, the worst that can happen if I don't enroll in Part B is that I may have to pay $5,000 out of pocket (or whatever the catastrophic cap is for my FEHBP plan).

These are all valid points. For someone who is relatively healthy, I can definitely see the argument against Part B enrollment. It is expensive. The 2014 premium is $104.90 per person per month. If you are a wealthier 65-year-old, the premium goes up based on your adjusted gross income.

It's also true that your FEHBP plan can't drop you if you choose not to enroll in Medicare. And FEHBP plans charge the same premium whether Medicare is your primary health insurance coverage or not. Finally, it is also a fact that all FEHBP health plans have catastrophic out of pocket maximums which sets a limit on the maximum expenses you will have to pay.

Reasons to Enroll

Based on the above information, there's a strong argument against Part B enrollment. But it isn't that simple. Here are some reasons to reconsider enrolling in Part B:

You may be in excellent health now, what about later? If you decide to enroll in Part B after you are retired and over age 65, there is a 10 percent late enrollment surcharge on the premium for every 12 months that you delay your enrollment. If you miss your initial enrollment at 65, you can only enroll in Medicare during the annual general enrollment period from January through March (with coverage effective in July). There is a special enrollment available for people who are covered by health insurance of a current employee (your own or your spouse who is still employed). The special enrollment is available any time you have coverage based on current employment. You may sign up for Part B with no penalty as long as you enroll within eight months of when the current employment health coverage ends. Many FEHBP plans provide a variety of incentives to persuade you to enroll in both Medicare A and B. When Medicare is your primary insurance, many FEHBP plans will waive their deductibles, copayments and coinsurance for services that are covered by both Medicare and the plan. You can find this information by looking at Section 9 of your plan brochure.

Also, did you know that there are expenses that are not included in the catastrophic protection of your FEHBP plan? For example, under Blue Cross/Blue Shield's Standard Option, your 35 percent coinsurance for outpatient care by a non-member facility or hospital is outside of these limits. Also, expenses above the maximum benefit limitations are not included.

You can save money by choosing a less expensive FEHBP plan when Medicare becomes your primary insurance. In some cases, you can save as much as the premium for Medicare Part B when you change FEHBP plans.

No Easy Decision

After studying Medicare and FEHBP for many years, I will be the first to admit this isn't an easy decision. However, when you consider that the reason why you have health insurance is to avoid the catastrophic expense of an illness or accident, it makes sense that you might need additional protection at a time in your life when your health is in greater jeopardy of failing.

It would be so much easier if FEHBP plans would provide supplemental Medicare plans that would require Medicare enrollment to participate. There are currently no FEHBP plans that provide this type of supplemental plan at a lower cost to FEHBP enrollees. Under the military plan, Tricare for Life, it is required that enrollees show proof of enrollment in Medicare A and B before obtaining coverage.

There is one FEHBP plan that helps with the Part B premium -- the MHBP standard option plan will pay up to $125 of the monthly premium. Once enrolled, MHBP will no longer waive your deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, which would make this program more attractive to individuals who are still enjoying excellent health and who want to avoid the late enrollment penalty for Part B. The only catch is that your share of the premium for MHBP standard option (non-postal) is $209.13 per month for self-only coverage and $505.65 per month for self and family coverage, making it one of the highest-priced plans in FEHBP.

Medicare Majority

According to the Office of Personnel Management, about 990,000 retirees are enrolled in Part B. This represents the majority of the Medicare eligible retirees. They signed up for one or more of the following reasons:

They thought it was required. Their friends and neighbors did. They studied the benefits of enrollment and thought it was a good value. They realized that if there comes a time in their lives when they begin to schedule their social life around their doctor visits, it will be nice to have to pay premiums for Medicare and FEHBP while avoiding many of the other out of pocket expenses required when treating multiple chronic illnesses.

In the end, as it says in every FEHBP plan brochure, 'the decision to enroll in Medicare is yours.'

Kanye West shouts at fan as his expensive jumper is nearly sullied by a ...

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 22:55 EST, 27 February 2014 | UPDATED: 00:34 EST, 28 February 2014

Everywhere he goes he is either bombarded by a media circus or overeager fans looking for an uninvited selfie with the star.

And when Kanye West was spotted out and about in Paris for fashion week it was no different as the rapper was hit with a perfect storm of autograph seekers and photographers.

At one point the 36-year-old's pristine white jumper almost became collateral damage in the frenzy as a wayward pen wielded by an aggressive fan threatened to sully the expensive clothing item.

Narrowly escaping the marker, Kanye warned the man: 'Watch the pen! Yo watch the pen! Don't get markings on my sweater.'

The man was brandishing a sneaker for the hip hop icon to sign but was clearly not paying attention to the potential risk for an accident.

But Kanye appeared cool under pressure and managed to remain polite despite all of the invasive hoopla surrounding him.

The Yeezus rapper teamed the jumper with a white shirt, blue jeans, and lace up leather boots.

Meanwhile, away from fashion week Kanye is said to be joining forces with American novelist and screenwriter Brett Easton Ellis on a gritty new film project based primarily on his biographical 2013 album, Yeezus.

Sources claim the Black Skinhead rapper will write the script with American Psycho author Ellis and is keen to ensure there's a prominent role for fiancée Kim Kardashian.

'Kim is definitely going to be in it,' an inside told Radar. 'The screenplay already features her character.

'They're still working on the script, so it's unclear at this point if Kim will be a major star of the movie or making a smaller cameo. But her role in the movie will be pivotal.'

Ellis has also confirmed that the lyrical content on West's latest album will provide a jumping off point for the muted film project.

'Kanye and I have been meeting about writing a script for him and so that's a project that's kind of in the works,' he told Vice.

'He came and asked me to write the film. I didn't want to at first. Then I listened to Yeezus. It was early summer last year and I was driving in my car. He'd given me an advance copy, and I thought, regardless of whether I'm right for this project, I want to work with whoever made this.

So f*** it, I said yes. And that's how it happened. That was seven or eight months ago. We'll see what happens.'

We Gave Kanye West's Lyrics a "Kid

Kanye West is going 'kid-friendly.'

Kind of. Maybe? On Late Night, 'Ye said his daughter, , has inspired him to create 'artistic, intellectual, kid-friendly songs.' Then he said something about nudity on European TV and Quentin Tarantino and we got a bit confused.

But kid-friendly Kanye West music could be fun and interesting (and different: His recent remix of Beyoncé's 'Drunk in Love' talked about getting someone's mouth pregnant. No bueno for his toddler demographic!) So we're remixing some of our favorite Kanye songs to make them suitable for the diaper crowd.

We were inspired by this 'N-ggas in Paris' remix from the kids...

Kidz Bop Niggas in Paris: What?s oodle, my noodle? What?s toaster, my strudel? What?s drawing, my doodle? What?s that puppy, a poodle?

? Fill Werrell (@FillWerrell) February 12, 2012

...and went from there!

NEWS: Kim Kardashian describes North West's 'really chic,' comfortable style

Getty, Instagram

For the much younger audience (infant to pre-K), these lyrics will resonate:

'Jesus Walks' You know what the Midwest is? Young & Restless Where restless (N-GGAS) might snatch your necklace And next these (N-GGAS) might jack your Lexus

Somebody tell these (N-GGAS) who Kanye West is

Becomes a bedtime lullaby...

You know when naptime is? Young and restless Where restless (BABIES) will sleep with blankies And next these (BABIES) might suck a binky Somebody tell these (BABIES) who Kanye West be

[Just because they're babies doesn't mean they shouldn't know who Kanye West is.]

'Gold Digger' She take my money when I'm in need Yeah she's a trifling friend indeed Oh she's a gold digger way over town That digs on me

Becomes an ode to mom (mom in this case is Kim Kardashian, just FYI)...

She gives me snacks when I'm hungry Yeah she's a wonderful mom indeed Oh she's my mommy all day long She loves on me NEWS: Kim Kardashian wants 3 kids, gushes North is 'sweetest, happiest baby'

As North grows older, she'll want more mature music, that isn't all about mommy.

'The New Workout Plan':

It's a party tonight and ooh she's so excited Tell me who's invited: you, your friends and my d------ck What's scary to me is Henny makes girls look like Halle Berry to me So excuse me miss, I forgot your name Thank you, God bless you, good night I came.

Becomes an anthem about a pirate-themed b'day party!

There's a party today and ooh she's so excited Tell me who's invited: you, your mom and a piiiiiirate What's yummy to me is birthday cake always tastes so sugary Now I got to go, gift bag is cool Thank you, God bless you, see you in school.

Argggggh, hope ye' hard a great time at the party, North!

'Power' The system broken, the school's closed, the prison's open We ain't got nothing to lose motherf--ker we rollin', Huh? motherf--ker we rollin' With some light skinned girls and some Kelly Rowland's In this white man's world we the ones chosen So goodnight cruel world I'll see you in the mornin', Huh? I see you in the mornin'

Becomes a song about snow days! Everybody loves snow days!

It's Christmas season, the school's closed, the snow fallin' We ain't got nothing to do, surprise snow days are ballin' Huh? Surprise snow days are ballin' No class to learn about the country Poland In this white winter we the ones chosen Hope I get another snow day t'morrow mornin', Huh? Snow day tomorrow mornin'

This easily could have been a song from Frozen, don't you think?

Can't wait to hear the new music, 'Ye! Hopefully it's better than ours! Because we are horrible rappers!

PHOTOS: Check out all of baby North West's cutest pictures! RELATED VIDEOS:

Kim Kardashian Glams Up for Mall Appearance Ahead of Vienna Ball

Kim Kardashian and her mom Kris Jenner pose in front of hundreds at the Lugner City Mall for an appearance on Thursday (February 27) in Vienna, Austria.

The 33-year-old reality star and designer is scheduled to appear at the Vienna Opera Ball later in the evening. Stay tuned for pics!

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Kim Kardashian

'Morning Vienna' Kim tweeted earlier in the day, along with a close up selfie.

Meanwhile, Kim's fiance Kanye West is currently in Paris attending some fashion week events.

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Kim Kardashian To Star In Movie Directed By Kanye West — Report

Kim is Kanye's leading lady in life and she's about to be his leading lady on screen too! That's right, Kanye is reportedly continuing Hollywood domination by writing and directing an upcoming flick!

Kim Kardashian is Kanye West's ultimate woman in every single way. A new report in RadarOnline.com claims that Kanye's film that he's working on with American Psycho creator, Bret Easton Ellis, will have the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star playing a big part.

Kim Kardashian To Star In Kanye West's Film

Kim has been in movies before, she starred in Tyler Perry's, Temptation, but never of this magnitude!

'It's going to be based on the 'Yeezus' album,' a source close to Kanye says. 'That's pretty much a narrative of Kanye's life. Kim is definitely going to be in it. The screenplay already features her character.'

But don't expect her to play some small part, Kanye has big plans for his bride-to-be.

'They're still working on the script, so it's unclear at this point if Kim will be a major star of the movie or making a smaller cameo,' the insider says. 'But her role in the movie will be pivotal. Her role is going to be very dramatic. Far from the bubbly happy persona that she's always played.'

Take Our Poll

Kanye West Wants Small And Private Affair On Wedding Day

Kim and Kanye are planning their wedding and it's so exciting! We know it'll be filmed for an upcoming KUWTK special and it's supposed to be lavish! But Kim just told Ryan Seacrest that don't expect hundreds of guests: 'We realize we want it to be smaller and more intimate than people are imagining and thinking.'

HollywoodLifers, is Kanye smart to cast Kim as his leading lady?

- Chloe Melas More Kanye West & Kim Kardashian News: Kanye West Wants Riccardo Tisci To Design Kim's Wedding Gown Kim Kardashian's Romantic Proposal Faked For TV? - The Truth Revealed Kanye West & Kim Kardashian: Inside Their 'Lavish' Wedding Feast

The Game used to date Kim Kardashian, denies Khloe Kardashian rumors

Jeff Vespa/WireImage

Kim Kardashian pictured here with The Game. In a new interview, the rapper admitted the two used to date.

The Game does have a romantic history with a Kardashian-but it's not Khloe.

The rapper, real name Jayceon Terrell Taylor, stopped by BBC Radio's Charlie Sloth show on Tuesday and divulged some details about his past with the famous reality star family.

RELATED: KHLOE KARDASHIAN PARTIES WITH THE GAME AT L.A. NIGHTCLUB

'Those are just rumors,' he said hwen asked if he was dating Khloe after her recent split with husband Lamar Odom.

'It's funny cause me and Khloe, we cool. I've been knowing Khloe for 12 years. I went and dated Kim for a little while, a little short while a long time ago,' he said.

RELATED: KIM KARDASHIAN, KANYE WEST PLANNING FOR MAY WEDDING

Surprised by The Game's connection to Kanye West's fiancée, the host probed for more details.

'We went to McDonalds twice, pulled up in that drive thru,' he said joking about his very brief relationship with Kim insisting it wasn't a big deal.

'Yes, Kim dated The Game years ago. Khloe introduced them in 2006. They've known him for years. That's why the whole family laughs at the dating rumors about The Game and Khloe,' a source close to North West's mama told Us Weekly confirming The Game's story.

Kim is far from a single gal these days as she's set to wed West in an intimate wedding this spring in Paris, France.

Kim Kardashian To Star In Movie Directed By Kanye West — Report

Kim is Kanye's leading lady in life and she's about to be his leading lady on screen too! That's right, Kanye is reportedly continuing Hollywood domination by writing and directing an upcoming flick!

Kim Kardashian is Kanye West's ultimate woman in every single way. A new report in RadarOnline.com claims that Kanye's film that he's working on with American Psycho creator, Bret Easton Ellis, will have the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star playing a big part.

Kim Kardashian To Star In Kanye West's Film

Kim has been in movies before, she starred in Tyler Perry's, Temptation, but never of this magnitude!

'It's going to be based on the 'Yeezus' album,' a source close to Kanye says. 'That's pretty much a narrative of Kanye's life. Kim is definitely going to be in it. The screenplay already features her character.'

But don't expect her to play some small part, Kanye has big plans for his bride-to-be.

'They're still working on the script, so it's unclear at this point if Kim will be a major star of the movie or making a smaller cameo,' the insider says. 'But her role in the movie will be pivotal. Her role is going to be very dramatic. Far from the bubbly happy persona that she's always played.'

Take Our Poll

Kanye West Wants Small And Private Affair On Wedding Day

Kim and Kanye are planning their wedding and it's so exciting! We know it'll be filmed for an upcoming KUWTK special and it's supposed to be lavish! But Kim just told Ryan Seacrest that don't expect hundreds of guests: 'We realize we want it to be smaller and more intimate than people are imagining and thinking.'

HollywoodLifers, is Kanye smart to cast Kim as his leading lady?

- Chloe Melas More Kanye West & Kim Kardashian News: Kanye West Wants Riccardo Tisci To Design Kim's Wedding Gown Kim Kardashian's Romantic Proposal Faked For TV? - The Truth Revealed Kanye West & Kim Kardashian: Inside Their 'Lavish' Wedding Feast

Can My Health Insurance Cover My Unmarried Partner?

The short answer to this question is to check with your insurance company directly. Some insurance companies allow for policies to be extended to unmarried partners, regardless of whether the relationship is same-sex or heterosexual. In some cases, the ability for a person to extend his or her workplace provided health insurance to an unmarried partner comes down to an individual employer's policy.

Coverage for Unmarried Partners: Policy and Law

In the past, employers would only extend health insurance benefits to an employee's immediate family. Adult partners needed a legal certificate of marriage to establish a family relationship. This criterion has been evolving, largely due to the efforts of LGBT rights activists who have championed the case for extending benefits to gay partners who were barred from all benefits of legally recognized marriage.

In 2009 the federal government extended federal civilian employee benefits to domestic partners. The Presidential Memorandum on Federal Benefits and Non-Discrimination directs the heads of government agencies to determine which employee benefits must be extended to same-sex partners to avoid unlawfully discriminating against individuals based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

The private sector has moved toward expanding coverage to unmarried partners as well. This shift to a broader definition of family has changed the landscape not only for gay couples, but for heterosexual couples as well. In 2011 for example, following the passage of New York's Marriage Equality Act, Cornell University in New York decided to expand employee benefits. The private research university extended benefits granted to same-sex partners to unmarried partners in heterosexual relationships.

Health insurance benefits, once considered a minor fringe benefit, have become an important component of employee compensation packages. For the more than eight million couples who live in a committed relationship without a certificate of marriage, whether or not this workplace benefit extends to a partner depends on the employer.

The Human Rights Campaign's 2014 Corporate Equality Index reports that 68 percent of the 734 businesses surveyed provide health insurance for both same and different sex partners of employees. This situation may change. As more states legalize same-sex marriages, businesses may again require a marriage certificate to confirm a relationship. Then again, they may not.

Coverage for Unmarried Partners Under the Affordable Care Act

With the passage and implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), unmarried partners now have new options when seeking health insurance coverage. If both parties need health insurance, subsidies are available through the health insurance marketplace. When working through the application process on Healthcare.gov, an option will ask if applicants are applying for insurance for them and their unmarried partner.

The ACA also benefits unmarried same-sex partners. Some insurance companies don't allow for policies to be extended to same-sex partners. A filter on Healthcare.gov allows users to eliminate these policies from their health insurance coverage options. The filter is also available for business owners searching for insurance for their employees. For more information, check out this document recently published on Whitehouse.gov outlining the benefits of the ACA for LGBT Americans.

Even individuals who are eligible for coverage through their unmarried partner's insurance may find it less expensive to purchase insurance directly themselves. The ACA's health insurance marketplaces offer many subsidies and tax credits. For those with incomes less than 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level ( FPL), health insurance may be free in states that have opted to expand their Medicaid program. Individuals with incomes between 138 percent and 400 percent of the FPL may qualify for tax credits and subsidies through the health insurance exchange to offset health insurance premium costs.

This article was written by Gillian Burdett. Gillian is a freelance writer covering all things home and living. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

Now on your restaurant bill: Health care fee

Courtesy Gator's Dockside

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -

Several restaurants in a Florida chain are asking customers to help foot the bill for the Affordable Care Act.

Diners at eight Gator's Dockside casual eateries are finding a 1 percent ACA surcharge on their tabs, which comes to 15 cents on a typical $15 lunch tab. Signs on the door and at tables alert diners to the fee, which is also listed separately on the bill.

The Gator Group's full-time hourly employees won't actually receive health insurance until December. But the company said it implemented the surcharge now because of the compliance costs it's facing ahead of the ACA's employer mandate kicking in in 2015.

'The costs associated with ACA compliance could ultimately close our doors,' the sign reads. 'Instead of raising prices on our products to generate the additional revenue needed to cover the costs of ACA compliance, certain Gator's Dockside locations have implemented a 1% surcharge on all food and beverage purchases only.'

The company employs a total of 500 people, with about half working full time. Currently only management receives health benefits, but the restaurant will have to offer coverage to all full-timers once the mandate takes effect. The fee will allow the company to continue offering full-time hours to many workers, according to Sandra Clark, the group's director of operations.

'I'm just trying to keep the employees I have that I've worked hard to train,' Clark said.

In addition to the costs of providing health care, the company hired one additional staffer and a consulting firm to make sure it is complying with the law and to assist in the additional tracking of workers' hours and wages required by the health care law, said Clark.

Clark is not sure how much the company is spending on compliance, but estimates that it will cost $500,000 a year to extend insurance to its full-time hourly restaurant workers. The surcharge may bring in about $160,000 a year, she hopes.

Thirteen other Gator's Dockside restaurants, which are run by a different firm and its franchisees, are not implementing the fee.

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, an upscale restaurant is also asking guests to pony up for its employee health care costs.

Since it opened in November, Republique's tab comes with an optional 3 percent surcharge that allows it to employ all of its 80 workers full-time and provide them with health insurance. The fee is explained in a sign and on the menu, and servers explain it to diners without prompting.

The surcharge is not related to the ACA, a restaurant spokeswoman said. The eatery is not subject to the employer mandate until 2016 because it has fewer than 100 workers, but it already offers coverage to its staff.

How are customers reacting to the fee? So far, most people are paying it, she said.

Hip

I don't know what is up with rappers these days! The Game and Kanye are supposed to be cool. They have worked together in the past and all that good stuff. AND YET, that has not stopped Jayceon from opening his mouth about something that probably shouldn't be talked about - that is if you care. But, I'm thinking Game don't. In a recent interview with The BBC, the Compton rapper suggested that he and Kimmie K did something at McDonalds.

Here's what he said as he denounced that he and Khloe were an item:

'Those are just rumours,' he told DJ Charlie Sloth on BBC Radio1Extra. 'It's funny man cos me and Khloe we're cool. People don't know, but I've been knowing Khloe for 12 years - you know what I'm saying? I went and dated Kim for a while. A little short while. Me and Khloe are cool.'

Past romance: The Game, pictured leaving the the BBC Radio One studios on Tuesday, said he once dated Kim Kardashian but denied romancing Khloe

'You done a thing with Kim?' asked Sloth.

'A little bit. A long time ago,' replied the 34-year-old hip hop star, real name Jayceon Terrell Taylor.

'Adult wrestling or adult cuddles?' Sloth persisted.

'You know what it was. We went to McDonalds twice,' said The Game. 'Pulled up in a drive thru.'

When quizzed whether the romance took place before Kim's infamous relationship with Ray-J, The Game claimed not to remember and seemed keen to distance himself from his dating past.

HMMMMMMMM...Honestly, with Kim's track record of brothers, I wouldn't doubt Game wasn't appealing when he was 'hot' in the streets. I'm thinking they did some 'making out' and Game kept it open so that he's not a true slime ball. So, I'm wondering if Kanye will rant about The Game like he rants about journalists, bloggers, paparazzi, Sway, Charlamagne, fashion, and midgets?

We'll see. 'They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!' -illseed.

Illseed, Out.

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Kim Kardashian Says North West Wears Hand

Posted by February 26, 2014, 9:00 pm * Gabrielle Chung * 1 comments

Though she has been showered with free swag from the likes of Oscar de la Renta and Stella McCartney, Kim Kardashian's 8-month-old daughter, North West, isn't concerned with labels. According to her mother, baby Nori 'has not actually worn anything designer yet.'

'Despite what it looks like on my Instagram, my daughter is not spoiled at all,' she tells People in its March 10 issue, referring to the expensive baby clothes she has received from fashion industry pals. 'Kids get dirty. She'll spit up. She moves around so much. I saw this one cute dress that was $500 and I was like, 'Absolutely not!' I just want her in little onesies or leggings.'

'I've tried to put north in a faux-fur vest, but she hated it. She doesn't mind headbands [that don't] pull her hair,' the new mom explains, describing her daughter's style as 'simple, classic and really chic.'

In fact, the reality star says she's been dressing North in clothes once worn by her 20-months-old niece, Penelope Disick.

'Kourtney saves everything and gives it to me,' Kardashian adds. 'Comfort is everything.'

Kanye West 'Enjoys Night Out With Rihanna and Drake In Paris' As Kim ...

Kanye West tore himself away from his two favourite ladies last night leaving fiancee Kim Kardashian and daughter North to dine with Kris Jenner in Vienna, instead reportedly choosing to enjoy a night out with rumoured couple Drake and Rihanna in the city of lights Paris.

It was only a matter of hours ago that Kanye, 36, was seen walking around the streets of NYC but it looks as though he quickly darted over to his favourite French city where he was spotted heading for dinner at the Costes Hotel where his pals RiRi and Drake were also said to be enjoying their evening.

Kanye reportedly joins Rihanna and Drake for dinner in Paris (Splash News)

Dressed in a casual cream jumper, light coloured jeans and Timbaland boots, Kanye made his way through the groups of fans who shoved camera phones into his face and headed inside while Drake, who is currently on tour in the city, was also seen at the hotel.

Drake spotted in the back of a car after the dinner (Splash News)

Bajan beauty Rihanna appeared to avoid the hustle and bustle of the paparazzi outside and was said to be dining with the rappers although there are no sightings of her making her way to or leaving the eatery.

Watch Drake and Rihanna's grinding in action here!What was Kim's reaction to attending the Vienna ball?

Speculation has been rife that the 'We Found Love' singer has rekindled her flame with Drake, 27, after joining him in Paris and reportedly enjoying several dates together in recent weeks.

The rumours only increased after she joined him on stage at one of his Paris concerts this week for a performance of their hit 'Take Care' and proceeded to dance provocatively together.

Rihanna, here at Drake's Paris concert, managed to avoid getting papped (KCS Presse/Splash News)

Meanwhile, Kanye's fiancee Kim was not too far away in Austria where she was seen heading to the Wiener Schnitzel Restaurant with her momager Kris Jenner. Missing from the evening out was Kim and Kanye's adorable eight-month-old daughter North who was most likely tucked away at the hotel with a nanny.

Kim, 33, and Kanye are currently in the midst of planning their upcoming nuptials after getting engaged in October and the reality star recently revealed that some may be surprised to find it won't be as extravagant as her last wedding with Kris Humphries in 2011.

Kim headed to dinner with her mother Kris Jenner in Vienna (Splash News)

Describing it as a 'small, intimate wedding,' Kim went on to explain to Ryan Seacrest that she and her beau have split duties on other parts of the celebration.

'There's certain things I'm like, 'I know you're going to hate the seating chart, so I'll take care of this,'' she said, 'and then there's some things that are really important to him. [But] the seating chart is like death.'

North West gets sweet kiss from Kim Kardashian: Nori's adorable baby album

'Cannibal cop cohort' had bag full of torture tools: prosecutor

Christopher Asch and Michael Van Hise are charged with scheming to kidnap, rape, torture and murder women, prosecutors said Thursday during the opening statements at their Manhattan Federal Court trial.

Oscar Is A Health Insurance Startup For Digital Natives

A group of techies and venture capitalists in New York are betting that they can run a health insurer like an Internet startup... and have recruited some of Silicon Valley's biggest names to finance the venture.

Oscar is a new insurance firm that launched in late 2013. CEO Josh Kushner belongs to a prominent New York family and was an early stage investor in Warby Parker and Instagram; cofounder Kevin Nazemi is a Microsoft veteran; cofounder Mario Schlosser is a MIT Media Lab veteran and hedge funder; and CTO Fredrik Nylander is a former Tumblr executive. Peter Thiel's Founder's Fund and Vinod Khosla are investors. It's an unusual pedigree for a health insurer. Plus, while most local offices for more established health insurance firms are a few miles north in Midtown, Oscar is based out of Silicon Alley's iconic Puck Building. There's an open floor plan, Warby Parker's offices are down the way, and Kushner's Thrive Capital is upstairs.

At a media event on February 25, Kushner recounted how he was inspired to start an insurance company after receiving his health insurance bill in the mail and realizing none of it made sense to him. Plus, he sees potential to disrupt the insurance industry in the post-Obamacare world. 'The Affordable Care Act was an opportunity to sell something different than the usual consumer products offered to individuals,' he said. The Affordable Care Act (better known as Obamacare) created a system of state and federal insurance marketplaces which (alongside plenty of website glitches) offer a ton of opportunities for moneymaking in health care. Since there are tens of millions of Americans who now have access to affordable health insurance of their choice, there's a chance for enterprising companies with the agility to navigate government bureaucracy to make money from that opportunity.

Oscar Ad Campaign | Click to expand

Oscar's product seems tailored toward the tech community and, well, young people. Oscar offers a web- and mobile-friendly aesthetic designed to make the insurance experience smoother for plan members, even if their network isn't as robust as the competition. Users are able to consult with doctors for problems like the flu over the phone (Oscar claims conversations take place within an hour of registering online) and the insurer's site offers a good search functionality for specialists. On the Oscar homepage, first care issues listed include pregnancy, depression, asthma, flu shots, back pain, and acne. Searches for specialists in the Oscar network only found in-network doctors in New York City and its suburbs; insurance buyers in, say, Buffalo or Rochester appear to be out of luck. Although Oscar's executives denied it, the young, relatively educated, and urban (or big-city suburban) uninsured appear to be their target market--at least for now.

Kushner, Nazemi, and Schlosser also tout the service's use of data. Much like other insurance providers, Oscar collects metrics on medical professionals for performance reviews--but uses them for customer recommendations as well. Using Oscar's web front end, consumers can see whether individual doctors predominantly treat patients in their twenties or thirties, what language the doctors speak, and other metrics.

In the long term, Oscar is offering the newly-insured under the Affordable Care Act a unique proposition: A health insurer deliberately catering toward digital natives. But the big question remains how scalable Oscar can be, and if it can be replicated outside of New York.

The Game Says He Dated Kim Kardashian, Not Her Sister Khloé

Posted by February 26, 2014, 5:30 pm * Barbara DeFranco * 0 comments

Uh-Oh. I hope Kanye West already knows about this one.

Rapper The Game, he of the many Khloé Kardashian- dating rumors, told London's BBC Radio 1Xtra that he once had a relationship with Khloé's sister Kim Kardashian, butcontinued to deny that he and Khloé are currently dating.

The rapper, whose real name is Jayceon Taylor, made the revelation to the BBC's DJ Charlie Sloth during an interview on Tuesday. 'Those are just rumors,' The Game said with regards to Khloé. 'It's funny man cos me and Khloe we're cool. People don't know, but I've been knowing Khloé for 12 years. You know what I'm saying? I went and dated Kim for a while. A little short while.'

'A little bit. A long time ago,' the 34-year old California native confirmed. It seems that he and Kanye have no beef however. ' Kanye was the homie. He's still the homie. That is his wife. They got a family. I love them. They're great.'

The Game and Khloé have been dodging rumors they're an item for months now. She attended his charity bowling game last month, and they were spotted getting their groove on at Hollywood nightclub Tru two weeks ago.

We anxiously await Kimye's response to this bit of news.

Kylie Jenner looks like a mini Kanye West as she steps out in leather trousers ...

By Iona Kirby

PUBLISHED: 02:48 EST, 27 February 2014 | UPDATED: 05:31 EST, 27 February 2014

Kim Kardashian's style has undoubtedly been influenced by her fashion loving fiancé Kanye West.

And now it seems to be rubbing off on her youngest sibling, half-sister Kylie Jenner too.

Kylie looked like a mini Kanye as she stepped out in West Hollywood on Wednesday.

The 16-year-old was wearing perhaps the rapper's two favourite wardrobe staples - black leather trousers and high-top trainers.

The shoes, which Kylie wore in red, in fact looked as though they might have been designed by the reality star's future brother-in-law.

Kylie also layered some baggy black T-shirts to complete her casual look for an afternoon hanging out with friends.

The teen, who has long been rumoured to be dating Jaden Smith, was seen hugging one of her male pals.

Kylie sported several bangles on her wrists, but more striking was the huge tattoo on her forearm.

However the inking is likely to be fake, as the star and her sister Kendall are big fans of 'Sharpie tatts' which they draw on themselves.

While Kendall, who is 18, is in Paris for Fashion Week, Kylie will be supporting her elder sister from home.

The Keeping Up With The Kardashians stars recently launched a shoe line with Steve Madden, and Kylie has admitted they were inspired by Kanye.

'He's really inspiring just watching him,' Kylie told E! News. 'He's been my roommate for a couple months now, so just watching him, he's so passionate about his stuff and he's very, very into it, so it's just awesome to see that.

'He's just really excited about it. He's always showing me his designs. He's such a creative guy. He's awesome and has a lot of talent so it's cool to see that.'

She added: 'It's inspiring and makes me want to work harder to be more into it, so it's cool.'

Kanye West smiles, laughs as Seth Meyers reminds him of old 'SNL' skit on ...

Peter Kramer/Peter Kramer/NBC

Kanye West still thinks he has the best pumpkin.

That's what came out of his discussion with Seth Meyers on ' Late Night' Tuesday.

RELATED: KANYE WEST DEFENDS DRAKE AFTER ROLLING STONE FEUD

The 'SNL' alum reminded the rapper of a time in 2007 when he appeared on the sketch comedy show to bum rush multiple awards ceremonies including the Kids Choice Awards, the Nobel Physics Award -- and, yes, even a pumpkin contest.

The trip down memory lane prompted a smile and a few laughs from the otherwise serious musician.

That laughter was reciprocated when West gave his own take on his sense of humor.

'You laugh to keep from crying,' he told Meyers before answering in a quite dramatically comedic way.

RELATED: BEYONCE'S 'DRUNK IN LOVE' REMIXED BY KANYE WEST

'Life is like ... life is life,' he continued. 'There are ups and downs and they will give an 8-year-old the best pumpkin at any given time and you just have to be prepared for these types of things.'

But it was no joking matter when West, 36, took the stage to perform a medley of his hits. Opening with 'Jesus Walks,' the Chicago-born rapper went through a slew of his hit songs, which included 'Heartless,' 'All of the Lights,' and 'Black Skinhead.'

On a mobile device? Click here to view video.

Kim Kardashian Describes North West's "Really Chic" Style: Comfort Is Everything!

Dara Kushner/INFphoto.com

Kim Kardashian has a budding fashionista on her hands!

The E! reality star gushed about North West's fashion sense and what takes top priority when it comes to dressing her eight-month-old baby girl.

'Comfort is everything,' Kim told magazine.

'Kids get dirty. She'll spit up. She moves around so much. I saw this one cute dress that was $500 and I was like, 'Absolutely not!' I just want her in little onesies or leggings.'

Kim also described her daughter's style as 'simple, classic and really chic.' So clearly, the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree!

The proud mama also admitted that her taste for kids' clothing has changed dramatically since having a wee one of her own.

PHOTOS: Take a look back at Kim's pregnant fashion!

'I could tell what I thought was cute [before having North], but it's such a different thing when you have a baby of your own,' she confessed. 'I want soft fabrics and easy access to change a diaper.'

And despite being sent tons of one-of-a-kind designer duds-which the 33-year-old shared via multiple Instagram pics-it looks like Kim is opting for function over fashion lately.

'North has actually not worn anything designer yet!' she admitted.

Aside from her comfy casual ensembles, Kim revealed to Ryan Seacrest's KIIS FM show that her bundle of joy is a dream come true.

'She's the sweetest, she's the calmest and all she does is laugh,' she gushed. 'She'll laugh at anything. I'll put my toe right near her and she'll crack up. She's the sweetest, happiest baby I've ever seen.'

PHOTOS: North West's cutest baby pics! RELATED VIDEOS:

Stream Rick Ross' 'Mastermind' and Kanye's 'Sanctified' Guest Spot

Daniel Knighton/WireImage

As part of Rick Ross's master plan, the rapper's sixth studio album, Mastermind, is streaming now on iTunes in advance of its March 4th release date.

Less than two years since the release of God Forgives, I Don't, Rozay has put together an album featuring guest appearances by Kanye West, Jay Z, Lil Wayne, Big Sean, French Montana, Meek Mill, Jeezy, the Weeknd, Sizzla and Mavado. It's a record that starts off with a literal bang as Ross says, 'If you love hip-hop, bust some shots,' on the album's first full song, 'Rich Is Gangsta.'

Where Did Rick Ross' 'Rich Forever' Rank on Our List of 2012's Best Albums?

Deeper into the album, however, Ross demonstrates the sort of power a mastermind should possess: He managed to secure a guest appearance by the most-wanted man in hip-hop, Kanye West, on Mastermind cut 'Sanctified.'

After a gospel sample about being born again - something a Yeezus figure should understand - West raps about how he feels people play up his earlier works and dismiss who he is now. 'When Ali turn up and be Ali, you can't ever take that n---a back to Cassius,' he raps, before saying that he's not going to sweat it. 'Wipe my forehead with a handkerchief and wash my sins in the blood of Jesus,' he raps. 'People sayin', ''Ye, we need another Yeezus.'' Your move, Ross.

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

Kanye West reveals he'll record kid

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 02:30 EST, 26 February 2014 | UPDATED: 02:30 EST, 26 February 2014

Fatherhood has changed him.

Kanye West revealed on Tuesday night during a chat with Seth Meyers that the birth of baby North has made him a different man.

The 36-year-old admitted that even his approach to music has gone through a transformation and that we might be seeing some more kid-friendly songs in his coming albums.

The rapper said on Late Night With Seth Meyers: 'My approach to life has changed.'

Adding that he will be recording music for 'artistic intellectual kids' now that he is himself a father to eight-month-old Nori.

But when asked if that meant he'd stop peppering his songs with curse words, the Yeezus star then discussed how there is 'nudity on European television' and that it is all a 'matter of perspective', effectively squelching any talk of cleaning up his lyrical content for youngsters.

Kanye, who wore a crisp white shirt and black trousers to the late night appearance, seemed to be in a happy mood as he laughed and joked throughout his interview.

When it came to his fashion efforts, the Pretty Lights artist compared his clothing creations to sculpting with marble just as he created 'sonic paintings' with his music (citing his synaesthesia).

He also talked about the constraints of his celebrity, where expectations for him as an artist have now become limitations dictating what he can and cannot do.

But Kanye promised that he is breaking barriers and that in 10 years time people will see the value of the work he is doing.

During a heart-felt speech at his concert in Connecticut on Friday night , he said: 'These past 10 years have been amazing.'

'There's been some ups and downs. I made some mistakes and I've made some accomplishments. There's only one thing I regret,' he admitted. 'There's only one thing I wish I could change out of everything that's ever happened.

'I wish that my mother could've met my daughter.'

Kanye lost his mother due to surgery complications after a breast reduction and undergoing liposuction seven years ago, she was 58.

He opened up about the effects her passing has had on him last year during an appearance on Kim's mum Kris Jenner's chat show.

He said: 'There were times [after my mum's death], I would put my life at risk. I didn't have something to live for.

'Now I have two very special people to live for, a whole family to live for, a whole world to live for.'

Meanwhile, Kanye wrapped up the American leg of his successful Yeezus tour on Sunday in New York with fiancee Kim Kardashian and her family cheering him on.

Kim Kardashian Wants A 'Sexy' Wedding Dress

There is no denying that Kim is looking better than ever these days, and we don't blame her for wanting to show off her hard work, (and post-baby body!), in a sexy wedding dress this summer in Paris. The bride-to-be excitedly discussed her wedding dress in a new interview.

's upcoming Parisian summer nuptials to fiance are being planned, and everyone is wondering what the beautiful bride will be wearing on the big day. The 33-year-old reality star played coy when asked by People magazine, revealing that she already went looking for the perfect frock!

Kim Kardashian's Sexy Wedding Dress:

When asked if she started wedding dress shopping she replied: 'a little bit.' Kim added that her current style is, 'Sexy! I like to feel good about myself.' Could this mean that the stunning reality star will be wearing something sexy on her wedding day? It sure sounds like it if her current state of mind continues!

Kim Kardashian's Wedding Dress Designer:

Another question is what designer will nab the honor of creating Kim's wedding dress! One choice would be Vera Wang, who is no stranger to designing wedding dresses for the Kardashian gals. The designer is responsible for designing 's dress for her wedding to in 2009 and ALL 3 of Kim's wedding dresses for her short marriage to Kris Humphries. Kim covered all of her dress bases during her wedding to Kris. From a traditional gown for her ceremony to a sexy and sultry mermaid dress with lace appliques on the bodice for the first dance, Vera definitely knows how to dress Kim!

Take Our Poll

While Vera is a close family friend, another designer pal may get the honor! Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci is another top contender for the job. The designer, (and BFF to Kanye!), recently compared Kim to Marilyn Monroe and dressed the couple for the 2013 Met Gala.

No matter what designer Kim chooses or the type of dress that she decides to wear, there is no doubt that Kim will look stunning on her lovely day. Due to the fact that Vera created such beautiful designs for the stars wedding to Kris, we could see why Kim would choose to go with her again. All three dresses were stunning and it seems like the designer really understands Kim's wedding vision. That being said, I think that Kim will ultimately switch it up and pick Riccardo to design her wedding dress, especially since both she and Kanye have such a close friendship with the designer.

What do YOU think? Do you think Kim should wear a sexy wedding dress? Who should she pick to design her gown?

- Caitlin Beck More Kim Kardashian News: Kim Kardashian Confirms Clothing Line For Babies Kim Kardashian Flashes Bra & Chest During Paris Fashion Week Kim Kardashian's Booty Tailor Alters Jeans For $5,000 A Day - Report

3 On Your Side: Health Insurance Enrollment Deadline Fast Approaching

Jim Donovan

Jim Donovan is a 13-time Emmy Award-winning consumer reporter w...

By Jim Donovan

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Enrollment had a rocky start, but now seems to be gaining steam. President Obama today said about 4 million people have signed up for health insurance through federal or state marketplaces set up under his health care law. With the deadline to enroll just a little more than a month away, 3 On Your Side Consumer Reporter Jim Donovan finds there's a final push to get the word out.

At the YMCA on North Broad Street Derrick Jones was enrolling in a health insurance plan today. He'll now be covered for the first time in years. He says, 'It feels very good to know that I'm covered and I have health insurance.' With the deadline to purchase health insurance fast approaching, he signed up just in the nick of time. Nancy O'Connor, Regional Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says, We've only got 34 days to go until March 31st and after that the marketplace is closed.

Anyone not covered by health insurance by March 31 will have to wait until open enrollment begins again in the fall. In the meantime, they risk being fined for not having coverage. According to O'Connor, 'There is a penalty or a fee if you don't have health coverage after March 31st or after the end of the open enrollment period. The fee is one percent of your household income or 95 dollars,' whichever is greater.

Pennsylvania State Senator Shirley Kitchen was among the speakers at today's enrollment event where the message was kept simple. 'Anyone can be hit with a catastrophic illness, a chronic condition that can cost thousands and thousands of dollars. So that's really the thing to keep in mind, get some peace of mind and enroll in a health insurance plan,' says O'Connor.

To find out about sign-up events in your area or to get enrollment assistance, click the links below:

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