FAQ 68 Addresses Preventive Care and Mastectomy Coverage

Loramei Romeo

Coverage of PrEP Certain preventive care services must be offered by health insurance companies and non-grandfathered group health plans without any cost-sharing obligations under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and other agencies and advisory groups recommendations form the basis of the list of preventive care services. If a preventive care service or item requirement omits information on the frequency, manner, treatment, or setting to administer the preventive care service, plans and carriers are permitted to employ reasonable medical management practices. Coding and Claims Management Plans and carriers are also reminded by FAQ 68 of the significance of correctly coding claims for preventive… Read More

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New Jersey Releases 2025 Disability and Family Leave Amounts

Loramei Romeo

New Jersey has announced the 2025 contribution rates and benefit level parameters for the Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) and Family Leave Insurance (FLI) programs. Temporary Disability Insurance 2025 For qualified New Jersey workers who are unable to work due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or other disability, or for specific public health emergencies, TDI offers benefits. Employees must have worked 20 weeks and earned at least $303 per week (Base Week Amount) or earned $15,200 (Alternative Earnings Test) in the four quarters (base year) before taking vacation to be eligible for TDI. 85% of an employee’s average weekly pay, up to a maximum of $1,081, is the weekly TDI benefit… Read More

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New PCOR fee Announced

Loramei Romeo

The IRS released Notice 2024-83 on December 3, 2024, which states that the PCOR fee which is determined by the adjusted applicable dollar amount used for plan years that starts on or after October 1, 2024, and before October 1, 2025, is $3.47. For self-funded medical plans which includes level funding and some HRAs including ICHRAs for plan years ending in 2024 the PCOR filing deadline is July 31, 2025. For insured policies the carriers are responsible for paying. Employer Action: There are no further required actions for employes with self-funded health plans (or an HRA) as of the moment. Reminders will be sent in mid-2025 for the fee and… Read More

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ACA Compliance for Forms 1094-C + 1095-C

Loramei Romeo

In terms of ACA reporting of minimum essential coverage (MEC), you are probably an Applicable Large Employer (ALE) if you had an average of fifty (50) full-time equivalent employees in the previous calendar year or if you are an employer of any size that provides a level funded or self-insured plan. The deadlines are: Employees must submit their 1095-C forms by March 3, 2025, at the latest. IRS-required copies of 1094-C and 1095-C forms are due by March 31, 2025, if filing online, or February 28 if filing on paper. We are dedicated to providing exceptional service, so please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated Total Benefit Solutions health… Read More

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Binder Payment Deadline for January 1 Effective Dates

Loramei Romeo

New members with a plan must make their first payment by December 31, 2024, and their plan would be effective on January 1, 2025. The payment is a must to activate their coverage and begin using their benefits. To maintain their coverage, members from Florida and Indiana who are registered in a 2024 Bronze| Silver| Gold (Core) network plan and are subsequently enrolled in a 2025 Premier network plan must make a binder payment by December 31, 2024. Auto Pay is worry free and saves time. To ensure they always make their payment on time, members can set up a monthly recurring payment. Members can register via the Ambetter App… Read More

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Deadline for Small Employer Open Enrollment is approaching

Loramei Romeo

We would like to remind you about the Small Employer Open Enrollment Period for fully insured health plans in every state, even though this has been in effect for years. Each year the period for Small Employer Open Enrollment Period is from November 15 to December 15. Employers who fit the carrier’s definition of a small employer but do not fulfill the participation or contribution requirements will be eligible to enroll in a small employer plan with an effective date of January 1. Employer groups participating during the Small Employer Open Enrollment Period must submit completed applications to carriers after November 15th and by noon December 15th. We are dedicated… Read More

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Gag Clause Prohibition Attestation Under the Consolidated Appropriation Act 

Loramei Romeo

Under the Consolidate Appropriations Act (CAA), health plans are prohibited from signing contracts that limit the precise data and information they can provide to third parties. Every year, plans are required to provide an attestation confirming that they have not entered any prohibited contractual restrictions. According to Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (Excellus BCBS) we will be completing the attestation on behalf of our fully insured and minimal premium groups for the duration they had with Excellus BCBS coverage in 2024. Please inform these groups that we will be finishing the attestation on their behalf by the deadline of December 31, 2024, if you hear any questions from them regarding gag clause… Read More

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Main Line Health may part ways with Medicare Advantage network in Pennsylvania

Loramei Romeo

Main Line Health in Pennsylvania has a long relationship with Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage (MA). Unfortunately, negotiation has not been reached between Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage and Main Line Health in Pennsylvania, because of this effective on January 1, 2025, Main Line Health in Pennsylvania will not be a part of MA network. Customers have been notified via letter. A new Primary Care Physician (PCP) recommendation will be included to customers who are assigned to PCP from Main Line Health. To change to another PCP customers can contact Cigna Healthcare MA. Customers would be reassigned to the recommended PCP if they do not contact Cigna Healthcare. Customers with a PCP… Read More

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WellSpan part ways with United Healthcare’s commercial network

Loramei Romeo

As of Nov 1, 2024 the facilities, hospitals, and physicians of WellSpan Health are out of network for UnitedHealthcare employer-sponsored commercial plans. WellSpan declined the proposals to extend the contract to ensure continued access to the health system while continuing to negotiate. Also, proposals that would ensure WellSpan Health to be reimbursed at more reasonable rates. WellSpan Health continued to seek unsustainable price increases, with its facilities costing over 30% more than the average of all other hospitals in south-central and eastern Pennsylvania that are members of our commercial network. A cost-effective solution that restores WellSpan Health’s network connectivity is still our top priority, and we will continue to negotiate… Read More

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In 2025, would you like more?

Loramei Romeo

HSA funds are carried over each year.  Why not increase your savings? Additionally, if you contribute to your HAS before the year ends, you can lower your income that is subject to taxes. For self-only coverage, the maximum contribution in 2024 is $4,150, and for family coverage, it is $8,300. Moreover, if you are at least 55, you will receive an additional $1,000 catch-up contribution. Employer contributions, direct transfers, and payroll deductions are all included in the annual cap. We’re sure you are as excited about this as we are!  Please reach out if you have any questions. We are dedicated to providing exceptional service, so please do not hesitate… Read More

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Guide to more savings and benefits & Letters to MA customers

Loramei Romeo

Guide to more savings and benefits The discounts for the Medicare supplements insurance provides savings that can be used by customers to reinvest in additional coverage. The discount is up to 20% with combined household discounts which are, discount for more than one member of the household holds a policy is 14% and discount when a customer lives with one or more people is 6%. The supplemental benefits are fit for client’s needs in cancer treatment, choice accident, dental, vision, hearing, hospital indemnity, lump sum cancer, lump sum heart attack, and stroke. Letters mailed to Medicare Advantage customers There are different versions of Benefits at a Glance (BAAG), letters regarding… Read More

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WELLSPAN CONTINUES TO BE IN NETWORK WITH UHC!

Loramei Romeo

We are excited to announce that as of 12/1/2024,  Wellspan Health will continue to be a partner in care for UnitedHealthcare’s DSNP and ISNP members. We have also expanded the DSNP network to include ALL Wellspan Providers. We’re sure you are as excited about this as we are!  Please reach out if you have any questions. We are dedicated to providing exceptional service, so please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated Total Benefit Solutions health insurance specialists at (215)-355-2121 or fill out the contact form below. We are available to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have.

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Required Attestation regarding the Gag Clause by December 31, 2024

Loramei Romeo

By December 31st of each year, insurance companies and plans sponsor of group health plans are required to provide the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) with information certifying that their plan or policies do not include illegal gag provisions. The due date for the subsequent attestation is December 31, 2024. Clients are receiving notifications from carriers and TPAs regarding their plan to adhere to the Gag Clause Prohibition Compliance Attestation. Once more, it appears that the different carriers/TPAs will not handle the attestation requirements the same way. For fully insured plans both the plan and carrier must file attestation if the group health plan is fully insured; however,… Read More

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Communications from providers about temporary ID cards

Loramei Romeo

Temporary member ID cards were mailed to members from large group with fully insured clients the transition of enhanced operation began in July. The cards contain the new member’s ID number. Our provider communications team has sent out messages to our contracted providers to let them know that these cards should be accepted. Which also includes instructions on how to process bills and how to confirm member’s eligibility when: In order to reinforce this message and give them more guidance, we redistribute this content the week of October 28 after it had previously been disseminated through our regular communication channels. Have Questions? and want to read more about the changes? Provider… Read More

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December and January renewals deadlines

Loramei Romeo

Clients renewing in December, November 12 is the deadline to complete the enrollments, after this the enrollment will still be accepted but there will be delays with the member ID cards. Which includes small and large groups whether they are fully insured, self-funded clients, with both active and passive renewals. When enrolling later than November 12 after receiving completed enrollment the ID cards will be mailed after ten business days. To access new member ID number online it will take six business days after receiving complete enrollment. Clients renewing in January, Because of the anticipated volume of enrollment changes and new enrollments which adds additional processing time the deadline is… Read More

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