Marketplace Health Insurance – Page 15 – Total Benefit Solutions Inc

IBC: Special Care program ending

April 24, 2014Ed MacConnell

As you may already know, the Independence Blue Cross Special Care SM* health care plan will terminate on June 30, 2014. Because the Special Care plan is ending, the individuals who are currently enrolled in this plan will be eligible for a special enrollment period to sign up for a plan that is compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Special Care members qualify for a special enrollment period All Special Care members will be eligible for a special enrollment period , which will allow them to enroll in an individual or family health plan. Members will have from May 1 to August 29, 2014 to enroll in a health plan… Read More

Healthcare.gov Users Prompted To Change Passwords Because Of Heartbleed Risk.

April 21, 2014Ed MacConnell

The CBS Evening News (4/20, story 8, 1:55, Glor) reported Sunday night that “visitors to the to Affordable Care website are being advised to take steps to protect themselves” from Heartbleed, the online security flaw. Mark Albert reported over the weekend, healthcare.gov made the move to “reset everyone’s account password.” Saturday evening, the NBC Nightly News (4/19, story 7, 0:25, Holt) reported that people “with accounts on healthcare.gov are being told to change their passwords after review found that the website was vulnerable to the security breach bug.” The Hill (4/19, Wilson) “Hillicon Valley” blog reported that the call to change log in information for the site were “out of… Read More

Health Reform: Find out if You Qualify for a Health Insurance Coverage Exemption

April 18, 2014April 17, 2014Ed MacConnell

The Affordable Care Act calls for individuals to have qualifying health insurance coverage for each month of the year, have an exemption, or make a shared responsibility payment when filing his or her federal income tax return. You may be exempt from the requirement to maintain qualifying health insurance coverage, called minimum essential coverage, and may not have to make a shared responsibility payment when you file your next federal income tax return. You may be exempt if you: Have no affordable coverage options because the minimum amount you must pay for the annual premiums is more than eight percent of your household income, Have a gap in coverage… Read More

COMPLIANCE NOTICE: Individual Health Plans as Employee Benefits Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

April 16, 2014April 14, 2014Ed MacConnell

COMPLIANCE NOTICE: Individual Health Plans as Employee Benefits Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Released on September 13, 2013, IRS Notice 2013-54 addresses the viability of individual health insurance plans as a tax-advantaged employee benefit under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Unfortunately, the news was not good for employers wanting to offer such plans to their employees: the IRS determined that such plans are prohibited under the ACA. PLEASE CLICK BELOW TO DOWNLOAD THE RELEASE FROM AMERIFLEX… COMPLIANCE_ Individual Health Plans as Employee Benefits Under the Affordable Care Act

Health Reform: Law Repeals Deductible Limits for Small Group Plans

April 14, 2014Ed MacConnell

The Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014, legislation extending the “doc fix” for Medicare payments, also includes a provision that repeals the maximum deductible limits applicable to many small group health plans. As you recall, deductible limits for non-grandfathered small group plans are capped under the ACA at $2,000 for single coverage and $4,000 for family coverage effective for the first plan year on or after January 1, 2014. This legislation repeals the deductible limits as of the date health care reform was enacted (March 23, 2010). Click here to download the bulletin

Ed MacConnell earns Voluntary Benefits Certification

April 2, 2014March 30, 2014Ed MacConnell

We are pleased to announce that Edward T MacConnell, President of Total Benefit Solutions has earned the certification of Certified Voluntary Worksite Professional from the National Association of Health Underwriters. Voluntary/Worksite products are not new to the employee benefit industry. However, the surge of interest in these products has accelerated as employers seek ways to help attract and retain talent. The industry has responded swiftly with new products, new features, new enrollment technologies and many changes to the underwriting rules of these products. This has created new responsibilities for agents, brokers and consultants as advising clients in this area will differentiate their value to the consumers they serve. Certified Voluntary Worksite… Read More

HR4302 Bill Passes: Repeals limitation on deductibles for employer-sponsored health plans

April 1, 2014Ed MacConnell

On March 31, 2014 President Obama signed into law Bill HR4302 – Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014, sometimes called the “Doc Fix” bill. While the primary purpose of this bill was to prevent the automatic cuts to physician Medicare payments, this bill also included a significant modification to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This bill included a section that ends the limitations on deductibles that were set at $2,000/individual and $4,000/family within the ACA on small group employer sponsored health plans, and made the effective date retroactive to the original enactment of the ACA. The act states: SEC. 213. ELIMINATION OF LIMITATION ON DEDUCTIBLES FOR EMPLOYER-SPONSORED HEALTH PLANS.… Read More

HHS to Extend Marketplace Enrollment Deadline

March 31, 2014Ed MacConnell

The Washington Post has reported that HHS has released regulations extending the Marketplace open enrollment deadline to around mid-April for individuals who began, but did not complete, a Marketplace application. The extension appears to be based on a self-certification (honor) system, in which individuals attest that they could not timely complete the Marketplace application before the March 31 deadline. This extension may have an impact on employer-sponsored plans to the extent individuals have more time to elect Marketplace benefits and therefore may decline employer-sponsored coverage at the next OE. Keep in mind that IRS cafeteria plan rules currently do not recognize enrollment in a Marketplace plan as a qualified status… Read More

My Experience with Obamacare: A Freelancer Applies for Health Insurance

March 25, 2014March 25, 2014Ed MacConnell

Our friends at Zane Benefits recently shared this comic and I enjoyed it so much I thought you might like it too: Click here to see the rest of the comic on zanebenefits.com Click here to see the rest of the comic on zanebenefits.com

Affordable Care Act: Open Enrollment ENDS at 11:59PM EST on March 31, 2014

March 24, 2014Ed MacConnell

Open Enrollment ENDS 11:59PM EST on March 31, 2014 · 2014 Penalty is $95 or 1% of your income, whichever is GREATER · A single person making between $11,490 and $45,960 will receive a subsidy to help you purchase insurance · NO one can be turned down · NO health questions · You can enroll on the www.healthcare.gov and do everything yourself or a licensed independent broker, like Total Benefit Solutions Inc. can assist you with choosing a plan that is PERFECT for YOU, on the marketplace or off. Independent brokers are licensed, certified and insured. A Broker is also FREE & CONFIDENTIAL! Call us before the end of open enrollment 1(800)924-6718

Small Business Health Care Tax Credit FAQs

March 24, 2014March 24, 2014Ed MacConnell

Small employers that pay at least half of the premiums for employee health insurance coverage under a qualifying arrangement may be eligible for the small business health care tax credit. The credit is specifically targeted to small businesses and tax-exempt organizations that primarily employ 25 or fewer workers with average income of $50,000 or less ($50,800 for calendar year 2014). To be eligible, you must cover at least 50 percent of the cost of single (not family) health care coverage for each of your employees. You must also have fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs). Those employees must have average wages of less than $50,000 (as adjusted for inflation… Read More

The Truth Agents/Brokers & FFM Navigators The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

March 18, 2014Ed MacConnell

The Truth Agents/Brokers & FFM Navigators The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Shared with permission from B. Ronnell Nolan, HIA, CHRS-President/CEO – HAFA Financial Media Group, LLC, Centennial, CO, compiles this information annually. There are approximately 1.2 million licensed insurance agents nationally. The 1.2 million does not include the staff of licensed agents employed throughout the United States. After adding the staff, imagine the millions of people that Agents represent, educate and protect on a daily basis! With the passing of the ACA, Health Agents for America, Inc. was formed to create a tool box for Agents to use in educating the citizens of their local communities. HAFA is known to… Read More

Health Reform: Regulations Issued on Waiting Periods

March 12, 2014March 12, 2014Ed MacConnell

For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2014, a group health plan and an insurance carrier offering group health insurance coverage may not apply any waiting period that exceeds 90 days. This rule applies to both grandfathered and non-grandfathered plans. It should be noted that nothing in the Affordable Care Act requires a group health plan or carrier to have a waiting period Click here to download the bulletin

IBC: July 1 rate increase for individual medically underwritten plans

March 9, 2014Ed MacConnell

IBC: We want to let you know that the monthly rates for our individual medically underwritten plans will increase in July 2014. We are notifying members muchearlier than is required to give them the opportunity to enroll in a plan that is compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The reason for the rate increase. We understand that it can be difficult to afford quality health insurance coverage. While we continue to work hard to keep costs down, the cost of health care continues to rise along with our member utilization. This is why it’s necessary for Independence Blue Cross (IBC) to implement an 11.5 percent rate increase. Click the link below to read… Read More

Total Benefit Solutions Makes Enrolling Easier

March 1, 2014March 1, 2014Ed MacConnell

In an effort to meet the enrollment challenges that many are facing under healthcare reform, Total Benefit Solutions Inc has designed a custom form for our clients to use. Using this form and submitting it to Total Benefit Solutions Inc will enable our Marketplace trained and certified licensed independent brokers to assist you in the enrollment process from the registration right through the enrollment! Remember as your independent broker we always work in your best interests, not an insurance company. We represent you, our client and not an insurer or government agency. Click the link below to open the form and get started! When completed, just click the link to… Read More

Humana-When to Enroll: Important Deadlines under the Affordable Care Act

February 25, 2014February 22, 2014Ed MacConnell

Have you enrolled? Open enrollment is ending soon! Do you know when? Watch this video from Humana and learn more, then call your Total Benefit Solutions Advisor at (215)355-2121 and get enrolled without any further delay!

Affordable Care Act Video: IBX Answers Five Common Questions

February 25, 2014February 22, 2014Ed MacConnell

Not Sure if you qualify? Ask your Total Benefit Solutions Advisor at (215)355-2121

Affordable Care Act Video: Subsidies and Tax Credits

February 22, 2014February 22, 2014Ed MacConnell

Under the Affordable Care Act, individuals and families may qualify for financial assistants to help pay for health care coverage. Age, family size and total household income are the factors that will determine your eligibility for subsidies and tax credits. Answer a few simple questions to learn if you might qualify for financial support: click here or ask your Total Benefit Solutions Adviser to help you by calling us today at (215)355-2121. This short video from Independence Blue Cross makes it easy to understand how they work.

2014 Federal Poverty Levels Released

February 8, 2014Ed MacConnell

The Department of Health and Human Services has announced the Federal Poverty Line (“FPL”) amounts, as indexed for 2014. Why is this Important? Beginning in 2015, large employers may be subject to the employer penalty under the Affordable Care Act if they do not offer affordable, minimum value coverage to all full-time employees and at least one full-time employee receives a subsidy in the Exchange. The FPL is relevant to the affordability of the coverage, as well as the eligibility for a subsidy. Click the link below to download this important bulletin 2014 FPL Announced – 020314R Remember: Your independent broker at Total Benefit Solutions, Inc. can help you compare, choose and enroll in a plan on the… Read More

Category: Marketplace Health Insurance

IBC: Special Care program ending

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Healthcare.gov Users Prompted To Change Passwords Because Of Heartbleed Risk.

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Health Reform: Find out if You Qualify for a Health Insurance Coverage Exemption

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COMPLIANCE NOTICE: Individual Health Plans as Employee Benefits Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

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Health Reform: Law Repeals Deductible Limits for Small Group Plans

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Ed MacConnell earns Voluntary Benefits Certification

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HR4302 Bill Passes: Repeals limitation on deductibles for employer-sponsored health plans

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HHS to Extend Marketplace Enrollment Deadline

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My Experience with Obamacare: A Freelancer Applies for Health Insurance

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Affordable Care Act: Open Enrollment ENDS at 11:59PM EST on March 31, 2014

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Small Business Health Care Tax Credit FAQs

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The Truth Agents/Brokers & FFM Navigators The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

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Health Reform: Regulations Issued on Waiting Periods

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IBC: July 1 rate increase for individual medically underwritten plans

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Total Benefit Solutions Makes Enrolling Easier

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Humana-When to Enroll: Important Deadlines under the Affordable Care Act

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Affordable Care Act Video: IBX Answers Five Common Questions

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Affordable Care Act Video: Subsidies and Tax Credits

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2014 Federal Poverty Levels Released

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