Healtcare Reform Law

Small Business Health Care Tax Credit FAQs

Ed 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

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

Ed 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

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Health Reform: Regulations Issued on Waiting Periods

Ed 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

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IBC: July 1 rate increase for individual medically underwritten plans

Ed 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

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Total Benefit Solutions Makes Enrolling Easier

Ed 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

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

Ed 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!  

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Affordable Care Act Video: IBX Answers Five Common Questions

Ed MacConnell

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

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Affordable Care Act Video: Subsidies and Tax Credits

Ed 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.

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Healtcare Reform Law

2014 Federal Poverty Levels Released

Ed 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

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