Insurance – Total Benefit Solutions Inc

Main Line Health and Lifeline Medical Associates

January 8, 2025Loramei Romeo

Highmark Medicare Advantage participants will no longer have in-network access to Main Line Health providers and facilities as of January 1, 2025. In the beginning of October, Highmark notified members who were affected by this disruption that Main Line Health might become out-of-network. Members should contact the member services number shown on the back of their ID card if they have any issues concerning continuity of care or how to locate another in-network provider or facility. For FEP, ACA, and CHIP members of Highmark, Main Line Health remains in-network. Lifeline Medical Associates (DE): Highmark ACA Members’ Out-of-Network Date Is Extended to March 2, 2025, Subject to Ongoing Negotiations We spoke… Read More

Changes for Prescription Drug Coverage

January 7, 2025Loramei Romeo

SJRA and Larchmont Facilities returns to Horizon’s Network

January 3, 2025January 3, 2025Loramei Romeo

South Jersey Radiology Associates (SJRA) which includes Larchmont Medical Imaging has made an agreement with Horizon BCBSNJ. On January 1, 2025, they will return to the network. *SJRA services are regarded as out of network if they are provided between April 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024. There will be no retroactive processing of claims. 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.

Independence – Update regarding ID Cards for January 1st IBX Customers

January 2, 2025January 2, 2025Loramei Romeo

The IBX Team has provided us the following update regarding ID Cards for January 1st Customers. Due to the large volume of cards being processed and mailed for January, members may not receive their physical ID cards before January 1. To ensure uninterrupted access to care for members with ID cards processing in the second half of December, letters are being mailed to plan subscribers containing their new member ID numbers and ID numbers for all covered dependents. The sample letter is attached, and it’s important to note these members can access their ID cards on the portal until they receive the physical card. We’re just trying to be proactive… Read More

Changes for Prescription Drug Coverage

December 27, 2024December 27, 2024Loramei Romeo

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.

FAQ 68 Addresses Preventive Care and Mastectomy Coverage

December 24, 2024December 24, 2024Loramei 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

New Jersey Releases 2025 Disability and Family Leave Amounts

December 20, 2024December 20, 2024Loramei 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

New PCOR fee Announced

December 20, 2024December 20, 2024Loramei 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

ACA Compliance for Forms 1094-C + 1095-C

December 19, 2024December 19, 2024Loramei 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

Binder Payment Deadline for January 1 Effective Dates

December 6, 2024December 6, 2024Loramei 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

Deadline for Small Employer Open Enrollment is approaching

December 4, 2024December 4, 2024Loramei 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

Gag Clause Prohibition Attestation Under the Consolidated Appropriation Act

November 25, 2024November 25, 2024Loramei 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

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

November 22, 2024November 22, 2024Loramei 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

WellSpan part ways with United Healthcare’s commercial network

November 21, 2024November 21, 2024Loramei 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

Guide to more savings and benefits & Letters to MA customers

November 18, 2024November 18, 2024Loramei 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

WELLSPAN CONTINUES TO BE IN NETWORK WITH UHC!

November 15, 2024Loramei 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.

Required Attestation regarding the Gag Clause by December 31, 2024

November 14, 2024November 14, 2024Loramei 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

Communications from providers about temporary ID cards

November 13, 2024November 13, 2024Loramei 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

December and January renewals deadlines

November 11, 2024November 11, 2024Loramei 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

Departments Issue Final MHPAEA Regulations

October 11, 2024October 11, 2024Mirasol Bandong

The final rules for the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity of 2008 (MHPAEA) were released on September 9, 2024, by the Department of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury in order to guarantee that those seeking treatment for mental health (MH) or substance use disorder (SUD). MHPAEA provides nonquantitative treatment limitations (NQTLs) cannot be applied to MH/SUD unless they are equivalent and applied no more strictly for MH/SUD benefits than for medical/surgical benefits. The final rules amend the definitions of definition of “medical/surgical”, “mental health benefits”, and “substance use disorder benefits” by removing a reference to the state guidelines. The most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical… Read More

New Medicare Part-D Changes Affecting Employers for 2024-25

September 13, 2024September 13, 2024Mirasol Bandong

Dear Valued Client: We wanted to alert you to an upcoming change that could have a significant impact on Medicare-eligible employees and dependents who currently have group health coverage. Starting in 2025, Medicare Part D plans will have a $2,000 out-of-pocket limit. As CMS explains, this change, which is part of the Inflation Reduction Act, also includes measures like a $35 cap on insulin and new authority for Medicare to negotiate prices for certain high-cost drugs. The new $2,000 cap for Part D is particularly important because it could alter the status of many employer group health plans that currently provide drug coverage. Each year, employers must determine whether their prescription drug… Read More

Individual Health Insurance help is available for employer groups!

September 6, 2024September 6, 2024Ed MacConnell

Why do group clients need help with an Individual health insurance expert? Here are some scenarios when groups need individual solutions:

What is a level funded health insurance plan?

September 1, 2024September 1, 2024Ed MacConnell

A level-funded plan is a type of self-funded plan in which the employer contributes a steady monthly payment to cover costs for administration, claims payments, and stop-loss insurance. Level funding has its advantages when compared to fully insured plans and programs. Level-funded plans often cost less, making it easier for small- and mid-sized employers to offer their employees high-quality health care benefits at a more affordable price. Total Benefit Solutions, Inc offers small- to mid-sized employers an opportunity to have a level-funded plan for their business through a Self-Funded Program. We work with many different carriers who offer level funded programs. These carriers change by State. How does the plan… Read More

Cigna Changes to MA ID cards

August 26, 2024August 23, 2024Mirasol Bandong

As with the 2025 plan year, our Medicare Advantage ID cards will be altered. By utilizing our digital portals to obtain a member’s current PCP, treating providers will be encouraged to use them more efficiently, which will prevent needless treatment delays brought on by the referral process. See what’s changing below, so you’re ready to answer any customer questions this upcoming AEP. What’s changing? 2024 2025 What is staying the same? When are these changes occurring? Members in HMO plans are still required to maintain a PCP New enrollees with a 1/1/2025 effective date will start receiving ID cards without PCP information as soon as 10/15/2024. The PCP network name… Read More

Important Changes to Medicare Drug Coverage for 2025

August 24, 2024August 31, 2024Ed MacConnell

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has resulted in significant changes to Part D including: Elimination of the Coverage Gap or “donut hole”A new $2,000 out-of-pocket spending capA shift in cost sharing responsibility in the catastrophic coverage phaseA new cost sharing smoothing option called the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan These changes have an enormous impact on your Medicare coverage in 2025 for nearly all those on Medicare including Medicare beneficiaries who are still choosing their employer plans. Please review your ANOC carefully for your 2025 coverage and contact your Total Benefit Solutions Inc health insurance experts if you have any questions or concerns about how these changes impact you and your… Read More

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