Total Benefit Solutions is proud to announce that we have become a founding member of the Greater Philadelphia chapter of the Geriatric Advisory Council to better serve the needs of our senior clients. The Geriatric Advisory Council is a professional organization comprised of local businesses and non-profit organizations who are focused on eldercare and senior related issues.The council was formed with the mission of assisting seniors and their caregivers by providing FREE educational resources along with targeted referrals to help caregivers provide the quality of life care that their loved ones need and deserve. Click here to learn more about the GAC and the professional resources available.
Continue ReadingVideo: Independence Blue Cross Medicare Plans
Enjoy the latest TV Commercial from Independence Blue Cross about their Medicare supplement plans. Remember, Independence Blue Cross is just one of the many insurers that Total Benefit Solutions works with, on the healthcare.gov marketplace, on the private market, in the senior market and also small groups. Call us at (215)355-2121 to see if IBC has a plan that’s a good fit for you.
Continue ReadingTake Advantage of Medicare’s Free Preventive Services
Many seniors are unaware that preventive tests, screenings and counseling sessions are now available for free, with no copays or deductibles, thanks to the Affordable Care Act. More than 60 million people took advantage of these services, at no cost to themselves, during the first three years after the services became free in 2011, according to government reports. Click the link below to download a list from Medicare for Dummies of Medicare preventative services. Medicares-preventive-services-chart13 Questions about Medicare eligibility, open enrollment, supplements, health plans or PDP drug cards? Total Benefit Solutions, Inc. has a dedicated team of Medicare health plan professionals who are trained, annually re-certified, licensed and… Read More
Continue ReadingFraud, Waste & Abuse-Did You Know?
Fraud, Waste & Abuse: did you know? As a nation, we spend over $2.7 trillion on healthcare every year, and it is estimated that tens of billions are lost each year to FWA. One recent study estimated that fraud and abuse added as much as $98 billion to annual spending on Medicare and Medicaid. It affects not only the cost but quality of care received. Combating healthcare fraud in Medicare and Medicaid is an important priority for the Federal Government. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Federal agency responsible for administering these programs, takes its role in leading anti-fraud efforts very seriously and has issued strict requirements… Read More
Continue ReadingWhat about Medicare Supplements or Medigap Policies?
Medicare Supplements or Medigap Plans A Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy, sold by private companies, can help pay some of the health care costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Some Medigap policies also offer coverage for services that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like medical care when you travel outside the U.S. If you have Original Medicare and you buy a Medigap policy, Medicare will pay its share of the Medicare-approved amount for covered health care costs. Then your Medigap policy pays its share. A Medigap policy is different from a Medicare Advantage Plan. Those plans are ways to get Medicare benefits, while a Medigap policy… Read More
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CMS has uploaded a new video Medicare & You: Cervical cancer
Get information about how Medicare can help you detect cervical and vaginal cancer.
Continue ReadingTotal Benefit Solutions New Individual Dental & Vision Choices
As always at Total Benefit Solutions Inc, we are looking for ways to help our clients get the coverages they need. With our new dental and vision enrollment portal we can now offer individual dental and vision plans from top notch insurers like Delta Dental and Davis Vision. Easy to quote and easy to enroll! Try it today and see for yourself by clicking here
Continue ReadingMedicare Supplements: Did You Know?
Medicare Supplements: Did You Know? Medicare supplements do not have an annual open enrollment! Medicare beneficiaries on supplement plans can do comparative shopping and change plans (if qualified)at anytime during the year! If you have not checked your rates in two years or more, chances are there is a better rate available now. Medicare supplements are often called Medigap plans. Medicare supplements are not the same as Medicare Advantage plans. Medicare Part A and B do offer relatively good coverage, however they do not pay for all the expenses you will incur as a patient. Most Medicare supplements do not cover prescription drugs, dental, eyeglass or gym memberships. Standard Medigap plans are… Read More
Continue ReadingIf an employee turns age 65 this month and enrolls in Medicare Part A, can he still receive/contribute funds into an HSA?
Question: If an employee turns age 65 this month and enrolls in Medicare Part A, can he still receive/contribute funds into an HSA until the end of the year or must he enroll in a different plan now? Answer: If an employee is enrolled in Medicare, then beginning with the first month the employee is enrolled in Medicare, he can no longer contribute to the health savings account (HSA). However, the money that is already there is still his. Note that whether or not the employee is eligible to make new HSA contributions, existing HSA account funds are not affected. Even if the employee is no longer HSA-eligible, he or… Read More
Continue ReadingGroup Health Plan Notices 2015 CALENDAR
Group Health Plan Notices 2015 CALENDAR From our partners at HR360: This calendar/checklist is designed to help companies review the key reporting and notice requirements that may apply to their employer-sponsored group health plans under ERISA , the Affordable cxare Act, Medicare and more. Please note that this list is for general reference purposes only and is not all-inclusive. Note: ERISA and benefit requirements are complex, and your plan’s responsibilities may vary depending on the individual circumstances surrounding your company’s plan. Employers who have questions are encouraged to consult with their plan administrators, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, or a knowledgeable employment law attorney… Read More
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2014 Compliance Bulletin Compilation
Download our 2014 Compliance Bulletin Compilation, featuring all of our released compliance bulletins for the entire year! Topics include, Health Savings Accounts, The Individual Mandate, Employer “pay or play” mandate, exemptions, FSA carryovers and much, much more. All of the bulletins are in an easy to search format for your convenience. 2014 Compliance Compilation – Download As always please contact your Total Benefit Solutions account manager at (215)355-02121 if you have any further questions or concerns.
Continue ReadingGilead makes exclusive deal with CVS for hepatitis C drugs
(Bloomberg) — Gilead Sciences Inc. agreed to make its hepatitis C medicines the exclusive treatments for CVS Health Corp. customers, intensifying a drug-industry rivalry to win patients for the $1,000-a-day medicines. Read the news story by clicking here.
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Total Benefit Solutions is your Marketplace Navigator
What do you get with Total Benefit Solutions as your Marketplace Navigator? A broker who is Unbiased and objective Trained Local Certified Licensed Insured Up to date Representing you Part of a team of dedicated professionals Click here for more information and to see our “Marketplace Navigator” brochure: Individual Enrollment Navigator Brochure
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2015 Medicare Part B premiums and deductibles to remain the same as last two years
Premiums, copays and deductibles for other Medicare programs for 2015 also announced Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell announced today that next year’s standard Medicare Part B monthly premium and deductible will remain the same as the last two years. Medicare Part B covers physicians’ services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, durable medical equipment, and other items. For the approximately 49 million Americans enrolled in Medicare Part B, premiums and deductibles will remain unchanged in 2015 at $104.90 and $147, respectively. This leaves more of seniors’ cost of living adjustment from Social Security in their pockets.
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Medicare: Medicare & You Online
Did you know? You can go paperless and get your Medicare and You Handbook Online! As always, if you have any questions about Medicare health plans, please contact your Total Benefit Solutions account manager at (800)924-6718 or (215)355-2121.
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Amerihealth: Medicare PDP RX Plans Going Away
AmeriHealth® Medicare Rx PDP Non-Renewal This week, AmeriHealth Medicare Rx PDP members will receive a non-renewal notice in the mail. Coverage will end for these members on December 31, 2014. This non-renewal applies only to AmeriHealth Option I and II stand-alone prescription drug plans. Members will need to enroll in another Medicare drug plan in order to get prescription drug coverage for 2015. AmeriHealth Rx PDP members will be given a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to enroll in a new prescription drug plan. Members can enroll in a new plan anytime from October 15, 2014 through February 28, 2015. If members do not choose a new plan during this time, they… Read More
Continue ReadingMedicare: Video-Parts of Medicare
CMSHHSgov has uploaded Medicare & You: Different Parts Of Medicare : As always, if you have any questions about Medicare health plans, please contact your Total Benefit Solutions account manager at (800)924-6718 or (215)355-2121.
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Medicare Part D: Reminder to Distribute Creditable Coverage Notice
Medicare Part D: Reminder to Distribute Creditable Coverage Notice Employers who sponsor a group health plan with prescription drug benefits are required to notify their Medicare-eligible participants and beneficiaries as to whether the drug coverage provided under the plan is “creditable” or “non-creditable.” This notification must be provided prior to October 15th each year. Please click the link below to read the detailed bulletin. Medicare Part D Reminder-091914R
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Medicare: What are the STAR ratings?
Many of our clients ask us what the STAR ratings for each health plan really mean. Medicare.gov gives us the answer as: The Overall Star Rating combines scores for the types of services each plan offers: What is being measured? For plans covering health services, the overall score for quality of those services covers 36 different topics in 5 categories: Staying healthy: screenings, tests, and vaccines: Includes whether members got various screening tests, a yearly flu shot, and other check-ups that help them stay healthy. Managing chronic (long-term) conditions: Includes how often members with different conditions got certain tests and treatments that help them manage their condition. Member experience with the health plan: Includes… Read More
Continue ReadingUnited Healthcare: National Medicare Education Week
Do you find Medicare confusing? If so, you’re not alone. We recently conducted a survey1 that found that nearly 60 percent of Medicare beneficiaries described their understanding of Medicare as either “excellent” or “good,” but most were not able to correctly identify the health care expenses that each “part” of Medicare covers. And many said they found certain aspects of Medicare confusing. But, there’s some good news: Anyone can master Medicare with some help and education. That’s exactly why UnitedHealthcare created National Medicare Education Week (Sept. 15 – 21), an official week dedicated to Medicare education. National Medicare Education Week is meant to encourage people to spend time learning about… Read More
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Third Annual National Medicare Education Week Offers Help Before Open Enrollment Period
Educational events and online resources to help baby boomers, Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers learn more about Medicare MINNETONKA, Minn. (Sep. 08, 2014) — The third annual National Medicare Education Week begins Monday, Sept. 15, exactly one month before the start of Medicare’s annual Open Enrollment Period (Oct. 15-Dec. 7). The observance was created to help people learn more about Medicare. Since National Medicare Education Week began in 2012, thousands of people have participated in educational events during the week in more than 60 cities across the country. This year, National Medicare Education Week events will be held for the first time in Boston, Salt Lake City and Richmond, Virginia; a… Read More
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Medicare Update: Medicare is no longer prevented from recognizing same-sex marriages
Medicare is no longer prevented from recognizing same-sex marriages Special Update: As a result of the June 2013 U.S. Supreme Court ruling invalidating part of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which denied federal benefits to legally married same-sex couples,Medicare is no longer prevented from recognizing same-sex marriages for determining entitlement to, or eligibility for, Medicare. The Social Security Administration is now processing requests for Medicare Part A and Part B Special Enrollment Periods, as well as reductions in late enrollment penalties, for certain eligible individuals in same-sex marriages. Click here for more information.
Continue ReadingTotal Benefit Solutions to partner with ThinkHR
In another effort to enhance our client experience and bring value to our small business clients, Total Benefit Solutions is proud to announce that we have entered into an agreement to provide Think HR. Soon our clients will get an introductory e-mail with instructions on how to access their complimentary ThinkHR account. We expect to have this resource available to our clients in September 2014, just in time for this year’s open enrollment period! Think HR will help our clients: Stay up to date with the latest news and resources Remain compliant with best practices from HR professionals Build tools like job… Read More
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UnitedHealthcare is introducing a new wellness initiative
UnitedHealthcare is introducing a new wellness initiative called ‘At Your Best’ as a pilot program to New Jersey consumers who are enrolled in an AARP® Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan, insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company. This new pilot program, which was introduced in mid-June, is a personalized health and wellness solution designed to help AARP Medicare Supplement insured members improve their overall health and wellness. Please note: All ‘At Your Best’ program communications will take place after the member is enrolled. About the ‘At Your Best’ program The ‘At Your Best’ program is for insured members of an AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan. The program offers support through online health resources,… Read More
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What is Critical Illness Insurance?
Why Critical Illness as a “wrap” plan Because: They’re more affordable than you might think. They’re available for employer groups, individuals and seniors. They make selecting a health plan easier. They provide peace of mind against a catastrophic event and large out of pocket expenses. They’re person and portable, it doesn’t matter where you get your health insurance from, having your own critical illness plan makes it better. Many clients have asked how they can supplement their employees coverage when they get enrolled through the affordable care act healthcare.gov marketplace. Employers are permitted to offer wrap plans that consist of “excepted benefits”, meaning they are not regulated by the affordable… Read More
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