What is cost sharing?

The share of costs covered by your insurance that you out of your own pocket. This term generally includes deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, or similar charges, but it doesn’t include premiums, balance billing amounts for non-network providers, or the cost of non-covered services. Cost sharing in Medicaid and CHIP also includes premiums. As always, please contact your Total Benefit Solutions health insurance specialists today at (215)355-2121.

Continue Reading

What is a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) and what qualifies a consumer for an SEP?

A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is a time outside the annual Open Enrollment period when individuals may enroll in or change qualified health plans (QHPs). Individuals qualify for SEPs based on certain life events. Note that consumers can also qualify for an SEP during Open Enrollment; in certain situations, such as an SEP due to the birth of a child, an SEP during Open Enrollment can allow qualifying consumers’ coverage to start sooner than it would have if they had enrolled during Open Enrollment without the SEP. Events that permit an SEP include: Loss of qualifying health coverage (Note: This SEP does not include loss of coverage due to nonpayment… Read More

Continue Reading

Beam Teams with Angle Health to Deliver Dynamic Employee Benefits

Beam Dental is partnered with Angle Health, a digital-first healthcare benefits providers for the modern employee. Through the partnership with Beam, Angle can now attach best-in-class dental benefits to their innovative healthcare products, creating a more comprehensive and robust benefits package for employers. “There is tremendous activity and innovation in the small group health space right now. Angle is an exciting addition to this space,” said Andy Hutter, Beam’s Director of Digital Distribution. “Angle’s vision for modernizing healthcare aligns well with Beam’s own vision, and we are very excited to deliver a powerful combination of innovative coverage to the market.” Beam is changing and modernizing the dental insurance industry by… Read More

Continue Reading

Health Partners Medicare has added all Dedicated Senior Medical Center locations

Health Partners Medicare has added all Dedicated Senior Medical Center locations to its provider network. Dedicated Senior Medical Center is a family-owned primary and specialty care practice committed to delivering superior healthcare to Medicare-eligible seniors. The agreement allows our members to visit any of the five Dedicated locations in Philadelphia. Health Partners Medicare is committed to strengthening our provider network throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. As always contact your Total Benefit Solutions Inc health insurance specialists at (215)355-2121 if you have any further questions or concerns.

Continue Reading

How does the Marketplace verify immigration status?

The Marketplace verifies the citizenship and immigration statuses of consumers applying for Marketplace coverage using several electronic systems. Citizenship and immigration information submitted in the Marketplace eligibility application will be checked against the Marketplace’s trusted data sources, including the Social Security Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Internal Revenue Service. If a consumer’s citizenship or immigration status cannot be verified, the Marketplace will notify the consumer of an inconsistency or data matching issue on their initial eligibility notice and ask them to submit additional information to resolve the inconsistency. As always, please contact your Total Benefit Solutions health insurance specialists with any questions or concerns at (215)355-2121.

Continue Reading

What is medical underwriting?

A process used by insurance companies to try to figure out your health status when you’re applying for health insurance coverage to determine whether to offer you coverage, at what price, and with what exclusions or limits. As always, please contact your Total Benefit Solutions health insurance specialists today at (215)355-2121.

Continue Reading

Can consumers who qualify for COBRA continuation coverage opt out of it and get coverage through the Marketplace instead?

Consumers who qualify for COBRA coverage can opt out of it and enroll in Marketplace coverage. However, voluntarily terminating COBRA continuation coverage does not make a consumer eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) based on loss of the COBRA continuation coverage. Note that all qualified enrollees eligible for COBRA continuation coverage can get the Marketplace subsidy, not just the employee who qualifies for the COBRA benefit, as long as they are not actually enrolled in the COBRA continuation coverage. As always, please contact your Total Benefit Solutions health insurance specialists with any questions or concerns at (215)355-2121.

Continue Reading

Get connected with the IBX Smartphone App

Download the free IBX app for your iPhone or Android to help you make the most of your Independence Blue Cross health plan. With new and improved features, the IBX app gives you easy access to your health care coverage 24/7, wherever you are. As always contact your Total Benefit Solutions, Inc health insurance professionals if you have any questions about this bulletin. Click here to read more.

Continue Reading

Open Enrollment Tips from Total Benefit Solutions!

As always, please contact your Total Benefit Solutions health insurance specialists today at (215)355-2121.

Continue Reading

Get assistance with your PENNIE health insurance account

Already on the health insurance Marketplace and need some help? Assigning Total Benefit Solutions, Inc is easy! Download the document and follow the steps. We will get notified and start helping you right away! Need more direction? Give us a call (215)355-2121 

Continue Reading

Inflation Reduction Act: Eliminates Cost Sharing for Adult Vaccines in Medicare Part D and Improves Access to Adult Vaccines in Medicaid & CHIP

Medicare Part D: Eliminates cost sharing for adult vaccines covered under Medicare Part D that are recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), such as for shingles Medicaid and CHIP: Requires state Medicaid and CHIP programs to cover all approved vaccines recommended by ACIP and vaccine administration, without cost sharing Have any questions regarding this notice? Don’t hesitate to contact your Total Benefit Solutions health insurance specialists today at (215)355-2121.

Continue Reading

New Jersey State Temporary Disability Rates Released

2023 Contribution Rates Released The Maximum Employee Contribution Rate, Employee and Employer Taxable Wage Base Officially announced on October 21th, 2022, by the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The 2023 DisabilityEmployEE Contribution Rate has been withdrawn and will be set at 0%; The 2023 Disability EmployEE Taxable Wage Base for will be $156.800 The 2023 Disability EmployEE Maximum Contribution will be $0.00 or Zero for this year. The 2023 Disability EmployER Maximum Taxable Wage Base Is $41,100. The 2023 Family Leave Insurance EmployEE Contribution rate will be .06% of the taxable wage base Contributions and Wages – January 1st, 2023 Taxable Wage & Rates EmployER EmployEE Annualized Wage… Read More

Continue Reading

What is a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)?

A type of health insurance plan that usually limits coverage to care from doctors who work for or contract with the HMO. It generally won’t cover out-of-network care except in an emergency. An HMO may require you to live or work in its service area to be eligible for coverage. HMOs often provide integrated care and focus on prevention and wellness. As always, please contact your Total Benefit Solutions health insurance specialists today at (215)355-2121.

Continue Reading

Pennie’s Open Enrollment Period for 2023 Coverage is Around the Corner  

 Pennie’s Open Enrollment Period for 2023 Coverage is Around the Corner: Pennie’s Open Enrollment Period will run from November 1, 2022, to January 15, 2023.  As a reminder, existing Pennie customers will be receiving auto-renewal notices this week with information on their 2023 plans.  Great news! Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, enhanced savings continue to be available for Pennie customers and those enrolling in coverage through Pennie! As always if you have any questions or concerns please contact your Pennie health insurance experts at Total Benefit Solutions Inc (215)355-2121  

Continue Reading

What Are Medicare Guaranteed Issue Rights?

Please contact your Total Benefit Solutions Inc Medicare health insurance specialists today at (215)355-2121 with any questions.

Continue Reading

CIGNA Supplemental Benefits Now Available Online

CIGNA’s Medicare supplements and dental/vision plans are available to quote and enroll online for your convenience! Just click the link below to get your quotes and as always contact your Total Benefit Solutions, Inc health insurance specialists at (215)355-2121 if you have any questions or concerns! Click here

Continue Reading

Inflation Reduction Act: Expands Eligibility for Full Benefits Under the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy Program

The Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) Program helps beneficiaries with their Part D premiums, deductibles, and cost sharing. Beneficiaries qualify for full or partial benefits depending on their income and resources. Current law: Beneficiaries qualify for full LIS benefits if they have income up to 135% of poverty and lower resources (up to $9,900 individual, $15,600 couple in 2022) Beneficiaries qualify for partial LIS benefits if they have income between 135-150% of poverty and higher resources (up to $15,510 individual, $30,950 couple in 2022) Inflation Reduction Act: Expands eligibility for full LIS benefits to individuals with incomes between 135% and 150% of poverty and higher resources (at or below the… Read More

Continue Reading

When can I buy a Medigap plan?

Continue Reading

Why Use Medicareful to Find Your Plan?

Medicare insurance can seem complex on your own. We’re here to help! Medicareful is an easy-to-use Medicare plan finder that compares some of the available plans in your area and connects you with a licensed sales agent who will guide you through enrollment. Whether it’s a Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage Part C Plan, or a Medicare Part D drug plan, we’ve got you covered. https://medicareful.com/totalbenefitsolutions

Continue Reading

Blue KC: Employer/Group Open Enrollment Dates – Mark Your Calendar

Blue KC is pleased to offer two open enrollment deadlines – one for physical ID cards and one for digital ID cards – to provide flexibility to new and renewing groups. Benefit information and open enrollment files/eligibility updates must be submitted to Blue KC based on the following schedule to ensure new ID cards are available to members by January 1, 2023: November 1, 2022 – Paperwork Deadline November 21, 2022 – Eligibility File – Physical ID Card December 16, 2022 – Eligibility File – Digital ID Card Please note: Small groups that make plan changes after this timeframe will receive updated ID cards once their plan changes have been… Read More

Continue Reading

Inflation Reduction Act: Limits Monthly Copayments for Insulin in Medicare

Beginning in 2023, limits copayments to $35 per month per prescription for covered insulin products in Medicare Part D plans and for insulin furnished through durable medical equipment under Medicare Part B, with no deductible. For 2026 and beyond, limits monthly Part D copayments for insulin to the lesser of: $35 25% of the maximum fair price (in cases where the insulin product has been selected for negotiation) 25% of the negotiated price in Part D plans Please call your Total Benefit Solutions Medicare health insurance specialists with any questions or concerns at (215)355-2121.

Continue Reading

What is the Marketplace?

Shorthand for the “Health Insurance Marketplace®,” a shopping and enrollment service for medical insurance created by the Affordable Care Act in 2010. In most states, the federal government runs the Marketplace (sometimes know as the “exchange”) for individuals and families. On the web, it’s found at HealthCare.gov. Some states run their own Marketplace at different websites. Fill out a Marketplace application and you’ll find out if you qualify for lower monthly premiums or savings on out-of-pocket costs based on your income. You may find out if you qualify for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). You can shop for and enroll in affordable medical insurance online, by phone,… Read More

Continue Reading

Additional Guidance on New Prescription Drug Reporting Requirement

As previously reported in 2021, Section 204 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (“CAA”) requires plan sponsors of group health plans to submit information annually about prescription drugs and health care spending to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) on behalf of the Departments of Health and Human Services (“HHS”), Labor (“DOL”), and the Treasury (collectively, the “Departments”). The first deadline is December 27, 2022. CMS recently updated guidance related to this reporting requirements that proves some helpful clarification. Have any questions regarding this notice? Please contact your Total Benefit Solutions health insurance specialists today at (215)355-2121.

Continue Reading

Independence: What are Preventative Plus Providers?

Preventive Plus Preventive Plus providers are participating freestanding ambulatory surgical centers (ASC) and a select group of gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons who perform preventative colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screenings at a freestanding ASC. For certain plans, the Member’s cost-share for this service will be $0 when performed by Preventive Plus providers. Please refer to your benefits booklet or contract to determine if your plan includes the Preventive Plus benefit. For updated or more detailed information regarding Preventive Plus providers, visit our website at ibx.com/provider finder, or call Customer Service at 1-800-ASK-BLUE (1-800-275-2583), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET For further questions or concerns please contact your Total… Read More

Continue Reading

Inflation Reduction Act: Capping Medicare Part D Out-of-Pocket Spending and Other Part D Benefit Changes

Changes would lower beneficiary spending, reduce Medicare’s liability for high drug costs, and increase Part D plan and manufacturer liability for high drug costs. Beneficiaries: Eliminates 5% coinsurance for catastrophic coverage in 2024 Caps out-of-pocket drug spending at $2,000 beginning in 2025 Allows spreading out of out-of-pocket costs over the year Limits premium growth to no more than 6% per year for 2024-2030 Medicare: Lowers share of costs above the out-of-pocket spending cap (“reinsurance”) Part D Plans: Increases share of costs above the out-of-pocket spending cap Modifies share of costs below the out-of-pocket spending cap Drug Companies: Requires a price discount on brand-name drugs above the out-of-pocket spending cap Modifies… Read More

Continue Reading