Upon renewal in 2014 small groups will be automatically “mapped” to a new ACA compliant metallic plan. Find your new recommended 2014 Blue Solutions plan using the chart below. To make your renewal even easier we’ve identified the plan that most closely matches your current plan. Or you can choose from among 36 other options to suit your needs. More comprehensive coverage Blue Solutions health plans now cover Essential Health Benefits like pediatric dental and vision. Your health plan also continues to cover doctor visits, hospital admissions, emergency room treatments, maternity care, lab tests, X-rays, prescriptions, and vision benefits for both children and adults. Click the link below to download the… Read More
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IBC: Medicare as Secondary Payer
Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) requirements determine when Medicare is the primary insurance payer. If your company has 19 or fewer full- and part-time employees, Medicare is almost always primary. If your company is larger, various rules apply to determine whether your group plan is the primary or secondary payer. MSP requirements also apply for Medicare-eligible employees who are disabled or have endstage renal disease. The following information provides a summary of the MSP requirements. This information may help you to correctly target benefits for your Medicare-eligible participants and avoid potentially costly penalties and litigation. You should, of course, also refer to the actual laws and regulations with the assistance of your own legal counsel. Click… Read More
Continue ReadingHow Does a Group HRA Work?
A GroupHRA allows you to use your payroll to bring your employees better, more affordable employer health benefits. Your employees have a high deductible group health insurance policy and receive tax-free reimbursements through their payroll for medical expenses. In addition to payroll reimbursement, you can also make same-day reimbursements to employees by cash, check or direct deposit. Total Benefit Solutions Inc has partnered with Zane Benefit services to provide our clients an affordable, easy, electronic administration solution. What makes an HRA an attractive solution for your organization? The fact that you are in control! Download the report :How A Group HRA Works Click here for more HRA information
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Health Reform: Regulations Issued on Waiting Periods
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: New Lab Provider Effective July 1-IMPORTANT NOTICE
Independence Blue Cross (IBC) has selected Laboratory Corporation of America® Holdings (LabCorp), as its exclusive, nationally-based provider of laboratory services, effective July 1, 2014. The change applies to all Personal Choice®/PPO and Keystone Health Plan East product lines, and affects all individual, group commercial, and Medicare members, for services rendered in the Philadelphia five-county area, and in the contiguous counties. Effective July 1, 2014, Quest Diagnostics laboratories will be an out-of-network provider for Personal Choice and Keystone Health Plan East. IBC will continue to contract with certain local and regional laboratories… Click to download the bulletin
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IBC: July 1 rate increase for individual medically underwritten plans
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
Continue ReadingImportant: Change to PACE and PACENET Income Limits
Effective February 7, a new law was passed that greatly benefits Medicare beneficiaries who may be eligible for PACE and PACENET. Although the annual income limits will remain the same, the Medicare Part B premium ($104.90 per month for most beneficiaries) is no longer part of the countable income of a Medicare beneficiary. This new law will result in thousands of additional beneficiaries becoming eligible for prescription drug coverage. What this means for beneficiaries Beneficiaries who may have been over the PACE/PACENET income limits by $1,259 or less, may qualify under the new law and should reapply. If a beneficiary reapplies and now qualifies for PACE/PACENET then the beneficiary is… Read More
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Client Testimonial: Aaron G
We love making our clients happy! I received this email just the other day and I wanted to share. This client had an abundance of trouble enrolling through the healthcare.gov website until we got involved: Dear Jennifer – thanks so much for everything! I’m so happy to be insured and I couldn’t have done it without you! Aaron G
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Client Testimonial: Kristine Kreisher
We received this email from one of our clients this week, Kristine Kreisher, and wanted to share: Dear Ed: I spent a month and a half calling Blue Cross, getting the run around, and given incorrect information. I make a phone call/send an email to you both and within a couple hours everything is taken care of and corrected!!! You guys are awesome!!! Thank you soooooo much for getting this all taken care of!!!! Kris Kreisher February 2014 We love happy clients!
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Total Benefit Solutions Makes Enrolling Easier
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
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!
Continue ReadingAffordable Care Act Video: IBX Answers Five Common Questions
Not Sure if you qualify? Ask your Total Benefit Solutions Advisor at (215)355-2121
Continue ReadingAffordable Care Act Video: Subsidies and Tax Credits
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.
Continue ReadingTotal Benefit Solutions Now Offering Online Enrollment with Consult-A-Doctor PLUS
Healthcare… the way it should be! Are you tired of waiting multiple weeks to go see your doctor, only to find yourself taking time off work so you can drive through traffic and sit in the waiting room for what seems like forever? Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the stress and anxiety of a difficult life situation and wished you had someone you could trust to hold your hand and walk you through to the other side? Then welcome to CADRPlus, an innovative new health care program that gives you unlimited, 24/7 access to doctors and other industry professionals from the comfort and convenience of your phone or computer,… Read More
Continue ReadingTotal Benefit Solutions Now Offering Online Enrollment with Consult-A-Doctor PLUS
Healthcare… the way it should be! Are you tired of waiting multiple weeks to go see your doctor, only to find yourself taking time off work so you can drive through traffic and sit in the waiting room for what seems like forever? Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the stress and anxiety of a difficult life situation and wished you had someone you could trust to hold your hand and walk you through to the other side? Then welcome to CADRPlus, an innovative new health care program that gives you unlimited, 24/7 access to doctors and other industry professionals from the comfort and convenience of your phone or computer,… Read More
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Health Reform: Final Rule Issued Regarding Health Insurance Provider Fee
Beginning in 2014, a health insurance provider fee applies to covered entities engaged in the business of providing health insurance for United States health risks. United States health risks include the health risk of a U.S. citizen or a resident alien including those living abroad. Thus, insurers issuing expatriate policies covering a U.S. citizen or resident alien living abroad are subject to the fee. Medical, dental and vision carriers in the insured marketplace are subject to this fee. This fee does not apply to self-insured employer-sponsored plans. Click the link below to download the bulletin. Final Rule Issued Regarding Health Insurance Provider Fee
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Relief for Vision, Dental and EAP Benefits and New Wraparound Coverage
The Departments of Labor, Treasury and HHS issued a proposed rule that provides helpful guidance regarding certain excepted benefits, including vision benefits, dental benefits, employee assistance programs (EAPs) and certain wraparound programs. Click the link below to download the bulletin. Relief for Excepted Benefits-012414R
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Health Reform: Final Regulations Issued on Employer Penalty
On February 10, 2014, the IRS released final regulations implementing the Employer Shared Responsibility provision under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for 2015 (the “employer penalty”). This guidance is lengthy and provides helpful clarification in many areas. We are in the process of reviewing the guidance, but you will find some key aspects of this rule below: The employer penalty will apply to employers with 100 or more full-time equivalent employees starting in 2015. For employers with 50-99 full-time equivalent employees, there is a one-year delay and the employer penalty provision will start in 2016. Click the link below to download the bulletin. Final Regulations Issued on Employer Penalty – 021114R
Continue ReadingAmeriHealth New Jersey discontinues “Bill me Later” feature
AmeriHealth New Jersey has recently decided to remove the “Bill me Later” feature from AHNJ4U.com for Individual Coverage. “Bill me Later” gave members who enrolled 15 days prior to their desired effective date the option to be billed at a later time. This feature caused a delay in member billing and ID card production, leading to an exponential increase in call volumes. “Bill me Later” has been removed permanently from AHNJ4U.com, but members still have the option to pay by credit card for first time payments. Another alternative is to utilize an ACH payment option for reoccurring payments. If a member chooses to apply with paper checks, they must include… Read More
Continue ReadingFeasterville Rotary honors Students of the Month for February 2014
Feasterville Rotary has honored two Neshaminy High School seniors from Feasterville as their Student of the Month for the month of February 2014. The presentation was held on Tuesday morning, Feb. 11. They are Saje Breuer and Alexandra Urusow. Both students are pictured here with their parents, their principal Mr William Ritchey and Rotary President Ed MacConnell. Congratulations Saje and Alexandra!
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Healthcare Reform Update: ‘Pay or Play’ Delayed Until 2016 for Large Employers With Fewer Than 100 Full-Time Employees
‘Pay or Play’ Delayed Until 2016 for Large Employers With Fewer Than 100 Full-Time Employees Brought to you via HR360.com Newly issued final rules provide guidance for large employers who are subject to the shared responsibility (“pay or play”) requirements under Health Care Reform. These employers may be liable for a penalty if they do not offer affordable health insurance that provides a minimum level of coverage to full-time employees (and their dependents), and any full-time employee receives a premium tax credit for purchasing individual coverage on the Health Insurance Marketplace (Exchange). Click the link below to download the bulletin: Pay or Play Delayed to 2016
Continue ReadingVideo: Who can help me enroll?
Who can help you enroll on a new affordable care act plan? Remember an independent broker like Total Benefit Solutions Inc can still help you enroll on a plan on the Federal Healtcare Exchange or off at no additional cost to you. Your independent broker is still truly your healthcare advocate! Another simple yet educational video from Humana:
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Affordable Care Act: Coming Guidance Changes
The Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) recently issued proposed regulations addressing a number of provisions under the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”). Some of this guidance will impact employer-sponsored group health plans. Click the link below to download the entire bulletin. Guidance Changes for 2015 ERC
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Video: How to Buy Health Insurance Under the Affordable Care Act
Another great an helpful video from Humana regarding enrolling on the new health insurance plans. Keep in mind an independent broker like Total Benefit Solutions Inc. can still help you enroll at no additional cost.
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2014 Federal Poverty Levels Released
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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