Ed MacConnell

Think HR’s Employee Handbook Builder

February 28, 2017February 28, 2017Ed MacConnell

Employee Handbooks. Each employer group should have one. The question is, if so, how current is it? With ThinkHR’s 50-State Handbook Builder, building handbooks and keeping them updated becomes a simple process. Use the Handbook Builder to: Minimize your clients’ risk of employment liability with clear, regulatory-compliant policies. Help clients ease the burden of compliance with pre-developed content, step-by-step instructions, expert commentary and online support. Reinforce your value as a partner and provider of essential HR resources. Differentiate your agency and deliver cost savings to your clients with a robust handbook builder at no additional cost. Employee Handbook Builder Features: Compiled in collaboration with one of the country’s leading employment… Read More

What is Healthcare Blue Book?

February 24, 2017February 24, 2017Ed MacConnell

Starmark plans adding HealthcareBlueBook! Healthcare Bluebook* is an online tool that lets members: Shop for care by seeing price ranges in the area Compare facilities based on quality data Access on any device (mobile, desktop, tablet) Click here to learn more *Healthcare Bluebook is included with Starmark major medical plan designs with an effective date of 12/1/2016, or later. Healthcare Bluebook is not an affiliate of Starmark® or Trustmark® Life Insurance Company. Before receiving treatment, call the provider network at the toll-free number on your medical ID card to verify that the hospital and/or healthcare provider participates in the network. For more information about StarMark health plans with Healthcare Blue… Read More

Introducing Ease Central

February 22, 2017May 3, 2017Ed MacConnell

In an effort to enhance our client experience even further, Total Benefit Solutions would like to announce that we have entered into a partnership agreement with Ease Central. Ask us today how your organization can benefit from Ease Central! Download an EaseCentral Employer Overview Click here to visit our Ease Central web portal. Employee Onboarding with Ease Central HRIS with Ease Central Benefits-Simple employee benefits quoting, enrollment and management in one place. “Bring your own carrier” HRIS-Powerful PTO tracking, performance reviews and goal setting for managers. Payroll-Robust payroll integrations to cut administrative work.” Bring your own payroll” Benefits-Easy employee insurance rate quoting, enrollment and management in one place.… Read More

Trump’s First Executive Order Addresses the ACA

January 25, 2017January 25, 2017Ed MacConnell

Trump’s First Executive Order Addresses the ACA On January 20, 2017, President Trump issued an Executive Order to minimize the economic burden of the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”). This Order identifies the new administration’s policy for addressing and enforcing the ACA while Congressional Republicans craft legislation to repeal and replace it. The Order directs the agencies responsible for administration and enforcement of the ACA to exercise the authority and discretion available to them: Download Trump’s First Executive Order Addresses the ACA As always please contact your Total Benefit Solutions account manager at (215)355-2121 if you have any additional questions or concerns.

Trump Issues Executive Order To Curb Some Parts Of ACA.

January 23, 2017January 23, 2017Ed MacConnell

Trump Issues Executive Order To Curb Some Parts Of ACA. The New York Times (1/20, Davis, Pear, Subscription Publication) reported that on Friday, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to government agencies directing them “to scale back as many aspects of the Affordable Care Act as possible, moving within hours of being sworn in to fulfill his pledge to eviscerate Barack Obama’s signature health care law.” According to the Times, the one-page order “has symbolic as well as substantive significance, allowing Mr. Trump to claim he acted immediately to do away with a health care law he has repeatedly called disastrous, even while it remains in place and he… Read More

Talking with your doctor about Keystone HMO Proactive

January 18, 2017Ed MacConnell

A Keystone HMO Proactive plan with a tiered network gives you the opportunity to look for the best value when you receive care. Tell your primary care physician (PCP) you have a tiered network plan so you can discuss your health care decisions and work together to make the best choices for you. Download this document for more information. As always please contact your Total Benefit Solutions, Inc, account manager at (215)355-2121 if you have any questions or concerns.

Update on the Status of the ACA

January 17, 2017Ed MacConnell

Update on the Status of the ACA With the impending inauguration, recent actions by the Senate and some confusing media reports, we wanted to provide a short Q&A to help you understand current events and what to expect as we head down the health care reform road in 2017… What’s the latest news? Download the bulletin for an update: Download Update on the Status of the ACA As always please contact your Total Benefit Solutions, Inc. account manager at (215)355-2121 if you have any questions or concerns.

Health4Me Mobile Application

January 13, 2017January 10, 2017Ed MacConnell

UnitedHealthcare’s Health4Me provides instant access to you and your family’s critical health information — anytime/anywhere. Whether you want to find physicians near you, check the status of a claim or speak directly with a nurse, Health4Me is your go-to resource for everything related to your health. Learn more by watching the video below. As always if you have any questions please contact your Total Benefit Solutions Inc account manager at (215)355-2121.

United Healthcare Cost Estimator

January 11, 2017January 10, 2017Ed MacConnell

The myHealthcare Cost Estimator from United Healthcare helps you gather the information you need to make smart choices about the health care you receive. Learn more with the video below. As always contact your Total Benefit Solutions account manager if you have any questions or concerns at (215)355-2121

2016 Compliance Year In Review Digest

January 10, 2017January 10, 2017Ed MacConnell

2016 Compliance Year In Review Digest A complete digest of all our compliance bulletins for the entire year of 2016 from our business partners at Emerson Reid. A handy guide to all of the year’s updates and changes all in one place. Download your copy now and keep it for future reference. Click to Download Compliance Digest 2016 Year in Review As always please contact your Total Benefit Solutions Account Manager at (215)355-2121 if you have any questions or concerns.

United Concordia Enrollment Forms 2017

January 9, 2017January 13, 2017Ed MacConnell

United Concordia small group enrollment forms for 2017 To enroll you on United Concordia they will require the following: The rate sheet with the benefit plan circled and the sheet signed at the bottom by the business manager or owner The completed employee applications for each employee enrolling. The form needs to be complete with each dependent’s name, date of birth, etc. A company check for the first month’s premium payable to United Concordia Companies Inc. or UCCI A completed employer application form. Complete what you can and we’ll finish the rest together. Download The New Group Enrollment Kit for 2017 You can fax everything to our… Read More

Relief for Small Employers with HRAs

January 9, 2017Ed MacConnell

On December 13, 2016, President Obama signed into law the “21st Century Cures Act” which allows small employers without group medical plans to reimburse individual premiums and other medical expenses of employees under health reimbursement arrangements (“HRAs”), effective with the 2017 plan year, and provides relief from penalties to all small employers reimbursing individual premiums of employees for earlier plan years. In addition, the Cures Act provides a medical innovation package that funds medical research, accelerates cutting-edge treatments for rare diseases, and makes significant reforms to the mental health system. The Issue An employer cannot offer employees cash to reimburse the purchase of an individual policy, without regard to whether… Read More

Health Reform: 4th Quarter 2016 Compliance Compilation

December 29, 2016December 29, 2016Ed MacConnell

Download a digest of our fourth quarter compliance bulletins. This digest includes the following bulletins: Transitional Reinsurance Fee Form Now Available 10/14/2016 Final 2016 Forms 1094-C and 1095-C Available 10/25/2016 November 2017 Cost of Living Adjustments 11/01/2016 Relief Extended for Premium Reimbursement Programs for Student Employees 11/02/2016 Updates Regarding the NJ Small Employer Health Benefits Program 11/07/2016 Election Results and the ACA: Preliminary Thoughts 11/10/2016 16 Extension of Deadline for 2016 Forms 1095-C 11/21/2016 Adjusted PCOR Fee for Fifth Filing Year Released 11/22/2016 December Beware of Phishing Email Disguised as HIPAA Privacy Audit Letter 12/13/2016 Click here to download the 4th quarter compliance compilation

New Law Exempts Certain Small Employer HRAs From ACA Market Reforms

December 15, 2016December 14, 2016Ed MacConnell

New Law Exempts Certain Small Employer HRAs From ACA Market Reforms Gaddiel Gonzalez-Brown & Brown Consulting President Obama has signed into law the 21st Century Cures Act, which, among other things, allows small employers to offer new “qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangements” to reimburse employees for qualified medical expenses, including individual health insurance premiums, for years after December 31, 2016. Small employers are defined as those with fewer than 50 full-time equivalent employees who do not offer a group health plan. Background Under prior agency guidance, stand-alone HRAs (except for retiree-only HRAs and HRAs consisting solely of excepted benefits) and HRAs used to purchase coverage on the individual… Read More

IRS has provided a limited extension of time for employers to provide Forms 1095-C

December 14, 2016Ed MacConnell

The IRS has provided a limited extension of time for employers to provide Forms 1095-C (and carriers to provide Forms 1095-B) to individuals (but NOT to the IRS). Rather than January 31, 2017, the new deadline will be March 2, 2017. Download Extension of Deadline for 2016 Forms 1095-C

What is Blue Card PPO and How Does it Work?

December 9, 2016January 9, 2017Ed MacConnell

A number of clients ask us about Blue Card PPO and how it works. Blue Card PPO is typically attached to our clients policies who are enrolled on an IBC Personal Choice PPO or National Network PPO or a Horizon Blue Cross plan with National Access. You can tell if you have this on your plan if your card has the PPO Traveling Briefcase logo: It’s important to note that members who have a Keystone HMO, Amerihealth or Horizon HMO or local EPO do NOT have Blue Card PPO. How Does the BlueCard Program Work? BlueCard® PPO Medical Plan The BlueCard… Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Texas Court Issues Injunction Blocking New December 1st Overtime Regulations

November 23, 2016Ed MacConnell

On November 22, 2016, a federal district court in Texas granted a preliminary injunction that temporarily blocks the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) from implementing and enforcing its recently revised regulations on the white collar exemptions to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The regulations, which were released in May and scheduled to go into effect on December 1, would more than double the minimum salary requirement certain executive, administrative, and professional employees must receive in order to be exempt from overtime. Click here to read the rest

Health Reform: Cost of Living Adjustments, Individual Penalty, HSA limits & more for 2017

November 21, 2016Ed MacConnell

On October 25 and 27, 2016, the IRS released cost of living adjustments for 2017 under various provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code). Some of these adjustments may affect your employee benefit plans. These adjustments include but are not limited to the following: Cafeteria Plans Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefits Requirement To Maintain Minimum Essential Coverage (Individual Penalty) Highly Compensated Non-Grandfathered Plan Cost-Sharing Limits H.S.A. Annual contribution limitation, catch up contribution and minimum deductibles Key Employee Click here to download the bulletin As always if you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your dedicated Total Benefit Solutions, Inc. account manager at (215)355-2121.

Health Reform: IRS Extends Due Date for Furnishing Form 1095-B/C.

November 19, 2016Ed MacConnell

IRS Extends Due Date for Furnishing Form 1095-B/C. As applicable large employers and employers with self-funded health plans are working on their Affordable Care Act compliance preparations, the IRS announced an extension of a key ACA deadline. Notice 2016-70 extends the due date for furnishing Form 1095-B and Form 1095-C from January 31, 2017 to March 2, 2017. The Notice also extends transition relief from penalties if an employer makes a “good faith effort” to comply with reporting requirements. This relief is welcome news for employers who are still working on their compliance approach. A copy of the notice can be downloaded here.

Election Results and the ACA

November 10, 2016November 10, 2016Ed MacConnell

With the outcome of the 2016 elections now official, the Republicans will hold the majority in both chambers of Congress and control of the White House beginning in 2017. Since President-elect Trump ran on a platform of “Replace and Repeal” of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), we anticipate that acting on this campaign promise will be one of the top priorities of the new Trump administration. We anticipate there will be significant disruption for individuals, employers, brokers and carriers across the country. Click here to read the latest bulletin

IBC: Important Information About 2017 Member Renewal Letters

October 26, 2016October 25, 2016Ed MacConnell

Important Information About 2017 Member Renewal Letters In the coming weeks, members will be receiving renewal letters for their 2017 plans that include updated rate and product information, as required by ACA Guidelines. This letter will show the member’s updated 2017 premium with their 2016 subsidy amount. Because Independence will not obtain updated subsidy amounts until after November 1, we are not able to include the estimated 2017 subsidy amount in the first mailing. This information will be included in the second mailing which will be sent in mid-November. It is anticipated that subsidies, on average, will increase in 2017 for most members. • Updated renewal letters with 2017 subsidy… Read More

IBC: Plans to remove exclusions for gender reassignment surgery coverage

October 25, 2016October 25, 2016Ed MacConnell

In a July Independence Edge article, we shared that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) had issued a final rule for the nondiscrimination provision (section 1557) of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). While the nondiscrimination provision itself is not new, the final rule provides expanded clarity on coverage for gender reassignment surgery and related services. In addition, it provides guidance on treating individuals consistent with their gender identity, and not denying or limiting health services usually only available to individuals of one gender. Beginning with renewals on or after January 1, 2017, the exclusion for gender reassignment surgery has been removed from all commercial plans. Members… Read More

Individual and Family Open Enrollment-2017 Important Updates

October 25, 2016Ed MacConnell

As many people know by now there are many big changes with individual and family plans for open enrollment 2017. For anyone who is currently enrolled on one of the following your plan will NOT be renewed for 2017 and you will have to pick a new plan and/or a new insurer: Aetna: all plans cancelling in PA/NJ/NC/FL Aetna plans only remain in Delaware in our service area United Healthcare: All ACA plans cancelling. Short term plans are still available Oscar: All plans in NJ cancelling Health Republic: All plans in NJ cancelling Highmark and Capitol Blue Cross: No longer paying broker compensation Geisinger: No longer paying broker compensation Independence Blue… Read More

Total Benefit Solutions participating in CVS Retail Locations During Medicare Open Enrollment

October 9, 2016October 8, 2016Ed MacConnell

Total Benefit Solutions is pleased to announce that we are participating in the Independence Blue Cross Medicare/ CVS Pharmacy retail program for the upcoming open enrollment period. What this means to our clients is that we will be on site at our local CVS Pharmacy during the AEP. Starting on Saturday October 15th and continuing through open enrollment we will be on site nearly each Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the CVS Pharmacy in Feasterville from Noon to 2 PM each day. Please feel free to stop in without an appointment to get your questions answered and pick up your 2017 plan information from Independence Blue Cross. We will… Read More

ACA Individual 2017 Open Enrollment Important Update

October 8, 2016October 27, 2016Ed MacConnell

2017 ACA ” Obamacare” plans open enrollment important update. The annual open enrollment period opens on November 1st 2016 and ends January 31st 2017. Independence Blue Cross will be the only insurer available in 2017 in the Philadelphia 5 County Area. With the passing of the Affordable Care Act changes come annually or even more often. Unfortunately not all of those changes are benefiting the consumer. This year here are some major changes that our clients on Individual Non Medicare plans need to be aware of… If you are a enrolled on an ACA compliant plan with Aetna or United Healthcare your plan is going away. Neither Aetna or United… Read More

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: