We have good news for women who care about their health! You have new rights and protections in the Health Insurance Marketplace starting in 2014. Click here to read this update on healthcare.gov
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Corbett to propose big Medicaid changes
HARRISBURG – Gov. Corbett will announce his plan Monday to expand health coverage for the poor by using public dollars to finance commercial insurance for 500,000 uninsured Pennsylvanians… Corbett, ending months of speculation about whether the state would take advantage of billions in Medicaid dollars, will seek approval from the federal government to provide private health coverage rather than expand the state’s Medicaid rolls, say several people who were briefed on the plan. Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20130914_Corbett_to_propose_big_Medicaid_changes.html#iRGhs84yyBMXqMVm.99
Continue ReadingReminder 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 whether the prescription drug coverage offered under their plan constitutes “creditable” or “non-creditable” coverage. This notification must be provided prior to October 15 each year. Click here to download the Medicare Part D Reminder
Continue ReadingUrgent Update on Exchange Notice Penalty
There have been many questions regarding whether employers can be penalized for failing to provide employees with the Exchange Notice, due by October 1, 2013. On September 11, 2013, the U.S. Department of Labor issued an FAQ regarding the Exchange Notice. The DOL has provided that while employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act should provide the Exchange Notice by October 1, there is no fine or penalty under the law for failing to provide the notice. Click here to download today’s exchange notice
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IBC teams up with Guardian to offer ancillary products
Independence Blue Cross has teamed up with Guardian to provide their clients with a selection of quality specialty ancillary products to supplement their medical plans. Specialty products include life, disability critical illness and cancer. Click here to read the rest
Continue ReadingTotal Benefit Solutions Inc. Partners with Zane Benefits for Defined Contribution- HRA offer to employers
What is a HRA / defined contribution plan? Total Benefit Solutions has partnered with Zane Benefits to offer our clients an affordable, state of the art, compliant HRA/Defined Contribution plan. With reform fast approaching, many employers large and small will consider this arrangement to offer their employees a quality, flexible, easy to use and competitive benefit package. Click here to learn more.
Continue ReadingUnited Concordia Introduces Online Individual Dental Plans
United Concordia has rolled out the iDental platform! With iDental individuals and families can enroll on a dental plan who do not have coverage through their employer. There are five plan options to choose from and annual maximum benefits as high as $1500 per family. Best of all, you can quote and enroll the coverage instantly online. Click here to get a free dental plan quote!
Continue ReadingUpdate on Exchange Notice Requirement for All Employers
Most employers must provide their employees with written notice that includes information regarding the Exchange (now called the Health Insurance Marketplace). The deadline to provide the notice is approaching; the notice must be provided to each employee not later than October 1, 2013. Employers are free to move forward with providing this notice, but may want to wait until closer to the deadline (perhaps early-mid September) in the event additional guidance is issued or the Exchanges are further delayed. Click the link below to download the notice. Exchange Notice Reminder – 82113R
Continue ReadingHow the New Health Insurance SHOP for Small Business Will Work
Wondering how the new Health Insurance Exchange or Marketplace is going to work? the SHOP Marketplace is for small businesses with 2 to 49 employees. This simple graphic should help. Contact Total Benefit Solutions at (215)355-2121 or www.totalbenefits.net for professional assistance!
Continue ReadingHow the New Health Insurance Marketplace Works
Wondering how the new Health Insurance Exchange or Marketplace is going to work? This simple graphic should help. Contact Total Benefit Solutions at (215)355-2121 or www.totalbenefits.net for professional assistance!
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New Tool Provides Guidance on Health Care Changes
A new interactive “wizard tool” is available online from BusinessUSA to help employers understand the changes that may affect their companies under Health Care Reform. The tool is simple to use. Business owners can input information regarding company size, location, and whether they currently offer insurance to their employees. Based on the employer’s responses, the tool generates guidance on Health Care Reform changes and other health care-related resources relevant to the employer’s business. Other useful information and services for business owners can be found on theBusinessUSA website.
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Free Series for Small Business Owners to Help Understand the Law
Free Series for Small Business Owners to Help Understand the Law The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), together with the Small Business Majority (a national nonprofit advocacy organization), has launched theAffordable Care Act 101 Weekly Webinar Series. The webinars feature guidance on key pieces of the law for small business owners provided by SBA representatives, followed by a question and answer period. Topics being discussed in the webinars include: Small business tax credits—who is eligible and how to claim the credit; Shared responsibility (also known as “pay or play”); Cost containment; and Tools and resources available for small businesses to learn more about the law. The… Read More
Continue ReadingWhat are voluntary benefits?
Why are voluntary benefits a good idea to supplement your core benefits? Click here to watch this short, informative video….
Continue ReadingFinal Guidance on Contraceptive Coverage Released
The Affordable Care Act requires non-grandfathered group health plans to cover certain preventive services without cost-sharing. Effective for the first plan year that began on or after August 1, 2012, this requirement includes coverage of all FDA-approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures and patient education and counseling for all women with reproductive capacity, as prescribed by a health care provider. The Departments of Labor, Treasury and Health and Human Services issued a final rule addressing the contraceptives mandate for religious employers and nonprofit religious organizations, discussed briefly below. Generally speaking, the final rule follows the proposed rule, with a few modifications. Click here to download the final details on Contraceptive… Read More
Continue ReadingLimit on Consumer Costs Is Delayed in Health Care Law
WASHINGTON — In another setback for President Obama’s health care initiative, the administration has delayed until 2015 a significant consumer protection in the law that limits how much people may have to spend on their own health care. The limit on out-of-pocket costs, including deductibles and co-payments, was not supposed to exceed $6,350 for an individual and $12,700 for a family. But under a little-noticed ruling, federal officials have granted a one-year grace period to some insurers, allowing them to set higher limits, or no limit at all on some costs, in 2014. The grace period has been outlined on the Labor Department’s Web site since February, but was obscured… Read More
Continue ReadingNew Tool Provides Guidance on Health Care Changes
New Tool Provides Guidance on Health Care Changes A new interactive “wizard tool” is available online from BusinessUSA to help employers understand the changes that may affect their companies under Health Care Reform. The tool is simple to use. Business owners can input information regarding company size, location, and whether they currently offer insurance to their employees. Based on the employer’s responses, the tool generates guidance on Health Care Reform changes and other health care-related resources relevant to the employer’s business. Other useful information and services for business owners can be found on the BusinessUSA website.
Continue ReadingWhat’s up with Medicare these days?
Let’s face it, even though Medicare provides health coverage for 49 million Americans, the program itself isn’t all that easy to understand. That’s why AARP Illinois State President Merri Dee and AARP Illinois staff member and Medicare expert Courtney Hedderman got together this week for a question-and-answer session with about 1,500 of our members through a tele-town hall. Here are some of the questions asked during the call and the answers. Q: I’ve heard that the new health care law makes changes to Medicare, can you explain those changes? Click here for the story on the AARP Medicare Blog
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New notice explains effect of employer mandate changes
The employer penalty provisions and two reporting requirements under the Affordable Care Act have been delayed until 2015. Although Notice 2013-45 was released, it does little to expand on the earlier announcement of the delay. The Notice does provide further guidance on the transition relief that operates to delay these provisions. It is important to note that the employer penalties and applicable reporting requirements will be fully effective in 2015. The Notice confirms the following: Click to download and read
Continue Reading8 components of a health care exchange
As an employer, there’s a lot you need to know in order to decide whether or not to offer health care through a health insurance exchange. But before you make a decision….click to read the story
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How the ACA Helps Medicare’s Disabled Beneficiaries
The Affordable Care Act, which was passed in 2010 and upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2012, includes numerous provisions that impact people with disabilities through expansions of Medicaid, private health insurance reforms, new care coordination programs and efforts to transition elderly and disabled populations from institutional to home and community settings. The ACA: Click here for the story on Medicare News Group
Continue ReadingIPad Model Can Make Health Law Sign-Up Simpler
(Bloomberg) — As a central part of President Barack Obama’s health-care law, Americans will soon be able to obtain insurance through federal exchanges. But how, exactly, will people apply for coverage? Click here for the story…
Continue ReadingSHOP Rules Finalized, Enrollment Forms Simplified
The Small Business Health Options Program’s (SHOP) place along the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) timeline. It’s now being packaged for mass consumption and soon will be stocked on store shelves across all 50 states. Click here to read more…
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New York Health Exchanges Offer 50% Drop in Premiums
Empire State approves plans to be sold by 17 insurers and lower expected premiums may ease fears that next year’s implementation of the biggest parts of the Affordable Care Act would send prices soaring… Click here to read the story
Continue ReadingIBC: Important change to claims processing for PPO plans
Independence Blue Cross (IBC) will begin notifying customers later this week regarding a change in how claims for certain out-of-network providers will be processed under their IBC Personal Choice® PPO health plan. This change impacts fully insured, self-funded, and Individual commercial Personal Choice® PPO plans only. There is no impact to Medicare plans. Effective November 1, 2013, members who have claims submitted by providers who participate in the Highmark Blue Shield (Highmark) professional provider network inside IBC’s five-county service area will be subject to higher out-of-pocket costs and may also be subject to balance billing. Currently, claims submitted by a participating Highmark professional provider are processed as out of network and applied… Read More
Continue ReadingHealth Reform: Research Filing Fees Due July 31
The Research Fee filing deadline is July 31, 2013 for self-funded medical plans and HRAs Insurance carriers will report and pay the Fee for fully insured plans. If an employer has several self-insured arrangements with the same plan year, they are subject to a single fee. An HRA integrated with a self-funded plan providing major medical coverage will not incur a separate fee specific to the HRA if the HRA and plan are established or maintained by the same plan sponsor. Click below to download the bulletin Research Fees Due Interested in our free Health Care Reform Checklist? send an email
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