IBX Wire – A Powerful New Way to Communicate IBX Wire™ is IBC’s member messaging service that makes it easier to find support, stay informed, and get things done. It will let you know when you have important account updates, product offers, or health related items that need your attention, and gives you the tools to take action on them quickly and easily. Notifications will be sent via automated text message. Message and data rates may apply. Not required to purchase goods and services from Independence Blue Cross. Text STOP to stop and HELP for help. Terms and conditions at www.myhelpsite.net/ibx. RELAY® is a registered trademark and service mark,… Read More
Continue ReadingIRS cuts 2018 family HSA contribution limit
Thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the 2018 contribution limit for family coverage in a health savings account will be $6,850—not $6,900, as previously announced by the IRS. The Society for Human Resource Management reports that the IRS has recalculated the limit because the tax law applies the so-called chained consumer price index to increases in HSA contribution limits, as well as to a few other employee benefit contribution limits. Internal Revenue Bulletin No. 2018–10, released March 5, clarifies not just that change but others as well. While the annual tax-deductible HSA contribution limit for tax year 2018 will remain at $3,450 for HSA account holders with self-only coverage through a high-deductible… Read More
Continue ReadingVideo: All About United Healthcare All Savers Level Funded Self Insurance Plans
All About United Healthcare All Savers Level Funded Self Insurance Plans Ask us today if an All Savers plan could be a good fit for your company! Call your Total Benefit Solutions account manager at (215)355-2121.
Continue ReadingDOL Penalties Increase for 2018
In 2015, Congress passed the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 2015 (the “Inflation Adjustment Act”) to direct federal agencies to adjust the civil monetary penalties for inflation every year. Civil penalties ensure compliance with federal regulation by incentivizing employers not to violate federal regulation and providing federal agencies the power to ensure compliance. However, when penalties are too low, or have failed to be increased for inflation, compliance with federal regulation remains stagnant. The Department of Labor (DOL) recently published the annual adjustments for 2018 that increase certain penalties applicable to employee benefit plans Click here to download the full bulletin As always please contact your Total Benefit… Read More
Continue ReadingIRS Releases 2018 Inflation Adjustments to Tax Provisions
The Internal Revenue Service released the annual inflation adjustments that will apply to certain benefit plan tax provisions in 2018. Revenue Procedure 2017-58, which can be accessed by clicking here, identifies inflation-adjusted items for different provisions of the tax code. From an employee benefits standpoint, the following limits may be of interest to employers: The dollar limit on voluntary employee salary reduction contributions to health flexible spending accounts is increased to $2,650 for plan years beginning in 2018. The monthly exclusion amount for transportation and transit passes is increased to $260. The monthly limit for the qualified parking exclusion is increased to $260. The dollar amount used to determine the penalty… Read More
Continue ReadingCongress Passes Tax Reform Bill
On December 20, 2017, the House and Senate sent President Trump the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act for signature. The House of Representatives passed their version of the bill on November 16, 2017 while the Senate passed their version on December 2, 2017. Because the versions were not identical, a Tax-Bill Conference Committee was formed from members of the Senate and the House of Representatives to negotiate the text of the combined bill. After the finalized text was approved and released by the committee, the House and Senate each passed the combined bill (which happened on December 20th in the House and December 19th in the Senate) before… Read More
Continue Reading2017 Employer Reporting Requirements
2017 Employer Reporting Requirements The below document outlines sections 6055 & 6066, the “B” and “C” forms, and the employer reporting obligations to both employees and the IRS. Download 2017_Employer_Reporting_Requirements Click here to watch a brainshark video that explains the forms and reporting requirements.
Continue ReadingReceived Letter 226J – Now What?
The IRS issued Letter 226J to certain Applicable Large Employers (“ALEs”). This letter describes the proposed Employer Shared Responsibility Payment (“ESRP”) owed for calendar year 2015. Download this bulletin
Continue ReadingSearching for Keystone HMO Proactive Providers by Tier?
Please note you must select the proactive plans from the list. Go to this link: Choose a health plan: From the drop down select, Medical then Keystone Proactive: Now your search will return physicians with Tier listings showing:
Continue ReadingAetna Funding Advantage for Small Businesses
Aetna Funding Advantage (AFA) is a new self-funded option that provides all of the financial and plan design flexibility of a traditional arrangement with special features designed to help companies with as few as 2 employees achieve even greater savings on their health insurance. The benefits of self-funding have traditionally been considered by larger companies. But Aetna Funding Advantage has changed that. It is specifically designed to be attractive and affordable for small businesses like yours. Watch this short video and download the documents below for some information. As always please contact your Total Benefit Solutions dedicated account manager at (215)355-2121 if you have any questions, concerns or would like to learn… Read More
Continue ReadingGuidance Issued on QSEHRAs
Under the Affordable Care Act, a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) must be integrated with a group health plan (as it could not meet the market reform provisions on its own) and was not able to reimburse employees for individual premiums. However, on December 13, 2016, President Obama signed into law the “21st Century Cures Act” which established QSEHRAs (a special standalone HRA). Click to Download Guidance Issued on QSEHRAs This guidance is big news for small groups who would prefer to provide a reimbursement as opposed to a group health plan. Please contact your Total Benefit Solutions account manager at (215)355-2121 if you have any questions or concerns.
Continue ReadingNew Indexed PCORI Fees Issued
Under the Affordable Care Act, (ACA) a fund for a new nonprofit corporation to assist in clinical effectiveness research was created. To aid in the financial support for this endeavor, certain health insurance carriers and health plan sponsors are required to pay fees based on the average number of lives covered by welfare benefits plans. These fees are referred to as either Patient-Centered Outcome Research Institute (PCORI) or Clinical Effectiveness Research (CER) fees. The applicable fee was $2.26 for plan years ending on or after October 1, 2016 and before October 1, 2017. For plan years ending on or after October 1, 2017 and before October 1, 2018, the fee… Read More
Continue Reading2018 Individual Health Insurance Open Enrollment: PA Independence Individual Consumer Plans and Rates
Individual Health Insurance Open Enrollment 2018! Don’t do it yourself! Our dedicated professionals are here to help you take the fits out of the benefit planning process! One mistake and you could be stuck with a bad plan all year! We work with all available plans both on the healthcare.gov marketplace and off! Have your own expert help you! Our experts are trained to help you Choose between on and off exchange options Maximize any subsidy eligibility. Help you understand the cost sharing subsidies Help you choose the plan that is the best fit for you Explain the differences between the plan design and your out of pocket expectations Fill… Read More
Continue ReadingNew Executive Order and Insight on the Employer Mandate
New Executive Order and Insight on the Employer Mandate President Trump signed an Executive Order (“EO”) on October 12, 2017, directing various federal agencies to take regulatory action that will “increase health care choices for millions of Americans.” Along with the EO, the Administration issued a press release and some internal talking points that provide helpful insight into what the agencies are directed to review. Click to download this bulletin
Continue ReadingCNN.com: Who gets hurt and who gets helped by the Senate health care bill
The Senate unveiled its legislation to dismantle the health reform law on Thursday. While it’s likely to change before lawmakers vote on it — possibly late next week — it’s already clear who will benefit and who will lose under the Senate plan. click here for the story on cnn.com
Continue ReadingHumana and Tenet have reached a new network agreement
Humana and Tenet have reached a new network agreement Humana is pleased to announce we have signed a new agreement, effective June 1, 2017, that allows Humana commercial, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and individual exchange health plan members to receive in-network care at Tenet hospitals, hospital-affiliated outpatient centers, and with Tenet physicians. We are currently in the process of loading Tenet providers to all applicable systems. There may be a delay in providers appearing in Physician Finder even though they are participating. For the best possible member experience, as always, we advise the member to check Physician Finder before seeking non-emergent care from a provider in order to help avoid any… Read More
Continue ReadingHumana and Tenet have reached a new network agreement
Humana and Tenet have reached a new network agreement Humana is pleased to announce we have signed a new agreement, effective June 1, 2017, that allows Humana commercial, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and individual exchange health plan members to receive in-network care at Tenet hospitals, hospital-affiliated outpatient centers, and with Tenet physicians. We are currently in the process of loading Tenet providers to all applicable systems. There may be a delay in providers appearing in Physician Finder even though they are participating. For the best possible member experience, as always, we advise the member to check Physician Finder before seeking non-emergent care from a provider in order to help avoid any… Read More
Continue Reading2018 Inflation Adjusted Amounts for HSAs
The IRS released the inflation adjustments for health savings accounts (HSAs) and their accompanying high deductible health plans (HDHPs) effective for calendar year 2018. All limits increased from 2017 amounts. Click to download the bulletin below and as always contact your Total Benefit Solutions account manager at (215)355-2121 if you have any questions or concerns regarding this notice. Click Here to Download 2018 Inflation Adjusted Amounts for HSAs
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Recent Developments Regarding the Employer Mandate
Applicable large employers (ALEs) may be resting easy, having had no notification from the IRS of 2015 or 2016 assessments under the Employer Mandate of the Affordable Care Act (the ACA) and having reasonably expected that the Republican-led administration would limit or choose not to enforce this mandate. With the status of health care reform uncertain, the IRS has taken additional steps regarding the mandate, once again updating its website with FAQs on Employer Mandate penalties that build on information released in January (before the change in administration). Briefly, the guidance is included in the bulletin. Download the bulletin here
Continue ReadingPCOR Fee Filing Reminder for Self-Insured Plans and HRA’s
The PCOR filing deadline is July 31, 2017 for all self-funded medical plans and HRAs for plan years ending in 2016. Click to download the bulletin for more information: Download the Bulletin here As always contact your Total Benefit Solutions account manager at (215)355-2121 if you have any further questions or concerns.
Continue ReadingIndependence speaks out on PA Premium Tax, Treat No Transport, and recently introduced bills
Independence speaks out on PA Premium Tax, Treat No Transport, and recently introduced bills Updates from IBX Government Affairs including the proposed PA premium tax changes, Treat No Transport reimbursement, scope of practice for nurse practitioners, and proposed bills on drug transparency and prior authorization… Download the Bulletin See IBC’s breakdown of the proposed budget impact here. As always please contact your Total Benefit Solutions account manager at (215)355-2121 if you have any questions or concerns.
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BREAKING: Aetna to withdraw from New Jersey Small Employer ACA market in 2018
Aetna to withdraw from New Jersey Small Employer ACA market in 2018 Due to mounting financial losses and an uncertain marketplace outlook, Aetna has made the decision to leave the Individual market in New Jersey. Regrettably, this decision also impacts our New Jersey small employer ACA insured medical products. New Jersey law requires a carrier to withdraw from the insured small employer market if it is withdrawing from the individual market. As such, Aetna will withdraw all of its commercial (fully insured) medical plans offered in the small employer health insurance market. What this means Health insurance coverage for New Jersey small employer clients will end at midnight on the… Read More
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House Passes Bill to Repeal ACA
Just six weeks after the House leaders failed to muster the votes to pass an earlier version of the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the House Republicans narrowly passed their health care bill to repeal and replace Obamacare with a 217 to 213 vote on Thursday… Click the link below to download the bulletin with important points: Download House Passes Bill to Repeal Obamacare
Continue ReadingVideo: Our New Online Enrollment System
Watch this short video to get a quick overview of our new employee enrollment system with Ease Central! As always please contact your Total Benefit Solutions account manager at (215)355-2121 if you have any questions about our new enrollment system with Ease Central!
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Breaking News: CMS Announces Open Enrollment Dates and More
CMS issued final rule to increase choices and encourage stability in health insurance markets for 2018 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the final Market Stabilization rule to help lower premiums and stabilize individual and small group markets, and to increase choices for Americans. Individuals obtaining coverage in the Marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act have faced double-digit premium increases, fewer plans to choose from, and a market that continues to be threatened by insurance issuer exits.* The CMS rule is designed to provide some relief for patients and issuers now. “CMS is committed to ensuring access to high quality affordable healthcare for all Americans and… Read More
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