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
Continue ReadingVideo: New Premium Saver Gap Coverage
Want more information? Call your Total Benefit Solutions account manager today at (215)355-2121.
Continue ReadingVideo: New Individual Dental & Vision Choices
Click here to shop, compare and enroll!
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GOP Pulls AHCA Before Vote
On Friday, March 24, 2017, the U.S. House of Representatives pulled the American Health Care Act (“AHCA”) from consideration after not receiving enough Republican support to pass the bill. The AHCA was President Trump’s first attempt to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (the “ACA”). The AHCA, among other things, would have eradicated the penalties associated with the individual and employer mandates, and replaced the ACA subsidies with refundable tax credits. Download GOP Pulls AHCA Before Vote
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Small Businesses May Be Able to Keep Existing Health Coverage Through Calendar Year 2018
Small Businesses May Be Able to Keep Existing Health Coverage Through Calendar Year 2018 A previously extended transitional policy which allows health insurance issuers, at their option, to continue group coverage that would otherwise be terminated or cancelled has been extended further—to policy years beginning on or before October 1, 2018, provided that all policies end by December 31, 2018. Health insurance issuers that renew coverage under the extended policy are required to provide standard notices to affected small businesses for each policy year. Extended Transitional Policy At the option of the states, issuers that have renewed policies under the transitional policy continually since 2014 may be permitted to… Read More
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Compliance Bulletin & Reform Center
Health Care Compliance and Reform Education Center A fundamental change in the way the United States handles health care has arrived. Benefit rules and coverage change faster today than they used to in ten years! Our Compliance and Health Reform Education Center is where we will keep a copy of our health care reform bulletins throughout the year, in an easy to view format where you can download a brief summary or watch a short informative video. Click here to visit totalbenefitscomply.com Please contact your Total Benefit Solutions account manager at (215)355-2121 if you have any further questions.
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MEDICARE PART D: CMS NOTIFICATION REMINDER
Employers sponsoring a group health plan need to report information on the creditable status of the plan’s prescription drug coverage to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Watch a video overview Download a bulletin
Continue ReadingExamining The House Republican ACA Repeal And Replace Legislation
On March 6, 2017, the House Republican leadership introduced Affordable Care Act repeal and replacement budget reconciliation bills in the Ways and Means (W&M) (summary) and Energy and Commerce (E&C) (summary) committees. The bills, collectively titled the American Health Care Act, are the committees’ responses to the instructions they received in the Budget Resolution passed by both houses of Congress in mid-January to prepare budget reconciliation legislation to repeal the ACA. What The Two Bills Do, And What They Don’t Like the leaked bill analyzed here earlier, the two proposed bills do not repeal the ACA. They leave in place the ACA’s titles affecting Medicare, quality of care, program integrity,… Read More
Continue ReadingA Quick Look At The GOP Plan To Repeal & Replace Obamacare
Kelly Phillips Erb, a former client of ours and a friend to our clients is a tax attorney and a columnist for Forbes.com. Her story today is a great overview of the proposed plan changes currently being discussed and we highly recommend it! A Quick Look At The GOP Plan To Repeal & Replace Obamacare
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Stand-Alone HRAs for Small Employers are Back!
Stand-Alone HRAs for Small Employers are Back! The 21st Century Cures Act, signed by President Obama on December 13, 2016, gave small employers a means of providing employees help with their individual insurance premiums and other out-of-pocket qualified medical expenses without violating the provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Small employers can now provide a specific kind of Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) to help employees with the costs of individual health coverage. According to the statutory language under “Title XVIII – Other Provisions” of the Act, qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangements (QSEHRAs) are not considered “group health plans” and do not have to adhere to ACA market reforms,… Read More
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What is Healthcare Blue Book?
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
Continue ReadingIntroducing Ease Central
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
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Trump’s First Executive Order Addresses the ACA
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.
Continue ReadingTrump Issues Executive Order To Curb Some Parts Of ACA.
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
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Update on the Status of the ACA
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.
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