Health Insurance – Total Benefit Solutions Inc

New Medicare Part-D Changes Affecting Employers for 2024-25

September 13, 2024September 13, 2024Mirasol Bandong

Dear Valued Client: We wanted to alert you to an upcoming change that could have a significant impact on Medicare-eligible employees and dependents who currently have group health coverage. Starting in 2025, Medicare Part D plans will have a $2,000 out-of-pocket limit. As CMS explains, this change, which is part of the Inflation Reduction Act, also includes measures like a $35 cap on insulin and new authority for Medicare to negotiate prices for certain high-cost drugs. The new $2,000 cap for Part D is particularly important because it could alter the status of many employer group health plans that currently provide drug coverage. Each year, employers must determine whether their prescription drug… Read More

2025 Part D Changes and Employer Sponsored Group Health Plans

September 9, 2024September 5, 2024Mirasol Bandong

Employers must inform the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) and participants and beneficiaries who qualify for Medicare Part D of the creditable or non-creditable status of the group health plan prescription drug plan(s). When prescription medication coverage meets or exceeds Medicare Part D, it is considered creditable. Any coverage that falls short of Medicare Part D’s quality standards is deemed non-creditable As previously reported, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (“IRA”) changed aspects of the Medicare Part D program to enhance and improve Medicare Part D coverage. The changes include: As a result of these changes, some employer sponsored prescription drug coverage may no longer qualify as creditable… Read More

Ready for another year of helping clients who get their health insurance through Pennie!

September 8, 2024September 8, 2024Ed MacConnell

Ready for another year of helping clients who get their health insurance through Pennie! Open enrollment starts November 1st 2024 and ends January 15th 2025! (215)355-2121 https://lnkd.in/bhhqqAJ

What is a level funded health insurance plan?

September 1, 2024September 1, 2024Ed MacConnell

A level-funded plan is a type of self-funded plan in which the employer contributes a steady monthly payment to cover costs for administration, claims payments, and stop-loss insurance. Level funding has its advantages when compared to fully insured plans and programs. Level-funded plans often cost less, making it easier for small- and mid-sized employers to offer their employees high-quality health care benefits at a more affordable price. Total Benefit Solutions, Inc offers small- to mid-sized employers an opportunity to have a level-funded plan for their business through a Self-Funded Program. We work with many different carriers who offer level funded programs. These carriers change by State. How does the plan… Read More

Cigna Changes to MA ID cards

August 26, 2024August 23, 2024Mirasol Bandong

As with the 2025 plan year, our Medicare Advantage ID cards will be altered. By utilizing our digital portals to obtain a member’s current PCP, treating providers will be encouraged to use them more efficiently, which will prevent needless treatment delays brought on by the referral process. See what’s changing below, so you’re ready to answer any customer questions this upcoming AEP. What’s changing? 2024 2025 What is staying the same? When are these changes occurring? Members in HMO plans are still required to maintain a PCP New enrollees with a 1/1/2025 effective date will start receiving ID cards without PCP information as soon as 10/15/2024. The PCP network name… Read More

Tower Health is back!

July 26, 2024July 23, 2024Mirasol Bandong

Tower Health is back in Cigna Medicare Advantage network in Pennsylvania! After productive negotiations with Tower Health in Pennsylvania, Cigna is happy to announce that they are back in their Medicare Advantage network effective June 1, 2024. This includes Phoenixville and Pottstown Hospital, all Primary Care Physicians (PCPs), specialists, ancillary providers, and other hospitals that were previously in-network. We are dedicated to providing exceptional service, so please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated Total Benefit Solutions health insurance specialists at (215)-355-2121 or fill out the contact form below. We are available to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have.

Disaster Special Election Periods in several states

July 15, 2024July 12, 2024Mirasol Bandong

This is an important announcement for customers in Arizona, California, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas and West Virginia and for those with business in these states. The counties below are under a federal or state designated SEP due to an emergency. Applications for disaster SEP are only accepted as long as the SEP declaration is in place. For the most recent information, if a deadline is not specified below, please use Producers’ University’s Ongoing SEP tracker. Applications for SEPs submitted after the declaration date of that SEP will not be accepted. IMPORTANT : Please be aware The SEP begins on the date of the incident’s start, if that occurs earlier, or on… Read More

Special Enrollment Period Extended: Florida Emergency Declaration – Hurricane Idalia

June 28, 2024June 28, 2024Mirasol Bandong

Please be advised that a state of emergency was extended for certain Florida counties. This declaration allows for a one-time Special Enrollment Period (SEP), in the event beneficiaries were unable to make an election during another qualifying election period. Please reference the following guidelines for the incident period. This DST-SEP applies to the Florida counties listed below. Important Compliance Information Who is eligible: This SEP opportunity is ONLY available to beneficiaries who: Details : Impacted Counties: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Nassau, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas,… Read More

Disaster Special Election Periods in several states

June 24, 2024June 20, 2024Mirasol Bandong

This is an important announcement for customers in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, Oklahoma and Texas and for those with business in these states. The counties below are under a federal or state designated SEP due to an emergency. Applications for disaster SEP are only accepted as long as the SEP declaration is in place. For the most recent information, if a deadline is not specified below, please use Producers’ University’s Ongoing SEP tracker. Applications for SEPs submitted after the declaration date of that SEP will not be accepted. IMPORTANT : Please be aware The SEP begins on the date of the incident’s start, if that occurs earlier, or on the declaration date. The SEP… Read More

You can access your PCORI membership report on uhceservices.com

June 19, 2024June 18, 2024Mirasol Bandong

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), health insurers, and plan sponsors are responsible for paying the PCORI fee. The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee also helps fund research that evaluates and compares health outcomes, clinical effectiveness, and the risks and benefits of medical treatments and services. Sponsors of self-funded (ASO) plans are required to submit Form 720 and pay the PCORI fee to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) immediately. The payment must be made by July 31 of the year that follows the conclusion of the plan year. A PCORI Membership Report is given to UnitedHealthcare Level Funded groups whose plan year ends in 2023 to help with PCORI fee… Read More

Cigna+Oscar Announcement

May 15, 2024May 14, 2024Mirasol Bandong

Oscar and Cigna Healthcare have made the decision not to renew Cigna + Oscar Small Group plans nationally as of December 15, 2024. They will continue to provide coverage for Cigna + Oscar Small Group services through the end of each member’s policy, and specific timing is dependent on each groups’ enrollment date. Dates: As per the federal and state deadlines, Cigna + Oscar will inform plan sponsors and insured persons about the discontinuation. Oscar will stay active in the individual market and concentrate on that area of the company’s operations. To see ARTICLE We are dedicated to providing exceptional service, so please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated… Read More

IRS Addresses Tax Treatment Of Work-Life Referral Services

May 7, 2024May 6, 2024Mirasol Bandong

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) clarified the tax treatment of several work-life referral (“WLR”) services offered by employers in a new Fact Sheet FAQ. According to the FAQ, the value of the WLR services may be deducted from employees’ salary as a de minimis fringe benefit in cases when they are included in employee assistance programs (“EAPs”) or are otherwise bundled with other services. WLR Programs WLR services are offered to qualified employees through the employer-funded WLR program. WLR services are informative and referral consultations that help staff members locate, engage, and bargain with life-management providers to find answers to personal, professional, or family problems. Generally speaking, unless a part… Read More

2025 Medicare Advantage and Part D Rate Announcement

April 11, 2024Mirasol Bandong

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Announcement of Calendar Year (CY) 2025 Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Rates and Part C and Part D Payment Policies (the Rate Announcement). The objectives set forth by CMS for Medicare and Part D align with our overall program vision for the agency, which includes advancing health justice, promoting affordability and the Medicare program’s sustainability, and driving comprehensive, person-centered care. Medicare Advantage and Part D Rate Announcement We are dedicated to providing exceptional service, so please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated Total Benefit Solutions health insurance specialists at (215)-355-2121 or fill out the contact form below. We are available to… Read More

Update on Legislation – EmblemHealth

March 29, 2024March 28, 2024Mirasol Bandong

President Joe Biden presented his budget proposal on March 11th, 2024, for the federal fiscal year that would start on October 1st. Along with raising taxes on people earning more than $400,000 annually, the budget would also help extend talks with pharmaceutical corporations to prolong the Medicare program’s financial viability. click HERE to read the whole article. We are dedicated to providing exceptional service, so please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated Total Benefit Solutions health insurance specialists at (215)-355-2121 or fill out the contact form below. We are available to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have.

United Healthcare and Mount Sinai Renew Relationship

March 28, 2024March 27, 2024Mirasol Bandong

In accordance with a new multi-year agreement between UnitedHealthcare and Mount Sinai Health System, individuals participating in employer-sponsored and individual plans, such as the Oxford Health Plan, will once again have network access to the system’s hospitals. Additionally, the agreement guarantees continuous, uninterrupted access to the doctors at Mount Sinai. for more information click HERE We are dedicated to providing exceptional service, so please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated Total Benefit Solutions health insurance specialists at (215)-355-2121 or fill out the contact form below. We are available to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have.

Claim Processing Delays and Invoice Updates

March 27, 2024March 26, 2024Mirasol Bandong

On February 21, 2024, MVP stopped doing business with Change Healthcare and its subsidiaries, as well as all digital interactions. This was due to a cyber security breach. In compliance with national and state regulations, MVP is implementing innovative business solutions and restoring affected service functionality as needed. Processing Delays for Provider Claims : New York State Department of Financial Services encourage issuers and pharmaceutical benefit managers (PBMs) to take into account granting provider requests to halt or reverse specific administrative processes. MVP is assessing each provider’s request for suspension and tolling individually and determining whether a certification is necessary. To read more click HERE We are dedicated to providing… Read More

Cleveland Clinic will remain in our MA network in Florida and Ohio

March 25, 2024March 21, 2024Mirasol Bandong

We are pleased to announce that Cleveland Clinic will stay part of our Medicare Advantage (MA) network in Florida and Ohio after successful negotiations! This covers all specialists, ancillary providers, hospitals, and primary care physicians (PCPs). Once a contractual agreement is achieved, Cleveland Clinic services will continue to be accessible without interruption. Customers will receive letters in the upcoming weeks letting them know that Cleveland Clinic is still in network and that they don’t need to take any action right now. The PCP assignments at Cleveland Clinic are all still the same. Have any questions? call us at (215) 355-2121 or click Cigna healthcare provider directory to view the most… Read More

UnitedHealthcare – RxDC Information Required by Deadline

March 22, 2024March 21, 2024Mirasol Bandong

Please assist us in answering the required questions in the CAA Pharmacy Data Collection request information that is located in the employer/broker portal. It will make sure that UnitedHealthcare can successfully submit the data report. In order for us to prepare the data for submission to CMS by June 1, 2024, we must get the information by April 10, 2024, thus your prompt answer is extremely important. To read more click HERE We are dedicated to providing exceptional service, so please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated Total Benefit Solutions health insurance specialists at (215)-355-2121 or fill out the contact form below. We are available to answer any questions… Read More

Aetna – Data Collection Requirement for Rx Data Collection Reporting Submission

March 20, 2024March 19, 2024Mirasol Bandong

The deadline for submitting Prescription Drug Data Collection (RxDC) reporting for the reference year 2023 is June 1, 2024. Certain data items that were not necessary for the first submission must be included in this one. As a result, Aetna has created a procedure to help our plan sponsors submit these reports. Important Update: Data Collection Requirement for Prescription Drug Data Collection Reporting Submission Read more HERE We are dedicated to providing exceptional service, so please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated Total Benefit Solutions health insurance specialists at (215)-355-2121 or fill out the contact form below. We are available to answer any questions or address any concerns you… Read More

FTC to send nearly $100 million in refunds to consumers of Benefytt’s fraudulent health plans

March 19, 2024March 19, 2024Mirasol Bandong

Refunds are being sent by the Federal Trade Commission to customers it claims purchased fraudulent health plans that Benefytt Technologies misrepresented as Obamacare plans or Affordable Care Act. Benefytt, which operated under several identities, including Health Insurance Innovations, used deceptive websites and aggressive marketing to trick people looking for health insurance into purchasing fake policies that came with expensive monthly premiums, according to the FTC’s August 2022 complaint. “Benefytt pocketed millions selling sham insurance to seniors and other consumers looking for health coverage,” Samuel Levine, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a statement at the time the original complaint was filed. Qualified for the refund: Click HERE to… Read More

Wellness Rewards Incentive

March 14, 2024Mirasol Bandong

Medicare participants covered by Jefferson Health Plan will get a personalized mailer regarding their Wellness Rewards program. Members of this program can earn spending money as a reward for completing health-related tasks. Among the health-related pursuits that are eligible for incentives are: Visit https://www.jeffersonhealthplans.com/medicare/ to review Medicare Advantage plans and benefits that works for you. Have more Medicare questions? For more information contact your Total Benefit Solutions, Inc health insurance professionals at (215)355-2121

Is The Covid 19 vaccine covered by Medicare in 2024?

February 24, 2024February 23, 2024Ed MacConnell

I s The Covid 19 vaccine covered by Medicare? Medicare does cover the updated (2023–2024 formula) Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for people 5 and older. If you’re immunocompromised (like people who have had an organ transplant and are at risk for infections and other diseases), you can get a 3-dose series of updated (2023–2024 formula. Have more Medicare questions? For more information contact your Total Benefit Solutions, Inc health insurance professionals at (215)355-2121

CONSENT FOR HEALTH INSURANCE BROKER ASSISTANCE

February 21, 2024February 21, 2024Ed MacConnell

CONSENT FOR BROKER ASSISTANCE FORM AS REQUIRED UNDER THE 2023 CMS-9899-F AMENDMENT OF 45 CFR § 155.220 Click here to complete the consent form This consent form outlines your rights. Please read it carefully. As a licensed Health Insurance Broker, Ed MacConnell of Total Benefit Solutions Inc has completed the annual Affordable Care Act certification by the Marketplace in your state. With this yearly training, and an individual or family’s formal consent, brokers are authorized to search for and assist households with their Marketplace account. The purpose of this form is to receive your informed written consent. Terms of Consent I give my permission to Total Benefit Solutions Inc, and/or their staff… Read More

Medicare: Your Essential Guide

February 7, 2024February 7, 2024Ed MacConnell

Understanding Medicare is crucial for making informed decisions about your healthcare coverage. Whether you choose Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage (Part C), knowing the basics empowers you to select the plan that best suits your needs. Original Medicare comprises Part A and Part B, covering hospital stays, doctor visits, and other essential services. Supplemental plans like Medicare Part D for prescription drugs and Medigap for additional coverage can enhance your benefits and reduce out-of-pocket expenses. Alternatively, Medicare Advantage plans offer a comprehensive alternative, bundling Parts A, B, and often D into a single package. These plans may extend coverage to dental, vision, and other services, providing a more holistic approach… Read More

Navigating the Basics of Medicare: Understanding the Four Parts

February 5, 2024February 5, 2024Ed MacConnell

Medicare, a vital healthcare program for seniors and certain disabled individuals, comprises four key parts. This post breaks down each part’s coverage, providing a concise overview for better understanding. Medicare Eligibility: Eligibility kicks in at age 65 or after receiving 24 months of Social Security Disability payments. Unlike private insurance, Medicare doesn’t have family plans, allowing individuals to make independent coverage choices. The Four Parts of Medicare: Visit the website for a deeper dive into the intricacies and benefits of Medicare. We are dedicated to providing exceptional service, so please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated Total Benefit Solutions health insurance specialists at (215)-355-2121 or fill out the contact… Read More

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