2016 Health Insurance Open Enrollment Begins

2016 Individual and Family Plans Open Enrollment for 2016 Open enrollment opens on November 1st 2015 and ends on January 21st 2016. As the 2016 Open Enrollment Period gets ready to explode, we will be updating this page regularly with plan benefits, rates and information as they become available. Remember Total Benefit Solutions dedicated, licensed, certified and insured representatives can help anyone enroll on the healthcare Marketplace, or off!   Full Service Client Intake Form: Click here to get started. This is not an application for insurance. This form will provide the information that is needed to determine Marketplace eligibility and must be entered on Healthcare.gov We understand that Health Care… Read More

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Health Reform Video: What Counts as Income in the Marketplace?

  What Counts as Income when applying for a Marketplace subsidy? This short video may help:     As always contact your Total Benefit Solutions account manager at (215)355-2121 for help applying for a subsidy and health plan on or off the Marketplace.

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Small Group Definition Changes Per the PACE Act

On Wednesday, October 7, 2015, President Obama signed into law H.R. 1624, the Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees (PACE) Act, legislation that will give states the ability to define the size of a small group for health insurance purposes. The law repeals the mandated small group expansion of groups of up to 50 employees to groups of up to 100 employees that was to go into effect on January 1, 2016. This law gives states the flexibility to determine the size of their small group market instead of being forced into the national standard. No action is needed if states want to retain their respective definition. There is no announcement… Read More

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Health Reform: PACE Act halts small group expansion

In what only be called good news for employers with 50-99 employees, On October 7, 2015, the President signed into law bipartisan legislation, the Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees (“PACE”) Act, which maintains the “50 or fewer” definition of a small employer. The PACE Act contains language that permits a state to use the expanded small group definition (employers with 100 or fewer employees). At this point, it is unclear whether states will retain the “50 or fewer” definition or opt to expand the small group market. Click here to view The PACE Act Halts Small Group Expansion Bulletin As always please contact your Total Benefit Solutions account manager at (215)355-2121… Read More

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Employees on Leave May be Full Time for Penalty Purposes

  Informal guidance has been released regarding calculating employees for penalty purposes as full time. Please click the link below to download the bulletin. Download Employees on Leave May be Full-time Employees for Employer Penalty Purposes – 100115R   As always, if you have questions regarding this bulletin, please contact your Total Benefit Solutions, Inc. account manager at (215)355-2121.

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Total Benefit Solutions Introduces the All Check Compliance Tool!

Total Benefit Solutions, Inc. in partnership with Benefit Mall introduces All Check! Want to know how to easily calculate your FTE’s ( Full Time Equivilents)? Not sure if you need to provide the Notice of Exchange? Unsure about your Health Care Tax Credit Eligibilty? Want to get an idea what your overall ACA compliance obligations might be? Let Total Benefit Solutions and All Check do the work. How? It;s simple. Download the input sheet, complete and return to your Total Benefit Solutions, Inc account manager and we will crunch the numbers and send you a customized report just like the sample! Click Here to Download The Input Sheet Sample_ComplianceReport.2147.21136.20150903  … Read More

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Health Reform: ACA Compliance Partnership

Total Benefit Solutions has partnered with industry leaders such as PrimePay to provide ACA Compliance tools to our valued clients. To learn more about this new ACA Compliance tool, please download the bulletin below and contact your Total Benefit Solutions dedicated account manager  at (215)355-2121 today! Click to Download

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Key Facts You Need to Know About: Cost-Sharing Reductions

A recent analysis shows that more than 2 million marketplace enrollees who are eligible for cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) are foregoing this extra level of financial assistance by enrolling in plans that do not qualify. Consumers can receive CSRs only if they enroll in a silver level plan through their marketplace. Many of those who chose not to receive CSRs are likely enrolling in bronze plans with lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs. It’s important to communicate the benefits and trade-offs of receiving CSRs to the consumers you are assisting, especially those with significant health care needs. To learn more about cost-sharing reductions, check out this helpful resource from the Center on Budget… Read More

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Health Reform: Draft 2015 Form 1095-C and Instructions, Increased Penalties, and Electronic Filing Steps Issued

  On August 7, 2015, the IRS issued revised draft 2015 Form 1095-C with instructions. The forms and instructions are substantially the same as those applicable to the 2014 year, but the penalties have been revised. Click here to download this important update for all applicable large employers. As always if you have any questions or concerns about your organization’s health care reform compliance, please contact your Total Benefit Solutions, Inc account manager at (215)355-2121

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New Law Clarifies Employer Mandate and HSA Eligibility for Veterans

  On July 31, 2015, President Obama signed into law H.S. 3236, Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015.  Notably, the law makes changes affecting the employer mandate and HSA eligibility as to individuals who are (or were formerly) service members. Click here to download the bulletin

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Video: Are you eligible for a special enrollment period?

You might think that you have to wait for the annual open enrollment period to get enrolled. Think again! You may be eligible for a special enrollment period. Watch this short video to learn more, and then call us at  (215)355-2121!    

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Video: Learn about the Premium Saver Plan

Group Supplemental Health Insurance – Gap Insurance What is the Premium Saver? The Premium Saver is an employer sponsored group supplemental insurance plan which is designed to help reduce the cost of group medical coverage. Combining the Premium Saver with certain major medical plans can deliver coverage groups want and can afford. How does the Premium Saver pay claims? It’s simple! The Premium Saver pays off of the underlying major medical plan EOB, and it pays benefits directly to the provider. When the insured goes in-network they always receive the carrier’s in-network discounts. What coverage does the Premium Saver provide? Supplemental Deductible and Co-Insurance Premium Saver plans have a supplemental… Read More

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CIGNA Webinar: 2 Distinct forms of ACA Reporting

From CIGNA-Informed on Reform Series. You’ll want to use the “maximize” or full screen feature to view the video in the bottom right hand corner of the menu bar.  

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IRS Webinar Series Offered on ACA Provisions

  The IRS is hosting a series of educational webinars to help you understand the Affordable Care Act’s employer provisions and related requirements. The IRS designed these webinars for business owners, tax managers, employee benefits managers, and health coverage providers.   Employer Shared Responsibility and Information Reporting Learn about the ACA’s employer shared responsibility provisions and information reporting requirements for employers and providers of minimum essential coverage. August 20, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. September 16, 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. Employer-Sponsored Health Coverage Information Reporting Requirements for Applicable Large Employers Learn about employer-sponsored health coverage information reporting requirements for applicable large employers, including who is required to report, what information the… Read More

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Should an Employer with 51-100 Full-time Employees Change Its Policy Year to Delay Compliance with Certain ACA Provisions?

Employers may be able to change their policy, not plan, year to delay compliance with some of the provision in the Affordable Care Act. Should you have any questions, please contact your Total Benefit Solutions Account Manager directly at (215)355-2121. Please click the link below to download this bulletin. Changing_Policy_Year_to_Delay_Compliance_-_072915E1    

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Health Reform: Reduction in Hours First Lawsuit is Filed by Employees

The first complaint was filed challenging the permissibility of reducing hours below 30 per week in order to avoid the Employer Penalty. The complaint was filed in a New York district federal court on behalf of 10,000 workers at Dave and Buster’s. The plaintiffs allege that their hours were cut so that Dave and Buster’s could avoid health care costs associated with expanding eligibility in order to avoid the Employer Penalty. Click the link below to download this bulletin.   Reduction in Hours Subject to Lawsuit in New York – 73115R  

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Video: Independence Blue Cross Medicare Plans

  Enjoy the latest TV Commercial from Independence Blue Cross about their Medicare supplement plans. Remember, Independence Blue Cross is just one of the many insurers that  Total Benefit Solutions works with, on the healthcare.gov marketplace, on the private market, in the senior market and also small groups. Call us at (215)355-2121 to see if IBC has a plan that’s a good fit for you.

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Health Reform: Is Your Company Ready for the New Reporting Requirements?

Health Reform: Is Your Company Ready for the New Reporting Requirements? In 2016, employers with at least 50 full-time employees (FTEs) must provide Forms 1095-C to their employees and to the IRS. This new requirement applies to both insured and self-insured medical plans. The forms require, in part, tracking per each month in 2015 per each FTE: the tier of health plan coverage offered (e.g., employee-only, employee+spouse, or no coverage offered); the self-only premium an employee must pay for the lowest-cost plan that provides minimum value; and the reason why an employer would not be subject to a penalty for a particular month (e.g., employee is in a waiting period or the affordability… Read More

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IBC: 2015 SHOP Updates

For 2015, the Small business Health Options Program (SHOP) platform manages more processes and information. As a result, the involvement of insurance carriers has been reduced. Understanding how it will work this year will help you work with employers to decide if they should purchase coverage through SHOP or directly from Independence Blue Cross (Independence). Like last year, groups may still only offer one plan option to all employees. However, the application and setup processes are now managed entirely through SHOP instead of by insurance carriers. This means certain Independence benefits are no longer available. Independence will continue to provide member identification cards, process member claims, and provide member services to answer questions. Click the link below to download… Read More

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Video: Turning 26? Here’s when to apply for health insurance

Video: Turning 26? Here’s when to apply for health insurance If you are turning 26 and still on your parent’s health insurance plan, first of all, happy birthday! And secondly, congratulations! You can now purchase your very own health insurance. In fact, once you turn 26, your parent’s can no longer cover you under their health plan. Remember, Independence Blue Cross is just one of the many insurers that  Total Benefit Solutions works with, on the healthcare.gov marketplace, on the private market, in the senior market and also small groups. Call us at (215)355-2121 to see if IBC has a plan that’s a good fit for you, or click here for… Read More

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Health Care Reform: Taxes and Fees-PCORI Fee, Transitional Reinsurance Fee, Insurer Fee and Excise Tax

Health Care Reform: Taxes and Fees-PCORI Fee, Transitional Reinsurance Fee, Insurer Fee and Excise Tax   From United Healthcare: Taxes and fees under the health reform law impact both fully insured and self-funded plans. But, they impact funding types differently. Employers with self-funded health plans submit applicable health reform fees directly to the government, and those with fully insured health plans will see fees prorated into their premiums. The fees are prorated over 12 months. Here is what you need to know about these fees and how they will impact your business. Please note that this document, provided by United Healthcare, has carrier specific language, however please contact your Total Benefit… Read More

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Aetna: TV Commercial “Aetna works for my life”

    Enjoy the latest TV Commercial from Aetna. Remember, Aetna is just one of the many insurers that  Total Benefit Solutions works with, on the healthcare.gov marketplace, on the private market, in the senior market and also small groups. Call us at (215)355-2121 to see if Aetna has a plan that’s a good fit for you.  

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Who can use the SHOP Marketplace?

What is the SHOP? The Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplace helps small businesses provide health coverage to their employees. The SHOP Marketplace is open to employers with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees (FTEs), including non-profit organizations. You can enroll in SHOP at any point throughout the year. Click the link below to download a handy “who can” to see if your business or organization can use or benefit from the SHOP. As always please contact your Total Benefit Solutions, Inc account manager at (215)355-2121 if you have any questions about the SHOP or any Affordable Care Act concerns. Click here to download “WHO CAN USE THE SHOP”

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Fraud, Waste & Abuse-Did You Know?

Fraud, Waste & Abuse: did you know? As a nation, we spend over $2.7 trillion on healthcare every year, and it is estimated that tens of billions are lost each year to FWA.  One recent study estimated that fraud and abuse added as much as $98 billion to annual spending on Medicare and Medicaid. It affects not only the cost but quality of care received. Combating healthcare fraud in Medicare and Medicaid is an important priority for the Federal Government. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Federal agency responsible for administering these programs, takes its role in leading anti-fraud efforts very seriously and has issued strict requirements… Read More

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Health reform: CMS releases SHOP HOW-TO video for employees

 CMS releases SHOP video for employees   The SHOP enrollment for employees video has been posted by CMS. Please keep in mind that the employer group needs to be set up on the SHOP first. Please contact your Total Benefit Solutions, Inc account manager if you have any questions about setting your organization up as a SHOP employer. Total Benefit Solutions, Inc is a certified SHOP independent broker. Click the video below to watch the video.      

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