We are pleased to announce that Edward T MacConnell, President of Total Benefit Solutions has earned the certification of Certified Voluntary Worksite Professional from the National Association of Health Underwriters. Voluntary/Worksite products are not new to the employee benefit industry. However, the surge of interest in these products has accelerated as employers seek ways to help attract and retain talent. The industry has responded swiftly with new products, new features, new enrollment technologies and many changes to the underwriting rules of these products. This has created new responsibilities for agents, brokers and consultants as advising clients in this area will differentiate their value to the consumers they serve. Certified Voluntary Worksite… Read More
Continue ReadingHR4302 Bill Passes: Repeals limitation on deductibles for employer-sponsored health plans
On March 31, 2014 President Obama signed into law Bill HR4302 – Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014, sometimes called the “Doc Fix” bill. While the primary purpose of this bill was to prevent the automatic cuts to physician Medicare payments, this bill also included a significant modification to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This bill included a section that ends the limitations on deductibles that were set at $2,000/individual and $4,000/family within the ACA on small group employer sponsored health plans, and made the effective date retroactive to the original enactment of the ACA. The act states: SEC. 213. ELIMINATION OF LIMITATION ON DEDUCTIBLES FOR EMPLOYER-SPONSORED HEALTH PLANS.… Read More
Continue ReadingDOES CMS, HHS, IRS, or The WhiteHouse CARE?
Wayne Schellhaas asks a very good question, “Does CMS Care?” We need direction and we need it FAST! For most of us we are sleep deprived and some physically sick. I received phone calls up to midnight last night asking for help enrolling in healthcare.gov. Not because they were waiting until the last minute, but because the very 1800 number, CMS wants us to have people call, gave them the run around since November 2013!! We need more than this – some people never received the email saying the account was confirmed, the system stopped sending emails to confirm accounts, the system wasn’t up to even set up accounts. I… Read More
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HHS to Extend Marketplace Enrollment Deadline
The Washington Post has reported that HHS has released regulations extending the Marketplace open enrollment deadline to around mid-April for individuals who began, but did not complete, a Marketplace application. The extension appears to be based on a self-certification (honor) system, in which individuals attest that they could not timely complete the Marketplace application before the March 31 deadline. This extension may have an impact on employer-sponsored plans to the extent individuals have more time to elect Marketplace benefits and therefore may decline employer-sponsored coverage at the next OE. Keep in mind that IRS cafeteria plan rules currently do not recognize enrollment in a Marketplace plan as a qualified status… Read More
Continue ReadingMy Experience with Obamacare: A Freelancer Applies for Health Insurance
Our friends at Zane Benefits recently shared this comic and I enjoyed it so much I thought you might like it too: Click here to see the rest of the comic on zanebenefits.com Click here to see the rest of the comic on zanebenefits.com
Continue ReadingAffordable Care Act: Open Enrollment ENDS at 11:59PM EST on March 31, 2014
Open Enrollment ENDS 11:59PM EST on March 31, 2014 · 2014 Penalty is $95 or 1% of your income, whichever is GREATER · A single person making between $11,490 and $45,960 will receive a subsidy to help you purchase insurance · NO one can be turned down · NO health questions · You can enroll on the www.healthcare.gov and do everything yourself or a licensed independent broker, like Total Benefit Solutions Inc. can assist you with choosing a plan that is PERFECT for YOU, on the marketplace or off. Independent brokers are licensed, certified and insured. A Broker is also FREE & CONFIDENTIAL! Call us before the end of open enrollment 1(800)924-6718
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Small Business Health Care Tax Credit FAQs
Small employers that pay at least half of the premiums for employee health insurance coverage under a qualifying arrangement may be eligible for the small business health care tax credit. The credit is specifically targeted to small businesses and tax-exempt organizations that primarily employ 25 or fewer workers with average income of $50,000 or less ($50,800 for calendar year 2014). To be eligible, you must cover at least 50 percent of the cost of single (not family) health care coverage for each of your employees. You must also have fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs). Those employees must have average wages of less than $50,000 (as adjusted for inflation… Read More
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The Truth Agents/Brokers & FFM Navigators The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
The Truth Agents/Brokers & FFM Navigators The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Shared with permission from B. Ronnell Nolan, HIA, CHRS-President/CEO – HAFA Financial Media Group, LLC, Centennial, CO, compiles this information annually. There are approximately 1.2 million licensed insurance agents nationally. The 1.2 million does not include the staff of licensed agents employed throughout the United States. After adding the staff, imagine the millions of people that Agents represent, educate and protect on a daily basis! With the passing of the ACA, Health Agents for America, Inc. was formed to create a tool box for Agents to use in educating the citizens of their local communities. HAFA is known to… Read More
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Feds: Navigators don’t need E&O coverage
Enclosed in the 279 pages of proposed rules released Friday by the Department of Health and Human Services for the public health insurance exchanges is an answer, sort of, to a question brokers have raised for more than a year — who will be liable for navigators’ mistakes? n the section of the rules discussing navigators, the Obama administration’s document says “a state or an exchange must not require that all navigators be agents or brokers or carry errors and omissions coverage.” Further, the rule says that if navigators were to be required to carry E&O insurance, this would disqualify them from being considered a “community and consumer-focused nonprofit group.” Federal law… Read More
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IBC: Important Changes Regarding Medicare Part B Exclusion
From IBC November 2013: We are writing to let you know that we will be contacting your group customers to communicate the Medicare Exclusion and application of this exclusion to their benefit plan. What is the Medicare Exclusion? The Medicare Exclusion applies to members for whom Medicare would be the primary payer but they have not elected to enroll. These members will be responsible for paying their doctor, hospital, or other medical professional the amount Medicare would have paid and any applicable copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. In turn, their group health benefit plan will only pay the remaining balance on claims submitted as if the member had enrolled in Medicare… Read More
Continue ReadingIBC: Small Group Metallic Plans Mapping
Upon renewal in 2014 small groups will be automatically “mapped” to a new ACA compliant metallic plan. Find your new recommended 2014 Blue Solutions plan using the chart below. To make your renewal even easier we’ve identified the plan that most closely matches your current plan. Or you can choose from among 36 other options to suit your needs. More comprehensive coverage Blue Solutions health plans now cover Essential Health Benefits like pediatric dental and vision. Your health plan also continues to cover doctor visits, hospital admissions, emergency room treatments, maternity care, lab tests, X-rays, prescriptions, and vision benefits for both children and adults. Click the link below to download the… Read More
Continue ReadingHow Does a Group HRA Work?
A GroupHRA allows you to use your payroll to bring your employees better, more affordable employer health benefits. Your employees have a high deductible group health insurance policy and receive tax-free reimbursements through their payroll for medical expenses. In addition to payroll reimbursement, you can also make same-day reimbursements to employees by cash, check or direct deposit. Total Benefit Solutions Inc has partnered with Zane Benefit services to provide our clients an affordable, easy, electronic administration solution. What makes an HRA an attractive solution for your organization? The fact that you are in control! Download the report :How A Group HRA Works Click here for more HRA information
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Health Reform: Regulations Issued on Waiting Periods
For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2014, a group health plan and an insurance carrier offering group health insurance coverage may not apply any waiting period that exceeds 90 days. This rule applies to both grandfathered and non-grandfathered plans. It should be noted that nothing in the Affordable Care Act requires a group health plan or carrier to have a waiting period Click here to download the bulletin
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IBC: July 1 rate increase for individual medically underwritten plans
IBC: We want to let you know that the monthly rates for our individual medically underwritten plans will increase in July 2014. We are notifying members muchearlier than is required to give them the opportunity to enroll in a plan that is compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The reason for the rate increase. We understand that it can be difficult to afford quality health insurance coverage. While we continue to work hard to keep costs down, the cost of health care continues to rise along with our member utilization. This is why it’s necessary for Independence Blue Cross (IBC) to implement an 11.5 percent rate increase. Click the link below to read… Read More
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Total Benefit Solutions Makes Enrolling Easier
In an effort to meet the enrollment challenges that many are facing under healthcare reform, Total Benefit Solutions Inc has designed a custom form for our clients to use. Using this form and submitting it to Total Benefit Solutions Inc will enable our Marketplace trained and certified licensed independent brokers to assist you in the enrollment process from the registration right through the enrollment! Remember as your independent broker we always work in your best interests, not an insurance company. We represent you, our client and not an insurer or government agency. Click the link below to open the form and get started! When completed, just click the link to… Read More
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Humana-When to Enroll: Important Deadlines under the Affordable Care Act
Have you enrolled? Open enrollment is ending soon! Do you know when? Watch this video from Humana and learn more, then call your Total Benefit Solutions Advisor at (215)355-2121 and get enrolled without any further delay!
Continue ReadingAffordable Care Act Video: IBX Answers Five Common Questions
Not Sure if you qualify? Ask your Total Benefit Solutions Advisor at (215)355-2121
Continue ReadingAffordable Care Act Video: Subsidies and Tax Credits
Under the Affordable Care Act, individuals and families may qualify for financial assistants to help pay for health care coverage. Age, family size and total household income are the factors that will determine your eligibility for subsidies and tax credits. Answer a few simple questions to learn if you might qualify for financial support: click here or ask your Total Benefit Solutions Adviser to help you by calling us today at (215)355-2121. This short video from Independence Blue Cross makes it easy to understand how they work.
Continue ReadingTotal Benefit Solutions Now Offering Online Enrollment with Consult-A-Doctor PLUS
Healthcare… the way it should be! Are you tired of waiting multiple weeks to go see your doctor, only to find yourself taking time off work so you can drive through traffic and sit in the waiting room for what seems like forever? Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the stress and anxiety of a difficult life situation and wished you had someone you could trust to hold your hand and walk you through to the other side? Then welcome to CADRPlus, an innovative new health care program that gives you unlimited, 24/7 access to doctors and other industry professionals from the comfort and convenience of your phone or computer,… Read More
Continue ReadingTotal Benefit Solutions Now Offering Online Enrollment with Consult-A-Doctor PLUS
Healthcare… the way it should be! Are you tired of waiting multiple weeks to go see your doctor, only to find yourself taking time off work so you can drive through traffic and sit in the waiting room for what seems like forever? Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the stress and anxiety of a difficult life situation and wished you had someone you could trust to hold your hand and walk you through to the other side? Then welcome to CADRPlus, an innovative new health care program that gives you unlimited, 24/7 access to doctors and other industry professionals from the comfort and convenience of your phone or computer,… Read More
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Health Reform: Final Rule Issued Regarding Health Insurance Provider Fee
Beginning in 2014, a health insurance provider fee applies to covered entities engaged in the business of providing health insurance for United States health risks. United States health risks include the health risk of a U.S. citizen or a resident alien including those living abroad. Thus, insurers issuing expatriate policies covering a U.S. citizen or resident alien living abroad are subject to the fee. Medical, dental and vision carriers in the insured marketplace are subject to this fee. This fee does not apply to self-insured employer-sponsored plans. Click the link below to download the bulletin. Final Rule Issued Regarding Health Insurance Provider Fee
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Health Reform: Final Regulations Issued on Employer Penalty
On February 10, 2014, the IRS released final regulations implementing the Employer Shared Responsibility provision under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for 2015 (the “employer penalty”). This guidance is lengthy and provides helpful clarification in many areas. We are in the process of reviewing the guidance, but you will find some key aspects of this rule below: The employer penalty will apply to employers with 100 or more full-time equivalent employees starting in 2015. For employers with 50-99 full-time equivalent employees, there is a one-year delay and the employer penalty provision will start in 2016. Click the link below to download the bulletin. Final Regulations Issued on Employer Penalty – 021114R
Continue ReadingAmeriHealth New Jersey discontinues “Bill me Later” feature
AmeriHealth New Jersey has recently decided to remove the “Bill me Later” feature from AHNJ4U.com for Individual Coverage. “Bill me Later” gave members who enrolled 15 days prior to their desired effective date the option to be billed at a later time. This feature caused a delay in member billing and ID card production, leading to an exponential increase in call volumes. “Bill me Later” has been removed permanently from AHNJ4U.com, but members still have the option to pay by credit card for first time payments. Another alternative is to utilize an ACH payment option for reoccurring payments. If a member chooses to apply with paper checks, they must include… Read More
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Healthcare Reform Update: ‘Pay or Play’ Delayed Until 2016 for Large Employers With Fewer Than 100 Full-Time Employees
‘Pay or Play’ Delayed Until 2016 for Large Employers With Fewer Than 100 Full-Time Employees Brought to you via HR360.com Newly issued final rules provide guidance for large employers who are subject to the shared responsibility (“pay or play”) requirements under Health Care Reform. These employers may be liable for a penalty if they do not offer affordable health insurance that provides a minimum level of coverage to full-time employees (and their dependents), and any full-time employee receives a premium tax credit for purchasing individual coverage on the Health Insurance Marketplace (Exchange). Click the link below to download the bulletin: Pay or Play Delayed to 2016
Continue ReadingVideo: Who can help me enroll?
Who can help you enroll on a new affordable care act plan? Remember an independent broker like Total Benefit Solutions Inc can still help you enroll on a plan on the Federal Healtcare Exchange or off at no additional cost to you. Your independent broker is still truly your healthcare advocate! Another simple yet educational video from Humana:
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