SHOP Small Business Exchange – Total Benefit Solutions Inc

Benefits of a PEO: How to Simplify your Business Operations

September 21, 2023September 20, 2023Wendy Lopez

If you’re a small- or mid-sized business owner, you’ve probably come across the term “PEO” in your quest to optimize your company’s operations. PEO stands for Professional Employer Organization, and it’s a dynamic solution designed to assist businesses in various crucial areas, such as payroll administration, human resources, risk management, and employee benefits. In this blog post, we’ll explore the advantages of partnering with a PEO and introduce you to a valuable resource to help you navigate this complex landscape. The Advantages of a PEO As beneficial as PEOs can be, the surge in their numbers can be overwhelming for business owners. The plethora of options often leads to confusion… Read More

Navigating Health Insurance for “gig” Economy Entrepreneurs

July 11, 2023July 11, 2023Wendy Lopez

For self-employed individuals or today’s gig workers, obtaining health insurance can be a bit different compared to traditional employer-sponsored plans. Empower yourself with a range of valuable choices to explore! Take a moment to peruse the document below, where you’ll find a comprehensive list of options available to you. We’re committed to providing exceptional support, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to our dedicated Total Benefit Solutions health insurance specialists at (215)-355-2121. We’re here to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have.

Individual Coverage HRA: Choice and affordability in employee health benefits

March 6, 2023March 3, 2023Ed MacConnell

How HRAs work Health Reimbursement Arrangements are employer-funded accounts that reimburse employees for eligible medical expenses. No employee contributions are allowed. Since an HRA is funded only by the employer, the employer sets the rules of the plan. The ICHRA works much the same as other HRAs, with the following important differences: ICHRA rules Traditional group health plans An employer may not offer an ICHRA and a traditional group health plan (GHP) to employees within the same class. However, an employer may offer an ICHRA to one class of employees and a traditional GHP to another class. Also, a traditional GHP may be grandfathered for current employees while all new… Read More

Small Group – Form 1095-B: Who receives it and why

February 27, 2023February 21, 2023Cayla Widdop

Form 1095-B is a health insurance tax form used to report certain information to the IRS and taxpayers about individuals who are covered by Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC). What are the IRS reporting requirements? The ACA requires individuals to obtain and report that they had MEC or otherwise qualify for an exemption from the requirement. However, there is no longer an individual tax penalty following the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Individuals may need Form 1095-B to demonstrate MEC for nontax-related purposes. The ACA also requires certain employers to offer all full-time employees and their dependents MEC to meet affordability and minimum value standards. This is known as the… Read More

1095-B Tax Form Available Electronically for Employees of Cigna Fully-Insured Clients

February 12, 2023February 9, 2023Ed MacConnell

Effectively 1/1/23, Cigna transitioned from physically mailing 1095-B tax forms to on-demand electronic availability for customers on fully-insured client medical plans. Just one way Cigna is making healthcare simpler for customers, enrollees can access their 1095-B tax forms anytime, anywhere via myCigna.com® . Click here to read more. As always contact your Total Benefit Solutions group health insurance specialist at (215)355-2121 if you have any further questions or concerns.

What is Limited Medical Insurance?

January 29, 2023January 29, 2023Ed MacConnell

A limited medical plan is a form of supplemental health insurance that can be used with or without a major medical plan. Limited medical plans have a set amount of money for treatment that they give to you to pay for common medical expenses. They recognize that common services like wellness visits can sometimes turn into a financial strain for people. Since this type of insurance does not cover everything due to a predetermined limit on what you receive, you will want to look closely at the benefits before choosing a plan. It can be helpful to pair a limited medical plan with a major medical plan. Doctors visits and… Read More

What is a drug formulary?

January 14, 2023January 14, 2023Ed MacConnell

The drug formulary is a list of medications that have been selected by an insurance company for their medical effectiveness, positive results, and value. The formulary includes generic medications and a defined list of brand medications. Sometimes it includes specialty mediations. Most formularies will have exclusions, or drugs not covered by your plan. You maximize your benefits when you purchase formulary medications. Your health insurance specialists at Total Benefit Solutions, In. can help you understand your plan’s formulary and how to find or search that list. Contact us today at (215)355-2121 if you have questions about your health insurance plan’s drug coverage.

What is the Marketplace?

October 19, 2022September 21, 2022Cayla Widdop

Shorthand for the “Health Insurance Marketplace®,” a shopping and enrollment service for medical insurance created by the Affordable Care Act in 2010. In most states, the federal government runs the Marketplace (sometimes know as the “exchange”) for individuals and families. On the web, it’s found at HealthCare.gov. Some states run their own Marketplace at different websites. Fill out a Marketplace application and you’ll find out if you qualify for lower monthly premiums or savings on out-of-pocket costs based on your income. You may find out if you qualify for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). You can shop for and enroll in affordable medical insurance online, by phone,… Read More

Turning 26: Your Guide to Health Insurance

September 23, 2022Ed MacConnell

Turning 26: Your Guide to Getting Your New Health Insurance:https://totalbenefits.net/turning-26-your-guide-to-health-insurance/

Health Insurance Broker Change Leads to Better Results

July 7, 2022July 6, 2022Ed MacConnell

Watch Video The Issue A mid-sized group prospect was unhappy with their current broker and looking for a change. They thought more could be done to help control their employee benefit budget and were looking for guidance. They came to us with a 17% health insurance renewal. Our Solution Our team met with the business owner and Human Resource Director to review the following: The corporate goals and philosophy regarding employee benefits The benefit structure and costs of their present programs Options for cost containment strategies How to integrate wellness into their benefits portfolio Methods for better communication of the benefit programs to employees The Result The customer was pleased… Read More

2021 MLR Rebate Checks Recently Issued to Fully Insured Plans

September 22, 2021September 21, 2021Ed MacConnell

Achieve Well-being Rewards

July 1, 2021June 30, 2021Ed MacConnell

Supreme Court Dismisses Latest Challenge to the ACA

June 29, 2021June 29, 2021Ed MacConnell

What is Blue Card PPO?

June 11, 2021June 18, 2021Ed MacConnell

IRS Guidance Clarifies DCAP Relief

June 9, 2021June 10, 2021Ed MacConnell

The IRS released Notice 2021-26 to address taxation of Dependent Care Assistance Programs (“DCAPs”) as it relates to the relief afforded under Section 214 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (“CAA”) and the increased DCAP limit under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”).

Update on COVID-19 Vaccine and Vaccine Administration Cost

April 23, 2021April 23, 2021Ed MacConnell

Update on COVID-19 Vaccine and Vaccine Administration Cost

COVID-19 PPE Now a Qualified Medical Expense

April 13, 2021April 13, 2021Ed MacConnell

Heard of Reference Based Pricing Health Insurance?

April 12, 2021April 13, 2021Ed MacConnell

How Does Level Self Funded Health Insurance Work?

April 7, 2021April 7, 2021Ed MacConnell

We have received a lot of questions regarding the new level funding health benefit programs so we prepared this video to make it a little easier to understand. Ask us today if Level Funding your group’s health insurance might be a good for for your health plan! Contact your Total Benefit Solutions Account manager at (215)355-2121.

Impact of Key Provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 COVID-19 Relief on Marketplace Premiums

April 3, 2021April 2, 2021Ed MacConnell

there are millions of uninsured people who could be getting subsidized coverage on the ACA Marketplaces, but have not taken advantage of this financial help. In many cases, it may be that the financial help available to them is not sufficient to make the premium or the deductible affordable

Category: SHOP Small Business Exchange

Benefits of a PEO: How to Simplify your Business Operations

Navigating Health Insurance for “gig” Economy Entrepreneurs

Individual Coverage HRA: Choice and affordability in employee health benefits

1095-B Tax Form Available Electronically for Employees of Cigna Fully-Insured Clients

What is Limited Medical Insurance?

What is a drug formulary?

What is the Marketplace?

Turning 26: Your Guide to Health Insurance

Health Insurance Broker Change Leads to Better Results

2021 MLR Rebate Checks Recently Issued to Fully Insured Plans

Achieve Well-being Rewards

Supreme Court Dismisses Latest Challenge to the ACA

What is Blue Card PPO?

Top 10 Questions to Ask Your Benefits Broker

IRS Guidance Clarifies DCAP Relief

Update on COVID-19 Vaccine and Vaccine Administration Cost

COVID-19 PPE Now a Qualified Medical Expense

Heard of Reference Based Pricing Health Insurance?

How Does Level Self Funded Health Insurance Work?

Impact of Key Provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 COVID-19 Relief on Marketplace Premiums

Departments Issue Guidance Re: FFCRA and CARES Act

What is a minimum essential coverage (MEC) plan?

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HSA/HDHP Limits Increase for 2020

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