Medicare Supplements: Did You Know?

Medicare Supplements: Did You Know? Medicare supplements do not have an annual open enrollment! Medicare beneficiaries on supplement plans can do comparative shopping and change plans (if qualified)at anytime during the year! If you have not checked your rates in two years or more, chances are there is a better rate available now. Medicare supplements are often called Medigap plans. Medicare supplements are not the same as Medicare Advantage plans. Medicare Part A and B do offer relatively good coverage, however they do not pay for all the expenses you will incur as a patient. Most Medicare supplements do not cover prescription drugs, dental, eyeglass or gym memberships. Standard Medigap plans are… Read More

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If an employee turns age 65 this month and enrolls in Medicare Part A, can he still receive/contribute funds into an HSA?

Question: If an employee turns age 65 this month and enrolls in Medicare Part A, can he still receive/contribute funds into an HSA until the end of the year or must he enroll in a different plan now? Answer: If an employee is enrolled in Medicare, then beginning with the first month the employee is enrolled in Medicare, he can no longer contribute to the health savings account (HSA). However, the money that is already there is still his. Note that whether or not the employee is eligible to make new HSA contributions, existing HSA account funds are not affected. Even if the employee is no longer HSA-eligible, he or… Read More

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Group Health Plan Notices 2015 CALENDAR

Group Health Plan Notices 2015 CALENDAR From our partners at HR360: This calendar/checklist is designed to help companies review the key reporting and notice requirements that may apply to their employer-sponsored group health plans under ERISA , the Affordable cxare Act, Medicare and more. Please note that this list is for general reference purposes only and is not all-inclusive. Note: ERISA and benefit requirements are complex, and your plan’s responsibilities may vary depending on the individual circumstances surrounding your company’s plan. Employers who have questions are encouraged to consult with their plan administrators, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, or a knowledgeable employment law attorney… Read More

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2014 Compliance Bulletin Compilation

Download our 2014 Compliance Bulletin Compilation, featuring all of our released compliance bulletins for the entire year!  Topics include, Health Savings Accounts, The Individual Mandate, Employer “pay or play” mandate, exemptions, FSA carryovers and much, much more. All of the bulletins are in an easy to search format for your convenience. 2014 Compliance Compilation – Download As always please contact your Total Benefit Solutions account manager at (215)355-02121 if you have any further questions or concerns.

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Gilead makes exclusive deal with CVS for hepatitis C drugs

(Bloomberg) — Gilead Sciences Inc. agreed to make its hepatitis C medicines the exclusive treatments for CVS Health Corp. customers, intensifying a drug-industry rivalry to win patients for the $1,000-a-day medicines.  Read the news story by clicking here.

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Total Benefit Solutions is your Marketplace Navigator

What do you get with Total Benefit Solutions as your Marketplace Navigator? A broker who is Unbiased and objective  Trained Local Certified Licensed Insured Up to date Representing you Part of a team of dedicated professionals Click here for more information and to see our “Marketplace Navigator” brochure: Individual Enrollment Navigator Brochure  

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Medicare: Medicare & You Online

Did you know? You can go paperless and get your Medicare and You Handbook Online!   As always, if you have any questions about Medicare health plans, please contact your Total Benefit Solutions account manager at (800)924-6718 or (215)355-2121.  

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Amerihealth: Medicare PDP RX Plans Going Away

AmeriHealth® Medicare Rx PDP Non-Renewal  This week, AmeriHealth Medicare Rx PDP members will receive a non-renewal notice in the mail. Coverage will end for these members on December 31, 2014. This non-renewal applies only to AmeriHealth Option I and II stand-alone prescription drug plans. Members will need to enroll in another Medicare drug plan in order to get prescription drug coverage for 2015. AmeriHealth Rx PDP members will be given a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to enroll in a new prescription drug plan. Members can enroll in a new plan anytime from October 15, 2014 through February 28, 2015. If members do not choose a new plan during this time, they… Read More

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Medicare: Video-Parts of Medicare

  CMSHHSgov has uploaded Medicare & You: Different Parts Of Medicare :     As always, if you have any questions about Medicare health plans, please contact your Total Benefit Solutions account manager at (800)924-6718 or (215)355-2121.  

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United Healthcare: National Medicare Education Week

Do you find Medicare confusing? If so, you’re not alone. We recently conducted a survey1 that found that nearly 60 percent of Medicare beneficiaries described their understanding of Medicare as either “excellent” or “good,” but most were not able to correctly identify the health care expenses that each “part” of Medicare covers. And many said they found certain aspects of Medicare confusing. But, there’s some good news: Anyone can master Medicare with some help and education. That’s exactly why UnitedHealthcare created National Medicare Education Week (Sept. 15 – 21), an official week dedicated to Medicare education. National Medicare Education Week is meant to encourage people to spend time learning about… Read More

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Third Annual National Medicare Education Week Offers Help Before Open Enrollment Period

Educational events and online resources to help baby boomers, Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers learn more about Medicare MINNETONKA, Minn. (Sep. 08, 2014) —  The third annual National Medicare Education Week begins Monday, Sept. 15, exactly one month before the start of Medicare’s annual Open Enrollment Period (Oct. 15-Dec. 7). The observance was created to help people learn more about Medicare. Since National Medicare Education Week began in 2012, thousands of people have participated in educational events during the week in more than 60 cities across the country. This year, National Medicare Education Week events will be held for the first time in Boston, Salt Lake City and Richmond, Virginia; a… Read More

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UnitedHealthcare is introducing a new wellness initiative

UnitedHealthcare is introducing a new wellness initiative called ‘At Your Best’ as a pilot program to New Jersey consumers who are enrolled in an AARP® Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan, insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company. This new pilot program, which was introduced in mid-June, is a personalized health and wellness solution designed to help AARP Medicare Supplement insured members improve their overall health and wellness. Please note: All ‘At Your Best’ program communications will take place after the member is enrolled. About the ‘At Your Best’ program The ‘At Your Best’ program is for insured members of an AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan. The program offers support through online health resources,… Read More

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