We are pleased to introduce to you a our sponsored client service—ThinkHR. If you are involved with employee issues, this will be a value-added benefit that will save you time and money. ThinkHR offers ThinkHR Live, a team of HR experts standing by to answer your questions or provide advice. This phone-based support service is available from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central each business day. You also have access to ThinkHR Comply, an award-winning online resource center for all of your workforce issues. Download this brochure, it describes the scope of HR topics that are handled by the ThinkHR Live team. The service is provided to all Total Benefit… Read More
Continue ReadingDid You Know About Medicare’s Preventative Services?
Medicare pays for many preventive services to keep you healthy. Preventive services can find health problems early, when treatment works best, and can keep you from getting certain diseases. Preventive services include exams, shots, lab tests, and screenings. They also include programs for health monitoring, and counseling and education to help you take care of your own health. The Affordable Care Act makes many improvements to Medicare. If you have Original Medicare, you can get a yearly “Wellness” visit and many other covered preventive services! Click here to download Medicare’s Preventative Services Guide Click below to watch a video from Medicare about the preventative services benefits.
Continue ReadingNow Available: Health Advocate Member Advocacy
Total Benefit Solutions clients can now take advantage of enrolling on Health Advocate as a group or as an individual/ family! It’s part of our Benefit Aid packages and it’s so easy you can enroll today by clicking here or ask your Total Benefit Solutions account manager at (215)355-2121 for more information. This video will tell you all about the benefits of Health Advocate!
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Medicare and Employer Coverage
From the Medicare Rights Center download this excellent Q&A about Medicare Coverage, the guidelines and how it may or may not integrate with employer coverage. Part-2-QA-Current-Employer-Insurance Have more questions about Medicare and your employer coverage? Call your Total Benefit Solutions, Inc account manager today at (215)355-2121. Learn more on Medicare Interactive.
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8 things to know about Medigap policies
Medicare Supplements or Medigap Plans A Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy, sold by private companies, can help pay some of the health care costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Some Medigap policies also offer coverage for services that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like medical care when you travel outside the U.S. If you have Original Medicare and you buy a Medigap policy, Medicare will pay its share of the Medicare-approved amount for covered health care costs. Then your Medigap policy pays its share. A Medigap policy is different from a Medicare Advantage Plan. Those plans are ways to get Medicare benefits, while a Medigap policy… Read More
Continue ReadingReminder to Notify CMS
Employers sponsoring a group health plan are required to report information on the creditable status of the plan’s prescription drug coverage to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Download the bulletin below for details and specific links for employer reporting Download Medicare Part D – Reminder
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IBC: What is Medicare Video
A Simple video from Independence Blue Cross explaining Medicare. As always please contact Total Benefit Solutions, Inc if you have any questions or concerns about Medicare health insurance or supplements at (215)355-2121.
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Download: Medicare Made Clear
Download Medicare Made Clear: From our partners at United Healthcare and Medicare Made Clear, download the 2016 version of the Show Me Guide for an impartial overview of Medicare plans as well as eligibility, glossary, frequently asked questions and more. A virtual Medicare training in one handy workbook! Download Show Me Guide 2016 As always, if you have any questions about Medicare health plans, eligibility and more, contact you Total Benefit Solutions account manager at (215)355-2121.
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Medicare Exclusions-Who Pays First?
Medicare primary payer rules are complicated. Especially when it comes to different employer sizes and special circumstances like End Stage Renal Disease and disabilities. Coverage issues can be significantly complex when mixing Medicare and employer coverage, or individual coverage for those who are early Medicare enrollees. Chances are, if you are already enrolled on Medicare, AND you are getting bills from providers, you are already experiencing these problems, or you are encountering a coordination of benefits issue. It’s always best to speak to a professional when encountering these problems, most especially a health insurance professional. If at all possible, before getting enrolled on Medicare. The documents below may help provide… Read More
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Total Benefit Solutions Joins Medicareful
How do I know which Medicare plans are right for me? Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, Part D drug coverage — the options seem endless! Don’t worry, Medicareful is here to help. By entering your zip code, you’ll unlock all of the Medicare plans available in your area. You can navigate them on your own or leave it to our professionals who can guide you to a plan based on your needs. From experience, we know how complex Medicare is and that people who work with trusted independent licensed sales agents are far more confident in their choices. It’s our job to help you find your plan, and we’re happy to do… Read More
Continue ReadingMedicare Premiums and Deductibles Updated for 2016!
As the Social Security Administration previously announced, there will no Social Security cost of living increase for 2016. As a result, by law, most people with Medicare Part B will be “held harmless” from any increase in premiums in 2016 and will pay the same monthly premium as last year, which is $104.90. Beneficiaries not subject to the “hold harmless” provision will pay $121.80, as calculated reflecting the provisions of the Bipartisan Budget Act signed into law by President Obama last week. Medicare Part B beneficiaries not subject to the “hold-harmless” provision are those not collecting Social Security benefits, those who will enroll in Part B for the first… Read More
Continue ReadingMedicare Part D Creditable Coverage Notice Due Soon
Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage Notice The Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) requires employers whose policies include prescription drug coverage to provide a written disclosure notice to all Medicare eligible policyholders of whether such coverage is creditable. Creditable coverage means that the coverage is expected to pay, on average, as much as the standard Medicare prescription drug coverage. This disclosure must be provided prior to October 15th, 2015 (and at various times as stated in the regulations) to: Medicare eligible active working individuals and their dependents (including a Medicare eligible individual when he or she joins the plan); Medicare eligible COBRA individuals and their dependents; Medicare eligible disabled individuals covered under… Read More
Continue ReadingTotal Benefit Solutions Joins Geriatric Advisory Council
Total Benefit Solutions is proud to announce that we have become a founding member of the Greater Philadelphia chapter of the Geriatric Advisory Council to better serve the needs of our senior clients. The Geriatric Advisory Council is a professional organization comprised of local businesses and non-profit organizations who are focused on eldercare and senior related issues.The council was formed with the mission of assisting seniors and their caregivers by providing FREE educational resources along with targeted referrals to help caregivers provide the quality of life care that their loved ones need and deserve. Click here to learn more about the GAC and the professional resources available.
Continue ReadingVideo: 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.
Continue ReadingTake Advantage of Medicare’s Free Preventive Services
Many seniors are unaware that preventive tests, screenings and counseling sessions are now available for free, with no copays or deductibles, thanks to the Affordable Care Act. More than 60 million people took advantage of these services, at no cost to themselves, during the first three years after the services became free in 2011, according to government reports. Click the link below to download a list from Medicare for Dummies of Medicare preventative services. Medicares-preventive-services-chart13 Questions about Medicare eligibility, open enrollment, supplements, health plans or PDP drug cards? Total Benefit Solutions, Inc. has a dedicated team of Medicare health plan professionals who are trained, annually re-certified, licensed and… Read More
Continue ReadingFraud, 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
Continue ReadingWhat about Medicare Supplements or Medigap Policies?
Medicare Supplements or Medigap Plans A Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy, sold by private companies, can help pay some of the health care costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Some Medigap policies also offer coverage for services that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like medical care when you travel outside the U.S. If you have Original Medicare and you buy a Medigap policy, Medicare will pay its share of the Medicare-approved amount for covered health care costs. Then your Medigap policy pays its share. A Medigap policy is different from a Medicare Advantage Plan. Those plans are ways to get Medicare benefits, while a Medigap policy… Read More
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CMS has uploaded a new video Medicare & You: Cervical cancer
Get information about how Medicare can help you detect cervical and vaginal cancer.
Continue ReadingTotal Benefit Solutions New Individual Dental & Vision Choices
As always at Total Benefit Solutions Inc, we are looking for ways to help our clients get the coverages they need. With our new dental and vision enrollment portal we can now offer individual dental and vision plans from top notch insurers like Delta Dental and Davis Vision. Easy to quote and easy to enroll! Try it today and see for yourself by clicking here
Continue ReadingMedicare 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
Continue ReadingIf 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
Continue ReadingGroup 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.
Continue ReadingGilead 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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