A Voluntary Benefits Strategy

The Issue One of our clients approached us during a pre-renewal meeting to ask how they can further control costs without drastically impacting the well-being of their employees…click here to continue

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HOW PEOS ARE HELPING SMBS MEET MARKET DISRUPTORS HEAD ON

The modern world is driven by convenience and customization, SMBs included. Digitization, remote-friendly roles, and a generational shift in the workforce all impact today’s employee experience. When this experience is lacking, it can be costly to companies in more ways than one.    click here to read the story from PEO insider Total Benefit Solutions Inc is dedicated to providing a comprehensive selection of solutions for the small business owner including the comparison of PEO’s to the typical employee benefits experience. Contact us today at (215)355-2121 to inquire about the possibility of using a PEO for your organization.

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Insights into Self-Funding and Deductibles: A Look at Healthcare Trends for Large Firms

Self-Funding Popular – Especially for Large Firms Many larger firms self-fund their health plans or pay for some workers’ health services directly – rather than through the use of health insurance. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of covered workers are in self-funded plans. That includes 20% of workers at small firms and 82% at large firms. Deductibles for Most Most employees with health insurance have a cost share before their insurance begins to pay benefits. Among those with single coverage, the average annual deductible is $1,763, similar to the $1,669 average in 2021. For most plan types, the single coverage deductible is higher for employees at small firms. The average is $2,543… Read More

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Increases in Premium Found in Health Benefits Survey

The latest survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) concerning employer-sponsored health benefits found modest increases in employers’ and employees’ costs in 2022. In its 24th Employer Health Benefits Survey (EHBS), KFF found the average annual premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance in 2022 were $7,911 for single coverage and $22,463 for family coverage. These amounts were up from $7,739 and $22,221 in the previous year, respectively – an increase of $172.00 for single coverage and $242.00 for family coverage. The average family coverage premium is up 20% over the past five years and up 43% during the past 10 years. Small vs. Large Employers In 2022, workers insured through their employers at both… Read More

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The Benefits of Short-Term Health Insurance

Short-term health insurance is a type of health insurance that provides coverage for a limited period of time, typically anywhere from 30 days to 12 months. These plans are designed to provide temporary coverage for individuals who are in between jobs, waiting for employer-sponsored coverage to begin, or who are not eligible for other types of health insurance. Affordable Premiums Short-term health insurance plans typically have lower premiums than traditional health insurance plans. This is because short-term plans are designed to provide coverage for a limited period of time and do not have to meet the same requirements as other types of health insurance. This makes them a more affordable… Read More

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Independence Blue Cross: Changes to the Select and Value formularies for July 1

Independence Blue Cross (Independence) is making changes to the Select Drug Program (Select) and Value formularies for July 1. Independence routinely updates its prescription drug formularies and reviews the list of drugs requiring prior authorization as part of our procedures for safe prescribing. These changes are approved by our Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. Updates are made to the Select and Value formularies quarterly. The updated lists for July 1 will be available on the website on May 1. Select the link to either the Select or Value formulary. The updated list is available under “Formulary drug documents.” Standard changes can include: Members, as well as their providers, who are impacted by the… Read More

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Understanding the Coding of Health Plans from MEC to Metallic

Choosing the right insurance plan for you (and your family) is not an easy task. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has introduced major changes to the way carriers traditionally marketed their health plans to the public and introduced a volume of new terms, requirements and complexities, many of which may sound confusing to the general public. From terms like “minimum essential coverage” to the various metallic plan categories of Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum, a solid foundation of knowledge is essential in order to find the coverage required at an affordable price. The health insurance experts at Total Benefit Solutions Inc are well versed on these terms so when you… Read More

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Alternative Funding Yields Big Savings

The Issue A firm we had worked with for several years had expressed a concern that the cost of their employee benefits package was threatening the financial stability of their firm. With a little over 150 employees, their annual benefits cost was exceeding $1.3 million and increasing at a rate of 8-15% each year. Even more concerning was that the benefits cost represented 32% of the company’s operating revenue. They had contemplated making plan changes including an increase in deductibles, copays and co-insurance limits, but they cared about the well-being of their employees and felt compelled to keep a competitive level of benefits. Our Solution We took the approach that… Read More

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Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Rules Small Business Owners Need to Know

Group health plans and tax-favored accounts—including health savings accounts (HSAs), health flexible spending arrangements (health FSAs), and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs)—are subject to numerous nondiscrimination provisions under federal law. The most common nondiscrimination provisions are described. Please download the entire bulletin for details. As always please contact your Total Benefit Solutions, Inc group account manager at (215)355-2121 with any questions or concerns. This bulletin covers the following topics: Overview General Rules Section 125 Nondiscrimination Rules for Cafeteria Plans Section 105 Nondiscrimination Rules for Self-Insured Plans HIPAA Nondiscrimination Rules Nondiscrimination Rules Related to Medicare-Eligible Individuals Other Nondiscrimination Rules Additional Information

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2022 PCOR Fee Filing Reminder for Self-Insured Plans

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) fee filing deadline is August 1, 2022, for all self-funded medical plansand HRAs for plan years ending in 2021. The IRS issued Notice 2022-04 announcing the adjusted fee amount for this year. please download the bulleting below for more details and contact your Total Benefit Solutions, Inc. health insurance specialist at (215)355-2121.

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2022 Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund (“PCORTF”) Fees

  2022 Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund (“PCORTF”) Fees May 23, 2022     This Allied Update serves as a reminder that the annual Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund (“PCORTF”) fees are due by July 31, 2022. By way of background, at the end of 2019, the Federal Government reauthorized the annual payment of fees by health insurers and group health plans into the PCORTF until 2029. (Such payments were previously set to expire for plan years ending on or after October 1, 2018 and before October 1, 2019, and beyond.) The fee is due by July 31 of the calendar year immediately following the last day of the plan year in which… Read More

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Fully Insured vs Level Funding: What’s the Difference?

With fully insured plans, premiums are paid directly to the insurer. Claims accountA claims account is exactly what it sounds like. A portion of the monthly payment is used to pay for claims submitted by plan members. Stop-loss InsuranceStop-loss is an employer’s safety net. This protects the employer against higher-than-expected claims. With level-funding, employers will never have to pay more than the amount they are responsible for funding the claims account each year. After that, stop-loss insurance kicks in. Administrative costsAdministrative services are provided to the employer so they can spend their time focusing on their business while a third-party administrator handles plan management such as paying claims, customer service,… Read More

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Support for your emotional health

Virtual care visits from MDLIVE® IBC members pay $0 cost-share* You have access to care from therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists who can help with concerns likeanxiety, depression, and panic disorders. With telebehavioral health from MDLIVE, you pay $0 costshare* for a confidential visit in the comfort of yourhome, or wherever you are. Choose to have your virtual care visit by video chat, using the MDLIVE website or mobile app, or by phone.

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HealthCare.gov Notices New Class of Individual Employer Policies

hCare.gov managers are signaling that they think individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements matter. The regulators in charge of the federal Affordable Care Act public exchange system today gave ICHRAs official attention, by adding an ICHRA use reporting requirements for the insurers that sell coverage through HealthCare.gov. Click here for the full story on Think Advisor.com

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2021 Second Quarter Compliance Bulletins Compilation

This document is a valuable resource, putting all of the latest health care reform news and updates in one location! 

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Achieve Well-being Rewards

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Tax Advantaged Benefit Documents

This site is dedicated to providing employers with the tools they need to successfully establish these written plans with SPDs at the lowest cost possible.

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Alternatives to Health Insurance Benefits

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Top 10 Questions to Ask Your Benefits Broker

Analyzing these ten critical questions in relation to your organization’s needs will help you make a more informed decision about your benefits broker

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What is a Qualified High Deductible Health Plan?

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What Is a Health Savings Account?

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Aetna Small Group (2-100) Insured & Small Group Aetna Funding Advantage FAQ
Health Plan options for business owners during COVID-19 pandemic

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Health FSA Annual Limit & Changes

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