The New York Times (8/4 Pear) reports that on Wednesday, the Trump Administration unveiled “a final rule…that clears the way for the sale of many more health insurance policies that do not comply with the Affordable Care Act and do not have to cover prescription drugs, maternity care or people with pre-existing conditions.” These new options “will help people struggling to afford coverage under the 2010 law, said James Parker, a senior adviser to” HHS Secretary Alex M. Azar II. On its front page, the Washington Post (7/31, A1, Goldstein) reports that these policies, which are intended “to fill brief gaps in coverage, will be available for 12 months at… Read More
Continue ReadingNew Jersey Out-of-Network Bill
On June 1, 2018, New Jersey Gov. Murphy passed the Out-of-Network Consumer Protection, Transparency, Cost Containment and Accountability Act (the “OON Act”). In general, the OON Act applies to emergency services and other care provided by out-of-network physicians in in-network settings (i.e. hospital-based physicians). It takes effect on September 1, 2018. Click the link below to download the full story: Click to Download For more information or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact your Total Benefit Solutions Account Manager at 215-355-2121
Continue ReadingAssociation Health Plans: What Do New Guidelines Mean for Healthcare?
From our PEO partners at Extensis… Back in October, President Trump signed an executive order intended to help make healthcare more affordable to individuals and small employers.This executive order marked the administration’s continued efforts to undo aspects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It also encouraged the use of Association Health Plans (AHPs) on a much larger scale (county, state, region, or even nation-wide) to potentially lower the costs of healthcare for individuals and smaller businesses. At the time, the President directed the Labor Department to study how to make AHPs a feasible option. Click here to read the story
Continue ReadingCMS Expands the Extension of Needed Relief for Marketplace Enrollees Who Missed Medicare Enrollment
CMS is offering assistance to certain individuals enrolled in both Medicare Part A (and/or Part C) and the Exchange for individuals and families to drop their Exchange coverage and enroll in Part B without penalty. Further, CMS is offering assistance to certain individuals who dropped or lost their coverage from the Exchange and are paying a Part B late enrollment penalty from their subsequent enrollment into Part B. These eligible individuals can have their penalty reduced. Individuals can apply for the special enrollment and reduction in late enrollment penalties during a limited time – it is available now and ends September 30, 2018 Read Blog Post from MedicareRights.org CMS SHIP… Read More
Continue ReadingNew Association Health Plans
This is something that is happening right now, the rebirth of association health plans, but even better than before! I have been asked about being able to do this for years. We are super excited about this and this should be better than what we were able to do before with previous association health plans. Sole proprietors and small businesses will need to join an association in order to get these plans and they are going to be designed to be lower in cost than the current small group plans. Please review the bulletin by downloading below and call us at (215)355-2121 if you have any questions. Click to… Read More
Continue ReadingYou’re getting a new Medicare card!
You’re getting a new Medicare card! Between April 2018 and April 2019, we’ll be removing Social Security numbers from Medicare cards and mailing each person a new card. This will help keep your information more secure and help protect your identity. You’ll get a new Medicare Number that’s unique to you, and it will only be used for your Medicare coverage. The new card won’t change your coverage or benefits. You’ll get more information from Medicare when your new card is mailed. Click here to download more information
Continue ReadingTotal Benefit Solutions announces affiliation with Medi-Share
Total Benefit Solutions is proud to announce our selection as a select broker with Medi-Share. Medi–Share is a faith based healthcare sharing program where Christians share their financial resources to pay each other’s medical expenses. Medi-Share can be offered to employees of small groups as well as individual families in need of an alternative health care solution. Click here to learn more about Medi-Share Medi–Share isn’t insurance. Christian Care Ministry and the Medi–Share program are not registered or licensed by any insurance entity, nor is it required to be.
Continue ReadingExpanding Access to Quality, Affordable Health Coverage for Millions of Americans Employed by Small Businesses
On June 19, 2018, the U.S. Department of Labor expanded access to affordable health coverage options for America’s small businesses and their employees through Association Health Plans. Association Health Plans work by allowing small businesses, including self-employed workers, to band together by geography or industry to obtain healthcare coverage as if they were a single large employer. Association Health Plans will also be able to strengthen negotiating power with providers from larger risk pools and greater economies of scale. The Department of Labor expanded access to Association Health Plans as a result of President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order “Promoting Healthcare Choice and Competition Across the United States.” As always… Read More
Continue ReadingThinkHR Webinar: How to Easily Build a Compliant Multistate Handbook
May 22 and 24, 8:30 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time ThinkHR Webinar: How to Easily Build a Compliant Multistate Handbook Handbooks, not rule books: A new approach to an old requirement Register Now Join Dan Riordan, President and COO at ThinkHR and Shannon Flanagan, Director of People Operations at ThinkHR, as they discuss some of 2018’s hot topics when it comes to employee handbooks. Dan and Shannon will share their insights on how employers can update their marijuana/drug testing and social media policies to reflect today’s environment while staying compliant with changing laws and providing a safe and supportive workplace. Then, stick around to get a preview demo of… Read More
Continue ReadingTotal Benefit Solutions Introducing My Benefit Link
In our ongoing effort to provide our clients with a top notch experience, Total Benefit Solutions is proud to announce that we have partnered with My Benefit Link. MyBenefitLink is an online resource center for a company’s employees. It serves as the Internet HR arm and provides the following advantages: Online enrollments Paperless onboarding process HR tools and reports List of all benefits available to the employee of the company Links to carrier forms, doctor directories and formulary drug lists Useful financial calculators Ask your Total Benefit Solutions account manager today if you have any questions about My Benefit Link. Call (215)355-2121.
Continue ReadingIRS cuts 2018 family HSA contribution limit
Thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the 2018 contribution limit for family coverage in a health savings account will be $6,850—not $6,900, as previously announced by the IRS. The Society for Human Resource Management reports that the IRS has recalculated the limit because the tax law applies the so-called chained consumer price index to increases in HSA contribution limits, as well as to a few other employee benefit contribution limits. Internal Revenue Bulletin No. 2018–10, released March 5, clarifies not just that change but others as well. While the annual tax-deductible HSA contribution limit for tax year 2018 will remain at $3,450 for HSA account holders with self-only coverage through a high-deductible… Read More
Continue ReadingAetna Funding Advantage (AFA) is a new self-funded option for small groups
Aetna Funding Advantage (AFA) is a self-funded option that provides all of the financial and plan design flexibility of a traditional arrangement with special features designed to help companies with as few as 2 employees achieve even greater savings on their health insurance. Ask us today if self funding could be a good fit for your organization! Call your Total Benefit Solutions Inc. account manager at (215)355-2121 for more information! Learn more here: AFA-Customer-Flyer New! Minute Clinic Benefit! $0 Copay Minute Clinic Visits Flyer More Documents for downloading: Springboard Marketplace Your Online Administration and Enrollment Portal AFA AppleWatch Wellness Flyer AFA Sample Usage Reports Aetna & Teledoc for AFA AETNA… Read More
Continue ReadingIRS Releases 2018 Inflation Adjustments to Tax Provisions
The Internal Revenue Service released the annual inflation adjustments that will apply to certain benefit plan tax provisions in 2018. Revenue Procedure 2017-58, which can be accessed by clicking here, identifies inflation-adjusted items for different provisions of the tax code. From an employee benefits standpoint, the following limits may be of interest to employers: The dollar limit on voluntary employee salary reduction contributions to health flexible spending accounts is increased to $2,650 for plan years beginning in 2018. The monthly exclusion amount for transportation and transit passes is increased to $260. The monthly limit for the qualified parking exclusion is increased to $260. The dollar amount used to determine the penalty… Read More
Continue ReadingCongress Passes Tax Reform Bill
On December 20, 2017, the House and Senate sent President Trump the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act for signature. The House of Representatives passed their version of the bill on November 16, 2017 while the Senate passed their version on December 2, 2017. Because the versions were not identical, a Tax-Bill Conference Committee was formed from members of the Senate and the House of Representatives to negotiate the text of the combined bill. After the finalized text was approved and released by the committee, the House and Senate each passed the combined bill (which happened on December 20th in the House and December 19th in the Senate) before… Read More
Continue ReadingExtension of Deadline for 2017 Forms 1095-C
On December 22, 2017, the IRS issued Notice 2018-06, which provides a limited extension of time for employers to provide 2017 Forms 1095-C to individuals. It also extends good-faith transition relief from certain penalties for the 2017 reporting year. The deadlines to provide Forms 1094-C and 1095-C to the IRS was not extended. Should you have any questions, please contact your Total Benefit Solutions account manager at (215)355-2121. Click to Download Extension of Deadline for 2017 Forms 1095-C
Continue ReadingReceived Letter 226J – Now What?
The IRS issued Letter 226J to certain Applicable Large Employers (“ALEs”). This letter describes the proposed Employer Shared Responsibility Payment (“ESRP”) owed for calendar year 2015. Download this bulletin
Continue ReadingSearching for Keystone HMO Proactive Providers by Tier?
Please note you must select the proactive plans from the list. Go to this link: Choose a health plan: From the drop down select, Medical then Keystone Proactive: Now your search will return physicians with Tier listings showing:
Continue ReadingFind Your Keystone Proactive HMO Providers by Tier
Searching for providers by tier? Please note you must select the proactive plans from the list. Go to this link: Choose a health plan: From the drop down select, Medical then Keystone Proactive: Now your search will return physicians with Tier listings: Simple hospital listing by tier: Click here Download “Talk to your doctor about the Keystone Proactive plans” Keystone HMO Proactive provider Quality Standards Questions? Contact your Total Benefit Solutions account manager at(215)355-2121.
Continue ReadingCHIP RENEWAL SIGNED INTO LAW
On December 15, Governor Wolf signed House Bill 1388 (Irvin-R-Mifflin/Centre/Huntington) into law. CHIP was re-authorized through December 31, 2019 or 90 days after Federal funding for CHIP ceases. The amendment allows for an extension if the Federal Government authorizes funding beyond December 31, 2019.
Continue ReadingWhat is Benefits CheckUp?
There are benefits you may be missing! BenefitsCheckUp helps you find and enroll in public and private benefits programs. You can also find information on Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage including an online application for the Extra Help. It’s simple and free and always includes the most up-to-date information. Click here to visit Benefits Checkup
Continue ReadingAetna Funding Advantage for Small Businesses
Aetna Funding Advantage (AFA) is a new self-funded option that provides all of the financial and plan design flexibility of a traditional arrangement with special features designed to help companies with as few as 2 employees achieve even greater savings on their health insurance. The benefits of self-funding have traditionally been considered by larger companies. But Aetna Funding Advantage has changed that. It is specifically designed to be attractive and affordable for small businesses like yours. Watch this short video and download the documents below for some information. As always please contact your Total Benefit Solutions dedicated account manager at (215)355-2121 if you have any questions, concerns or would like to learn… Read More
Continue ReadingGuidance Issued on QSEHRAs
Under the Affordable Care Act, a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) must be integrated with a group health plan (as it could not meet the market reform provisions on its own) and was not able to reimburse employees for individual premiums. However, on December 13, 2016, President Obama signed into law the “21st Century Cures Act” which established QSEHRAs (a special standalone HRA). Click to Download Guidance Issued on QSEHRAs This guidance is big news for small groups who would prefer to provide a reimbursement as opposed to a group health plan. Please contact your Total Benefit Solutions account manager at (215)355-2121 if you have any questions or concerns.
Continue Reading2018 Individual Health Insurance Open Enrollment: PA Independence Individual Consumer Plans and Rates
Individual Health Insurance Open Enrollment 2018! Don’t do it yourself! Our dedicated professionals are here to help you take the fits out of the benefit planning process! One mistake and you could be stuck with a bad plan all year! We work with all available plans both on the healthcare.gov marketplace and off! Have your own expert help you! Our experts are trained to help you Choose between on and off exchange options Maximize any subsidy eligibility. Help you understand the cost sharing subsidies Help you choose the plan that is the best fit for you Explain the differences between the plan design and your out of pocket expectations Fill… Read More
Continue ReadingTrump Halts Cost-Sharing Reductions
On Thursday, October 12, 2017, the White House indicated that President Trump will end ACA cost-sharing reduction (“CSR”) payments to insurance companies effective immediately. Click Here to Download Trump Halts Cost-Sharing Reductions
Continue ReadingNew Executive Order and Insight on the Employer Mandate
New Executive Order and Insight on the Employer Mandate President Trump signed an Executive Order (“EO”) on October 12, 2017, directing various federal agencies to take regulatory action that will “increase health care choices for millions of Americans.” Along with the EO, the Administration issued a press release and some internal talking points that provide helpful insight into what the agencies are directed to review. Click to download this bulletin
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