Total Benefit Solutions – Page 38 – Total Benefit Solutions Inc

The Truth Agents/Brokers & FFM Navigators The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

March 18, 2014Ed MacConnell

The Truth Agents/Brokers & FFM Navigators The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Shared with permission from B. Ronnell Nolan, HIA, CHRS-President/CEO – HAFA Financial Media Group, LLC, Centennial, CO, compiles this information annually. There are approximately 1.2 million licensed insurance agents nationally. The 1.2 million does not include the staff of licensed agents employed throughout the United States. After adding the staff, imagine the millions of people that Agents represent, educate and protect on a daily basis! With the passing of the ACA, Health Agents for America, Inc. was formed to create a tool box for Agents to use in educating the citizens of their local communities. HAFA is known to… Read More

IBC: Small Group Metallic Plans Mapping

March 18, 2014Ed MacConnell

Upon renewal in 2014 small groups will be automatically “mapped” to a new ACA compliant metallic plan. Find your new recommended 2014 Blue Solutions plan using the chart below. To make your renewal even easier we’ve identified the plan that most closely matches your current plan. Or you can choose from among 36 other options to suit your needs. More comprehensive coverage Blue Solutions health plans now cover Essential Health Benefits like pediatric dental and vision. Your health plan also continues to cover doctor visits, hospital admissions, emergency room treatments, maternity care, lab tests, X-rays, prescriptions, and vision benefits for both children and adults. Click the link below to download the… Read More

IBC: Medicare as Secondary Payer

March 17, 2014Ed MacConnell

Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) requirements determine when Medicare is the primary insurance payer. If your company has 19 or fewer full- and part-time employees, Medicare is almost always primary. If your company is larger, various rules apply to determine whether your group plan is the primary or secondary payer. MSP requirements also apply for Medicare-eligible employees who are disabled or have endstage renal disease. The following information provides a summary of the MSP requirements. This information may help you to correctly target benefits for your Medicare-eligible participants and avoid potentially costly penalties and litigation. You should, of course, also refer to the actual laws and regulations with the assistance of your own legal counsel. Click… Read More

How Does a Group HRA Work?

March 14, 2014March 14, 2014Ed MacConnell

A GroupHRA allows you to use your payroll to bring your employees better, more affordable employer health benefits. Your employees have a high deductible group health insurance policy and receive tax-free reimbursements through their payroll for medical expenses. In addition to payroll reimbursement, you can also make same-day reimbursements to employees by cash, check or direct deposit. Total Benefit Solutions Inc has partnered with Zane Benefit services to provide our clients an affordable, easy, electronic administration solution. What makes an HRA an attractive solution for your organization? The fact that you are in control! Download the report :How A Group HRA Works Click here for more HRA information

IBC: New Lab Provider Effective July 1-IMPORTANT NOTICE

March 12, 2014Ed MacConnell

Independence Blue Cross (IBC) has selected Laboratory Corporation of America® Holdings (LabCorp), as its exclusive, nationally-based provider of laboratory services, effective July 1, 2014. The change applies to all Personal Choice®/PPO and Keystone Health Plan East product lines, and affects all individual, group commercial, and Medicare members, for services rendered in the Philadelphia five-county area, and in the contiguous counties. Effective July 1, 2014, Quest Diagnostics laboratories will be an out-of-network provider for Personal Choice and Keystone Health Plan East. IBC will continue to contract with certain local and regional laboratories… Click to download the bulletin

IBC: July 1 rate increase for individual medically underwritten plans

March 9, 2014Ed MacConnell

IBC: We want to let you know that the monthly rates for our individual medically underwritten plans will increase in July 2014. We are notifying members muchearlier than is required to give them the opportunity to enroll in a plan that is compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The reason for the rate increase. We understand that it can be difficult to afford quality health insurance coverage. While we continue to work hard to keep costs down, the cost of health care continues to rise along with our member utilization. This is why it’s necessary for Independence Blue Cross (IBC) to implement an 11.5 percent rate increase. Click the link below to read… Read More

Total Benefit Solutions Makes Enrolling Easier

March 1, 2014March 1, 2014Ed MacConnell

In an effort to meet the enrollment challenges that many are facing under healthcare reform, Total Benefit Solutions Inc has designed a custom form for our clients to use. Using this form and submitting it to Total Benefit Solutions Inc will enable our Marketplace trained and certified licensed independent brokers to assist you in the enrollment process from the registration right through the enrollment! Remember as your independent broker we always work in your best interests, not an insurance company. We represent you, our client and not an insurer or government agency. Click the link below to open the form and get started! When completed, just click the link to… Read More

Affordable Care Act Video: IBX Answers Five Common Questions

February 25, 2014February 22, 2014Ed MacConnell

Not Sure if you qualify? Ask your Total Benefit Solutions Advisor at (215)355-2121

Affordable Care Act Video: Subsidies and Tax Credits

February 22, 2014February 22, 2014Ed MacConnell

Under the Affordable Care Act, individuals and families may qualify for financial assistants to help pay for health care coverage. Age, family size and total household income are the factors that will determine your eligibility for subsidies and tax credits. Answer a few simple questions to learn if you might qualify for financial support: click here or ask your Total Benefit Solutions Adviser to help you by calling us today at (215)355-2121. This short video from Independence Blue Cross makes it easy to understand how they work.

Total Benefit Solutions Now Offering Online Enrollment with Consult-A-Doctor PLUS

February 21, 2014Ed MacConnell

Healthcare… the way it should be! Are you tired of waiting multiple weeks to go see your doctor, only to find yourself taking time off work so you can drive through traffic and sit in the waiting room for what seems like forever? Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the stress and anxiety of a difficult life situation and wished you had someone you could trust to hold your hand and walk you through to the other side? Then welcome to CADRPlus, an innovative new health care program that gives you unlimited, 24/7 access to doctors and other industry professionals from the comfort and convenience of your phone or computer,… Read More

Total Benefit Solutions Now Offering Online Enrollment with Consult-A-Doctor PLUS

February 21, 2014February 21, 2014Ed MacConnell

Video: Who can help me enroll?

February 11, 2014February 8, 2014Ed MacConnell

Who can help you enroll on a new affordable care act plan? Remember an independent broker like Total Benefit Solutions Inc can still help you enroll on a plan on the Federal Healtcare Exchange or off at no additional cost to you. Your independent broker is still truly your healthcare advocate! Another simple yet educational video from Humana:

2014 Federal Poverty Levels Released

February 8, 2014Ed MacConnell

The Department of Health and Human Services has announced the Federal Poverty Line (“FPL”) amounts, as indexed for 2014. Why is this Important? Beginning in 2015, large employers may be subject to the employer penalty under the Affordable Care Act if they do not offer affordable, minimum value coverage to all full-time employees and at least one full-time employee receives a subsidy in the Exchange. The FPL is relevant to the affordability of the coverage, as well as the eligibility for a subsidy. Click the link below to download this important bulletin 2014 FPL Announced – 020314R Remember: Your independent broker at Total Benefit Solutions, Inc. can help you compare, choose and enroll in a plan on the… Read More

Winter Storm Update:Friday February 7th

February 7, 2014February 8, 2014Ed MacConnell

OUR OFFICES ARE OPENING THIS AFTERNOON BUT WITH LIMITED RESOURCES. WHILE WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS WE ARE WORKING TO RESTORE ALL COMMUNICATIONS AND HOPE TO BE OPERATING AT FULL CAPACITY SOON. WE ARE MONITORING AND RESPONDING TO EMAILS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. AS OF NOON TODAY WE HAVE INTERMITTENT INTERNET AND PHONE SYSTEMS. IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE REACHING US, OR ARE WAITING ON A RETURN CALL FROM US PLEASE BE PATIENT AS WE WORK HARD TO TAKE CARE OF EVERYONE. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS HAS CAUSED.

Winter Storm Update

February 6, 2014Ed MacConnell

DUE TO THIS WEEK’S DEVASTATING WINTER STORM , OUR OFFICES ARE OPERATING TODAY BUT WITH LIMITED RESOURCES. DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL WE HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL AT REGAINING FULL OPERATION SYSTEMS. WHILE WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS WE ARE WORKING DILIGENTLY TO COMPLETELY RESTORE ALL POWER, PHONES AND INTERNET AND HOPE TO BE OPERATING BY MID DAY ON FRIDAY FEBRUARY 7TH. WE ARE MONITORING AND RESPONDING TO EMAILS. CURRENTLY WE HAVE INTERMITTENT INTERNET AND ONE PHONE LINE. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS HAS CAUSED.

IBC Group Medicare Security 65 Billing Issues

December 28, 2013December 28, 2013Ed MacConnell

Security 65 Invoices Security 65 groups that are transitioning to our new operating platform effective January 1, 2014 are receiving premium invoices that reflect a zero-dollar balance. These invoices were sent in error and new invoices reflecting the appropriate premium due and membership information are being generated. Please be assured that this was an invoice issue only and did not affect membership. All members are currently active and there is no impact to access of care.

Husband & Wife 2 Person Groups No Longer Eligible for Group Coverage

December 4, 2013March 8, 2014Ed MacConnell

Effective January 1, 2014 for new business and as existing groups renew thereafter, Husband and Wife only and Partner only businesses are no longer eligible for Small Group coverage. There are differences on how each state* will handle immediate family members who are also employees. Sole Proprietors Sole proprietors, owners and their immediate family members forming a business are not considered employees and may only buy insurance through the Individual Marketplace. Sole proprietors reporting on Schedule C cannot form a group health plan without having at least one non-spouse common-law employee.** * The FFM states (e.g., NJ, PA, DE) will abide by the above within the SHOP (Small Group Exchange Marketplace). In… Read More

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 24, 2013November 24, 2013Ed MacConnell

Wishing you and your family, friends and co-workers a very Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you for another successful year here at Total Benefit Solutions Inc Click here to watch the our fun jibjab Thanksgiving video!

An important note about the heathcare.gov problems

October 22, 2013October 22, 2013Ed MacConnell

As most of us are aware, there are many problems with the healthcare.gov website. Today President Obama addressed the concerns and issues. The president suggested a work around for the website issues by calling the 800 number. Click here to read the story on cnn. At least until the bugs can be worked out. However it is important to point out that anyone who calls the 800 number can not use the free and important services of their independent insurance broker. Brokers are exempt from helping people who enroll over the phone. So if you are going to call the number be prepared to go through the process without help or… Read More

Get health insurance for your employees from the SHOP

September 16, 2013September 14, 2013Ed MacConnell

Get health insurance for your employees The Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) is a new way to buy high-quality health insurance for your employees. It opens for business October 1, 2013. Get ready now by answering a few quick questions to learn what you need to know. Remember, your independent brokers at Total Benefit Solutions can guide you through the process and help you make the best decision for your company AND your employees!

Reminder to Distribute Creditable Coverage Notice

September 14, 2013September 12, 2013Ed MacConnell

Employers who sponsor a group health plan with prescription drug benefits are required to notify their Medicare-eligible participants and beneficiaries whether the prescription drug coverage offered under their plan constitutes “creditable” or “non-creditable” coverage. This notification must be provided prior to October 15 each year. Click here to download the Medicare Part D Reminder

Free Series for Small Business Owners to Help Understand the Law

August 13, 2013August 13, 2013Ed MacConnell

Free Series for Small Business Owners to Help Understand the Law The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), together with the Small Business Majority (a national nonprofit advocacy organization), has launched theAffordable Care Act 101 Weekly Webinar Series. The webinars feature guidance on key pieces of the law for small business owners provided by SBA representatives, followed by a question and answer period. Topics being discussed in the webinars include: Small business tax credits—who is eligible and how to claim the credit; Shared responsibility (also known as “pay or play”); Cost containment; and Tools and resources available for small businesses to learn more about the law. The… Read More

What are voluntary benefits?

August 13, 2013August 13, 2013Ed MacConnell

Why are voluntary benefits a good idea to supplement your core benefits? Click here to watch this short, informative video….

New Tool Provides Guidance on Health Care Changes

August 13, 2013August 13, 2013Ed MacConnell

New Tool Provides Guidance on Health Care Changes A new interactive “wizard tool” is available online from BusinessUSA to help employers understand the changes that may affect their companies under Health Care Reform. The tool is simple to use. Business owners can input information regarding company size, location, and whether they currently offer insurance to their employees. Based on the employer’s responses, the tool generates guidance on Health Care Reform changes and other health care-related resources relevant to the employer’s business. Other useful information and services for business owners can be found on the BusinessUSA website.

8 components of a health care exchange

July 29, 2013July 25, 2013Ed MacConnell

As an employer, there’s a lot you need to know in order to decide whether or not to offer health care through a health insurance exchange. But before you make a decision….click to read the story

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