The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently released new guidance adjusting the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee. Under the notice, the adjusted applicable dollar amount is $2.17 for plan years ending on or before October 1, 2015 and before October 1, 2016. For additional information, please see Notice 2016-60
Continue ReadingClick here to watch the Think HR Webinar Video Top 5 Reasons to Have (and use) an employee handbook
Continue ReadingIndependence Blue Cross: Custom IBX WireTM mobile messaging is available for large groups IBC is offering direct messaging to some larger group customers beginning January 2016. Click here for more information.
Continue ReadingPlease be advised that Delta Dental of PA is now instructing Allied Administrators (TPA) to cease issuing ID cards for Small Business Program (SBP) groups. To obtain dental care, the employee just has to let the dentist know that they have a Delta Dental of PA PPO plan & simply provide the dentist with name, DOB & enrollee ID or SSN. He or she will be able to easily locate the employee in the system, or can give Delta a quick call (toll free: 800-932-0783) to determine their eligibility & benefits. Delta has created a flyer format that will be included in new group welcome kits & provides the employees that want an ID card direction… Read More
Continue ReadingFailure To File Tax Returns May Result In Loss Of Affordable Health Care Kelly Phillips Erb Forbes Staff In any given year, about 7% of taxpayers will opt to file an extension for filing their individual federal income tax returns. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the White House are hopeful that included in those requesting an extension are about 1.8 million households that relied on subsidies to pay for health insurance. Why? Because the new health care law requires that some households file tax returns in order to receive their subsidies – even if those households aren’t otherwise required to file a tax return because of their income… Click… Read More
Continue ReadingVideo: Turning 26? Here’s when to apply for health insurance If you are turning 26 and still on your parent’s health insurance plan, first of all, happy birthday! And secondly, congratulations! You can now purchase your very own health insurance. In fact, once you turn 26, your parent’s can no longer cover you under their health plan. 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, or click here for… Read More
Continue ReadingVideo: Health Insurance Basics from Independence Blue Cross: Enjoy the latest TV Commercial from Independence Blue Cross. 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. Video: Changes in the family. When can I get new health insurance? Have your family’s health insurance needs recently changed? When you get married or divorced, have a new baby, or adopt a new child, you have a 60-day window to enroll in… Read More
Continue ReadingFrequently asked questions (FAQs), prepared jointly by the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Treasury were issued on May 12, 2015 with respect to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirement for a non-grandfathered group health plan to provide coverage for in-network preventive items and services (including contraception)without any cost-sharing requirements, as summarized in the attached bulletin. Click here to download the FAQ bulletin
Continue ReadingTotal Benefit Solutions now offers benefit and consulting packages that include the Tel-Doc benefit. Watch these videos for more information and ask us how you can add Tele-Doc benefit for an affordable monthly fee!
Continue ReadingHSA Contribution Limits and Minimum Deductibles Adjusted for Inflation HR News Alert Brought to you by Total Benefit Solutions Inc May 6th 2015 HSA Contribution Limits and Minimum Deductibles Adjusted for InflationThe IRS has released the 2016 inflation adjusted amounts for health savings accounts (HSAs). To be eligible to contribute to an HSA, an individual must be covered under a high deductible health plan (HDHP) and meet certain other eligibility requirements. Annual Contribution Limitation For calendar year 2016, the annual limitation on HSA deductions for an individual with self-only coverage under an HDHP is $3,350. The annual… Read More
Continue ReadingThe IRS issued preliminary guidance regarding the excise tax on high cost employer-sponsored health coverage, commonly known as the “Cadillac Tax.” Notice 2015-16 describes potential approaches being considered in developing guidance under Section 4980l. Specifically the Notice addresses (1) the definition of applicable coverage, (2) the determination of the cost of applicable coverage, and (3) the application of the annual statutory dollar limit to the cost of applicable coverage. The IRS will seek comments on potential approaches to a number of issues both with respect to this Notice and a subsequent notice that is expected to address other issues. Additionally, there will be an opportunity to comment after the proposed… Read More
Continue ReadingMedicare 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 Reading
Beginning in January 2015, the Health Insurance Marketplace Health and Human Services will be issuing a new 1095-A tax form to individuals who purchased coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. If you or anyone in your household enrolled in a health plan through http://www.healthcare.gov you should receive the new tax form in the mail. You should use this form when filing your 2014 federal income tax return. For more information visit www.IRS.gov/ACA or www.healthcare.gov/taxes or contact your tax advisor. The following publications are also available: Health Care Law: What’s New for Individuals & Families This is a large publication with many details. 3 Tips: The Marketplace and taxes Regarding your tax forms and… Read More
Continue ReadingCMSHHSgov 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.
Continue Reading
Agent and Broker Handling of Federal Tax Information Federal Tax Information (FTI) is classified as confidential and may not be used or disclosed except as expressly authorized by the Internal Revenue Code, which may require written consent of a taxpayer in certain situations. As an agent or broker operating in an Individual Marketplace, it is possible that we may encounter FTI when assisting with eligibility appeals. If you are an agent or broker and also a tax return preparer or work closely (e.g., share an office) with a tax return preparer (even if a small number of clients) we are subject to the tax return preparer disclosure rules set forth… Read More
Continue Reading
Special Enrollment Periods Under certain circumstances, individuals may enroll in a QHP or change QHPs outside of the annual open enrollment period. These SEPs are based on certain triggering events or special circumstances. Events that permit an SEP include: Gaining or becoming a dependent through marriage, birth, adoption, placement for adoption, or placement in foster care Gaining status as a citizen, national, or lawfully present individual Loss of coverage (e.g., loss of Medicaid eligibility, QHP no longer available), except if enrollment is terminated based on failure to pay premiums, fraud, or enrollee initiated termination Determination that an individual is newly eligible or ineligible for advance payments of the premium tax… Read More
Continue ReadingFMLA Proposed Rules To Recognize Same Sex Regardless of Residency The DOL is proposing to amend the regulatory definition of “spouse” under the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) so that “spouse” for purposes of FMLA rights would include a same-sex spouse, regardless of where the employee and spouse live. This means the “place of celebration” will determine whether an individual is a spouse under FMLA, rather than the current rule which uses the “state of residence,” which recognizes a spouse under the law of the state in which the couple resides. Click the link to download the bulletin: 070714-P-ERC-FMLA_Proposed_Rules (1) Please contact you Total Benefit Solutions account manager at (215)355-2121 if… Read More
Continue ReadingNew Guidance on Employer Payment Plans The IRS issued an FAQ addressing the potential consequences of an arrangement where an employer reimburses employees for the purchase of individual health insurance premiums on a tax-favored basis (referred to as an “employer payment plan”). For this purpose, individual health insurance premiums includes individual coverage purchased either inside or outside of the Health Insurance Marketplace. The FAQ follows up on earlier guidance describing these types of arrangements (Notice 2013-54). Click the link for more information: 060214_P_ERC_Employer_Payment_Plans (1)
Continue ReadingIn another effort to enhance our client experience and bring value to our small business clients, Total Benefit Solutions is proud to announce that we have entered into an agreement to provide Think HR. Soon our clients will get an introductory e-mail with instructions on how to access their complimentary ThinkHR account. We expect to have this resource available to our clients in September 2014, just in time for this year’s open enrollment period! Think HR will help our clients: Stay up to date with the latest news and resources Remain compliant with best practices from HR professionals Build tools like job… Read More
Continue Reading
This briefing is applicable to all brokers writing Pennsylvania based employers We have updated our eligibility guidelines as it relates to sole proprietors, owners, partners, W-2 employees and husband / wife groups for 2014. These updates have been made to maintain compliance with state and federal requirements. Please review the updates we have outlined below. We thank you for your continued collaboration. The following applies to Small Group Pennsylvania new business and renewals: The definition of an employer is now one W-2 common law employee. This accommodates an owner with at least one “enrolling” W-2 common law employee who is not a spouse and not an owner. Sole proprietors, owners… Read More
Continue Reading
The Departments of Labor, Treasury and HHS issued a proposed rule that provides helpful guidance regarding certain excepted benefits, including vision benefits, dental benefits, employee assistance programs (EAPs) and certain wraparound programs. Click the link below to download the bulletin. Relief for Excepted Benefits-012414R
Continue ReadingFeasterville Rotary has honored two Neshaminy High School seniors from Feasterville as their Student of the Month for the month of February 2014. The presentation was held on Tuesday morning, Feb. 11. They are Saje Breuer and Alexandra Urusow. Both students are pictured here with their parents, their principal Mr William Ritchey and Rotary President Ed MacConnell. Congratulations Saje and Alexandra!
Continue ReadingPLEASE NOTICE: DUE TO THE WINTER STORM TODAY, FEBRUARY 5TH OUR OFFICES ARE CLOSED. WE ARE WORKING DILIGENTLY TO RESTORE POWER, PHONES AND INTERNET AND HOPE TO BE OPERATING BY MID DAY ON THURSDAY FEBRUARY 6TH. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENINCE THIS HAS CAUSED.
Continue ReadingPlease note our holiday office hours: Tuesday December 24th: We will close early at 1:00PM Wednesday December 25th: Closed for the Christmas Day Holiday Thursday December 26th: We will reopen at 12:00 Noon until 5:00PM Tuesday December 31st: We will close early at 1:00PM Wednesday January 1st 2014: Closed for the New Year’s Day Holiday Thursday January 2nd 2014: We will reopen at 10 AM until 5:00PM Click here to watch our fun holiday JibJab video.
Continue Reading
You must be logged in to post a comment.