Get assistance getting enrolled – Page 4 – Total Benefit Solutions Inc

IBC: Special Care program ending

April 24, 2014Ed MacConnell

As you may already know, the Independence Blue Cross Special Care SM* health care plan will terminate on June 30, 2014. Because the Special Care plan is ending, the individuals who are currently enrolled in this plan will be eligible for a special enrollment period to sign up for a plan that is compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Special Care members qualify for a special enrollment period All Special Care members will be eligible for a special enrollment period , which will allow them to enroll in an individual or family health plan. Members will have from May 1 to August 29, 2014 to enroll in a health plan… Read More

Healthcare.gov Users Prompted To Change Passwords Because Of Heartbleed Risk.

April 21, 2014Ed MacConnell

The CBS Evening News (4/20, story 8, 1:55, Glor) reported Sunday night that “visitors to the to Affordable Care website are being advised to take steps to protect themselves” from Heartbleed, the online security flaw. Mark Albert reported over the weekend, healthcare.gov made the move to “reset everyone’s account password.” Saturday evening, the NBC Nightly News (4/19, story 7, 0:25, Holt) reported that people “with accounts on healthcare.gov are being told to change their passwords after review found that the website was vulnerable to the security breach bug.” The Hill (4/19, Wilson) “Hillicon Valley” blog reported that the call to change log in information for the site were “out of… Read More

Health Reform: Find out if You Qualify for a Health Insurance Coverage Exemption

April 18, 2014April 17, 2014Ed MacConnell

The Affordable Care Act calls for individuals to have qualifying health insurance coverage for each month of the year, have an exemption, or make a shared responsibility payment when filing his or her federal income tax return. You may be exempt from the requirement to maintain qualifying health insurance coverage, called minimum essential coverage, and may not have to make a shared responsibility payment when you file your next federal income tax return. You may be exempt if you: Have no affordable coverage options because the minimum amount you must pay for the annual premiums is more than eight percent of your household income, Have a gap in coverage… Read More

COMPLIANCE NOTICE: Individual Health Plans as Employee Benefits Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

April 16, 2014April 14, 2014Ed MacConnell

COMPLIANCE NOTICE: Individual Health Plans as Employee Benefits Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Released on September 13, 2013, IRS Notice 2013-54 addresses the viability of individual health insurance plans as a tax-advantaged employee benefit under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Unfortunately, the news was not good for employers wanting to offer such plans to their employees: the IRS determined that such plans are prohibited under the ACA. PLEASE CLICK BELOW TO DOWNLOAD THE RELEASE FROM AMERIFLEX… COMPLIANCE_ Individual Health Plans as Employee Benefits Under the Affordable Care Act

SHOP for Small Group Customers Buying a plan through SHOP versus direct

April 15, 2014April 14, 2014Ed MacConnell

SHOP for Small Group Customers Buying a plan through SHOP versus direct Buying plans through the Small Business Health Options Program, or SHOP, provides an advantage only for employers with fewer than 25 employees that are eligible for a tax credit provided by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). If customers are not eligible for this tax credit, there is no advantage to purchasing a plan through SHOP. This is because… Click here to download the SHOP bulletin

Health Reform: New Guidance Clarifies Rules on Health FSA Carryovers

April 15, 2014April 14, 2014Ed MacConnell

Near the end of 2013, the IRS issued Notice 2013-47 that permits a cafeteria plan to provide for the use of up to $500 of any unused amount remaining in the health FSA in the immediately following plan year (the “carryover” provision). This provision is optional, requires a plan amendment, and cannot be offered if the cafeteria plan allows a grace period. Click here to download the bulletin

Health Reform: Law Repeals Deductible Limits for Small Group Plans

April 14, 2014Ed MacConnell

The Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014, legislation extending the “doc fix” for Medicare payments, also includes a provision that repeals the maximum deductible limits applicable to many small group health plans. As you recall, deductible limits for non-grandfathered small group plans are capped under the ACA at $2,000 for single coverage and $4,000 for family coverage effective for the first plan year on or after January 1, 2014. This legislation repeals the deductible limits as of the date health care reform was enacted (March 23, 2010). Click here to download the bulletin

2014 Group Health Plan Calendar

April 11, 2014Ed MacConnell

The 2014 Group Health Plans Notices Calendar in now available! All-in-One Health Plan Notices Calendar and Downloadable Model Notices Our 2014 calendar provides bottom line information on group health plan required notices and filings, including who must receive them, who must provide them and when notices are due. At last, the notices you need are available in one convenient location, including: Health Care Reform Notices (includes new SBC template for 2014 and information on required PCORI filings) COBRA Notices HIPAA Notices (includes information on elimination of creditable coverage certificates and new model Notice of Privacy Practices) Special Health Care Notices (Women’s Health and Cancer Rights, Mental Health Parity… Read More

Health Reform:Legislative Update-Relief for Small Groups Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

April 3, 2014April 2, 2014Ed MacConnell

On Monday, Congress and President Obama together repealed one of the Affordable Care Act’s most onerous provisions, which prohibited so-called “small groups” (mostly groups with less than 50 employees) from offering health plans with deductibles higher than $2,000 for single coverage and $4,000 for family coverage. This comes as very welcome news to small businesses, who are frequently the most in need of additional options and flexibility when it comes to offering employees comprehensive, affordable health insurance via higher deductibles and other cost-sharing mechanisms. It is also great news for employers wanting to couple their insurance plans with health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), which federal agencies previously rejected as permissible ways… Read More

Ed MacConnell earns Voluntary Benefits Certification

April 2, 2014March 30, 2014Ed MacConnell

We are pleased to announce that Edward T MacConnell, President of Total Benefit Solutions has earned the certification of Certified Voluntary Worksite Professional from the National Association of Health Underwriters. Voluntary/Worksite products are not new to the employee benefit industry. However, the surge of interest in these products has accelerated as employers seek ways to help attract and retain talent. The industry has responded swiftly with new products, new features, new enrollment technologies and many changes to the underwriting rules of these products. This has created new responsibilities for agents, brokers and consultants as advising clients in this area will differentiate their value to the consumers they serve. Certified Voluntary Worksite… Read More

HHS to Extend Marketplace Enrollment Deadline

March 31, 2014Ed MacConnell

The Washington Post has reported that HHS has released regulations extending the Marketplace open enrollment deadline to around mid-April for individuals who began, but did not complete, a Marketplace application. The extension appears to be based on a self-certification (honor) system, in which individuals attest that they could not timely complete the Marketplace application before the March 31 deadline. This extension may have an impact on employer-sponsored plans to the extent individuals have more time to elect Marketplace benefits and therefore may decline employer-sponsored coverage at the next OE. Keep in mind that IRS cafeteria plan rules currently do not recognize enrollment in a Marketplace plan as a qualified status… Read More

My Experience with Obamacare: A Freelancer Applies for Health Insurance

March 25, 2014March 25, 2014Ed MacConnell

Our friends at Zane Benefits recently shared this comic and I enjoyed it so much I thought you might like it too: Click here to see the rest of the comic on zanebenefits.com Click here to see the rest of the comic on zanebenefits.com

Client Review: Media Components

March 20, 2014March 19, 2014Ed MacConnell

My company has been with Total Benefits Solutions for years. Ed and his knowledgeable team of brokers is a great resourc…e for all type of medical insurance and coverage. Thanks for the great service throughout the years! -Denis Sinelkov, President Media Components, Inc

Client Testimonial: Mike Hilbert

March 19, 2014March 19, 2014Ed MacConnell

Ed, thank you for your recent endorsements. And especially thank you for helping my wife and I sail through the new Affordable Care Act. You and your team made the complicated seem simple and select the plan best suited for our health insurance needs. Thanks again!! Mike Hilbert Sales Pros for Hire PS- I have already received and paid my April payment and can print temporary insurance cards from the website.

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

Health Reform: Regulations Issued on Waiting Periods

March 12, 2014March 12, 2014Ed MacConnell

For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2014, a group health plan and an insurance carrier offering group health insurance coverage may not apply any waiting period that exceeds 90 days. This rule applies to both grandfathered and non-grandfathered plans. It should be noted that nothing in the Affordable Care Act requires a group health plan or carrier to have a waiting period Click here to download the bulletin

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

Client Testimonial: Kristine Kreisher

March 3, 2014March 3, 2014Ed MacConnell

We received this email from one of our clients this week, Kristine Kreisher, and wanted to share: Dear Ed: I spent a month and a half calling Blue Cross, getting the run around, and given incorrect information. I make a phone call/send an email to you both and within a couple hours everything is taken care of and corrected!!! You guys are awesome!!! Thank you soooooo much for getting this all taken care of!!!! Kris Kreisher February 2014 We love happy clients!

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

Tag: Get assistance getting enrolled

IBC: Special Care program ending

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Healthcare.gov Users Prompted To Change Passwords Because Of Heartbleed Risk.

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Health Reform: Find out if You Qualify for a Health Insurance Coverage Exemption

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COMPLIANCE NOTICE: Individual Health Plans as Employee Benefits Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

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SHOP for Small Group Customers Buying a plan through SHOP versus direct

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Health Reform: New Guidance Clarifies Rules on Health FSA Carryovers

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Health Reform: Law Repeals Deductible Limits for Small Group Plans

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2014 Group Health Plan Calendar

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Health Reform:Legislative Update-Relief for Small Groups Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

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Ed MacConnell earns Voluntary Benefits Certification

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HHS to Extend Marketplace Enrollment Deadline

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My Experience with Obamacare: A Freelancer Applies for Health Insurance

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Client Review: Media Components

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Client Testimonial: Mike Hilbert

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

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Health Reform: Regulations Issued on Waiting Periods

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IBC: New Lab Provider Effective July 1-IMPORTANT NOTICE

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Client Testimonial: Kristine Kreisher

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Total Benefit Solutions Makes Enrolling Easier

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