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Although we still don’t know if anyone in Maine was affected as Anthem is mailing that information directly to affected members (and former members), the items listed in the article are good practice for anyone with health insurance.

“To the 80 million customers of Anthem whose personal information was stolen by hackers, security experts offer this advice: Keep a close eye on your medical-claims statements.

Identity thieves use plundered health-plan data to run up large bills in the victims’ names. Anthem disclosed yesterday, Feb. 4, that names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, medical IDs, street and e-mail addresses, and employee information, including income levels, were stolen in one of the biggest data breaches of a U.S. company.

Identity theft may not have been the main goal of the breach. Federal and private-sector investigators are pursuing evidence that points to Chinese state-sponsored hackers who are stealing personal data from health-care companies to seek information on the personal lives of defense contractors, government workers, and others, according to three people familiar with the probe. Still, the information of tens of millions of others has been compromised and can’t be considered safe.”

For those of you with Anthem insurance, Anthem is contacting employers, members, and brokers simultaneously, so you will receive any information at the same time I do.  Please do let me know if you do have any questions regarding anything you receive.

For questions, please contact:

Elizabeth Ingram
Account Manager, Employee Benefits
CU Insurance Solutions
Phone: 800-287-3379 x 312
info@insurancetrust.us

Important Affordable Care Act Reminders for January 2015

• If you have employees who are not eligible for your group coverage and they currently do not have coverage, they may only enroll in individual coverage during open enrollment which ends February 15^th.  This is true both on and off the Marketplace this year.

• Please remember that the penalty for not having coverage increases this year (2015) to the greater of $325/adult ($162.50/child) or 2% of household income.  You can have a coverage gap of up to 3 months (as a yearly total) without incurring this penalty.

• The 2014 tax forms for individuals includes a box asking if you had health care coverage  last year.  You must check this box if you had coverage so that you aren’t penalized.  Carriers will not be sending a form showing proof of coverage to members this year, but a form will be required from carriers for 2015 taxes.  The 2014 penalty for not having coverage is the greater of $95/adult ($47.50/child) or 1% of income.

Please consult your tax advisor if you have further questions regarding the 2014 tax forms.

For questions, please contact:

Elizabeth Ingram
Account Manager, Employee Benefits
CU Insurance Solutions
Phone: 800-287-3379 x 312
info@insurancetrust.us