As we move into the fourth quarter with renewals and cold season, there tends to be an uptick in questions regarding recommended preventative health screenings. The below website from the independent U.S. Preventive Services Task Force allows people to search for recommended screenings based on age, gender, and tobacco use. Screenings with A and… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Benefits Update
ACA Update – SSN Carrier Notice & HSA/FSA Resources
1) As a quick note regarding the Affordable Care Act, if your social security number or that of a covered dependent are not on file with your insurance carrier, you will receive a notice from them (if you haven’t already) asking for those numbers. These notices are mailed to individual members not the group,… Read more »
ACA Update – Off-SHOP Composite Rates Available Soon in Maine
In an exciting bit of news, the Maine Bureau of Insurance is allowing off-SHOP plans to offer composite rates (employee, employee/spouse, employee/child(ren), family) in 2016. Anthem and MCHO will be offering composite rates. Aetna and Harvard Pilgrim have not yet decided if they will, but I will be sure to keep you apprised. Composite rates… Read more »
ACA Update – The Swiftly Approaching “Cadillac Tax”
Although 2018 is still a couple years away, I wanted to remind you about the “Cadillac tax” which arrives in 2018. The “Cadillac” tax is a 40% excise tax on the value of employer-sponsored coverage in excess of $10,200 (individual) and $27,500 (families). It is paid by insurers; however, the cost will definitely trickle down… Read more »
HSA Guidelines Update – March 2015
This month, I am discussing HSA guidelines rather than an ACA update. As more individuals gain individual rather than group coverage an understanding of the ins-and-outs of HSAs for those on high deductible health plans (HDHP) that are HSA-compatible becomes of greater importance. HSAs are generally seen as a group benefit used on HSA-compatible… Read more »
ACA Update – February 2015
There haven’t been any changes on the group side this month, but for your non-eligible employees & customers, it is worth noting that there is going to be an additional open enrollment for individuals at www.healthcare.gov for 2015. This enrollment is March 15-April 30 for individuals who were unaware of the penalty for being uninsured… Read more »
Anthem Data Breach
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… Read more »
ACA Update – January 2015
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 15th. This is true both on and off the Marketplace this year. Please remember… Read more »