The Wild Card That Could Destroy Your Retirement
Here is an excerpt of an outstanding article we read on Yahoo finance: Could you withstand a half million dollar or more hit to your retirement savings? Even for many one percenters that could be the difference between a comfortable retirement and destitution. Yet, the odds that you may someday get this hit are uncomfortably […]
Obamaco$t brings Unpleasant Surprise – Focus, Large Group Renewals
Early 2014 large group renewals have come in for fully-insured and self-insured plans. Many employers are going to have an unpleasant surprise. A surprise to many who have had the belief that the postponement of the mandate postponed everything. Are you ready for this? Example 1: A colleague of mine reports a 400 life group with a […]
Obamaco$t comes with Obamacare
Have you heard federal officials sate “Premiums before tax credits will be more than 16 percent lower than projected?” They are referring to the weighted average of the second lowest cost silver plan for 48 states (including DC) based on the ASPE-derived Congressional Budget Office. Sounds good, until you dig deeper. The key word is […]
Two Court Cases pose significant threat to PPACA
Employee Benefit Advisors has been following two court cases that have been falling under the radar. These cases could dismantle health care reform as we know it. _____________________ Excerpts from Employee Benefit News September 27, 2013 by Serena Yee and Christie Daly The ACA requires the creation of a health insurance exchange in each state […]
PPACA: It’s Oct 2 – Now what?
October 1 was a very significant date for the implementation of PPACA as the individual exchanges went live. However, there were reports from many states with problems with the rollout and not all exchanges were activated on schedule. Both the online small business markets known as SHOP exchanges and the Spanish language exchange are delayed. […]
Reminder: Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage Notice Due by October 15th
With all the attention to the ACA requirements for 2013 and 2014 it’s easy to lose sight of other benefit and human resource requirements. The Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage Law affects all employer-sponsored group health plans. Entities are required to notify Medicare eligible policyholders whether or not their prescription drug coverage is creditable. Creditable […]
Useful Apps – HealthAdvocate
ad·vo·cate (verb – used with object) to act in support or in behalf of another; intercessor Synonyms – champion, proponent, backer Do your employees need help navigating the healthcare system? Are they spending valuable time on hold trying to manage their health care needs? Family member needs? Losing productivity? This App is for you. Use […]
IRS Clarifies PEOs Position on Eligible Employer-Sponsored Plans
Final IRS regulations clarified PEOs can offer eligible employer-sponsored coverage on behalf of an employer. In the introductory statement to the final regulations it unambiguously states that organizations such as PEOs can offer coverage under an eligible employer-sponsored plan on behalf of an employer, yet not be viewed as the employer by reason of offering […]
Exchange Notice Deadline is Oct 1 – What you need to know
Employers must notify employees about health insurance available through state and federal exchanges by October 1, 2013. Who gets notified You must send a notice to all full- and part-time employees, whether or not they are on your group health plan. You do not have to notify employees’ dependents or others who are eligible for […]
The Mouth-Body Connection
Open wide! – Your mouth can tell a lot about your body’s health. It is a window into many health issues throughout the body. More than 3 out of 4 American adults suffer from various forms of periodontal (gum) disease and many don’t know it. This is concerning because infections can be caused by periodontal bacteria […]