Individuals

Posted March 11th, 2014 in Producers, Employers, Individuals

Can people apply for individual health coverage after Mar. 31, 2014? 

Only those individuals that experience a qualifying event can sign up for a qualified health plan mid-year after March 31stMost qualifying events will create a special enrollment period that lasts for 60 days. 

Posted February 26th, 2014 in Producers, Employers, Individuals
Meet José. He is ready to file his taxes and needs a little help with what is required for him since this is his first year with a health savings account (HSA).
 
This handy infographic lists the forms needed for individuals with HSAs when filing taxes in 2013.
Posted February 19th, 2014 in Producers, Employers, Individuals

When it comes to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), one of the most common questions we hear is, “Can people aged 65 and older contribute to an HSA?” Many people would answer no to this question, but that is not always the case.

The fact that someone turns 65 does not automatically disqualify him from making contributions to an HSA, but enrollment in Medicare does.

Posted February 11th, 2014 in Producers, Employers, Individuals

Yesterday, IRS officials made a significant announcement that impacts the Employer Shared Responsibility requirements, also known as the Employer Mandate. New guidance issued by the IRS confirms that a new phased approach will be utilized to implement it.

The new approach has 3 significant changes to the previously written rules:

Posted February 7th, 2014 in Producers, Employers, Individuals
  • The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has reported Exchange application submissions have exceeded 3 million.
  • The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has updated 2014 Exchange enrollment estimates to 6 million.
  • Some reports are showing that 22,000 Exchange applicants were enrolled in the wrong plan or received a lower subsidy than expected,  15,000 Exchange applications were lost and only 11% of Exchange applicants were previously uninsured.
Posted January 31st, 2014 in Producers, Employers, Individuals

As one of the essential health benefits covered in the Health Insurance Marketplace, pediatric dental care has been top of mind. This February will be the first time that National Children’s Dental Health Month will take place while the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is in full swing.

Posted January 29th, 2014 in Producers, Employers, Individuals

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published the 2014 Federal Poverty Levels (FPL) last week. The 2014 FPL guidelines have been raised 1.5% in comparison to the 2013 FPL. The FPL is a measure of income used to determine eligibility for various government programs including healthcare, housing and food stamps. The FPL is also used as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to determine eligibility for subsidies available through the Health Insurance Marketplace, also known as the Exchange.

Posted January 24th, 2014 in Employers, Individuals

Winter in Chicago. As the joke goes the only other season should be construction. Now that the worst of the polar vortex has passed (or we’ve grown accustomed to it) people are more expressive and passionate about two things this week: food and health care reform.

Posted January 15th, 2014 in Producers, Employers, Individuals

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a report earlier this week with details about enrollment numbers and other information as it relates to state and federal insurance exchanges. Below is a list of some key information that was included in the report.

Posted January 10th, 2014 in Producers, Employers, Individuals

Ever wonder if the Co-Ops created by the ACA offer QHPs with access to APTCs and an ACO network?  Yikes!!!

So many acronyms, what do they all mean? There are a number of different acronyms that are regularly used when we talk about healthcare reform. Here are some of those acronyms along with definitions.

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