Producers

Posted August 15th, 2017 in Producers, Employers
Several states have continuation coverage laws in place, and Illinois is no different. In fact, the state of Illinois has three different continuation coverage laws: Illinois Continuation, Illinois Spousal Continuation, and Dependent Continuation. Each law applies to fully-insured group health plans and HMOs that are issued in the state of Illinois. The length of continuation coverage and the persons eligible for coverage vary depending on which law is in play. 
 
Posted August 8th, 2017 in Producers, Employers, Individuals
We all know that efforts by the Republican party to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have failed up to this point. It’s unknown what healthcare legislation, if any, will ever get through both chambers of Congress and into the hands of President Donald Trump to sign into law. That will remain a mystery for the foreseeable future, but passing a law isn’t the only way the ACA can be altered. There is also regulatory action that can occur. 
 
Posted August 3rd, 2017 in Producers, Employers, Individuals
Effective as of July 1, 2017, the State of Illinois has increased the individual income tax rate to 4.95 percent from 3.75 percent. Also, the corporate rate has increased to 7 percent from 5.25 percent. These increases were included as part of the state’s new budget. Illinois had previously gone 736 days without a budget.
 
Posted July 28th, 2017 in Producers, Employers, Individuals
Well, after several months of debate, it appears you can keep your Obamacare plan and everything else that comes along with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). 
 
On Tuesday, the Senate voted favorably on a motion to proceed with the debate over a repeal and/or replacement of the ACA. This was a significant procedural step necessary to pass a bill in the Senate. 
 
Posted July 24th, 2017 in Producers, Employers, Individuals
Senate Republicans may vote as early as Tuesday on a bill that would repeal and replace key parts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but there are still a couple of unknowns. 
 
Posted July 18th, 2017 in Producers, Employers, Individuals
Senate Republicans introduced the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017 (BCRA) last month which would repeal and replace key parts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It’s been amended two times since it was released and is now in its third version. The latest changes were released on July 13th and include the following updates:
 
    Posted July 13th, 2017 in Producers, Employers
    Group health plans are almost always subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, also known as ERISA.
     
    This means employers must follow certain rules, such as:
     
    • Providing participants with important information in writing about plan features and funding.
    • Establishing an appeals and grievance process for participants to receive benefits from the plan.
    • Providing fiduciary responsibilities for those who manage and control plan assets.
    Posted July 3rd, 2017 in Producers, Employers, Individuals
    It appears crunch time is nearing for Senate Republicans who want to repeal and replace key parts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). While there is no official deadline to pass legislation that would alter the ACA, the artificial deadline is the end of July.
     
    Posted June 20th, 2017 in Producers, Employers, Individuals
    President Donald Trump held a party in the White House Rose Garden to celebrate the passage of the American Health Care Act (AHCA) by the House of Representatives (House). President Trump touted the House bill as being an “incredible health care plan.” The AHCA is now under consideration by the Senate, and in a closed-door meeting held with several Republican Senators last week, President Trump allegedly said the current version of the AHCA is too “mean” and needs to be “more generous.” 
     
    Just how "mean" is the AHCA, and who is it "mean" to?
    Posted June 13th, 2017 in Producers, Employers, Individuals
    Under the Obama administration, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued regulatory guidance which shortened the maximum duration of Short-Term Medical (STM) insurance plans to less than 3 months (90 days). This was fully implemented as of April 1, 2017. 
     

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