Producers

Posted February 13th, 2019 in Employers, Producers, Individuals

The term “Medicare for All” has been making headlines recently. Democrats across the country have made this concept a central part of their platforms, and polls have shown that more than half of Americans are in favor of it.

But what does it really mean? Well, the best answer is that it means different things to different people.

Posted February 5th, 2019 in Employers, Producers

Annual Medicare Part D reporting is required for all employers who provide health benefits with prescription drug coverage. The reporting is an online filing to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services(CMS), and it lets CMS know if the prescription drug coverage available on the employer’s health plan is “creditable.”

Posted January 31st, 2019 in Producers, Employers

A stand-out strategy for small businesses:  Voluntary benefits enable small companies to do more with less

The competition for talent is fierce for small businesses. One in four say the talent pool for their open positions is poor, [1] and the Society for Human Resource Management lists retaining employees as one of the top three issues facing companies with 3-99 employees (along with employee productivity and controlling health insurance costs).[2]

Posted January 29th, 2019 in Employers, Producers

Agency officials were busy last week releasing updated forms and publications while also proposing new rules that would generally impact health plans in 2020. Here are three important releases which are now available:

Posted January 22nd, 2019 in Employers, Producers

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) requires employers to provide a Summary Plan Description (SPD) to employees if they offer health, dental, vision, life, disability or other benefits.

Posted January 17th, 2019 in Employers, Producers

This does not apply to all employers. Please read full article below for details.

2018 ACA Reporting Deadlines are Approaching

It’s that time of year where applicable large employers (ALEs) and certain other employers need to focus on completing their reporting obligations required under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Here are some helpful tips and reminders.

Posted January 15th, 2019 in Producers

Using a debit card just got a whole lot easier!

Debit cards offer easy access to tax-advantaged benefits and should improve the overall experience of the employee. Yet sometimes, substantiating debit card charges on a Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) can be frustrating and time-consuming. As a benefits administrator for 30 years, Flex has been working hard to solve this problem for participants.
 
Posted January 8th, 2019 in Producers, Individuals

You may be familiar with Medicare’s open enrollment period (OEP) which occurs each fall. From October 15th until December 7th of each year, Medicare beneficiaries can enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan of their choice. This includes enrolling in a plan for the first time or changing to a new plan.

Posted January 3rd, 2019 in Employers, Producers

Whether it be to inflation adjustments, new laws, tweaks to existing regulations or other reasons, each new year brings changes to health plans and other benefits. Here is a summary of 10 important changes taking effect in 2019.

1) There will be no penalty under federal law if you don’t have health insurance. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act made the cost for not having health insurance $0 starting in 2019.

Posted December 31st, 2018 in Producers, Employers, Individuals

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) allow eligible individuals to put money aside tax-free to pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses, but HSAs work differently than other tax-advantaged accounts. Here are 10 helpful tips and reminders as the year comes to an end. 

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