healthcare reform

Posted March 11th, 2013 in Employers, Producers

ACA Participation RequirementsThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released final regulations on February 22, 2013 in regards to various health insurance market rules. The new guidance includes information about minimum participation requirements in the small employer marketplace. In most states, small employers are defined as those with 50 or fewer employees.

Insurance companies today require a minimum percentage of employees to enroll in coverage. This is referred to as the participation requirements and helps insurance companies avoid adverse selection. Minimum participation requirements can be up to 75% today.

Posted March 7th, 2013 in Employers, Producers

Small employers able to provide simple, effective program with defined contribution strategy and online insurance marketplace.

InsureXSolutions® recently announced more small businesses in the Chicagoland area are looking to adopt a private health insurance exchange as an alternative to increasing healthcare costs. Through a defined contribution benefits strategy and the use of a private insurance exchange, businesses can now take control of their healthcare spending and offer a personalized insurance buying experience for employees.

Approximately 75 percent of Illinois employers have fewer than 50 employees, according to Kaiser Family Foundation. Of those employers, only a third currently offer group health coverage due to expensive premiums, participation requirements or other challenges that exist in today’s marketplace.

Posted March 5th, 2013 in Individuals, Employers, Producers

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) posted final regulations about the deductible and out-of-pocket limitations to the Federal Registrar on February 25, 2013. Section 1302(c) of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) specifies that the maximum deductible for a qualified insurance plan cannot exceed $2,000 for single coverage and $4,000 for family coverage.

Posted February 28th, 2013 in Individuals, Employers, Producers

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the final regulations about Essential Health Benefits (EHB) on February 20, 2013. The guidance defines the benefits that must be included with all fully insured plans sold inside and outside of the public exchanges in 2014. This will impact all individual health plans and most small group health plans. Grandfathered plans and self-insured plans are exempt from the EHB requirements; however, self-insured plans that cover any EHB must provide coverage without any annual or lifetime dollar limits.

Posted January 24th, 2013 in Employers, Producers

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates that all Americans have health insurance or pay a penalty. If you’re an American, just look to the mirror to see who’s going to be affected.

Posted December 18th, 2012 in Employers

Between lengthy meetings at the office, frantic shoppers and frenzied holiday music, it can be hard to stay focused on the fact that the year is coming to a close. In fact, with all the water cooler talk about the world ending it is even anticlimactic.

Posted October 3rd, 2012 in Individuals, Employers, Producers

Flexible Benefit Service LLC (Flex) recently joined forces with various associations and insurance companies representing employers, producers and insurers to submit comments on the selection of Illinois’ state Essential Health Benefits (EHB) benchmark plan.

The purpose of the consolidated comments was to underscore the importance of affordability of coverage for individual consumers and small employers in Illinois. The target for this effort was the state’s Health Reform Implementation Council (HRIC) Workgroup, who was considering specific factors in choosing the EHB package. The benchmark plan will eventually determine the cost of future premiums and how broad coverage will be for Illinois consumers.

Posted August 28th, 2012 in Individuals, Employers, Producers

The Benefits Buzz Blog was created with the simple idea of getting relevant information to you - when you want it. From updates on health care reform, the employee benefits industry, compliance, continuing education and more – we invite you to read and walk away with some value adds to help you get through the day smarter.

Benefits Buzz

SUBSCRIBE TO THE FLEX BLOG

Tag Cloud

Archives

Stay Connected