This Month's Benefit Bytes

Benefit Bytes October 2018

We keep this e-mail brief to respect your time and inbox while providing timely updates. With so much changing it's a challenge. Please click the links to get details and let us know if you need more information.

IMPORTANT Blue grunge stamp on white background

Attention Individual and Medicare Clients

The Open Enrollment Period for

Medicare Health Plans begins October 15th and ends December 7th

Individual Plan open enrollment starts on Thursday, November 1st, 2018 and ends on Saturday, December 15th, 2018.

Please click here for an important update regarding the Individual Health Plans.

If you do not sign up for a new policy by the end of the enrollment period, you may not be eligible to change later (unless you qualify. Don't wait until the last minute to make such an important decision.

For some helpful tips and information on how to prepare for the Open Enrollment Period and how we can help you, please click here .

Notification Requirements

for Employers

Who Offer Medicare

(Part D) Drug Policies

Employers sponsoring a group health plan with prescription drug benefits are required to notify their Medicare-eligible participants and beneficiaries as to whether the drug coverage provided under the plan is “creditable” or “non-creditable” prior to October 15th, 2018. Please follow this link for more information:

Deadline for Medicare Part D Notification Approaching

Top Question of the Month

Many Employers have been asking us about supplemental plans to help cover things such as maternity or missing work due to an accident or illness. These "Voluntary Benefits" are insurance products employees can elect to add to their plans to fill gaps in health insurance to meet their needs. Voluntary benefits are offered by employers but are paid mostly by employees through payroll. To learn more on these benefits, please click here !

Didn't Get Your New Medicare Card??

Your New Medicare Card should have arrived in the mail by now. If you didn’t get it, here’s what to do:

Remember that your new Medicare card will come in a plain white envelope from the Department of Health and Human Services.

If the card didn’t arrive, call 1-800-MEDICARE. The call center representatives can check the status and help you get your new card.

In the meantime, use your current Medicare card to get health care services. If you have any other questions about your Medicare Benefits, we will be happy to help you! Give us a call at 215-355-2121.

End Of Summer Social Media Drive Winner Annoucement

Back in August we told you about our End of Summer Social Media Drive Contest.. Click here to find out who won an AMAZON Gift card!

The Truth About Medical Bankruptcy in

America and How You Can Avoid It

As the research shows, health insurance won't always completely protect you. Many people were bankrupted by high deductibles, premium rises due to the illness, maximum coverage amounts and other out-of-pocket expenses. So how can you protect yourself?

Click Here to Find Out

We Value Your Feedback!

At Total Benefit Solutions your feedback is important to us. We work for your benefit and are here to serve our clients! Please take a moment to visit our page on Facebook and leave a review of your experience or take one of our our client surveys.

Click here for the Facebook page

Click here to take a survey .

Now More Than Ever You Need To Stay Informed

Things change faster now than ever. Clients often ask us why we do not send out e-mails more often. It's because if we did we would be overloading you with e-mails.

Instead, we post the most frequent updates right here on our website . To make it easier to find the latest benefit news that matters to you .

You may want to bookmark the page for easy reference, or you can the search feature in the top right hand corner to find specific information.

Thank you for your reading, your business, and your referrals!

Warm Regards,

Edward T. MacConnell CBC, CHRS

Certified Healthcare Reform Specialist