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Benefit Briefs: October 2016

Welcome to Benefit Briefs

:We try to keep this newsletter brief & to the point to respect your time and inbox space while still providing timely information. With so much change it's a challenge. Please click the links to get more information, and let us know if you need further answers.

Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Important Updates

Major changes are happening during this Annual Enrollment Period!

Aetna and United Healthcare plans will no longer be available in PA.
Oscar and Health Republic are no longer in NJ
Broker commissions have been all but eliminated.

If you are enrolled on an Aetna or United Healthcare individual plan currently you will lose your coverage unless you enroll on a new plan!

Click here for more details on these developments

We do NOT have plan benefits or rates for 2017, but are anticipating increases based on requested rate approvals in excess of 25%.

We will post more information as we receive it.

Medicare Solutions:

Total Benefit Solutions will be participating in the CVS Retail program during this year's AEP on location at the CVS Pharmacy in Feasterville! . Click here for more information.

DID YOU KNOW? Medicare open enrollment starts October 15th 2016 and ends December 7th 2016. Our calendar will fill up fast so please call us early to schedule your annual review. We are required to get your updated information and scope of appointment, so click below to download the forms we need so we can prep for the upcoming annual open enrollment. Click here.

Medicare Made Clear: Download the Medicare Made Clear Show Me Guide for 2016 to get an overview of your Medicare choices. Click here.

Take Advantage of HR Solutions With Think HR

Some brokers will give you an HR tool. We focus on providing you with a

comprehensive HR solution provided by our partner, ThinkHR.

ThinkHR Live's team of experienced HR experts are standing by to offer immediate and actionable guidance or perform follow-up research on your workforce management issues.

ThinkHR Comply is rich with information and tools, templates and checklists based on industry practices and the collective wisdom from tens of thousands of companies like yours.

ThinkHR Learn has more than 200 online courses across a range of topics to help you develop employees and create a winning environment. Use the tracking and reporting for compliance and certifications.

Including the ThinkHR Insights
Newsletter

Insights into HR best practices and educational opportunities provided to you through your business relationship with us. These include:

Free HRCI webinars
White papers
State and federal compliance alerts
Newsletters with insights into HR laws, regulations and best practice s

More than 60,000 U.S. businesses rely on ThinkHR for expert answers and second opinions on important HR complian ce matters every day. In a world of increasing complexity for businesses of all shapes and sizes, ThinkHR is the most experienced and qualified entity to help you with these challenges. Ask us today how you can get registered and start taking advantage of these services with Total Benefit Solutions and Think HR!

Health Care Reform Solutions :

At Total Benefit Solutions Inc., we are dedicated to providing the advice our clients need to remain compliant and make informed benefit decisions. Things are changing faster in ten weeks, than they used to in ten years! Check out our latest bulletins by clicking here.

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Low Cost ERISA Wraps: If you offer group health insurance you're now required by ERISA law and Affordable Care Act, to distribute a Wrap SPD within 120 days of the Plan's effective date. Click for details.
PCOR Fees Due: The PCOR filing deadline was August 1, 2016 for all self-funded medical plans and HRAs for plan year ending in 2015. Click for more details

ACA Update Chart: With so many different ACA provisions, HR360's simple chart provides you with a clear understanding of requirements that have been delayed, extended, or eliminated. Click here to get the chart

Changes to Special Election Period for individuals on the Exchange Verification Process... click

Compliance and Health Reform Education Center: O ur health care reform bulletins along with short informative videos. Click here for Total Benefits Comply.
Employer Shared Responsibility Guide: Download our Employer Shared Responsibility Guide today courtesy of Think HR. Click here.

Employer Reporting Guide for Large Employers: Click here

Have More Questions about the Affordable Care Act?

Still have questions about the ACA and how it affects you or your company? Please call us today and we will get you the answers you need!

Your Feedback Is Important To Us!

We are only as good as our clients say we are. We value the feedback you provide and we are always listening for ways to make our services better and more valuable to you. Without you, our business means nothing! Please help us get better today by taking a short online survey.

Thank you for taking great care of me- and my son! You guided us to workable medical insurance plans, I am very appreciative for your expertise and knowledge!
right quote blue

- Bonnie Greisler, Owner of The Men and Boy's Store in
Huntingdon Valley, PA

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 frequent updates on our website. Use the search feature in the top right hand corner to find specific information.

Thank you for subscribing!

Warm Regards,

Edward T. MacConnell CBC, CHRS

Certified Healthcare Reform Specialist