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COBRA New Notice
COBRA New Notice Under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), an individual who was covered by a group health plan on the day before the occurrence of a qualifying event (such as a termination of employment or a reduction in hours that causes loss...
Orientation Period for New Hires
Adding a one-month orientation period may help an employer avoid complying with the new health benefits
COBRA Special Enrollment July
COBRA members have a special enrollment period extension according to new CMS guidance.
HSA 2015 Limits
HSA Annual Contribution Limit:
Single – $3,350 (up from $3,300 in 2014)
Family – $6,650 (up from $6,550 in 2014)
Travel Insurance and Affordable Care Act FAQ
Q: I am a US Citizen. Am I eligible for your Travel Medical Insurance plan?
LTC Top 25 Most Expensive Markets
The top 25 most expensive markets, ranked by the daily cost of a private room in a nursing home in the U.S., are:
5 Things You Need to Know AFTER Buying Obamacare
How to Enroll on NYS Exchange Marketplace
Qualifying Events for Marketplace Special Enrollment Period
How do I buy an Obamacare plan mid-year? What are considered qualifying events for individuals to buy coverage from the Exchange Marketplace outside of the annual enrollment period?
Obamacare 2014 Deadline Nearing
According to a recent Kaiser Poll the majority of uninsured do not know they have until March 31st to buy health insurance or pay a penalty.
2014 Health Care Employer Penalties
2014 Health Care Penalties While the Employer mandate has indeed been delayed - Obamacare Midsize Employer Mandate Delayed Till 2016 the following 2014 rules must be followed. The PPACA excise tax of $100/day may be levied. No waiting periods in excess of 90 days No...
Coffeecare The Affordable Coffee Act
Coffeecare The Affordable Coffee Act How do you like your coffee? Should there be a shared responsibility mandate? A humorous take on Affordable Care Act by the site thelibertyactivist.com asks - What would it be like if buying coffee was handled just like Obamacare....
Obamacare Midsize Employer Mandate Delayed Till 2016
Obamacare Midsize Employer Mandate Delayed Till 2016. For small businesses employing 50-99 the Treasury Dept is not requiring compliance of the Employer Mandate until 2016. Companies with 100 workers or more could avoid penalties in 2015 if they showed they were...
Licensed Brokers vs Navigators
Licensed Brokers vs Navigators With less than 45 days before the first Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment set to end its important to understand the role of both Brokers and Navigators. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) requires States to...
Find the Right Dental Plan for Your Company
Find the Right Dental Plan for Your Company Whether you're evaluating your company's current dental benefits or preparing to offer a plan for the first time, choosing the best program can be a bit of a balancing act. The challenge of achieving this balance is made...
Losing Health Insurance
Are You Losing Your Health Insurance? There have been plenty of reports in the media of employers having their group insurance plans canceled by health insurance carriers due to health care reform. While there have been plenty of issues, complications, and confusion...
States Pushing Back Against Smaller Networks
States Pushing Back Against Smaller Networks From Kaiser Health News: Officials in at least a half dozen states are pushing back against health plans in the new insurance markets that limit choice of doctors and hospitals in a bid to control medical costs. The plans...
NYS Health Exchange FAQ Jan 1 Enrollments
NYS Health Exchange FAQ Jan 1 Enrollments FAQ Using Coverage January 1, 2014 NYS Health Exchange FAQ Jan 1 Enrollments. NYS of Helath has provided a helpful Frequently Asked Questions for recent enrollees. We have attached the document for your use. IMPORTANT:...
Holiday Time Off: 3 Q&As for Employers
Holiday Time Off: 3 Q&As for Employers Holiday Time Off: 3 Q&As for Employers: The holiday season is approaching and you may be wondering whether your company is required to provide time off or holiday pay. Here's a look at some frequently asked questions and...
Jan 1 Deadline is Today
Jan 1 Deadline is Today. Attention last minute health insurance shoppers you have until midnight to purchase a policy on the Health Exchange. NYS Health Exchange is down again. Not surprisingly a large volume of late comers trying to beat t0morrows deadline...
NYS Health Exchange 100,000 Enrolled
NYS Health Exchange 100,000 Enrolled. According to a USA Today article More than 100,000 enroll in N.Y. health exchange, up a third in less than two weeks according to the state Health Department . According to the NYS Exchange site www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov- As...
SHOP Exchange Delayed One Year
SHOP Exchange Delayed One Year. The White House just announced that the online Small Business Health Marketplace also known as SHOP Exchange has been delayed until 2015. Small businesses will still have the option to purchase coverage through the new...
Breaking News President Announces Cancelled Policies Fix
Breaking News President Announces Cancelled Policies Fix Yesterday, the President announced that people with health care coverage that is not Affordable Care Act (ACA)-compliant may be able to keep their plans in 2014. Effectively...
Why are my rates going up?
Why are my rates going up? The recent 2014 health insurance rates ranging in 15-20% increase is having a profound impact especially on small businesses. Benefits are furthermore deteriorating with new deductibles adding a 10% to the out of pocket costs for a net...
HSA 2014 Limits
The IRS has released the 2014 Health Savings Account (HSA) inflation adjustments. New HSA 2014 limits are as follows: HSA Annual Contribution Limit: Single - $3,300 (up from $3,250 in 2013) Family - $6,550 (up from $6,450 in 2013) HDHP Minimum...
New FSA $500 Carry Over
The New FSA Carry Over. U.S. loosens FSA rules and will allow a carry over of up to $500 to the next year. The use-it-or-lose-it rule scared off many workers, with just 25 percent of eligible workers participating in healthcare FSAs. According to a WSJ...
2018 Medicare Open Enrollement is Here
Get Medicare Quote 2018 Medicare Open Enrollement is Here We are certified and appointed to sell senior plans from Empire Blue Cross, AARP United Healthcare, Humana and Aetna to help people in New York currently enrolled in Medicare or those who are...
Health Exchange Marketplace Top Ten List
Health Exchange Marketplace Top Ten List The Health Exchange also known as The Health Marketplace or Obamacare Exchanges are set to open in less than 12 hours. Are you ready or aye you like most asking What is an Exchange? Starting Oct 1 you can enroll until March...
Health Exchange Notification Due Oct 1
Health Exchange Notification Due Oct 1 - Employers Must Distribute Required Exchange Notice If your organization hasn't done so already, you have until October 1 to inform employees about their option to enroll in a public health exchange under theAffordable Care...
Obamacare Simplified Using Youtoon
Obamacare Simplified Using Youtoon by Kaiser is just what the Doctor ordered. With less than 60 days to go to the October 1, 2013 Health Exchanges Open Enrollment Period what better way to ease the confusion than a 7 minute cartoon? CMS maintains...
Interfaith Hospital Planning Shutdown
Interfaith Hospital Planning Shutdown. The Bedford Stuyvescent Hospital entered bankruptcy court this week to approve its closing and send layoff warning notices to its 1,544 employees. Pending court and state approval, on Aug. 12 the hospital will end inpatient...
Stellaris Hospitals Break Up
Stellaris Hospitals Break Up. Breaking Westchester Health Care News: As reported in The Journal News earlier. A Stellaris Hospitals Break Up is planned; Phelps, Lawrence, Northern Westchester and White Plains may form new alliances. Stellaris had been in the...
NYS Approves Health Insurance Exchange Rates
NYS Approves Health Insurance Exchange Rates. Governor Cuomo announced yesterday that New York's Health Benefits Exchange have been approved . Additionally, the New York Times yesterday published an article highlighting that the rates in the individual market that...
Obamacare Employer Mandate Delayed, More Guidance
In an unexpected announcement pre-July 4th the big news was Obamacare Employer Mandate Delayed with penalties under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) until 2015. The mandate also known as the "Employer Shared Responsibility" requires employers with 50 or more FTEs to...
Essential Health Benefits Not Delayed
Essential Health Benefits Not Delayed The pre-July 4th news of Obamacare Employer Mandate Delayed until 2015 decision may have started early fireworks. The administration did not, however, delay the larger new requirements facing employers who...
Obamacare Employer Mandate Delayed
Obamacare Employer Mandate Delayed Obama administration announced that the employer shared responsibility mandate also known as "Pay or Play" aspect of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) will be delayed by one year. This mandate requires businesses...