2017 HSA Limits

HSA Contribution Limit:

     Indvidual coverage: $3,400

     Family coverage:  $6,750

HDHP Minimum deductible:
     $1,300 Individual coverage
     $2,600 Family coverage

Out-of-Pocket Maximum Expense:
     $6,550 Individual coverage
     $13,100 Family coverage

If you are over 55 you can deposit an additional $1000 per year.

Remember as of 2011 over-the-counter drugs may only be reimbursed if they have a prescription.

If a policyholder uses an HSA to pay for items or services that aren't qualified medical expenses, the tax penalty is 20% of the HSA distribution.

If you need to open an account and you aren't sure where to go, here are some of our recommendations. 

Proposed Changes for Form 5500 for Small Employers

ACTION NEEDED: Proposed Changes for Form 5500 for Small Employers

The Department of Labor, Health & Human Services and Treasury recently issued proposed regulations that would eliminate the "small plan" exemption currently in place for small employers sponsoring a group health plan with fewer than 100 participants.

If adopted, small employers would be required to furnish the same Form 5500 information to the Department of Labor as large employers.

What is this going to cost employers?

The Department of Labor estimates that eliminating the “small plan” exemption will add 2.2 million work hours and $241.6 million in reporting costs for small employers (both self-insured and fully-insured).

What can you do?

The Department of Labor is requesting comments until December 5, 2016.

1.     Go online to http://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EBSA-2016-0010-0001

2.     Click on the “Comment Now!” button in the upper right hand corner of the web page

3.     Write your comments in the space provided (see below for suggested script)

4.     Follow all steps to complete your submission

Suggested script…

I am requesting that the Department of Labor reconsider the proposed Annual Reporting and Disclosure rules relating to Form 5500 and Schedule J.

The proposed rules that would eliminate the small group exemption on Form 5500 filings plus the additional data collection requirements on Schedule J will add 2.2 million work hours and would cost small employers $241.6 million.

Small employers are already challenged to stay current and compliant with excessive federal, state and local rules and regulations. The proposed changes place yet another unnecessary burden on small employers.

I urge the Department of Labor to reconsider this proposal.

Big Changes for 2017 Open Enrollment

If you have individual or family insurance you may have already received a letter from your insurance company regarding coverage changes for 2017. Many of the insurance companies have decided to stop offering health insurance, while others are drastically shrinking their networks. This means your current plan may no longer be offered in your county.

These changes will affect your coverage if you have coverage that is compliant with the Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA).  This mean if you have a plan that you purchased through healthcare.gov  or have a plan that started after January 1, 2014 these changes will affect you.

Anthem:

On and Off Marketplace plan
The ONLY Coverage will be available in all 88 counties
Central Ohio Network Hospitals: Mount Carmel/St Ann’s

Medical Mutual of Ohio:

·         On Marketplace plans only

·         Will only offer plans in 31 counties

·         Central Ohio Counties with coverage available:

                   Athens, Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Hardin, Licking, Marion, Morrow, Pickaway

,                  Richland & Union

·         Central Ohio Network Hospitals: Ohio Health Hospitals  

Molina:

·         On Marketplace plans only

      HMO network only

           Central Ohio Counties with coverage available:

                  Athens, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, & Madison

·         Central Ohio Network Hospitals: OSU, The James Cancer Hospital, Select Specialty Hospital Columbus, University Hospital East, Regency Hospital of Columbus

Aetna:

·         Offering one silver level plan Off Marketplace

·         Central Ohio Network Hospitals: Mount Carmel/St Ann’s

United Healthcare:

·          Will not offer any ACA plans in Ohio in 2017

InHealth

·          Will not offer any plans in Ohio in 2017

You will need to enroll in coverage for January 2017 between November 1 and December 15.

Creekstone Benefits is here to assist you with choosing the best coverage to fit your insurance needs.  Our services are free to individuals and families.  Please contact Tiffany Geiger or Bud Fassnacht at 740.967.0210 for assistance.

InHealth Mutual Liquidation

We were just made aware that the Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI) has taken control of InHealth Mutual. We are currently researching all the details. If you currently have InHealth Mutual as a carrier and we are your broker, we will contact you in the next week to discuss your options. If we are not your broker and would like assistance in finding a new carrier please contact

During this transition

• You must continue to pay your monthly premiums
• Doctors and Hospitals must continue to honor their contract for service to InHealth policy holders
• Your claims will still be paid but up to $500,000 per individual

For additional information please click on the following link:
http://www.insurance.ohio.gov/liq/Pages/InHealth-Frequently-Asked-Questions.aspx 

Keeping Your Old Health Insurance Plan (AKA Transitional Relief)

Part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) includes the termination of any transitional health insurance for individual and small businesses with 50 or fewer employees.   We have been fortunate that the deadline for this change has been extended again.  This termination will not occur until December 31, 2017.   

 

So, wondering what all of that means?  Here’s our best effort to make sense of it:

If you purchased group or individual health insurance before March 23, 2010 AND haven’t made any changes to that plan, you are on a “Grandfathered” plan.  You are exempt from all of this!  Go celebrate!

If you purchased individual health insurance after March 23, 2010 but before January 2014 AND haven’t made any changes to that plan, you are on a “Grandmothered” plan.

If you purchased group health insurance after March 23, 2010 but before January 2014 and have made no changes or only small changes, you are on a “Grandmothered” plan.

A Grandmothered Plan is the same as a Transitional plan.

Grandmothered = Transitional

Ok – we’ve got that part down.  Moving on to the big change:

The recent change means you can definitely keep your current plan until at least January 1, 2018. (Assuming things don’t change again…)

However on January 1, 2018 ALL individuals and small groups that have transitional plans will have to switch to an ACA plan.  This change will occur on January 1, 2018, NOT when you currently renew.  If you are an individual, you will need to go through the open enrollment process in November 2017.   Small businesses will need to meet with your broker before November to review your options.

Bottom line, on January 1, 2018 there is a very good chance that your rates will increase substantially.  (Don’t kill the messenger – we are just passing along the information.)

InHealth Mutual Update

We received the information below in an email today from InHealth Mutual.  If you currently have coverage through them, this email has a lot of important information.   If you a have questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at 740.967.0210 or InHealth at 8003.580.8502.  Thank you!

Meeting the health needs of our membership is our top priority.  We understand the network change announcement has resulted in many questions. We also know from the calls and emails we are receiving that there’s some confusion around emergency services and continuity of care. Here’s information that will help address these concerns. 

EMERGENCY SERVICES: 
Please remind your clients that Emergency Service benefits are processed as In-Network regardless of the facility the members go to. If members need emergency care, they should go to the nearest facility. Click here for additional information regarding Emergency Care Services


CONTINUITY OF CARE:  

• We will assist InHealth’s members who are pregnant, currently undergoing a course of treatment, or with a current authorization for health care services with one of the affected facilities or providers to ensure continuity of care.
• This means our impacted members receive the health care services they need without interruption and at In-Network cost-share levels. However, providers may still choose to balance bill members for services.
• Additionally, for members not currently undergoing a course of treatment with an affected provider, physicians affiliated with an OhioHealth-owned hospital will arrange for transition and admission to alternate hospitals that are In-Network.

If your clients need assistance or have questions, please have them contact our Customer Care team at 1-800-580-8502 or email networkservices@inhealthohio.org.

TEMPORARY INHEALTH ID CARDS
Members can obtain a temporary ID card by logging into the member portal of our website www.inhealthohio.org and clicking the Print Temporary ID Card/Order Replacement ID Card as indicated below in the screen shot.  Then they will have access to the temporary id for everyone on their policy, including insured children over 18.  For those who have pediatric dental, temporary dental ID cards can be accessed here as well.

 




HEALTHSMART CHECK LIST
Help your clients save money with a reduction off their 2016 deductible. As part of our focus on keeping members healthy over the long run, we encourage everyone to complete the HealthSmart Check List now located on line by logging into the member portal of our website www.inhealthohio.org. It is a simple form that lets members tell us more about their health so we can reach out with wellness, prevention and disease education to help promote healthy living.  Members who complete and return their HealthSmart Check List during the first sixty (60) days of coverage are eligible for a one-time reduction of $250 off their Plan Year 2016 annual deductible.  Families are eligible for a maximum reduction of $500.  Restrictions and conditions may apply.  Contact InHealth with questions and encourage members to complete their HealthSmart Check Lists!



Thank you for your ongoing support and business.

Sincerely,
The InHealth Sales Team