01/02/2019
Featured
12/21/2018
EEOC Wellness Rules – Incentive Limits Removed/Vacated
The EEOC recently released final rules, removing the incentive limits from the wellness program rules that must be followed to avoid violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Genetic...
12/20/2018
Anthem Blue Cross Updates Policy for Anniversary Date Change
Beginning February 1, 2019, Anthem Blue Cross will update their policy for anniversary date changes. An anniversary change can be made once in a 12-month period. New rates and benefits will apply. An...
12/18/2018
Texas Judge Issues Controversial ACA Ruling
A Texas district court judge has issued a decision in Texas v. Azar, ruling that the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is unconstitutional. The judge also argued that the individual ...
12/17/2018
Sharp Health Plan Changes Small Group Underwriting Guidelines
Sharp Health Plan changed their small group underwriting guidelines, making it easier to do business: Participation has been lowered from 70% to 60%. The minimum participation has been lowered...
12/12/2018
Details of the CVS-Aetna Merger and a Possible Roadblock
District Court Judge Richard Leon said he is considering halting the integration of CVS Health and Aetna — even though the two companies closed their merger. He ordered a hearing on December 18. In a...
12/11/2018
DaVita Rescinds Contract Termination with Anthem Blue Cross
DaVita Health Plan of California (also known as DaVita HealthCare Partners Plan, Inc.) rescinded its notice of termination with Anthem Blue Cross. The rescission includes Commercial HMO, PPO, Medicare...
12/07/2018
Retail Clinics Get Good Reviews From Consumers
Retail clinics are becoming an increasingly popular health care option. Recently, Kaiser Permanente® opened clinics in several Target stores in Southern California. Also, MinuteClinics are a prominen...
12/07/2018
Kaiser Permanente® Helps Airport Passengers Reduce Stress
Kaiser Permanente® has introduced some practical and whimsical ways for passengers departing Terminal 2 at the Oakland International Airport to reduce the stress of air travel. Portions of the securit...
12/06/2018
UnitedHealthcare Extends Offer for 5% Second-Year Rate Cap on Dental
UnitedHealthcare is extending their second-year dental rate cap offer through June 1, 2019. Groups that add new dental coverage through June 1, 2019 are eligible for a 5% second-year rate cap. Here ar...
12/06/2018
Consumers Voice Their Health Plan Preferences
A survey by Oliver Wyman reveals that, on average, consumers like healthcare clinics; they value wellness support; and they’d rather pay more upfront to have lower deductibles. More than one-third of ...
12/06/2018
LISI Adds Colonial Life to Product Portfolio
LISI has partnered with Colonial Life to offer voluntary benefits that help employees cover rising out-of-pocket health care costs. Colonial Life’s Accident, Critical Illness, and Medical Bridge volun...
12/04/2018
IRS Extends Form 1095 Deadlines For 2018 Reporting
The IRS has released Notice 2018-94, which extends the deadline for employers to provide individuals with Form 1095-B/1095-C for the 2018 reporting year. The deadline has been moved from January 31, 2...
11/26/2018
Take Advantage of Health Net’s HMO Sales Express Program
Effective now, you can make HMO enrollment simpler and more accessible with Health Net’s HMO Sales Express Program. Relaxed underwriting from Health Net lets you skip the HMO paperwork and sell faster...
11/20/2018
Oscar Health Assists Members Affected by California Wildfires
Oscar Health is extending application deadlines for Small Groups. As always, all emergency services are covered at in-network and out-of-network hospitals. During this state of emergency, they’re also...
11/19/2018
Compliance Alert: IRS Announces 2019 Health FSA Limits
On Thursday, November 15th 2018, the IRS announced the new limits for 2019 with respect to Health FSAs, Transportation/Commuter Plans, and Qualified Parking Plans. Employers who currently offer healt...
11/14/2018
UnitedHealthcare Supports Members Affected By California Wildfires
UnitedHealthcare has taken several actions to support the health, safety, and wellbeing of members who may be affected by the wildfires in Butte, Ventura, and Los Angeles Counties: Help Finding a Netw...
11/14/2018
Anthem Helps Residents Impacted by California Wildfires
Anthem Blue Cross is revising their medical and pharmacy guidelines to help members impacted by the wildfires in Butte, Los Angeles, and Ventura counties. Anthem is also offering their EAP and telehea...
11/14/2018
Q1 Quoting is Ready for All LISI Carrier Partners
First quarter quoting is now available for all of our carrier partners! With January just around the corner, get a jump on Q1. Take advantage of LISI’s support for seamless compliance and onboarding. ...
11/12/2018
MetLife’s Guide to Assessing Dental Networks
MetLife created this quick needs assessment to compare networks: What’s the average in-network discount and utilization? How does the carrier review dentists’ practice patterns? Does the car...
11/12/2018
