04/18/2018
Featured
04/18/2018
Groups Launch Universal Coverage Campaign
The new Care4All California campaign includes a coalition of 50 organizations including consumer advocacy organizations, community groups, labor unions, progressive organizations and health care group...
04/16/2018
HDHPs and Voluntary Benefits Are Hot in the West
High deductible health plans (HDHPs) and voluntary benefits are becoming more and more popular in the Western United States, according to a report by Benefitfocus. Since 2016, HDHP offering rates incr...
04/11/2018
The Difference Between EDI and API
When you’re talking to a software vendor, you may hear the words “EDI” (electronic data interchange) and “API” (application programming interface) thrown around. These are two major methods that busin...
04/11/2018
The IRS is Assessing ACA Penalties
The IRS is sending penalty Letter 226-J to applicable large employers (ALEs) for not complying with the ACA’s employer mandate requirements for the 2015 tax year. Letter 226-J notifies these employers...
04/10/2018
Walmart and Humana Discuss Partnership
Walmart is in talks to strengthen their partnership with Medicare giant Humana. A merger has been discussed as a possible option. Pundits say that it’s more likely that the two companies will boost th...
04/09/2018
How Eliminating the Individual Mandate Could Affect California
A team of Harvard researchers say that California’s individual market is likely to remain reasonably stable and not suffer an immediate downward spiral as a result of eliminating the individual mandat...
04/05/2018
Individual Plans Could Face Steep Premium Hikes
Individual plans in every state are at risk for higher than normal premium increases for 2019 and beyond, according to an analysis by Covered California. Unsubsidized consumers would bear the full wei...
04/04/2018
Q3 2018 Updates from Kaiser Permanente®
Rates from Kaiser Permanente® HMO plans will increase an average of 3% for July 1, 2018. PPO plans got a rate pass. To avoid the increase, have your clients enroll for a May 1 2018 or June 1, 2018 eff...
04/04/2018
Sharp Health Plan 2018 Benefit Summaries Approved
Sharp Health Plan has received approval for the 2018 small group plans. While most plans were approved as filed, some plans did receive a benefit change as part of the approval process. These changes ...
04/04/2018
UnitedHealthcare Q3 2018 Rate Update and New Dental Simplified
Q3 2018 Rate Update UnitedHealthcare has released quoting for Q3 2018. UnitedHealthcare reports the statewide average increase of HMO plans is 2.2%. PPO plans have received a rate pass. HealthConnect...
03/28/2018
Disability Claim Regulations Take Effect April 1, 2018
The Department of Labor's (DOL) final rule for disability claims procedures, issued December 19, 2016, will take effect April 1, 2018. The regulations will apply to disability claims filed on or after...
03/21/2018
Canopy Health Expands Into the South Bay - Pending Regulatory Approval
Canopy Health is expanding its network by adding three Hospitals and nearly 1,000 Physicians across the San Francisco Bay Area. Canopy Health added the Good Samaritan Health System as well as Dignity ...
03/20/2018
Blue Shield’s new and improved Quick Match Program is just what you need to sell Blue Shield Life
Blue Shield of California’s life insurance Quick Match ProgramSM provides streamlined underwriting by matching renewal rates from the group's current life insurance company. Their improved program is ...
03/20/2018
How Single Payer Could Affect California
by Ken Doyle Proponents of single-payer health care are working fiercely to bring it back to life, although recent legislation failed to pass. There is no question that single-payer would dramatica...
03/20/2018
Why Prospecting Is All About Building Relationships
In today’s business environment, decision makers are bombarded with sales pitches. A National Underwriter survey finds that 55% of advisors say prospecting is the most challenging aspect of selling in...
03/20/2018
Aetna Has New ACA Small Group Submission Dates for California
Aetna has updated their Small Group Affordable Care Act (ACA) submission deadlines. In most cases, the change will allow new members to be active on their effective date. Starting with May effective d...
03/16/2018
UnitedHealthcare Pharmacy Point-of-Sale Discounts Coming 2019
Beginning in 2019, UnitedHealthcare will pass drug manufacturer rebates directly to members when they fill prescriptions through retail pharmacies or home delivery. Currently, UnitedHealthcare has bee...
03/14/2018
Health Net Q2 Relaxed Promo Reminder
Health Net is offering a 35% Relaxed Participation promotion for groups with 6+ eligible employees. Groups of 1-5 employees can join with 66% participation, which is the standard participation minimum...
03/14/2018
Aetna Small Group Will Stop Selling Life Products to New Business
Effective 4/1/18, Aetna Small Group will stop selling Life products to new business. Aetna Life Insurance was acquired by The Hartford on November 1, 2017. All quoting vendors have been notified to re...
03/08/2018
