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Webinar Replay: What You Need to Know About Broker Compensation

As the end of 2021 approaches, so does the deadline to start providing broker compensation disclosures to employer clients as required by the Consolidated Appropriations Act. Hamilton "Kam" Emery,...

Invisible Disabilities & The Importance of Inclusion

Your clients are committed to an inclusive culture. An inclusive workplace culture includes support for disabilities that aren't readily apparent. How can they include what they don't see? The...

Outbreak Period - Guidance on Extended Timeframes for COBRA Elections and Payments

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Notice 2021-58, which further clarifies how to apply the extended deadlines for COBRA elections and COBRA premium payments during the Outbreak Period (i.e.,...

Western Health Advantage Focuses on Member Health

Western Health Advantage has several programs to help keep members healthy. Blood Sugar Monitors Available at No Cost With nearly half of California adults estimated to have prediabetes or undi...

Webinar Replay:What You Need to Know About Broker Compensation Disclosures

In this webinar, Hamilton "Kam" Emery, Amwins' Assistant General Counsel gives a detailed overview and addresses your most frequently asked questions to help you prepare. Replay this webinar to get...

Health Net’s Exciting Broker Incentive Program for 2022

Small Group View the Small Group Broker Incentive Flyer. New Broker* Incentive Program: For the first new 6+ member group sold, the broker will receive $2,000 For the second new 6+ me...

2022 Health FSA Contribution Cap Rises to $2,850

The Society for Human Resource Management reports that employees can put an extra $100 in their health care flexible spending accounts (FSAs) next year. The IRS announced on November 10 that the a...

HSA Exception for Telehealth Ends December 31

The ability of HSA plans to cover telehealth at 100% is ending effective January 1, 2022 for calendar year plans. Under the CARES Act, a high deductible health plan (HDHP) can temporarily cov...

Americans Consider Health Insurance Changes During Open Enrollment

Forty-five percent of Americans are considering changes to their health insurance during open enrollment. Although a large portion cites the pandemic as the main factor, others are looking at cost...

Anthem Blue Cross Optum/Monarch, Arta and Applecare Medical Groups Termination

Please be aware the below-referenced medical groups will no longer be part of the Anthem Blue Cross Priority Select HMO network beginning 1/1/2022. OPTUM CARE NETWORK - ARTA HEALTH (0WL) OPTUM...

Kaiser Permanente® Reaches Tentative Agreements

Tentative agreement reached with the Alliance of Health Care Unions On Saturday, November 13, 2021, Kaiser Permanente® and the Alliance of Health Care Unions reached a tentative agreement on a four...

Employers Are Beefing Up Mental Health Benefits

More employees have been using mental health service since the Covid pandemic began, and employers are responding by beefing up their programs, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey. More...

Covid Shakes Up Wellness Initiatives

In response to Covid, 55% of firms with 50 or more employees adjusted wellness programs by changing incentives, expanding service locations, or adding new services, vendors, or digital content, ac...

2021 Sees A Huge Jump in Small Firms With Level Funded Plans

Forty-two percent of small firms in 2021 have a level-funded plan compared to only 13% last year. The trend may reveal a significant shift in the small group market toward health-status-based rati...

Health Plan Premiums Jump in 2021

In 2021, average single and family premiums increased 4% over the past year. At the same time, wages increased 5% and inflation increased 1.9%. The average premium for family coverage has increase...

Cigna + Oscar Offers Q4 Bonus Plus More For Early Submissions

Cigna + Oscar 2022 bonus program rewards you for going big this year! They want to be the easiest carrier to work with during your busiest time of year, so they are keeping things simple: Q4 Bonus ...

Kaiser Permanente Update on Strike Notices

Kaiser Permanente has received strike notices from some of their labor unions. A strike notice does not necessarily mean a strike will happen, but if strikes do take place, they are expected to begin ...

Employers Urged to Comply with Vaccine Mandate

The White House is urging employers to comply with a new vaccine mandate even though a federal appeals court has temporarily blocked the requirement. Under the OSHA rule, employers with at least 1...

Employers Often Overlook the Benefits of an HSA

It’s clear that employers need help educating employees on health savings accounts (HSAs). Fifty-six percent of employers don’t know that an employee needs a high deductible health plan (HDHP) to ...

Compliance Alert: OSHA Releases Emergency Temporary Standard Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate

On November 4, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released its highly anticipated emergency temporary standard (ETS) requiring businesses with at least 100 employees to...

Sharp Health Plan Rate & Portfolio Update Q1 2022

Sharp Health Plan has released their Q1 HMO rates and all plans will increase by 0.2%. Some plans experienced minor benefit changes. See 2022 benefit summaries. Recent Underwriting Changes DE...