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Medicare Eligible Discount |
If you are 65+ years of age and wish to remain on the group medical plan through the SCDA, you can do so with a 50% discount to your single premium, but your office must contain less than 20 employees and Medicare must be primary - this has always been the case.
In the past, it was not necessary for you to be on Part B of Medicare as well as the automatic Part A. It is now. Blue Cross is requesting that you have both Medicare Part A and B in order for them to be able to offer the discount. Part A is the hospital coverage and Part B is the physician coverage, so both would need to pay primary for Blue Cross to be able to reduce your premium as a secondary coverage. |
| Care Credit - Net vs. Gross Bank Deposits |
This past August CareCredit implemented daily net bank deposits, but they have now decided to offer practices the choice of either receiving bank deposits on a net or gross payment basis. Gross payment was the method of payment they were using prior to August of 09. If you would prefer to use the daily net deposit with transaction amounts deposited daily, minus fees, you do not need to do anything, because this is now the standard deposit method CareCredit recently implemented. If you'd like to change back to the daily gross deposit method which is the full transaction amount deposited daily, with fees deducted during the following month, click here to download a fax form to complete and send to the number listed. The change will become effective on the 1st of the month after CareCredit receives your request. |
| Open Enrollment |
Now is the time to get any changes to your medical plan, i.e. adding employees, adding family members, changing deductibles, changing the practice's probation period for new hires, etc., into the SCDA office to be effective January 1, 2010. Click here to view the different plans that are offered through your association and to learn if a particular plan is right for you. You can also print off the appropriate change form by following that link. If you do not wish to make any changes to your current medical plan for the 2010 year, you need not complete any paperwork. |
| Out-of-Network Providers Update |
The Carolinas Healthcare System Physician Groups has decided to cancel its agreement with BlueCross/BlueShield of South Carolina (BCBSSC) effective November 22, 2009. The termination of this agreement translates to the following practices becoming out-of-network providers on and after November 22nd.
7 Practices in York County - Medical Associates of Fort Mill, Medical Associates of Rock Hill, Palmetto Pediatrics, Piedmont Gynecological and Obstetrical, Rock Hill Pediatric Associates, The Sanger Clinic and Shiland Family Medicine.
1 Practice in Lancaster County - Barnett Family Practice
1 Practice in Chesterfield County - Pageland Family Practice
Keep in mind that should you choose to receive services at these practices come November 22nd, you will incur larger out-of-pocket costs.
Members may be able to eligible to receive in-network benefits if they are already receiving treatment for an acute phase of a chronic condition that requires continuing care, but they would need to verify this first with BCBSSC by calling the number on the back of their ID card. |
| Now is the Time of Year... |
To add a Bridge Plan to your medical plan. This can really help to save you some money on premium dollars by increasing your deductible amount on your medical plan, yet not leave you holding the bag with the higher out of pocket costs that are associated with higher deductible plans. Contact Sharon Milam with Colonial Life at 800-438-6423 or via email at sharon.milam@coloniallife.com and ask her to crunch some numbers for you to see how much you can save in 2010. Another good costs savings tip is to establish a Section 125 Plan. This will allow you to pay medical insurance premiums on a pre-taxed basis; Sharon can assist you with this as well. | |
As always, contact me at 1-800-327-2598, ext. 100 with any questions or visit us at www.scda.org
Sincerely,
Mark K. Brown
SCDA Member Benefits Group Manager |
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