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Issue: # 73November 17, 2011
 
carlsberg stunt
Carlberg stunt with bikers

 

 

Greetings!  

 

We The Supreme Court has decided earlier this week, that it will in fact rule on the constitutionality of Obama's health care law.    The decision is expected by late June of 2012, Reuters story.   On the lighter side, watch the above 1:39 video from Carlsberg beer and we hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving.

  

We hope you find these newsletters helpful, please forward to anyone who may find this of interest, by using the forward link at the bottom of this e-mail.   Thank you for your referrals.  To learn more about us, click here.  

 

Check out our updated Forms Library on our website.  Claim forms, enrollment forms, etc can be found for most of the insurance carriers.  You may also want to check out our updated HR section as there may be some forms that would be of interest.

 

 

If you have a question or want a a quote, send us an email Bill or Vanessa.   



Bill Randell CLU,CHFC,        Vanessa Costa CLU,CHFC,

 

 

 

 

Health insurance rates 1st qtr 2012

Average annual approved BASE rate 4.8% increase

   

Regulators approved the Base rates for the 1st quarter of 2012.  Please keep in mind that this figure is Base Rate only.  On top of the base rate, the carriers can adjust for several items including, demographic changes, SIC code, Location, etc.  Here are the actual approved base rate increases by carrier:

  • Blue Cross          5.9%
  • Harvard-Pilgrim  5.2%
  • Tufts                    2.6%
  • Fallon                 1.5%

Hopefully this will continue the rest of the year.  Boston Herald story.

 

Vanessa's actual case experience

Why did I get a bill for bloodwork at my annual physical?

  

One of the good things about National Healthcare Reform was to promote preventive services and annual routine testing/physicals.   There are NO co-payments for these services.  Regardless of the insurance carrier, this is a National Mandate.  

 

On September 30th, I had my annual routine physical.  My physician sent me to Quest Diagnostics for bloodwork.  This past weekend I received a bill for just over $300 from Quest for those services.  I telephoned my primary care physician to make sure the CODE for the bloodwork was correctly classified as ROUTINE services.   They contacted Quest and then advised me to call my insurance carrier (Blue Cross).  The burden was on me to resolve.

 

With many employers on traditional deductible plans, it is very important to review bills for accuracy. There are numerous billing and coding errors.  We usually advise that before you pay any medical invoices, wait for the Explanation of Benefits from your insurance carrier.  This usually explains the fee and how it will be reimbursed. It will also outline your responsibility.

 

More importantly, you need to shop out the costs for these various tests.  Ask your physician who they use for their labwork?  Prices vary and you need to use the most cost effective facility.   We have found that Quest Diagnostics  has the most competitive prices for blood/labwork. 

 

Its interesting to see the actual costs, here is what my bill showed:

 

Cholesterol                               $    34.00

Lipoprotein, Direct HDL                 59.00

Triglycerides                                  38.00

CBC & Platelet Count                    33.54

Venipuncture                                 19.00

UA, Complete automated              44.00

BMP (total calcium)                        46.29

 

Total Invoice:                            $   273.83

 

Note, this is for Lab services only, it does not include physician services.

 

International employees

We can help you

Advantage Benefits can now assist our clients in reviewing and arranging for your local employee benefits... anywhere in the world!!     We can arrange to analyze, locate and place compliant benefits coverage for your offshore expatriate, local national, as well as your traveling executives. 

 

Please give us a call with your international benefits questions or challenges as we will be pleased to act as your international benefits partner and compliance advocate. 

 

Year ending fast

Reminders

As we approach the end of the year here are some things to keep in mind:

 

  • If you have a dental plan, there is a typically a calendar year maximum.  Call your plan and see if there are any benefits left. If so go see your dentist to maximize the benefits from your plan.
  • Take advantage of the Fitness Reimbursement.  IF you need a form, just go to the Forms Library on our website.
  • Employers will be receiving the Annual Fair Share Contribution and HIRD Form worksheets in the mail shortly.  Please be sure to take care of this filing. 
  • If you have life and/or disability benefits that based on employee's salaries,please update and report the wages to your administrator.