Cast & Crew Open Health Newsletter
 

Issue 14, May 2, 2016

 
Read What Our Member Employers Have to Say About
Open Health
 
"I was so thankful that I didn't have to worry about my 1095-C or 1094-C Forms." 
 
"Being a part of Open Health is a Godsend. I don't have to worry about anything except my production." 
 
"Superior to market-based coverage. Great solution to a big problem."

Introducing our New, Full Network HMO

Many of those insured through Open Health are taking advantage of our new, full network HMO. In an effort to properly develop this product, we not only listen to our Employer clients, we also listen to their employees to determine how we can further improve the Plan. 

Many wished for a low cost option with a better network of providers. We are glad to say that we were able to negotiate and add a new HMO plan that provides a full network for less than $84 a month. This means that for less than $84 a month, an employee can have a full network HMO with access to top medical centers including Cedars-Sinai, UCLA, Scripps and more. At Cast & Crew Open Health, our goal is to keep everyone happy!
For more information, please contact: 

 

Shardell Cavaliere
President, Cast & Crew Life Services
For general inquiries call: 
(866) 491-4001 

Or email:

Visit us at:


 
An industry solution.
A simplified process.
  
The only insurance you can budget accurately.
  • ACA-compliant
  • Eliminates cost-allocation burden
  • No termination or rehire tracking by employer
  • Automates NOE and COBRA
  • Use any payroll services provider

We manage ACA.

You manage production.

 

 

2016 Employer Shared Responsibilities
Feeling a bit overwhelmed with the new Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting? With a new year comes new processes and paperwork -- right? Well, we're here to help. This year marks the first time that the IRS is requiring compliance with ACA reporting and while it can be a daunting change, we're here to make the process easier. The good news is that if you weren't one of the many employers that joined Open Health in 2015, there's still time! If you want to manage your healthcare independently, here's a brief step-by-step to help make sure you are meeting ACA requirements:

1. Identify full-time employees
The first step to compliance is determining your full-time employees. In 2016, companies with 50 or more full-time (those who work a minimum of 30 hours per week or 130 hours per month) or full-time equivalent employees must offer minimum essential coverage to at least 95 percent of these personnel.

Luckily, the IRS has simplified this process and provided a formula that will assist you in determining your total number of full-time equivalent employees. Add up the hours that non-full-time employees are paid during a month and divide the total by 120. Combine the results of each month and the answer is the number of full-time equivalent employees. Add the full-time and full-time equivalent together to determine if you are required to offer health coverage. Keep in mind that this includes union and non-union workers. It is always best to use technology to accurately track employee hours and stay ACA-compliant.

2. Track employer-mandate requirements
Once employees are identified, the next step is to track and document compliance. You want to be sure that you have proof that coverage was offered to all eligible employees. It will also be helpful to keep track of the employees, their hours, the dates that coverage was offered to each employee and when employees may have waived that coverage. Insist that there is a process to track and organize this information in one place throughout the year to make year-end reporting to the IRS easier.

3. Report the cost of employer-sponsored group health plans
It's important to remember that employers are still required to report the value of employee's health care coverage on the employee's W-2 form. There are some exceptions, such as reporting is only required for the non-union employees. When reporting the cost of coverage is required, remember to include the total cost -- both the company's and the employee's contributions. This information should be provided to your payroll service company if you are not the individual responsible for processing W-2's.

4. Educate employees
To put it simply, ACA compliance is confusing for employers and employees. This year, employees will receive new 1095 tax forms from their employer and/or their insurance carrier, and they need to know what to expect. Make it a priority to educate your employees on these new forms and prepare them in advance of filing day. In addition to educating employees on new forms, employers need to provide employees with the correct information about their benefits and coverage. Review the ERISA requirements to provide employees with the right information.

Don't let the new ACA reporting overwhelm you. It's all about being prepared and aware of the always changing paperwork. Open Health makes it easy for you by tracking, reporting and educating! As a reminder, there are no designated open enrollment periods which means that employers can join anytime and it doesn't matter how many employees you have. Call us today to see how we can help make sure you are in compliance!
 
Open Health
and Healthcare Incentives

Don't forget! Open Health qualifies for many incentive programs, reducing your ACA health costs even more. For more details and information, check out our healthcare incentives map and state-by-state table below or on our website here.
About Open Health

Open Health provides employers with large-group pricing and benefits superior to market-based coverage that can be obtained elsewhere. The Plan's fee structure is based on a percentage of gross wages.

Coverage is provided through Anthem Blue Cross and includes HMO/PPO options as well as optional dental, vision and life.  
      
Enrolled individuals will have access to the largest national network in the country, with more than 900,000 providers. Anthem members, moreover, have access to more than 90 percent of hospitals and 90 percent of physicians nationwide -- more than any other insurer.

 

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