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Advantage Benefits Archives
Every couple of weeks, we try to send out a newsletter to our clients to keept them abreast of the latest developments in the employee benefit marketplace, or maybe just answer a question a client had that others may find of interest.   We have found them to be quite helpful and have been asked us to store all the newsletters on-line for easy access.  Here it is!
 
If you have any questions, e-mail Bill or Vanessa.  To learn more about Advantage Benefits, click here.    If you know anyone, who may find this information of interest, please forward them this newsletter (there is a link on the bottom), and they can subscribe themselves.
 
Thanks,
 
Bill Randell & Vanessa Costa
 
 
 
 
  • September 6  (9/6/2016)
  • Not all urgent care facilities accepted by health insurance
    Federal Exchaneg failing
    BCBS paperless billing
    FSA again
  • August 8  (8/8/2016)
  • lower FICA
    wellness fairs
    FSA
  • June 29, 2016  (6/29/2016)
  • Telehealth and other digital tools
  • May 11, 2016  (5/11/2016)
  • All about FSA
  • March 28, 2016  (3/28/2016)
  • Crestor and FSA
  • March 8, 2016  (3/8/2016)
  • Telehealth and Znefits crashes
  • December 20, 2015  (12/30/2015)
  • Healthy Actions works
  • December 11, 2015  (12/11/2015)
  • Urgent Care become retail
  • November 24, 2015  (11/24/2015)
  • Premium contribution based on years of service
  • November 12, 2015  (11/12/2015)
  • Wellness Fairs and my MRI Bills
  • September 24, 2015  (9/24/2015)
  • Telehealth
  • Childrens Smile  (8/17/2015)
  • Small group will remain at 50 in 2017
    Providers still not providing fee information
  • July 30, 2015  (7/30/2015)
  • wellness fairs- earned sick leave training sessions-- Blue Cross healthy actions
  • June 16, 2015  (6/16/2015)
  • posting you need for new sick leave law-- big problem with the new sick leave law
  • June 1, 2015  (6/1/2015)
  • Free Sick Leave Plan that will have you in compliance with the new Massachusetts Sick Leave Law that goes into effect July 1st and you do not have to track hours.
  • May 7., 2015  (5/7/2015)
  • SIck Plan is coming
    Part B can cost more if you make too muchmoney
  • March 30, 2015  (3/30/2015)
  • Wellness Credit
    Sick pay plan
    Harvard 5 tiered prescription plan
    Annual Physical should cost nothing
  • November 10, 2014  (11/10/2014)
  • Annual physical and tests cost nothing
    Diagnostic versus preventative test
  • October 31, 2014  (10/31/2014)
  • Go to places like CVS minute clinics
    2015 there will only b 4 tiered rates
  • October 16, 2014  (10/16/2014)
  • Blue Cross Vision plan
    Harrington no longer in Blue Cross most expensive tier
    Haywood now in Fallon Direct
  • September 24, 2014  (9/24/2014)
  • Utilize the Ready Med clinics
    Connector has cost over 1 billion
    ACA only applies to employers with 50 or more
  • August 8th  (8/8/2014)
  • Ice Bucket Challenge
    Blue Cross Vision Plan
    Can an employee drop spouse anytime they want from coverage?
  • June 19, 2014  (6/19/2014)
  • Renewals
    Open enrollment for state exchanges
    Waiting periods and COBRA notices
    My Health Health Plan (Fallon)
    Employers requirements under 100
  • April 22, 2014  (4/22/2014)
  • Wellness video
    Healthy Actions from Blue Cross
    Clinic versus ER
    Pediatric Dental
    COBRA and Connector Authority
  • March 11, 2014  (3/11/2014)
  • Health Insurance quotes
    Wellness Credit
  • March 3, 2104  (3/3/2014)
  • Long term disability contracts
  • February 26, 2014  (2/26/2014)
  • Work opportunity tax credit
  • January 30, 2014  (1/30/2014)
  • Blue Cross riders
  • January 10, 2014  (1/10/2014)
  • Pediatric dental new in 2014
  • December 9, 2013  (12/9/2013)
  • Welness Fair video
    Federal Individual penalty
    State and Federal individual
  • November 25, 2013  (11/25/2013)
  • Insurance Partnership ends
    Small Business tax credit for health insurance
    Pediatric Dental
  • October 25, 2013   (10/30/2013)
  • ADP Partnerhship
    Wellness Credit
    BCBS Healthy Actions
    Pediatric Dental
  • September 19,2013  (9/19/2013)
  • Minuteman Health
    State Wellness tax credit
  • September 12, 2013   (9/12/2013)
  • not sure
  • August 30, 2013  (8/30/2013)
  • 4th qtr rates released
    Status of Commonwealth of Mass waiver
  • July 17, 2013  (7/17/2013)
  • Fair Share state penalty ends
    State looks to Feds for ACA waiver
    Union Letter on Obamacare
  • July 10, 2013  (7/10/2013)
  • Insurance Partnership
    State seeks relief from Obamacare
  • June 25, 2013  (6/25/2013)
  • State Wellness tax credit
    Wellness programs from HMO's
  • June 12, 2013  (6/12/2013)
  • Domestic Partner
    Walmart for meds for pets too
  • May 28, 2013  (5/28/2013)
  • Healthcare reform timeline
    Blue Cross healthy actions
  • April 3, 2013  (4/3/2013)
  • Fallon Healty Health Plan
  • March 4  (3/4/2013)
  • April 1st big renewal date
    Voluntary dental plans from Blue Cross
    We can help with 401K
  • February 5, 2013  (2/5/2013)
  • Hobby Lobby update
    merged markets increase to 100
    MRI Shields
    Steward
  • January 23, 2013  (1/23/2013)
  • Fair Share Contribution
    HIRD
    Penalties for not having health insurance
    Highest rates in country
  • January 7, 2013  (1/7/2013)
  • tax increase
    Hobby Lobby lawsuit
    FSA and Section 124
  • December 21, 2012  (12/21/2012)
  • We provide Health quotes
    Routine exam covered with deductible plans
    We can do FSA plans
    Central Mass Dental and Vision
  • November 19, 2012  (11/29/2012)
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • October 29, 2012  (10/29/2012)
  • Global payments
    Dental reminders
    Quest moved to Marlboro
  • October 22, 2012  (10/22/2012)
  • HSA limits
    Express Scripts back with BCBS
  • October 18,2012  (10/18/2012)
  • CDHP
    Maximum hours
    Dependent to age 26
  • September 19. 2012  (9/19/2012)
  • jetBlue video contest, FSA, popularity of deductible plans and Central Mass Dental and Vision selling
  • July 17, 2012  (7/17/2012)
  • Retailers Association of Massachusetts Cooperative Plan
  • July 3, 2012  (7/3/2012)
  • Chamber of Commerce Health Insurance Coop
  • June 28, 2012  (6/28/2012)
  • Supreme Court Decision
  • June 6, 2012  (6/6/2012)
  • Tiered Networks, Limited Networks and High Deductible plan with HRA
  • April 5, 2012  (4/5/2012)
  • Dentral Mass Dental and Vision
  • February 15, 2012  (2/15/2012)
  • Central Mass Dental and Vision
  • January 20, 2012  (1/20/2012)
  • Walgreens not accepting Express Scripts, Long-term
  • December 12, 2011  (12/12/2011)
  • Larry Bird bday, Walmart health plan, Quest
  • November 11, 2011  (11/17/2011)
  • Carlsberg, 2012 rates look good, Vanessa's bill
  • October 11, 2011  (10/11/2011)
  • HMA Direct, ObamaCare unconstitional, Express Scripts
  • September 9, 2011  (9/9/2011)
  • Probationary period, waivers, short-term and Walgreens
  • August 15, 2011  (8/15/2011)
  • Sexual harassment policy
  • August 2, 2011  (8/2/2011)
  • Boston Globe story on Romneycare
    Additonal free HR services for our clients
    Many popular high priced going generic
  • May 18, 2011  (5/18/2011)
  • Advantage can now do Medical Reimbursment and FSA plans
  • April 28, 2011  (4/28/2011)
  • MCC, Medical Reimbursement Plans-Deductible health plans
  • March 2, 2011  (3/2/2011)
  • HCCS Rider
  • February 8, 2011  (2/8/2011)
  • HIRD Filing
  • January 25, 2011  (1/25/2011)
  • Limited and Tiered Networks
  • December 13, 2010  (12/13/2010)
  • Massachusetts Cost Control Cost of Health Insurance in Massachusetts
  • November 11, 2010  (11/10/2010)
  • Dependents now till age 26, Preventive versus Diagnostic
  • October 26, 2010  (10/26/2010)
  • Harvard Direct Focus Network
    Massachusetts Cost Control Bill
  • September 7, 2010  (9/7/2010)
  • Blue Cross Tiered Network Option
    Health Insurance Puchasing Co-ops
  • August 23, 2010  (8/23/2010)
  • All the carriers have settled except Fallon. RObert Pozen recommendations. People are suing state fighting penalty. Blue Cross tiered options.
  • August 5, 2010  (8/5/2010)
  • Blue Cross settles
  • August 3, 2010  (8/3/2010)
  • Tufts settles
  • July 7, 2010  (7/7/2010)
  • H/P reaches a settlement with the DOI for the 2nd qtr effective August with no retro-active bills
  • June 29, 2010  (6/29/2010)
  • H/P wins appeal
    COBRA subsidy not extended
  • June 17, 2010  (6/17/2010)
  • Neighborhood Health Plans settles with the DOI, COBRA subsidy still not extended past May 31st, 5 mistakes we have made in Massachusetts push for Universal Health Insurance
  • June 3, 2010  (6/3/2010)
  • More information on the Federal tax credit for small group health insurance premiums.
  • May 27, 2010  (5/27/2010)
  • 2nd quarter rates still not approved! Children can stay on your health plan now through age 26. New Blue Cross plan will have different co-pays for different hospitals.
  • May 11, 2010  (5/11/2010)
  • Still no approved 2nd qtr rates, COBRA subsidy summary, dependents now through age 26 and small business tax credit for health insurance
  • April 21, 2010  (4/21/2010)
  • Carriers billing companies rates from 2009 for companies renewing 2nd qtr of 2010. Once Division of Insurance approves 2nd qtr rates, a bill will go up to recncile the bill versus the correct amount.
  • April 14, 2010  (4/14/2010)
  • Courts rejects insurers request to allow their rates for April, May and June that were rejected by the Division of Insurance.
  • April 6, 2010  (4/6/2010)
  • Division of insurance rejects rate increases from the carriers. All rating on hold while insurance companies counter sue
  • March 29, 2010  (3/29/2010)
  • What Healthcare Reform on a National level means to us in Massachusetts
  • March 9, 2010  (3/9/2010)
  • Business Express
  • March 1, 2010  (3/1/2010)
  • Mass Date Security Law
    April 1st Renewals
  • February 23, 2010  (2/23/2010)
  • CHIP Program
    HIRD Filing
  • January 25, 2010  (1/25/2010)
  • COBRA subsidy extended
    Fallon Select versus Direct
  • December 21, 2009  (12/21/2009)
  • Deductible Plans are back
    Group Life for uninsurable
  • November 9, 2009  (11/9/2009)
  • Proposal to cap FSA at 2,500
    Affordability of Group Long Term Disability
  • October 26, 2009  (10/26/2009)
  • HIRD deadline, will COBRA subsidy be extended, COBRA and seasonal employees, Shelley Compliance Corner all the various laws that apply to employers
  • September 29, 2009  (9/29/2009)
  • Shelley our new HR person
    FMLA versus Mass Maternity Leave Act
    Latest on Wal-Mart prescriptions
  • August, 12, 2009  (8/12/2009)
  • ReadyMed
    CVS Minute Clinics
    Walgreens Take Care
    Walmart prescriptions
  • June 23, 2009  (6/23/2009)
  • HMA Direct update and I-9
  • May 26, 2009  (5/26/2009)
  • New Corporate Video, Ask Beth and be careful when you lay off an employee
  • May 13, 2009  (5/13/2009)
  • More Cobra Questions, Ask Beth and HMA Direct
  • March 25, 2009  (3/31/2009)
  • COBRA letter that must be sent to employees laid off between 9-1-8 and 2-17-9, HMO's will front 65% subsidy for employers 2-19 and Mass subsidy helps COBRA participants also
  • March 11, 2009  (3/11/2009)
  • Ask Beth COBRA questions, why are you going through a TPA for your health insurance and not direct to the carriers
  • February 24, 2009  (2/27/2009)
  • New COBRA subsidy, Healthcare reform update
  • February 5, 2009  (2/5/2009)
  • Hird qtrly return due Febuary 15th, Do you have 11 full-time ful time or part-time equivalents.
  • January 29, 2009   (1/30/2009)
  • Insurance Partnership update, Advantage Benefits HSA update, Year Ending Reminders, Tufts Medical signs with Blue Cross and great Heineken Commercial
  • January 16, 2009  (1/21/2009)
  • We have hired Beth Graham to assist our employees with basic HR questions.
  • January 9, 2009  (1/8/2009)
  • Tufts Medical Centers and Blue Cross
  • December 19, 2008   (12/19/2008)
  • State Health Reform HIRD filing requirements for 2009
  • November 26, 2008  (11/26/2008)
  • Wal-Mart prescriptions
  • November 13, 2008  (11/14/2008)
  • HIRD filing deadline
  • October 22, 2008  (10/22/2008)
  • HIRD Filings
  • September 29, 2008  (9/29/2008)
  • Penalties to increase for Mass Health Reform non-compliance
  • August 21, 2008  (8/21/2008)
  • Self-Insured Health Plans
  • July 29, 2008  (7/29/2008)
  • Supplemental insurance to help employees pay their unreimbursed medical expenses, Advantage Benefits HSA update and Commonwealth Health Reform Update
  • June 23, 2008  (6/23/2008)
  • Offering two HMO options for your employees, using an HSA to defer monies when limited in the amount you can defer into your 401K, COBRA and Domestic Partner
  • May 16, 2008  (5/16/2008)
  • Flexible Spending Account Basics
  • April 30, 2008  (4/30/2008)
  • Two HMO plans from the same carrier, HSA Bank and CommonwealthCare update
  • April 1, 2008   (4/1/2008)
  • Advantage Benefits renewal, Trustmark and CommonwealthCare renewal
  • March 18, 2008  (3/18/2008)
  • Fallon Direct/Select/PPO option, employee removing a dependent from their plan and CommonwealthCare update
  • February 25, 2008  (2/25/2008)
  • Advantage Benefits Renewal, low Interest Rates and update on CommonwealthCare
  • February 12, 2008  (2/12/2008)
  • Chambers and TPA,s, CommonwealthCare overbudget
  • February 1, 2008  (2/1/2008)
  • HRA Plans, Imaging co-payments, part-timers and beware pf phone solicitations
  • January 25, 2008  (1/25/2008)
  • HMO technology, Fallon three networks and dual networks in the future
  • January 17, 2008  (1/17/2008)
  • Insurance Partnership, 1099-HC are in the mail and GO PATS
  • January 9, 2008  (1/9/2008)
  • Minimum Credible Coverage (MCC), Deductible versus Co-payment plans, HMO-POS-PPO, Optometrist versus Opthalmologist
  • January 2, 2008  (1/2/2008)
  • Dependent definition under the new Commonwealth of Massachusetts Health Reform Laws, Full-time Student as a dependent, Blue Cross Essential Blue for Young Adults and Employer checklist for employee dependents
  • December 26, 2007  (12/26/2007)
  • Year Ending Reminders, Open enrollment extending thru the end of the year, employee penalties and how they can avoid them
  • December 19, 2007  (12/19/2007)
  • Medicare and medicare supplements, employer requirements for active employee age 65 and over if you have over or under 20 employees, and Chapter 32B
  • December 5, 2007  (12/20/2007)
  • 1099-HC, get a check from your HMO, Small Business Massachusetts Electricity tax exemption
  • November 28, 2007  (12/3/2007)
  • HIRD filings, new imaging co-pay and how to keep group life insurance over $50,000 tax-free
  • November 6, 2007  (12/3/2007)
  • HIRD Report, Part-timers, Health Care Reform
  • October 25, 2007   (10/30/2007)
  • Health Insurance Reform and waivers
Advantage Benefits
78 Pleasant Street
Worcester, Massachusetts 01609
508-798-0887