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Please join the Michigan Business & Professional Association for a free Webinar on September 19 at 2 PM (Eastern Time). During this Webinar, all the requirements will be reviewed for creating and distributing the Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC).This requirement applies for the first open enrollment period beginning on or after September 23, 2012 for participants and beneficiaries enrolling or re-enrolling through open enrollment.
Click Here to Reserve Your Webinar Seat!
This webinar will be approximately 60 minutes in length. Are you ready to advise your employer or your clients on this new requirement?
From this Webinar, you will learn:
A detailed explanation of the requirements and a copy of the powerpoint slides will be provided to all registered persons before the Webinar. The Webinar will contain a question and answer period. This webinar will be presented by Larry Grudzien, Attorney at Law Title: Summary of Benefits and Coverage – The New Requirement Date: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar. System Requirements PC-based attendees Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server Macintosh®-based attendees Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/123631313
For over 25 years the Michigan Business & Professional Association (MBPA) and the Michigan Food & Beverage Association (MFBA) have been assisting agents, their staff, and member companies … demonstrating our value, exceptional service and experience. With all of the changes that have affected the marketplace over the last several years, from the economy to health care reform, the one thing you can count on and remains consistent is your relationship with MBPA/MFBA. We will continue to help you and your clients by providing valuable resources at a low cost and in many cases complimentary. Our services allow you more time to pursue new clients and expand the portfolio of products you sell.
A Few Important Reminders:
BCBSM Processing/Group Assistance:
Groups currently enrolled with MBPA or MFBA or New groups you are enrolling today; you have our experienced and dedicated staff ready to assist you and your clients. Beginning with processing BCBSM ECOS forms, ordering ID cards, assisting with claims or, resolving billing issues. Let our knowledgeable team free you up or assist your clients directly. Simply contact our office and speak with our Membership Service Department at 586.393.8800 to get started.
Compliance Assistance:
HR Resources:
Low cost Employee Handbooks, Job Placement Assistance, HR Audits, HR Policy & Compliance, Leadership Training, Wellness programs, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Pre-Employment & Background Screening, and HR Hotline. These services are an asset for any small business and available to all members.
Financial Savings:
We have over 100 different programs and services: Office supply savings with Staples, Free prescription drug cards, free vision discount cards, Gasoline rebate program, Hotel & Car rental programs, Discounts with Apple, Wireless phone service with T-Mobile, Business Class Voice, Internet & TV Service with Comcast, etc. Visit www.michbusiness.org for a full listing.
Group Life, Disability and Voluntary Worksite Benefit Products:
Our partnership with Companion Life and Colonial Life provide you with a wide array of group life, disability and voluntary worksite products which have been specifically designed for small businesses.
By Bonnie Bochniak
MBPA/MFBA Government Relations
The Michigan Business and Professional Association (MBPA), along with its sister group, the Michigan Food and Beverage Association (MFBA), want to keep you up to date on the federal healthcare law and how it will affect you and your clients.
Two major provisions of the Affordable Care Act took effect on August 1st, 2012.
Medical Loss Ratio: It is the deadline for insurers to refund consumers and employers if they didn’t spend at least 80 percent of premiums on healthcare.
Women’s Preventative Health Services: It requires most employers to include contraceptive and other women’s health services without copays in the insurance plans they offer to workers.
Medical Loss Ratio, MLR, has been discussed as a safeguard to keeping down the price of premiums. If insurance companies spend more than 15-20 percent of the premiums they collect on administrative costs, they must send a rebate back to policy holders. The first round of rebate checks has been sent out to consumers or their employers, about 1 billion dollars in total. The employer then decides how to distribute rebate back to employees.
Women’s Preventative Services, eight in total, will be available to most new and renewing health insurance plans. Services available to women at no out-of-pocket cost: annual OB-GYN exams, birth control, breast-feeding counseling, and screenings for sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. Some religious groups and organizations are not required to participate by the August 1st deadline and are granted a one year exemption. Although there are no up-front costs for these services, the consumer does pay for the coverage in premium prices.
MBPA/MFBA will continue to keep you up to date. As always, please contact us with any questions or comments. We enjoy your feedback.
Please visit our website for more and detailed information. Contact our Government Relations Team with questions/comments at: bbochniak@michbusiness.org or by phone at: 586-393-8800.
How would you like to participate in a program that allows you to earn rewards while helping your clients save on their pharmacy coverage?
If so, then take advantage of this limited-time pharmacy spurt program that rewards you for converting current or new-to-Blue groups to a three-tier prescription drug product or a three-tier product with cost-management.
You Earn*…
• $12 per contract for enrolling a new-to-BCBSM group with a three-tier with cost-management Rx plan.
• $8 per contract for switching or enrolling an existing BCBSM group to a three-tier with cost-management Rx plan.
• $4 per contract for enrolling a new-to-BCBSM group with a three-tier Rx plan OR switching or enrolling an existing BCBSM group to a three-tier Rx plan.
* Bonuses under this program are a one-time payout and will be paid quarterly beginning in April 2013.
A win-win proposition
Your clients can save 15 to 41 percent in annual premiums with cost-management features such as prior authorization/step therapy, which ensure that their employees are receiving the most appropriate drug therapy.
The guidelines:
719 Griswold Street, Suite 630
Detroit, MI 48226