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https://michbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MichBusiness_logo_horizontal.png00michbusinesshttps://michbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MichBusiness_logo_horizontal.pngmichbusiness2013-12-24 18:48:062013-12-24 18:48:06Entry with Post Format “Video”
Although the Michigan Insurance Commissioner announced that carriers can allow customers to maintain their current benefits for an additional year, Blue Cross® Blues Shield® of Michigan and Blue Care Network have decided to move forward with plans to transition their existing business into Affordable Care Act (ACA) Qualified Health Plans (QHP) effective January 1, 2014.
Following is important information:
• Current MyBlue™ members can still select a Keep Fit™ plan in 2013.
• Current Keep Fit members who want to switch to a different Keep Fit plan can do so by submitting a Change of Status form or calling Customer Service by December 23, 2013.
• Please reference the chart below for plan, application deadline, and effective date information:
Plan Application Date Effective Date
Keep Fit™ Today – December 23 December 31, 2013
QHP Today – December 23 January 1, 2014
QHP December 16 – December 23 Option to choose January 1, 2014 or February 1, 2014
• If an existing MyBlue™ member takes no action, they will be migrated from their current plan to the Keep Fit plan that most closely reflects their current premium level.
• Beginning December 24, 2013, Keep Fit plans will no longer be available for purchase.
• If a member pays their premium using ACH/EFT, this payment arrangement will not transfer with the migration. Migrated members will receive a paper invoice that must be paid manually. Once they have paid the first invoice, they can set-up a new ACH/EFT payment arrangement.
https://michbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MichBusiness_logo_horizontal.png00michbusinesshttps://michbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MichBusiness_logo_horizontal.pngmichbusiness2013-12-17 16:00:552015-10-08 00:00:00Blues Announce Migration Plan for MyBlue™ Customers
Whether you are managing your Flexible Spending Account in house or only have a Premium Only Plan now is the perfect time to upgrade and let BASIC handle your administration.
Sign up by December 31st for promotional pricing that gives you full administration, participant debit cards and a two year rate guarantee.
BASIC FSA Green*
With 24 years of experience, the newest technology and promotional pricing shifting your clients to BASIC’s superior service has never been easier.
• NO set up and NO renewal fee
• $3.95 per participant per month
• Debit Card and Smart Phone App
* New BASIC FSA TPA clients only
Call 800.444.1922 x 3. Visit basiconline.com. Special FSA Pricing!
Let us Make Your Business Better, contact us at: phone 888-277-6464 • www.michbusiness.org • info@michbusiness.org • Detroit • Grand Rapids • Lansing
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As a courtesy of the Michigan Business & Professional Association and the Michigan Food & Beverage Association, and working with our partner, United Networks of America, we’re pleased to offer you access to a FREE Prescription Drug Card program. This card will allow you to receive savings up to 75% (average is around 25 – 30%) at more than 1,300 well known pharmacies throughout the state of Michigan. Key elements to keep in mind are:
• This is a point of purchase discount card...not insurance.
• This card cannot be used in combination with any existing health insurance program (i.e. discounting of co-pays)
• Person pays the lower of a discount off the average wholesale price.
• The card can be used as a Primary Rx Plan or used for prescriptions not covered by an insurance plan.
• It can be used for Medicare Part D Gap Plans.
The Association is pleased to provide this card as one of our numerous efforts to help companies and individuals control escalating health care costs.
Let us Make Your Business Better, contact us at: phone 888-277-6464 • fax 586-393-8810 www.michbusiness.org • info@michbusiness.org
https://michbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MichBusiness_logo_horizontal.png00michbusinesshttps://michbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MichBusiness_logo_horizontal.pngmichbusiness2013-12-17 16:00:452015-10-08 00:00:00Agents – Look! FREE Prescription Discount Card For Your Groups!
New! Redesigned Health Care Reform Connect website to make it easier for you to find and use valuable information. Topics have been divided into the following sections:
Visit http://michbusiness.org/hcrc/ and sign in today to see the new design. Login to get the full array of services!
Health Reform Connect gives you:
• Access to our exclusive Health Reform Questions and Answers Hotlink. This email link will give you opportunity to ask any specific question related to reform and your clients needs.
• The ability to request the MBPA Health Reform team to make a presentation to your staff or for your client meetings to keep you abreast of recent changes in reform.
• Small Business Tax Credit Calculator
• Full Time Employment Calculator
• Health Care Reform Business Checklist
• Small Business ACA Operational Checklist
• Small Business Guide
• SBC resources and templates for clients that is self-insured.
• NEW Quick Guide for Individuals. By January 1, 2014, the ACA requires individuals to have Minimum Essential Health Coverage or a Grandfathered health plan as allowed by the ACA Transitional Policy. Click here to see our Quick Guide and other need to know information for Individuals. (Add link to this section on HCRC).
• Expert Advice on Complicated Compliance issues and technical guidelines.
• Complimentary access to monthly webinars and seminars on Health Reform.
• Links and Feeds on the latest news on PPACA and Health and Human Services.
• Compliance Solutions such as W2 compliance and resources for payroll services
• IRS and tax compliance, credits and penalty, information and tools.
To take advantage of all of these services, simply use your login information at the top of the screen. If you have any questions, please call us at 888-277-6464 and ask for your Membership Services Representative.
https://michbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MichBusiness_logo_horizontal.png00michbusinesshttps://michbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MichBusiness_logo_horizontal.pngmichbusiness2013-12-17 16:00:352015-10-08 00:00:00Discover New Health Care Reform Connect™ 2.0 With Exclusive Content for MBPA Agents and Members
The United States Health and Human Services (HHS) Department under direction from the Obama Administration recently announced the delay for the health care law, which will postpone the online enrollment for small businesses on the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Exchange.
This delay will apply to those in the states where the federal government is running the marketplace. HHS is advising that businesses in those states interested in signing up employees through the SHOP coverage can do so through a process called “direct enrollment” administered by an agent, broker, or insurer that offers a certified SHOP plan.
The agent, broker, or insurer will then enroll employees, and the SHOP Marketplace reviews all applications and determines whether the business and employees are eligible for SHOP coverage. If the SHOP later determines that you’re not eligible to enroll, employees may remain enrolled in their preferred plan in the small group market. Businesses that are interested in researching the SHOP Qualified Health Plans in their area are encouraged by HHS to use the website, HealthCare.gov, to research option plans.
How the process will work: The agent, broker, or insurer can help businesses fill out a paper application and send it in to the SHOP Marketplace, or the application can be mailed in by the business. The SHOP Marketplace will notify you about eligibility by phone or e-mail and by regular mail if you request it.
The key motivation for folks to get the SHOP eligibility determination in 2014, is to allow groups to claim the expanded the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit at the end of your tax year—as long as you also meet all the other requirements for the tax credit. If you don’t think you qualify for the tax credit, you don’t need to apply for SHOP eligibility. You also have the alternative to wait until you’ve received an official notice of eligibility from the SHOP Marketplace before enrolling your employees in a SHOP Plan.
Last but not least, when you use “direct enrollment”, you can still go on HealthCare.gov to get information about plans available in your area and help you find the best fit for your company and employees. You can also download a paper application for SHOP eligibility there.
For more information you can call: toll-free SHOP Employer Call Center at 1-800-706-7893 (TTY: 1-800-706-7915).
NOTE: This change to “direct enrollment” in states with a Federally-facilitated SHOP Marketplace won’t affect the process for getting SHOP coverage in states running their own SHOP Marketplace.
More Valuable Info:
For employees’ coverage to begin on January 1st, 2014, in the Federally-Facilitated Market for both the individual and SHOP, it is extended to December 23, 2013.
Businesses can offer coverage through the SHOP Marketplace at any time during the year. If employee enrollments are submitted between the 1st and 15th day of the month, the group coverage begins the first day of the next month. For example, if employee enrollments are submitted on February 10, 2014, the group coverage begins March 1, 2014. For enrollments submitted after the 15th of the month, coverage begins the second following month. If employee enrollments are submitted on February 18, your group coverage will begin on April 1.
As always, you can count on your MBPA Government Relations team to guide you through federal healthcare reform. We are here to help you make your business better! Please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments by phone: (586) 393-8800 or email: bbochniak@michbusiness.org
https://michbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MichBusiness_logo_horizontal.png00michbusinesshttps://michbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MichBusiness_logo_horizontal.pngmichbusiness2013-12-17 16:00:302015-10-08 00:00:00Affordable Care Act Update, December 2013 – SHOP Delay for Small Businesses
When you write your Blues with sponsored code AL you get enormous value for your clients:
• MBPA is proud to reach over 150,000 businesses with the vast array of programs, conferences and educational resources provided to the business community. That’s one out of three businesses in Michigan.
• Health Care Reform Connect™: MBPA’s exclusive tool to help answer all your questions and provide tangible resources and education for your clients. Over 50 health care reform resources available and serviced by the MBPA team.
• Reform Compliant SPDs – Free for all association members.
• Low dues structure – only $75 for the first year – pays for itself in financial value.
• Over 100 member programs and 30 educational conferences per year.
Keep sticking with AL and writing your Blues business with the MBPA:
In addition to the valuable membership benefits we offer to your clients, the MBPA continues to offer contest and bonus rewards with our program partners. Choose from the following contests:
1. Staples Sizzler: For all your new Blue 10+ groups signed up with MBPA membership receives a $500 incentive.
-or-
2. BASIC’s COBRA Bonanza: Receive one year of complimentary COBRA Administration for qualifying groups of 20-99 lives, plus a $250 bonus.
Retention Rewards:
Agents that continue to keep their clients with the MBPA for renewals are part of our Retention Rewards perks and have opportunities for additional bonuses, contests and prizes throughout the year brought to you by the MBPA Community Partners.
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Due to budget restrictions, the IRS will not be printing the Annual Tax Calendar. Sadly, it is just too expensive. While we are losing this valuable resource our partners really enjoyed using… we have been improving the online tax calendar capability. You can download, print and subscribe for updates. You can also access the online calendar via smart phones. When you pull this up, you can tailor it for self-employed, employer, partnership, etc. That way, you are getting the reminders for your specific needs.
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The fact is that most new businesses fail within a year or two. They fail because they do not take the time or invest the effort to plan. EVERY business needs a business plan. Whether you are starting a new business or improving an existing business, a business planning process will help your business grow bigger, better, and stronger.
Why A Business Plan?
The argument is often made that a company does not need a plan because they have a budget or are doing well and it is not needed. This could be true but it does not mean that the business is doing as well as it could or as smoothly as it could. As a manager it is easier to manage if the plan, vision and mission is understood by all employees and decision making is easier if they can be made in the context of the Plan. In addition to using the Business Plan for managing the business day to day it may be used for the following purposes:
• Determine optimum strategy and plan to use to grow business
• Raise money
• To prepare to start, buy or sell a business
• To determine the best way to manage the business
• To identify and minimize risks that may cause a business to fail
• To obtain a business loan
• To project financial operations that will take maximum advantage of financial resources
• To establish vision and values that will guide the business to become effective and ethical
Your Advantage
Your business plan can, in some situations, be your one and only chance to be funded and make a great impression, do you want to trust that to just anyone? It also helps entrepreneurs and business owners’ design, build and grow successful businesses — from start-up to middle market. Whether you are starting a new business, launching a new product or service, entering a new market, or evaluating your firm’s growth strategy, a business plan is helpful.
Plan Includes
The Business Plan can have as much information as is needed to perform the function it is being created. The purposes can be to securing investors, apply for a loan, managing the business, etc. At a minimum the following areas should be addressed in the plan. The amount of detail depends on the purpose, type of business and general planned use of the Plan. Areas typically included are:
• Executive summary
• Company Description and Summary
• Mission/ Vision
• Financial Projections and Analysis
• Market Research and Industry Analysis
• Products And Services
• Target Market Analysis
• Management and Personnel Strategy and Description
• Sales and Marketing Strategy
• And Much More
Business Planning is more important in business than ever. Not only is competition greater, but choices are greater and having a framework to make decisions is a great way to save time and stay on target. Banks investors and employees may need various portions of the plan for different purposes. Having a plan created for each year means all aspects of the business will be analyzed and planned. Regardless of the size of a business, using a Business Plan can keep the management team on track and targeted toward the chosen target in the desired manner.
Spencer Silk is a principal at Franklin CIO Services, LLC and a member of the Business Improvement Team. He has been involved in a number of Business Plan creation and budget development projects in a variety of businesses. He can be reached at ssilk@franklincio.com or by visiting www.franklincio.com or www.bizimpteam.com.
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The word coach has its origins in transportation – a conveyance to take you from where you are to where you want to go. That’s exactly what we can do together. Einstein famously defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. If you’re stuck, sliding backwards or moving forward just too frustratingly slowly, it may be time to find a coach to mentor you, challenge you and help launch you to the next level.
Here are ten ways that working with a coach can help you find your personal power and realize your best self:
1. Check Your Alignment. One of the first things that a golf coach will do is make sure you are aimed at your target and that all of the fundamentals are sound. As your coach, I want to make sure that you have balance and that you are aligned with your purpose and connected with your calling.
2. Check Your Blindspot. A coach can help you identify and remove some of the barriers that you may have in place that is keeping you from achieving your goals and realizing your dreams.
3. Check Your Progress. By having someone to check in with weekly, you have a new level of accountability. Reporting your accomplishments and initiatives to your coach keeps you focused on the small steps that are required to reach big results.
4. Life Enrichment. There’s more to life than work. A good coach can help you understand a life plan, reduce the stress in your life, build a fulfilling balance in your life, improve your relationships with others, improve your self awareness and consciousness, improve your self-discipline and motivation and even improve your health, well-being and happiness.
5. Create Your Vision. Your coach can assist you in understanding your strengths and how to play to them. You have someone who can help you get very clear about who you are, what your core values are, what you are passionate about and what will provide you with greater abundance in your life.
6. Celebration and Encouragement. Your coach will celebrate with you accomplishments and steps towards your personal definition of success. There will be times also when you’ll need support, nurturing and a source of energy to help you believe in yourself and achieve your dreams. I can help you turn setbacks into comebacks.
7. Raising the Bar. Constructive challenge and stretch goals can move you quickly to higher levels of achievement and prosperity. Your coach can identify new skills that you may need and provide you with resources and options for increasing your professional value.
8. Collaborator and Co-conspirator. Imagine how much more confident you can be in your new ideas, creativity and innovation when you’ve bounced them off a practiced, experienced, professional who has worked through the challenges that you are now facing. A coach is a sounding board and a veteran who can show you the short cuts that he learned the hard way.
9. Non-judgmental. You can tell your coach anything. Things you wouldn’t tell anyone else. Because your coach is trained to be non-judgmental and objective. I’ll point out where your thoughts aren’t congruent with your goals or your values and will share where I’ve seen those ideas work or not. You can try out any thought or idea and together we can find what’s brilliant about it and get rid of the rest.
10. Playing the Bounce. We live in times of incredible change. Life brings surprises, set-backs, changing circumstances and economic realities. Technology is a game changer at every turn. Your coach can help you see the big picture—the effects on your industry and your clients —and help you prepare, adjust and bounce back.
Paul A. Kiewiet, MAS, is a former chairman of the Promotional Products Association International, and an international speaker, writer, coach and facilitator. Contact him at: 269-806-4489, or paul@brandkiwi.com; or visit http://www.create2bgreat.com.
https://michbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MichBusiness_logo_horizontal.png00michbusinesshttps://michbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MichBusiness_logo_horizontal.pngmichbusiness2013-12-13 16:00:402015-10-08 00:00:00Why Do The Greatest Athletes, Artists, Performers In All Industries, Hire a Coach?