By Bonnie Bochniak Vice President, Government Relations MBPA/MFBA Jan. 30, 2014 – Here at the Michigan Business and Professional Association (MBPA), our government relations team and support staff have been working around the clock as changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have been made. We have dedicated a specific website unlike any other to […]
The MBPA assists your business with this valuable service, saving you over $500 annually. Complimentary ERISA Compliant Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs) & Section 125s for all Members! Click Here to Learn More
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 – […]
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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. […]
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* […]
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 – […]
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:
• ACA Overview
• Mandates
• Compliance
• Insurance
• Articles
• Resources
• Events
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 af 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.
Let us Make Your Business Better, contact us at: phone 888-277-6464 • fax 586-393-8810 www.michbusiness.org • info@michbusiness.org • Detroit • Grand Rapids • Lansing
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
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.
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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.
Let us Make Your Business Better, contact us at: phone 888-277-6464 • fax 586-393-8810 • www.michbusiness.org • info@michbusiness.org • 27700 Hoover Road, Warren, MI 48093
