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National Healthcare Update: Michigan Exchange Legislation gathers dust in State House Despite Snyder’s Support – January 25th, 2012

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By Bonnie Bochniak
MBPA Government Relations

 

The Michigan Business and Professional Association (MBPA), along with its sister group, the Michigan Food and Beverage Association (MFBA), work diligently to keep you up to date on our new federal healthcare law and how it will affect you, your family, and your business.

 

The lesser of two evils: Although our Associations did not support the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), when given the option of allowing the federal government to control Michigan’s healthcare exchange, or having more state control, we opted for Michigan controlling its own healthcare exchange. Michigan must retain power over what happens with our healthcare.

 

Update: 

House Health Policy Chair Representative Gail Haines is taking a deliberate approach and hearing all those individuals who would like to testify about the federal healthcare law in general. Haines has yet to take up Senate Bill 693, which passed the Senate at the end of 2011. This bill authorizes the establishment of the MI Health Marketplace, a virtual, medical insurance clearinghouse where individuals and small businesses can compare policies and premiums, and buy insurance on a competitive basis.

 

Governor Snyder has indicated strong support of a healthcare exchange in Michigan, with or without federal legislation, so the Supreme Court ruling in June on the constitutionality of mandating healthcare, might be a moot point for our State’s Administration. Nonetheless, this issue is rumored to be kept at bay in the House until the Supreme Court does make its final ruling.

 

As always, we will keep you up to speed as this legislation continues to move through the legislative process. Please contact our Government Relations Team with questions/comments at: bbochniak@michbusiness.org or by phone at: 517-374-9128.

 

Visit our website www.michbusiness.org , and click the National Healthcare tab for more detailed information. In addition, please use our website to find more helpful links understanding your healthcare options, obligations, and frequently answered questions.

Enroll Your Clients with MBPA/MFBA Today and Check out our Special Incentive Program!

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Our goal is to help you and your clients with all your business needs. We pride ourselves on the Business Knowledge, Facilitated Networking, Legislative Influence and the valuable Financial Savings we provide. We understand the challenges you have as an agent, and that your clients have in running their business. 

REMINDER –

For each new BCBSM group enrolled as a member you have two options:

  1. Receive a $500.00 incentive for each 10+ member group signed up with MBPA or MFBA. Receive a $100.00 incentive for each member group with less than 10 employees that sign up with one of the Associations.
  2. Receive 1 year Free COBRA Administration with our program partner BASIC (Qualifying groups: 20 – 99 lives). Plus, you will receive a $250.00 bonus!

Qualifications for 10+ Membership Incentive Bonus:

  • We must receive a copy of the groups completed membership application with dues payment AND a copy of the group’s completed Part C Agreement (Showing the number of employees) to qualify for the $500.00 incentive or special COBRA incentive.
  • Send all membership applications and Part C agreement paperwork to our Membership Dept. at info@michbusiness.org or to Jennifer Werner at jwerner@michbusiness.org

Colonial Life Worksite Benefits Program!

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Colonial Life and the MBPA-MFBA have a way for you to help your clients and their employees understand and appreciate the value of their employee benefits.

 

Changing health care regulations and rising costs are creating employee benefit and knowledge gaps. To help your clients and their employees with these issues, we’ve partnered with Colonial Life to provide voluntary benefits such as Accident, Cancer-Critical Illness, Medical Bridge-Hospital Indemnity, and their new Group Critical Care insurance programs. These programs are designed to help employees pay for what their health insurance doesn’t and adds financial protection for their future. Employees choose the benefits that best meet their individual and family needs.

At no direct cost, Colonial Life voluntary benefit options can help your clients save time, fill gaps and add value to their employee benefits program.

Colonial Life will provide:

  • One-on-One benefits counseling and education on all benefit options.
  • Consolidated enrollment for core and voluntary benefits with its award-winning Harmony enrollment system.
  • Extensive product portfolio with options and premiums to fit almost any need.
  • Hassle-free benefits administration through secure, web-based services.
  • Special underwriting consideration for MBPA-MFBA members

Join us on December 11th @ 10 AM for a free Webinar on the Colonial Life MBPA-MFBA Advantage.

When: 12/11/2012 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Time Zone: (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Conference Number(s): 1 (888) 238-7803
Participant Code: 6780000#

To join the meeting:
https://egc.unum.com/r24x4nqd408/

Companion Life Voluntary and Group Life, Short & Long Term Disability Products for Your Clients!

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Remember that the MBPA and MFBA offer outstanding Companion Life and Disability Products.

 

Companion Life continues to lead the industry in offering innovative benefit designs for group and voluntary life and disability products. More employers are adding voluntary insurance products to their portfolio of available employee benefit plans.

 

Voluntary life and disability coverage options are an easy and cost effective way of providing additional financial security for employees without adding to the employers benefit cost.

 

Companion’s Short Term Disability Buy-up Plan is an economical, simple solution that provides both employers and employees an array of options. By combining a core level of income protection, with the opportunity to purchase additional coverage, both employers and employees benefit.

 

Voluntary Program Highlights:

 

Voluntary Short Term Disability

  • Rates are based on entry level age bands (enrollment age freeze).
  • All SIC codes are eligible.
  • Includes $10,000 of Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) at no additional cost.
  • Eight different plans and 13 benefit levels to choose from.
  • No evidence of insurability is required if the employee is at work on the effective date of coverage.
  • Maximum weekly benefit not to exceed 66 2/3% of basic weekly earnings to a maximum of $750.00.
  • Coverage includes a partial disability benefit to support a recovering employee’s return to full potential through part-time work.

Voluntary Long Term Disability

  • Non-contributory, premium is to be 100% Employer Paid
  • 2 Year Rate Guarantees
  • Attained Age Rating for groups of 1-9 lives (No Entry-Age Freeze)
  • 2 Year “Own Occupation”, thereafter “Any Occupation”
  • “Pre-X” for 1-9 Lives 12/6/24
  • 2 Year Mental and Nervous Limitation (Unless Hospital Confined)

Voluntary Life

  • Generous Voluntary Life Maximums and Guarantee Issue limits.  Employees are eligible for a maximum of $500,000 of Group Term Life Insurance and Spouses are eligible for $150,000.
  • All SIC Codes are eligible.
  • Dependent child benefit options range from $2,500 to $10,000.
  • Accelerated benefit provision pays up to 75% of the benefit in the event of a terminal illness ($100,000 maximum).
  • Waiver of premium if you become totally disabled.
  • Portability and Conversion Privileges. 

Remember these key features through the MBPA/MFBA

Group Program Highlights:

  • Guarantee issue Life options for all size groups – Even One Subscriber Groups
  • No Ineligible Industries for group Short and Long Term Disability.
  • Group Short and Long Term Disability for groups as small as one.
  • Online Administration guarantees no monthly billing fees.
  • Easy online grid rates and calculator for groups less than 10 employees. No need to wait for a formal proposal.
  • Entry Age Rating for employers with 1 to 9 enrollees ensures that as employees age, their rates do not.
  • Generous guarantee issue and flexible benefit design for your clients with 10 or more employees.
  • Higher Commissions – flat 15% for groups with 20 or less enrolled.

 

Give us an opportunity to quote your clients life and disability benefits.  Our secured agent pavilion provides you all of the information you need to quote Companion for your clients.

SECTION 125s & SPDs AT NO COST TO MEMBERS

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To help your clients reduce their employee benefit costs, the Associations are providing complimentary services such as Section 125 Plans and Summary Plan Descriptions documents to all dues paying members in good standing.

 

The adoption agreement is now a compliant document reflecting ALL the Health Care Reform Law changes as of January 2011. These documents are FREE to our members. The cost for non-members is $25.

 

The Section 125 Plan has a separate adoption agreement from the Benefits Wrap SPD adoption agreement and the Benefits SPD adoption agreement is one compliant document rather than 5 different forms.

 

The Employer Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) guidelines make it mandatory for all businesses with 2 or more employees to provide employees with a Summary Plan Description (SPD). We continue to take a leading role in informing and helping our members meet their obligations under ERISA. We offer SPDs at no charge to our members. Types of benefits covered by Summary Plan Descriptions include: Medical, Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Life and AD&D and freestanding Dental/Vision.

 

To request your Summary Plan Description and/or Section 125 for your clients, you will first need to download the documents from our secured Agent Pavilion, complete, and return to the Association office. The completed Agreement should be emailed in WORD format to info@michbusiness.org for processing. The Association will send the completed agreement to you or your client.

 

If you have questions or need assistance please contact our Membership Services Team at 1-888-277-6464 or 1-586-393-8800.

Check Out Our Affinity Vision Discount Program for Members With Savings Up To 25%

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MBPA/MFBA is offering the opportunity for significant savings on comprehensive eye examinations, frames, lens options and contact lenses. Take care of your eyes and save money!

 

We have partnered with Heritage Total Services, Inc., a Third Party Administrator of vision benefit plans to offer your clients exciting discounts on vision services. Taking care of your eyes is an important part of your health and wellness program. Many diseases can be detected through a routine eye exam, including high blood pressure and diabetes. Our program is a great no-hassle way to ensure that your eyes and body are healthy.

 

The Program is easy to Use:

Select one of the Heritage Participating Providers near you. The list of providers can be found at www.heritagetotalservices.net/mbpa-mfba.  At the time of your visit, present your Vision Program Discount Card to receive your discounts.

 

There are no claims forms, no deductibles and no limits on the number of times you and your family can use the benefit.

 

Call our office today at 586.393.8800 to receive your FREE Vision Discount Cards for your Clients!

Learn about our FREE Prescription Discount Card for Members!

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MBPA-MFBA has partnered with United Networks of America, to offer you access to a FREE Prescription Drug Card Program.

 

This card will allow your clients and their employees 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 Associations are pleased to provide this card as one of our numerous efforts to help companies and individuals control escalating health care costs.

 

Call our office today at 586.393.8800 to receive your FREE Rx Plan Discount Cards for your Clients!

National Healthcare Update: Michigan Exchange Legislation Passes Senate But Gathers Dust In State House – January 5, 2012

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By Bonnie Bochniak
MBPA Government Relations

 

The Michigan Business and Professional Association (MBPA), along with its sister group, the Michigan Food and Beverage Association (MFBA), work diligently to keep you up to date on our new federal healthcare law and how it will affect you, your family, and your business.

 

Although our Association’s did not support the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), when given the option of allowing the federal government to control Michigan’s healthcare exchange, or having more state control, we opted for Michigan controlling its own healthcare exchange. We have had countless meetings with both key federal and state officials that are responsible for making critical decisions on how Michigan interacts in the federal healthcare exchange. Most recently in October 2011 we testified in front of the House Health Policy Committee on the need for a state run healthcare Exchange. Michigan must retain power over what happens with our healthcare.

 

Update:  Senate Bill 693 passed in the Senate Chambers at the end of last year, which creates the MIHealth Marketplace Act which will function as Michigan’s healthcare exchange that is required under the federal healthcare reform law passed last year.  Highlights from the legislation include:
 

  • Establishes a small business health options program (SHOP) through which employers could provide healthcare coverage for their employees
  • IF PPACA is ruled unconstitutional or repealed, the SHOP would be suspended, thus no longer offering federal healthcare options to businesses
  • This Act cannot use State funds
  • Health insurance coverage costs will be the same on and off the exchange
  • Insurance agents maintain their role and compensation, offering healthcare services
  • Allows the Marketplace to charge assessments or user fees to participating health carriers to support its operations
  • Maintains two separate risk pools 

 

This bill now sits in the House Health Policy Committee for further deliberation and is rumored to be kept at bay until the Supreme Court rules on the federal healthcare legislation in June. As always, we will keep you up to speed as this legislation continues to move through the legislative process. Please contact our Government Relations Team with questions/comments at: BBochniak@michbusiness.org or by phone at: 517-374-9128.

 

Visit our website www.michbusiness.org , and click the National Healthcare tab for more detailed information. In addition, please use our website to find more helpful links understanding your healthcare options, obligations, and frequently answered questions.
 

Agents, Don’t Forget About Our COBRA Administration Program

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We have a longstanding partnership with BASIC, a Michigan based award winning company providing a wide range of HR solutions.  BASIC’s COBRA administration has been enhanced utilizing WEB based technology to streamline administration.

 

  • The Associations COBRA Administration program is open to all members – Starting at $25.00 per month!
  • In addition to an affordable COBRA administration program, members who participate in our BASIC COBRA program will have complimentary access to HRAnswerLink, which is an online human resource support center that places human resource, legal and workplace information at the fingertips of small business.
     

MBPA/MFBA Special COBRA Offer:
Each new to BCBSM or BCN group enrolled as member(s) you can offer your client 1 year Free COBRA Administration with our program partner BASIC (Qualifying groups: 20 – 99 lives). Plus, you will receive a $250.00 bonus!

 

Qualifications for program:
We must receive a copy of the groups completed membership application with dues payment AND a copy of the group’s completed Part C Agreement (Showing the number of employees) to qualify for the $500.00 incentive or special COBRA incentive.

 

Just one of the many ways you can generate additional revenue through the MBPA/MFBA.
 

Blue Cross and BCN Update

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Clarification of Michigan Claims Tax on Billing Statements.

 

January BCBSM and BCN bills and invoices have been mailed to group customers. As communicated earlier, these bills and invoices now include the new Michigan Claims Tax.

 

MOS Bills and Invoices
While BCBS has provided the new tax as a separate line item on the summary page, on the detailed page they have changed the Total Charge column to reflect both the premium and tax. This change ensures the accuracy of the bill or invoice when membership changes are made – especially with customer refunds.

 

Customers that are still on the local billing system will not see this change until they are migrated to the MOS system.

 

Tax Calculation on Local and MOS Bills
For groups on the local billing system, the tax assessment for January and February will be calculated based on current charges. This will ensure BCBS does not include taxes on any 2011 membership adjustments. Starting in March, the tax assessment will be based on total billed to accommodate 2012 membership adjustments.

 

For groups on the MOS billing system, the tax assessment will be calculated based on current charges and membership adjustments starting with the January 2012 bill. Any 2011 membership adjustments will not be subject or calculated into the tax assessment.
 

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