About UsEmployee Benefits Services & Consulting
Individual Supplemental Insurance Options for employers
Since Oct 1, 2013 Minnesota consumers have two insurance market places to choose from for health insurance.
As Independent Insurance Professionals and Certified MnSure Brokers, we are able to guide & assist consumers through
the process of selecting and enrolling in the plan choice that best meets their needs in both the private market
and the MnSure exchange.
It is advisable to work with a insurance professional that has expertise in the private market, as well as certified in
the MnSure exchange. Plan options are available in the private marketplace that are not available through MnSure..
Health Insurance premium subsidies/tax credits are available through MnSure for plans at the Silver level or above for those who
meet income and other guidelines. We are able to assess who is qualified for a subsidy prior to starting enrollment through the
MnSure web site, which saves time for the client.
Important timelines for open 2019 enrollment. January 13, 2019 ends the ability to apply for individual health insurance until
Jan 1, 2020, with a few exceptions.
Special exception enrollment after 1.13.19 would include Marriage, Child Birth, Adoption, Loss of Group Coverage, or Moving
to a new zip code/ region.
The Affordable Care Act's individual mandate penalty will be eliminated after 2018, but penalties will still be assessed on tax returns filed in 2019.
Source: https://www.healthinsurance.org/obamacare-enrollment-guide/what-is-the-obamacare-penalty/
Some of the exceptions are:
- If the cost of the insurance premium exceeds 8% of your family income
- if you don't make enough income to pay taxes
- If it against your religion (this is stringent)
- Citizens age 65 or older
- American Indians
* Note that a lack of coverage for 2 months or less (transitional relief) is allowed without a penalty.
The penalty for 2018 remains at 2.5% of Modified Adjusted Gross income or $695 per person, $347.50 per child under
age 18 to a max of $2085 per family- whichever is greater. Penalties are per adult person, and times 3 children in the family.
Qualified coverage is a policy that includes all the new ACA mandate with essential benefits, including pediatric dental.
We are able to help anyone who is uninsured or shopping for more affordable options during open enrollment and in the event of a
special exception in both the private market and via MnSure.
© All rights reserved. 2010 Business & Healthcare Strategies Inc. Employee Benefits Services & Consulting
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In a new healthcare environment, employers are considering individual supplemental plan options to help employees find affordable, flexible and personalized benefit solutions to offset out of pocket costs due to higher group plan medical deductibles. A "one size fits all" benefits approach does not meet the needs of every employee, in particular in a culture of diverse ages and demographics. Supplemental & Voluntary programs are gaining popularity as a means to meet the needs of increasingly diverse work forces & cultures.
BHS provides these solutions. Voluntary programs can be offered on a stand-alone basis or as a compliment to core benefits. Employers provide value and find positive employee recognition in offering these programs.
BHS, via the help of third party specialists, offers a variety of plans & "packages" to choose from with major insurers.
Our specialists provide on-site group or individual enrollments and these services can include personalized benefit statements which enhance employee benefits recognition.
Providing pretax premium options for various voluntary benefits is an important strategy in cutting costs for both the employer and the employee.
Individual Insurance Options for Self Employed, Business owners, Employees and/or dependents not offered group coverage
Individual Medical Plan Compliance for Businesses
OLD- Federal Regulation, since January 2014, it is considered non compliant for an Employer to directly contribute to, reimburse or payroll pre tax deduct medical plan premiums for an individual/non group plan purchased by an employee.
References:
Resources: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq-aca22.html IRS Notice 2013-54
http://www.benefitslawadvisor.com (Premium Reimbursement Arrangements- Employers Beware)
http://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonynitti/2015/01/18/large-penalties-await-employers-who-reimbursed-certainemployee-healthinsurance-premiums-in-2014
Out with the old... in with the new
