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Wednesday, June 6th, 2018
Posted in Monthly Newsletters
Inside this issue: Virginia Legislature Votes to Expand Medicaid IRS Announces HSA Limits for 2019 A New Anthem Member ID Card is Coming Affordability Percentages will Increase in 2019 Anthem LiveHealth Online Allergy Treatments Telehealth -...
Wednesday, May 23rd, 2018
Posted in Benefits Briefs
The ACA imposes a fee on health insurance issuers and plan sponsors of self-insured health plans to help fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. The fee, called the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee, is...
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2018
Posted in Monthly Newsletters
Inside this issue: Insuring Your Employees Anywhere in the World Gym Network 360 from Optima Health Did you Miss the ACA Reporting Deadline? Anthem Online Billing and Payment Guidelines LSA Amendment Prohibits Employers from Retaining...
Wednesday, April 4th, 2018
Posted in Monthly Newsletters
Inside this issue: Anthem Online Enrollment  IRS Updates Employer Guide for 2018 Tax Changes to Fringe Benefits Summary Plan Description and Wrap Documents Medicare Savings Programs HealthEquity HSA Bulletin Read more here!
Wednesday, March 7th, 2018
Posted in Benefits Briefs
On March 5th the IRS announced changes to certain tax limits for 2018, including a reduced contribution limit for HSAs. The IRS lowered the HSA contribution limit for individuals with family coverage under a high deductible health plan (HDHP) from...
Thursday, March 1st, 2018
Posted in Monthly Newsletters
Inside this issue: Compliance Webinar Series with Corbin Granger New Medicare Cards starting April 1, 2018 Anthem Small Groups moving to Online Billing Medicare Part D Disclosures Due DOL Reintroduces 17 Opinion Letters Read more here!
Thursday, March 1st, 2018
Posted in Benefits Briefs
In November 2017 Mid-Atlantic Women’s Care (MAWC) terminated their contract with Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield as an In-Network provider. MAWC is comprised of the following practices, whose patients were all impacted. MAWC and Anthem have...
Thursday, February 22nd, 2018
Posted in Benefits Briefs
Group health plan sponsors are required to complete an online disclosure form with CMS on an annual basis, indicating whether the plan's prescription drug coverage is creditable or non-creditable.
Thursday, February 1st, 2018
Posted in Monthly Newsletters
Inside this issue:  Compliance Survey Go Red for Women Spending Resolution Affects ACA Taxes New Tables for 2018 Tax Withholding HR Trends to Monitor in 2018 New Standard for Unpaid Interns Read more here!
Thursday, January 11th, 2018
Posted in Monthly Newsletters
Inside this issue: Individual Mandate Eliminated in 2019 Deadline Delayed for 2017 Employer Reporting New Tax Credit offered to Employers Medicare and HSAs Read more here!
Thursday, December 21st, 2017
Posted in Benefits Briefs
On December 20, 2017 the tax reform bill, called the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passed both in the Senate and the House of Representatives. The bill is expected to be signed into law by President Trump at any moment.
Thursday, December 7th, 2017
Posted in Benefits Briefs
It has come to our attention that the IRS has started to issue communications to the Applicable Large Employers (ALEs) that may be subject to the Employer Shared Responsibility Payment (ESRP) for the 2015 tax reporting year.
Wednesday, November 29th, 2017
Posted in Monthly Newsletters
Inside this issue: New, Improved Employee Benefits Websites New Guidance on QSEHRA's IRS Issues Pay or Play Enforcement DOL Delays New Rules for Disability Benefit Claims Click here for more newsletter details. 
Thursday, October 26th, 2017
Posted in Monthly Newsletters
Inside this issue: Final Forms for 2017 Reporting MAWC Pulls out of Anthem Network Updates from Washington IRS Reverses Policy on Individual Compliance 2018 Compliance Checklist Click here for more newsletter details.
Thursday, October 19th, 2017
Posted in Benefits Briefs
As you may have heard, Mid-Atlantic Women’s Care (MAWC) will cease being an In-Network provider with Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield on November 1, 2017. Keep in mind that MAWC is comprised of the following practices, whose patients will all be...
Thursday, October 12th, 2017
Posted in Benefits Briefs
Health Insurance in the NewsPresident Trump signed an Executive Order on Thursday October 12th in an attempt to improve access, increase choices and provide lower costs for healthcare. The order calls upon The Department of Labor to consider...
Wednesday, September 27th, 2017
Posted in Monthly Newsletters
Inside this issue: Court orders EEOC to reconsider wellness rules Medicare Part D Notices due by October 14, 2017 Equifax data breach FSAs and HSAs gaining popularity Anthem electronic member ID cards coming soon Click here for more...
Wednesday, August 30th, 2017
Posted in Monthly Newsletters
Inside this issue: IRS confirms ACA mandate penalties still effective. Draft forms for 2017 ACA reporting released. Department of Labor considers new overtime rule. Click here for more newsletter details.
Tuesday, August 15th, 2017
Posted in Benefits Briefs
The health insurance spotlight has fallen on Anthem for two unrelated events affecting the Individual and Employer Sponsored (group) markets. The Individual Market: Anthem announced on Friday, August 10th that they are withdrawing from the...
Thursday, July 27th, 2017
Posted in Monthly Newsletters
Inside this issue: PCORI Fees Due by July 31st Affordability Percentages will Decrease for 2018 Are Summer Interns Subject to Minimum Wage and Overtime Pay?  Click here for more newsletter details.
Thursday, June 29th, 2017
Posted in Monthly Newsletters
Inside this issue: Senate Releases Draft ACA Replacement Bill Down but Not Out: The Future of Healthcare Reform Webinar News from Anthem CMS Issuing New Medicare Cards Starting April 2018 Click here for more newsletter details. 
Tuesday, May 9th, 2017
Posted in Monthly Newsletters
Inside this issue: The AHCA:  What you need to know 2017 Pay or Play and Affordability Amounts Announced IRS Sets 2018 HSA Contribution Limits News from Optima Health:  Quarterly Pharmacy Changes Click here for more newsletter details. 
Wednesday, March 1st, 2017
Posted in Monthly Newsletters
Inside this issue: Down But Not Out - The Future of the ACA and Healthcare Reform Webinar Anthem:  Chesapeake Emergency Physicians Signs New Contract with Anthem Anthem:  Credit Protection Program for Minors Optima:  Requesting Group Size...
Friday, November 18th, 2016
Posted in Monthly Newsletters
Inside this issue: 2016 Election - Impact on Compliance Issues, Employer Reporting Webinars, Optima Health News - Quarterly Pharmacy Update, CMS News - Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles Announced, IRS Announces 2017 Tax Rates,...
Friday, September 16th, 2016
Posted in Monthly Newsletters
Inside this issue: Medicare Part D Credible Coverage Notices Due by October 14th, Form I-9 Noncompliance Fine Increase, Compliance Webinars, Anthem Small Groups to Receive MLR Rebates New Specialty Pharmacy from Optima and Sentara Click...
Thursday, August 18th, 2016
Posted in Monthly Newsletters
Inside this issue: Compliance Checkup Webinar, Anthem Small Groups to Receive MLR Rebates, 5 Health Insurance Tips for Overseas Travelers, HHS Issues Final Rule on ACA Nondiscrimination Provisions, Marketplace Letters to Employers, DOL's New...
Wednesday, June 29th, 2016
Posted in Monthly Newsletters
Inside this issue:  United Concordia Dental Termination Letters, ACA Reporting Deadline TODAY, Marketplace Letters to Employers, PCORI Fees Due July 31, Upcoming Training, Social Security Number Collection Underway, New Overtime Pay Rules Released,...
Thursday, June 2nd, 2016
Posted in Benefits Briefs
Patient First is pleased to announce our Virginia medical centers are once again able to care for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield members.
Monday, May 23rd, 2016
Posted in Benefits Briefs
Upcoming ACA Deadlines (Large and Self-Insured Employers): ACA reporting deadlines for the 2015 calendar year are quickly approaching. PCORI Fees Due July 31: The ACA imposes an annual fee to help fund the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). The fee applies to policy or plan years ending on or after Oct. 1, 2012, and before Oct. 1, 2019. PCORI fees are due by July 31st of each year using IRS Form 720.
Friday, April 29th, 2016
Posted in Monthly Newsletters
Inside this issue: Marketplace Letters to Employers, Anthem Change for Dependents of Medicare Eligible, Upcoming Training Events, OCR Launches Phase 2 of HIPAA Audit Program, Employer Reporting Guide and DOL Audit Guide, Accident Policies, New Functionality on OptimaHealth.com.
Friday, April 1st, 2016
Posted in Benefits Briefs
The deadline for furnishing individuals with 1094 and 1095 B and C forms is March 31st.  The due date for filing forms with the IRS has been extended from February 29, 2016 to May 31, 2016 (or March 31, 2016 to June 30, 2016, if filing...
Monday, February 29th, 2016
Posted in Monthly Newsletters
Inside this issue: ACA Tax Forms, Anthem Network Change, Medicare: Who pays first? Ending a Members Coverage, Virginia Small Employer Definition, Pharmacy Prior Authorization Mandate, Voluntary Benefits.
Tuesday, February 16th, 2016
Posted in Benefits Briefs
Be on the lookout for a letter from CMS requiring employers to log on to CMS' website to report on how many Medicare eligible employees they have.