Monthly Newsletters
February 2023 Newsletter
Inside this issue:
ACA Reporting Deadline Reminder
New Rules that Eliminate Medicare Coverage Gaps
Bon Secours & Optima Termination
End of COVID-19 Emergency Periods
Click here to read the full February 2023 newsletter!
January 2023 Newsletter
As an added precaution and benefit to their members, Blue Cross NC is making identity protection services available to eligible members and their dependents.
December 2022 Newsletter
Optima is changing their pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) from OptumRx® to Express Scripts (ESI) as well as their vision services vendor from Eyemed to VSP Vision Care (VSP).
November 2022 Newsletter
The IRS has released the final 2022 forms for 6055 and 6056 reporting.
October 2022 Newsletter
Anthem groups and Individual members in Virginia will receive 2021 medical loss ratio (MLR) rebates this year. The MLR provision of the ACA encourages health plans to spend most of the premium dollars they collect on healthcare costs rather than overhead.
September 2022 Newsletter
While the Inflation Reduction Act is primarily aimed at fighting inflation and reducing carbon emissions, it also contains a number of reforms that will impact health coverage. The health reforms included in the bill have staggered effective dates and will be implemented over the next several years.
August 2022 Newsletter
On August 1, the IRS issued the contribution percentages in 2023 for determining the affordability of an employer’s plan under the ACA.
July 2022 Newsletter
The ACA imposes a fee on employers with a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) or a self-insured plan in order to fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute.
June 2022 Newsletter
The Transparency in Coverage Final Rules require group health plans and health insurance issuers to disclose on a public website detailed pricing information in three separate machine-readable files (MRFs) by July 1, 2022.
May 2022 Newsletter
Inside this issue:
HSA/HDHP Limits Increase for 2023
Employee Retention in Turbulent Times
Virginia Aligns Overtime Pay Laws with FLSA
Join Blue Cross NC for a Webinar on Managing Pharmacy Costs
Click here to read the May 2022 newsletter!
April 2022 Newsletter
Anthem, Inc., has filed a preliminary proxy statement to change its name. The new name, pending shareholder approval in May, will be Elevance Health.
March 2022 Newsletter
From now through March 30, 2022, Optima members could win a $100 gift card to the retailer of their choice.
February 2022 Newsletter
Under the newly passed law, the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), compensation paid to a broker must be disclosed to both fully insured and self-insured group health plans.
January 2022 Newsletter
Inside this issue:
Upcoming Drug Changes for BCBSNC
Medicare Savings Programs
Roanoke Oral Surgery Leaving Anthem Network
OSHA Vaccine ETS Reinstated for Private Employers
Click here to read the full January 2022 newsletter!
December 2021 Newsletter
Inside this issue:
Anthem HSA Transition for ACH Processing (VA)
How Medicare Beneficiaries can Appeal Income-Related Charges that Result in Higher Premiums
Valley Health Leaving Optima Network
Suspension of OSHA Vaccine &...
November 2021 Newsletter
Inside this issue:
Enhancements to Cigna's Employer Portal
Optima Health Partners with CareCentrix
Medicare Rules for HSAs After 65
Group Size Survey for BCBSNC
Click here to read the full November 2021 newsletter!
October 2021 Newsletter
Inside this issue:
MLR Rebate Updates
Updated Member ID Cards for Anthem (VA)
and BCBS (NC)
New UnitedHealthcare Wellness Offering
Cigna January 2022 Pharmacy Update
Click here to read the October 2021 Newsletter!
September 2021 Newsletter
Each year, Medicare Part D requires group health plan sponsors to disclose to individuals who are eligible for Medicare Part D and to CMS whether the health plan’s prescription drug coverage is creditable.
August 2021 Newsletter
The Virginia Human Rights Act has been amended to require reasonable accommodations for disabilities that apply to employers with more than 5 employees.
July 2021 Newsletter
Inside this issue:
PCORI Fees are Due August 2, 2021
Medicare Could Soon Include Dental, Vision and Hearing Benefits
Optima's 100% COVID-19 Coverage Ended June 30
8 Policies to Update Before Returning to Work
Anthem &...
June 2021 Newsletter
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides that individuals on state health continuation due to loss of group health coverage from either termination of employment or reduction in hours receive a 100% premium subsidy for their continuation coverage for a period potentially from April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021
May 2021 Newsletter
Anthem, along with other Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, recently agreed to settle a multi-district litigation.
April 2021 Newsletter
One of the goals of the $1.9 trillion stimulus package was to increase the affordability of individual health insurance. This goal was achieved by dramatically increasing government subsidies to help pay for the cost of coverage.
March 2021 Newsletter
Inside this issue:
New Guidance on COVID-19 Outbreak Period
Walgreens No Longer in Anthem Network
Update to our Towne Benefits Compliance Agreements
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Click here to read the full March 2021...
February 2021 Newsletter
Inside this issue:
Reporting Deadlines Approaching
Upcoming Employer Webinar, 2021: What’s Next for Benefits and Human Resources?
BeneFlex Software Upgrade
Optima Health Member COVID-19 Coverage Extended to March 31,...
January 2021 Newsletter
Inside this issue:
Optima Member COVID-19 Coverage Extended to February 28, 2021
Employer Updates for 2021
Anthem Extends Health Plan Timeframes
Click here to read the full January 2021 newsletter!
December 2020 Newsletter
Inside this issue:
Encouraging Employees to Use Telehealth Services
Anthem Member Network Changes
Ways to Manage Poor Performance Among Remote Employees
Upcoming Webinars
Click here to read the full December 2020 newsletter!
November 2020 Newsletter
On Oct. 27, 2020, the IRS announced that the health FSA dollar limit on employee salary reduction contributions will remain at $2,750 for taxable years beginning in 2021.
October 2020 Newsletter
Federal law requires that health insurance carriers spend a certain percentage of fully insured plan premiums on medical care. If they spend less, they refund that money to their group clients.
September 2020 Newsletter
If you are confused about COBRA, you are in good company. COBRA can be difficult to administer. With COVID 19 and the recent changes to COBRA administration designed to help COBRA beneficiaries by providing more time to elect and pay for COBRA, it just became infinitely more difficult.
August 2020 Newsletter
Virginia is the first state in the US to pass a comprehensive occupational safety and health standard that deals exclusively with the coronavirus and COVID-19 disease.
July 2020 Newsletter
Disaster Relief Notices have introduced FSA plan changes due to COVID-19. Allowing mid-year election changes, extending grace periods, and more - discover what each notice entails and find out what they really mean for employers.
June 2020 Newsletter
As a response to the COVID-19 challenges, Anthem is issuing premium credits to all Fully Insured employer groups based on their April 2020 invoices.
May 2020 Newsletter
Many states are putting plans into place to restart the economy. By taking workplace preparedness steps such as updating office layouts, encouraging new behaviors and evaluating existing policies, employers can help further prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of employees.
April 2020 Newsletter
These are difficult times for countless employees. Many difficult decisions must be made within a very short time. To that end, I want to extend our services, without cost, to any employee who’s lost their job.
March 2020 Newsletter
Introducing MyWave Connect to Towne Benefits Employer Clients!
February 2020 Newsletter
The Department of Health & Human Services has Increased Civil Penalties for HIPAA Violations.
January 2020 Newsletter
A Proposed Rule on Health Care Transparency Could Affect Employer Plans.
December Newsletter
One Hampton Roads Small Business could win the $10,000 Community Care Award from UnitedHealthcare!
November Newsletter
The IRS has announced Employee Benefit Plan Limits for 2020.
October Newsletter
Pay or Play Penalties will Increase for 2019 and 2020!
September Newsletter
Medicare Part D Notices are Due Before October 15, 2019!
August Newsletter
Thursday, August 8th, 2019
Posted in Monthly Newsletters
The IRS has Expanded Preventive Care for HDHPs to Include Chronic Conditions!
July Newsletter
Tuesday, July 16th, 2019
Posted in Monthly Newsletters
Dominion National Member Security Breach