IMPORTANT: FormFire Annual Rate and Census Reconciliation Form Due March 31

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Today, many of you received the important notice of the census reconciliation process required for all SOCA BP clients. This reconciliation must be completed by March 31, 2019. It has come to our attention that there was a programming error with regard to the census reconciliation process where you are unable to submit the month and year properly.

Please take note of the following information, which contains the fix to the programming issue in line 8 of the census:

  • To fix the error, right-click on the blue cells in line 8.
  • Right-click and select “Format Cells”.
  • Select “General”.
  • Click “OK”.

You must do this for both the “Month” cell and “Year” cell.

Click here to view the release from FormFire regarding the census reconciliation.

CMS Extends Transitional Relief Until January 1, 2021

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a bulletin extending non-enforcement policies against certain non-ACA-compliant non-grandfathered health insurance coverage in the small group and individual markets.

The extended transitional policy in this bulletin applies for policy years beginning on or before October 1, 2020, provided that all such coverage comes into compliance with the specified requirements by January 1, 2021.

Click here to read the full release from CMS.

Questions? Contact your Cornerstone representative for additional information.

RSVP Today: 3 Large Group CEs in Northwest Ohio

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If you work with employer groups of 50 or more, self-funded solutions are a great way to keep benefit costs down and add value to your groups. Join Cornerstone for lunch and 3 self-funded CEs the afternoon of April 2. Each presenter will also provide a brief product update.

Location: Oak Openings Lodge | 5440 Wilkins Road | Whitehouse (Toledo), OH 43571

Please RSVP to Sharon Hogan by March 22, 2019

SAVE THE DATE: CEs Available in Toledo (April 2)

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Working with groups of 50 or more? This is a CE day you won’t want to miss on April 2 at the Oak Openings Lodge. We’re putting together a program of three to four CEs for Cornerstone agents to learn more about self-funding and large-group requirements. The program will begin in the late morning and end at 4:30 pm.

Look for more details soon!

Have You Registered For Cornerstone’s 2019 Webinars?

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Your favorite Cornerstone webinars are back in 2019, with the addition of the brand-new Group Corner.

But that’s not all that’s new this year…

We are also filling our webinar schedule with special guest presentations from Dennis Heywood, Hal Becker, and other industry experts!

Find the full schedule of 2019 webinars on the event calendar on the Cornerstone website.

Click here to find out more about the 2019 webinars.

Click here to view the full calendar.

Medicare Premiums: 2019 Threshold Changes for Higher-Income Beneficiaries

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Social Security Solutions, LLCPlease read and share with your clients!

2019 has new (lower) thresholds for higher-income beneficiaries. Lower is not a good thing. The basic Part B premium went from $134 per month to $135.50 per month. All other threshold Part B and Part D premiums also increased. Additionally, they created two new thresholds with higher premiums.

Click here to view the rates.

You cannot avoid the issue by filing “married filing separately”. They added a threshold for this filing status. So if you file “Married Separately” with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) between $85,000 and $415,000 you pay $433.40 per month. If your MAGI is above $415,000 you pay $460.50 per month.

Don’t forget : These increased premiums for 2019 can be appealed and lowered for a “life-changing event,” the most common of which is loss of earnings. If high earnings from 2017 are no longer available because someone retired from their job or is self-employed, Social Security will lower the 2019 premiums based on your estimate of the 2019 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). Other life-changing events are death of a spouse, divorce, marriage, loss of income producing property, reduction/loss of pension, and/or employer settlement.

REMEMBER: Your adjusted gross income affects your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums two years later (2019 AGI Affects 2021 premiums).

Please see the guide to Medicare premiums for higher income beneficiaries at www.Medicare.gov for the all the premium changes in 2019, or you can email me for a copy of the new rates.

Dennis Heywood, Social Security Solutions LLC

sshelp01@icloud.com | 513-235-8036 | SS-help.com

About Social Security Solutions LLC

Social Security Solutions provides direction, assistance, and information to financial advisers, couples, and individuals concerning Social Security retirement strategies, as well as survivor, disability, and Medicare issues. Services include pre-retirement Social Security analysis for individuals and couples; assisting individuals filing online claims for retirement, disability, and Medicare; conducting Social Security strategy presentations for financial/ health care advisors, businesses, and their employees.

ACA Reporting for 2018 Filings: Coding Cues for 1095

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January 28, 2019 UPDATE: Anthem SOCA MEWA is having 1094/1095B forms prepared on behalf of customers. They will be able to download from FormFire, review for correctness and send. Documents are expected to be posted by February 22, 2019. Click below for the updated ACA Reporting Guide.

Cornerstone has updated the 2018 ACA Reporting guide for agents to help them advise clients in level-funded, self-funded, or MEWA plans, as well as Applicable Large Employers. If a client was in one of these types of arrangements for any portion of 2018, they are responsible for this reporting.

Click here to view the full document.

Learn About Cornerstone’s Newest Short-Term Carrier!

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Cornerstone’s first Individual Corner webinar of 2019 will kick off with Individual expert Geoff Beglen and IHC’s Marc Capogrossi this coming Wednesday!

IHC is a premier short-term carrier with national coverage and excellent service and support. The webinar will cover IHC’s short-term and critical illness portfolio, as well as how to quote and enroll clients.

Register today!

DATE: Wednesday, January 16, 2019

TIME: 9:30 am–10:30 am

Click here to register.

Do You Have Securian Dental Clients?

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As you may know, Securian is shutting down its dental insurance and not offering renewals to customers. Cornerstone proactively negotiated an arrangement with Principal to match Securian rates and plans with some great value added benefits. This arrangement has been extended to 2/1/2019 effective dates. This is open to any broker who works with Cornerstone and doesn’t impact your commissions!

Please contact your Cornerstone representative for more details.

Client Referral Program Open Enrollment Individual Referral Acceptance Deadline

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The Cornerstone Agency Services Client Referral team accepts client referrals from brokers participating in the program. Our licensed Client Care team can assist referred prospects offering guidance and support with plan enrollment in the Individual market.

To ensure we continually provide referred clients with exceptional service during the busy enrollment season, please familiarize yourself with our readiness checklist, which details our submission process, acceptance deadlines, and turn-around times.

INDIVIDUAL

OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD

November 1 to December 15, 2018

  • Referrals are managed first in/first out*
  • A minimum of three client outreach attempts will be made
  • Whenever possible, provide two forms of client contact information; cell phone, spouse cell phone, email address, work phone number, or other.
  • Submit referrals via the broker online form (preferred method) or prospective clients may call us at 877-432-8803. The online form can also be downloaded and emailed to referrals@crnstone.com.
  • The following information is required for all referrals**: prospect name, address, county, two client contact information options, and date(s) of birth.

*Priority is given to Individual referrals received on or before December 3, 2018. Client outreach within 48 hours is not guaranteed during peak periods Oct 1 through Dec 15.

**Incomplete submissions will be returned requesting missing information.

 

Due to extremely high volumes of referrals during the open/annual enrollment period, we encourage clients to plan ahead and make decisions early.

If you have questions about referral submission, the referral acceptance deadlines, or other processes, please do not hesitate to contact us.