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Federal Tax Filing Deadline Coming Soon!
The deadline for all taxpayers to file and pay their federal income taxes was extended from April 15, 2021, until May 17, 2021.
Don’t Forget to Pay Your Anthem OH Renewal Fee!
To remain an appointed broker with Anthem, please pay your $45.00 appointment renewal fee by May 28, 2021, using the NoMoreForms link you received in your email from Anthem.
Data Shows Increased Zero-Premium and Low-Premium Health Plans
The American Rescue Plan enhances and expands eligibility for advance payments of premium tax credits to purchase Marketplace insurance coverage under the ACA.
Be Recognized for Assisting New Marketplace Consumers!
This special recognition acknowledges the work you do in making the Marketplace more accessible to consumers, particularly those from historically underserved or underinsured populations.
Maximize Your Sales with UnitedHealthOne’s Second Quarter Bonus!
There are TWO ways to earn more in the second quarter with UnitedHealthOne's new bonus program. and maximize your sales with eligible products.
HHS Announces Reduced Costs and Expanded Access for Marketplace Coverage Under the American Rescue Plan
HHS recently announced that additional savings and lower health care costs are available for consumers on HealthCare.gov.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: CMS Extends SEP to August 2021
In response to the benefits outlined in the American Rescue Plan regarding increased tax credits to reduce premiums, CMS has extended access to the 2021 SEP to August 15, 2021.
Earn Your SEP Camp Molina Bonus Badge!
Molina Healthcare recently announced their New 2021 SEP Member Agent Bonus.
How the American Rescue Plan Impacts ACA Enrollments
For those enrolled in ACA plans, the law includes provisions that significantly affect subsidies and Advance Premium Tax Credits.
ATTENTION: What Your Clients Need to Know About the American Rescue Plan Act
Under this bill, eligible COBRA enrollees (and their families) can receive a 100 percent federal subsidy for their COBRA premiums.
Earn Money From Ambetter’s 2021 SEP Bonus Program!
Ambetter's 2021 SEP Bonus Program rewards contracted brokers with a one-time, per-member bonus for eligible members enrolled between February 15, 2021, through May 15, 2021.
HealthSherpa Bonus Program Rewards Ambetter Sales
Until January 31, 2021, HealthSherpa will pay $50 (in addition to your usual commission) for any off-exchange Ambetter applications you submit through HealthSherpa.
ODI Agent Licensure Renewal Information
Beginning January 1, 2021 the Ohio Department of Insurance will begin sending license renewal notifications via email instead of U.S. Mail.
CMS Provides Additional Support for Complex Consumer Cases
Consumer-specific complex cases are cases where a consumer has submitted an application for coverage and requires assistance in making a change to their application, plan coverage, reported income, and/or making profile updates.
Have You Registered for UnitedHealthcare’s First Quarter Incentive?
From January 11, 2021, to April 15, 2021, you can earn money for every TriTerm Medical, Health ProtectorGuard, and/or Short-Term Medical (with HealthiestYou) application.
What are the “Transparency in Coverage Regulations”?
These regulations are intended to improve price transparency, as required by the Affordable Care Act.
Check Out Cornerstone’s Round Up of the Top Webinars From 2020
Cornerstone's webinar series will be back in January 2021, but first, we want to take a look back at the best webinars from 2020.
Open Enrollment is Now Over, But the Selling Season Continues
There are still opportunities to sell outside of Open Enrollment. Find out more!
Required Health Plan Coverage for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
Non-grandfathered group health plans and health insurance issuers offering non-grandfathered group or individual health insurance coverage must cover, without cost sharing, COVID-19 immunizations.
December Anthem Updates to Know About
Anthem releases information about ACA enrollment technology, agreements with physician groups, and Site of Care expansions.
Ohio Department of Insurance Licensing Renewal Notifications Change
Starting January 1, 2021, the ODI will begin sending license renewal notifications by email.
Win Big with Ambetter’s 2021 New Enrollment Bonus Program!
Earn a one-time, per-member bonus for new Ambetter members you enroll during 2021 Open Enrollment.
Earn Your Badges with the Camp Molina Bonuses!
Molina Healthcare recently announced their "Camp Molina Bonuses," which reward agents for new and renewing 2021 members.
Attention Individual Agents: Take a Look at the 2021 Carrier County Checklist and Maps!
Cornerstone's individual team has put together a convenient checklist so you can easily track which carriers are in which Ohio counties for 2021.
Misconceptions About Enhanced Direct Enrollment (EDE)
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services addresses four misconceptions about using EDE.
What the Heck is ICHRA?
The Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services project that by 2029, roughly 800,000 employers will offer ICHRA, covering more than 11 million employees.
Register for Ambetter’s Midwest Broker Training Webinar
Join Ambetter, a member of America's largest ACA carrier network, to learn about their 2021 individual and family offerings.
Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements: Policy and Application Overview
CMS will host the "Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements: Policy and Application Overview Webinar"
Register Today for Oscar’s 2021 Product Training Webinars
Join Oscar to learn about their 2021 Oscar Individual & Family plan offerings.
Marketplace Will Use 2020 FPL Guidelines for Coverage Year 2021
The Health Insurance Marketplace will use the 2020 FPL guidelines when making calculations for APTC and income-based CSRs for coverage year 2021 starting November 1, 2020.
More Cash and More Plan Options with UnitedHealthOne’s Year-End Incentive
Watch your bonus grow when you meet your baseline of 30 TriTerm Medical, Short Term Medical, and/or Health ProtectorGuard eligible applications
Plan Year 2021 Marketplace Registration and Training is LIVE
Don't wait! Agents with active on-exchange plans who want to receive renewal compensation must re-certify by the end of 2020.
Anthem Will Issue MLR Rebates in August
In an effort to ease the financial burden of the COVID-19 pandemic, Anthem will fast-track the MLR rebates to August.
Important ACA Updates From Medical Mutual
Product updates, coverage changes, and business tips from Medical Mutual.
Healthcare.gov New Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Video
CMS released a video about reporting federal pandemic unemployment compensation. Click here to watch the video.
HEADS-UP: Marketplace Learning Management System Will Close July 17
The Marketplace Learning Management System (MLMS) will close or "go dark" starting July 17 in preparation for the launch of registration and training for plan year 2021.
Network and Program Updates From Medical Mutual
These updates include VSP network updates and enhancements to Chronic Condition Management Program.
Ameritas Offers COVID-19 Benefit Enhancements
In an effort to help customers maintain their benefit coverage and good health during the pandemic, Ameritas as extended premium grace periods for all their customers and eliminated renewal rate increases for many groups.
Take Advantage of Golden Rule’s New Bonus Program!
When you meet your baseline of 10 eligible applications submitted between May 18, 2020–August 31, 2020, you can be enjoying more than the nice weather.
IRS Announces 2021 HSA Contribution Limits, HDHP Minimum Deductibles, and HDHP Out-of-Pocket Maximums
The IRS has released the 2021 cost-of-living adjusted limits for health savings accounts and high-deductible health plans.
The Dental Care Plus Group Premium Relief for our Employer Groups and Individuals
The Dental Care Plus Group is offering employer groups and commercial individual members a 50 percent credit for April premiums paid and 50 percent credit for self-funded administration fees paid in April.
The Benefits of Enhanced Direct Enrollment
Consider using Enhanced Direct Enrollment, which allows you to remotely assist your clients with applying for, enrolling in, and managing Marketplace coverage.
The Supreme Court’s ACA Ruling and What it Might Mean
According to ThinkAdvisor, the U.S. Supreme Court's ACA ruling could "add some stability to the individual and family major medical insurance market, at a time the COVID-19 is shaking everything up."
Important News About UnitedHealthcare Short-Term Medical Plans
Golden Rule's short-term medical product in Ohio will now be replaced by UnitedHealthcare's new short-term medical plans starting May 1.
WEBINAR: Increase Your Income by 30 Percent!
Agents will learn how to use telesales during this really unusual time and be able to do a "simple customer service call" and transition into a sale.
Boost Your Earnings with Anthem’s Individual SEP Broker Bonus Program
Anthem's Individual SEP Broker Bonus Program rewards agents with a one-time bonus of $150 for each member enrolled in an Individual ACA on- or off-exchange plan.
Medical Mutual Extends Transitional ACA Policies Through 2021
Following the Ohio Department of Insurance's memo extending transitional policies through 2021, Medical Mutual will allow their transitional individual and small group business to renew their non-ACA-compliant coverage through the 2021 plan year.
Required Tax Forms for Clients Enrolled in Marketplace Who Have Received Premium Tax Credits
Consumers who have enrolled in coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace and have received payments of the premium tax credit (APTC) must use Form 1095-A to complete Form 8962 when they file their 2019 federal income taxes.
IMPORTANT: Carrier Guidance Regarding COVID-19
As we all navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic, the carriers are issuing guidance with coverage details on diagnosis, testing, and treatment of the virus.
We Want to Help You and Your Group Clients!
If you have employee benefit clients who are laying off employees, clients who are thinking about ceasing to offer group health insurance coverage due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, or if you know of individuals in need, we have solutions to assist your clients and help you retain potential lost revenue.
IRS Releases 2019 Form 8889 and Instructions for HSA Reporting
The IRS recently released the 2019 version of Form 8889 for Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and its instructions.
Congress Repeals Cadillac Tax and Health Insurance Tax
The legislation fully repeals the Cadillac Tax and repeals the HIT effective January 1, 2021.
Medical Mutual’s SuperDental Network Expands Provider Options
This new network will provide dental members with nearly 1,600 more dental providers than the current network.
Emergency Medicine Physicians of Cincinnati is Leaving Anthem’s Networks
Pending final negotiations, Emergency Medicine Physicians of Cincinnati will leave Anthem's networks effective December 24, 2019.
2019 HSA Refresher: The Ins and Outs
As deductibles continue to rise and these numbers continue to grow, it is important to know the ins and outs of HSAs so that we can better advise our clients.
The Holy Grail of Advertising: The Importance of Referrals From Your Clients
It can’t be said enough: Referrals are one of the most important components of a successful inbound sales strategy.
Short-Term Health Insurance: A New, More Affordable Option
Many short-term plans come with additional perks and benefits such as wellness, telemedicine, etc.
You Have a Lot to Offer! Increasing Revenue with Ancillary Sales
Add-on products or ancillary sales can account for as much as twenty percent of additional business revenue.
What’s Old is New Again: Recycling in the Individual Market
The title of one of my favorite movies, Back to the Future, seems apropos when compared to today’s individual health insurance market. With the Affordable Care Act (ACA) being anything but affordable, many consumers are looking for alternative options to cover themselves and their families.
You Don’t Have to be Zuckerberg to be in “The Social Network”
You can create a simple social media strategy that facilitates your business’s growth and augments your communication with customers.
Opioid Use Disorder: An Epidemic That Does Not Discriminate
Recently I attended a seminar on what has become the nation’s number one health care crisis: opioid use. It was a wake-up call to some astonishing information. Our industry has begun to feel the devastating effects and so far there is no end in sight.