The No Surprises Act placed limits and procedures for determining costs on certain out-of-network claims, while the Consolidated Appropriations Act enacted transparency requirements for insurance companies, hospitals, pharmacy benefit managers, and insurance brokers.
https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Will-the-New-Transparency-in-Coverage-Laws-Help-Contain-Healthcare-Costs.jpg480640Kim Kinnaird/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.pngKim Kinnaird2022-07-29 17:02:452022-08-02 15:29:14Will the New Transparency in Coverage Laws Help Contain Healthcare Costs?
Fees to fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) are due to the IRS no later than August 1, 2022, from employers who sponsor certain self-insured health plans such as Level Funded and Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) that are not treated as excepted benefits.
https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/PCORI-Fees-Due-to-IRS-No-Later-Than-July-31-2022-1.jpg480640Shelly Brownell/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.pngShelly Brownell2022-05-13 14:22:082022-05-31 12:56:49PCORI Fees Due to IRS No Later Than August 1, 2022
https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/What-Happens-to-Unused-Amounts-in-Employees-HRAs-When-Their-Employment-Terminates.jpg480640Cornerstone/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.pngCornerstone2022-05-13 13:52:012022-05-13 13:52:46What Happens to Unused Amounts in Employees’ HRAs When Their Employment Terminates?
Without a leave policy, employers can get into a difficult situation before they know it. It’s a little like trying to get toothpaste back in the tube—you can only fix it going forward
https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Why-Employer-Groups-Really-Need-to-Address-Leave-Policies.jpg480640Kim Kinnaird/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.pngKim Kinnaird2022-02-18 15:46:442022-02-18 18:14:49Why Employer Groups Really Need to Address Leave Policies
Renewal season is nearly upon us. With it comes the inevitable time crunch convergence of renewals and open enrollment. Here are a few planning tips for your group business.
https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Rev-Up-for-Fourth-Quarter-with-Cornerstone-Heres-What-You-Need-to-Know-1.jpg480640Cornerstone/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.pngCornerstone2021-08-16 13:19:412021-08-16 13:21:22Rev Up for Fourth Quarter with Cornerstone! Here’s What You Need to Know
https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Update-to-Surprise-Billing-Legislation.jpg480640Kim Kinnaird/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.pngKim Kinnaird2021-01-08 20:18:292021-01-13 20:15:55Update to the Surprise Billing Legislation from Late 2020
https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/What-are-the-Transparency-in-Coverage-Regulations.jpg480640Jennifer Agnello/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.pngJennifer Agnello2021-01-08 19:53:322021-01-13 20:16:26What are the “Transparency in Coverage Regulations”?
https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Social-Security-Spotlight_12-20.jpg480640Dennis Heywood/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.pngDennis Heywood2020-12-11 13:54:322020-12-11 13:54:32Social Security Spotlight: Social Security Offices Closed to the Public
Client retention is a metric of your business’s health and your long-term success. You have the clients—now what are you doing to keep them interested?
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.
https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/What-the-Heck-is-ICHRA.jpg480640Jennifer Agnello/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.pngJennifer Agnello2020-10-09 17:06:272020-10-26 18:39:27What the Heck is ICHRA?
https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Employee-Benefit-Extensions.jpg480640Sonya Poland/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.pngSonya Poland2020-07-20 20:16:482020-07-20 20:16:49Employee Benefit Extensions for the COVID-19 Pandemic: COBRA, FSA, HRA, and More
https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/FormFire-Current-State-of-Play.jpg480640Jeff Lewis/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.pngJeff Lewis2020-06-26 13:19:372020-06-26 14:41:43FormFire: Essential Technology in the Small Group Market
The law requires that each employer offering prescription drug benefits as part of their employee benefit plan must notify any Medicare-eligible participant and the federal government if the coverage offered is at least as good as the standard Medicare prescription drug plan.
https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/High-Cost-of-Health-Care.jpg480640Jennifer Agnello/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.pngJennifer Agnello2019-12-05 18:33:512019-12-11 15:15:50What Drives the High Cost of Health Care?
In the face of soaring drug prices, consumers have found an ally in their local big box stores, such as Walgreens, Walmart, Kroger, Target, etc. Roughly 4 out of 10 Americans rely on these programs to find savings for their prescription drugs.
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.
https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/2019-HSA-Refresher.jpg480640Cornerstone/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.pngCornerstone2019-03-13 18:38:412019-12-16 18:47:552019 HSA Refresher: The Ins and Outs
The Trump Administration and the United States Department of Labor (DOL) announced new rules for Association Health Plans (AHP). The new rules allow insurance carriers to expand access to the market for fully insured plans beginning September 1, 2018, and on January 1, 2019, for self-funded plans.
https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Association-Health-Plans.jpg480640Gregg Amato/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.pngGregg Amato2018-11-07 18:57:222019-12-16 19:00:56What are Association Health Plans?
https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Importance-of-Referrals.jpg480640Geoff Beglen/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.pngGeoff Beglen2018-09-19 19:01:212019-12-16 19:05:34The Holy Grail of Advertising: The Importance of Referrals From Your Clients
https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Short-Term-Health-Insurance.jpg480640Jennifer Agnello/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.pngJennifer Agnello2018-09-07 19:07:052019-12-16 19:10:23Short-Term Health Insurance: A New, More Affordable Option
https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Increasing-Revenue-with-Ancillary.jpg480640Cornerstone/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.pngCornerstone2018-07-11 19:14:252019-12-16 19:18:52You Have a Lot to Offer! Increasing Revenue with Ancillary Sales
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.
https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Recycling-Individual-Market.jpg480640Luke Boemker/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.pngLuke Boemker2018-04-26 19:19:082019-12-16 19:36:13What’s Old is New Again: Recycling in the Individual Market
If you are at all involved in the sales and/or service of small group insurance products, you have likely encountered MEWAs or been asked to advise on the pros and cons of such an arrangement.
https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Ahead-of-Small-Group-Game.jpg480640Jennifer Agnello/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.pngJennifer Agnello2018-03-14 19:36:412019-12-16 19:38:56Are You Ahead of the Small Group Game?
https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Social-Media.jpg480640Jessica Larkin/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.pngJessica Larkin2018-02-26 19:45:022019-12-16 19:48:40You Don’t Have to be Zuckerberg to be in “The Social Network”
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.
https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Opioid-Use-Disorder.jpg480640Jennifer Agnello/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.pngJennifer Agnello2018-01-17 19:48:522019-12-16 19:50:51Opioid Use Disorder: An Epidemic That Does Not Discriminate
Will the New Transparency in Coverage Laws Help Contain Healthcare Costs?
/in Cornerstone Updates, Employee Benefits, Individual, Legislation, Whitepapers/by Kim KinnairdThe No Surprises Act placed limits and procedures for determining costs on certain out-of-network claims, while the Consolidated Appropriations Act enacted transparency requirements for insurance companies, hospitals, pharmacy benefit managers, and insurance brokers.
PCORI Fees Due to IRS No Later Than August 1, 2022
/in Aetna, All Savers, Carrier, Compliance, Cornerstone Updates, Employee Benefits, Humana, Legislation, Whitepapers/by Shelly BrownellFees to fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) are due to the IRS no later than August 1, 2022, from employers who sponsor certain self-insured health plans such as Level Funded and Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) that are not treated as excepted benefits.
What Happens to Unused Amounts in Employees’ HRAs When Their Employment Terminates?
/in COBRA, Compliance, Employee Benefits, Whitepapers/by CornerstoneYour company has some choices about what will happen to HRA balances remaining at termination of employment.
Why Employer Groups Really Need to Address Leave Policies
/in Cornerstone Updates, Employee Benefits, Whitepapers/by Kim KinnairdWithout a leave policy, employers can get into a difficult situation before they know it. It’s a little like trying to get toothpaste back in the tube—you can only fix it going forward
Rev Up for Fourth Quarter with Cornerstone! Here’s What You Need to Know
/in Cornerstone Updates, Employee Benefits, Whitepapers/by CornerstoneRenewal season is nearly upon us. With it comes the inevitable time crunch convergence of renewals and open enrollment. Here are a few planning tips for your group business.
Medical Insurance Carrier Coordination with Prescription Drug Discount Programs
/in Carrier, Cornerstone Updates, Employee Benefits, Whitepapers/by Jeff LewisThe final cost of a drug can and does vary wildly and the same drug is never priced the same between insurance carriers.
Update to the Surprise Billing Legislation from Late 2020
/in Cornerstone Updates, Legislation, Whitepapers/by Kim KinnairdWhile the state legislation did curtail costly bills for peripheral services, it did not impact air ambulances. Here’s what you need to know.
What are the “Transparency in Coverage Regulations”?
/in Cornerstone Updates, Employee Benefits, Individual, Legislation, Whitepapers/by Jennifer AgnelloThese regulations are intended to improve price transparency, as required by the Affordable Care Act.
Social Security Spotlight: Social Security Offices Closed to the Public
/in Cornerstone Updates, Social Security Spotlight, Whitepapers/by Dennis HeywoodYou cannot visit Social Security Administration offices for an in-person interview. However, a lot can be handled online.
Client Retention Strategies that Actually Work: Advice from Your Friendly Neighborhood Marketing Specialist
/in Cornerstone Updates, Whitepapers/by Jessica LarkinClient retention is a metric of your business’s health and your long-term success. You have the clients—now what are you doing to keep them interested?
What the Heck is ICHRA?
/in Employee Benefits, Individual, Marketplace, Whitepapers/by Jennifer AgnelloThe 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.
Employee Benefit Extensions for the COVID-19 Pandemic: COBRA, FSA, HRA, and More
/in Employee Benefits, Legislation, Whitepapers/by Sonya PolandUnderstand the 8 employee benefit extensions designed to help employees and COBRA beneficiaries during the COVID-19 pandemic
FormFire: Essential Technology in the Small Group Market
/in Employee Benefits, FormFire, Whitepapers/by Jeff LewisFor brokers who want to compete in today’s small group market in Ohio, access to FormFire is essential.
How to Determine Medicare Creditable Coverage
/in Compliance, Employee Benefits, Whitepapers/by Jennifer AgnelloThe law requires that each employer offering prescription drug benefits as part of their employee benefit plan must notify any Medicare-eligible participant and the federal government if the coverage offered is at least as good as the standard Medicare prescription drug plan.
What Drives the High Cost of Health Care?
/in Whitepapers/by Jennifer AgnelloFrom all perspectives, there is no one single cause for the rise in costs, nor is there a single solution to contain them.
Shopper’s Guide to Navigating Discount Drug Programs
/in Whitepapers/by Geoff BeglenIn the face of soaring drug prices, consumers have found an ally in their local big box stores, such as Walgreens, Walmart, Kroger, Target, etc. Roughly 4 out of 10 Americans rely on these programs to find savings for their prescription drugs.
2019 HSA Refresher: The Ins and Outs
/in Employee Benefits, Individual, Whitepapers/by CornerstoneAs 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 Importance of Wrap Documents
/in Employee Benefits, Whitepapers/by Jennifer AgnelloAre you looking to provide even more value for your group clients?
What are Association Health Plans?
/in Employee Benefits, Whitepapers/by Gregg AmatoThe Trump Administration and the United States Department of Labor (DOL) announced new rules for Association Health Plans (AHP). The new rules allow insurance carriers to expand access to the market for fully insured plans beginning September 1, 2018, and on January 1, 2019, for self-funded plans.
The Holy Grail of Advertising: The Importance of Referrals From Your Clients
/in Employee Benefits, Individual, Whitepapers/by Geoff BeglenIt 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
/in Individual, Whitepapers/by Jennifer AgnelloMany 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
/in Employee Benefits, Individual, Whitepapers/by CornerstoneAdd-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
/in Individual, Whitepapers/by Luke BoemkerThe 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.
Set Yourself Apart with Level-Funded Health Plans
/in Employee Benefits, Whitepapers/by Jennifer AgnelloWhat if you could provide hope, grow your book of business, and add unique value to help your small business clients save money all at the same time?
Are You Ahead of the Small Group Game?
/in Employee Benefits, Whitepapers/by Jennifer AgnelloIf you are at all involved in the sales and/or service of small group insurance products, you have likely encountered MEWAs or been asked to advise on the pros and cons of such an arrangement.
You Don’t Have to be Zuckerberg to be in “The Social Network”
/in Employee Benefits, Individual, Whitepapers/by Jessica LarkinYou 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
/in Employee Benefits, Individual, Whitepapers/by Jennifer AgnelloRecently 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.
Exploring ACA Alternatives
/in Employee Benefits, Whitepapers/by Gregg AmatoAs ACA premiums continue to rise, so does the need for ACA alternatives.