Health Care Reform: ACA Taxes

A little information about the new taxes to come in 2014 courtesy of Blue Shield:

What is it?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires that taxes be collected in order to fund certain provisions of health reform. Beginning January 1, 2014, there are two new taxes that will go into effect. Below is a summary of what they are and how you can prepare.

The Health Insurer Tax – This annual tax is designed to offset a portion of the expenses related to providing premium subsidies and tax credits to qualified individuals purchasing coverage through exchanges. This tax will be applicable to all small groups effective January 1, 2014, and is expected to be approximately 2.3% of dues and/or premiums.

Transitional Reinsurance Contribution Program Tax – This tax will be used to fund transitional reinsurance programs in each state to help cover costs of the highest-risk individuals in the non-group market. It is effective from 2014 to 2016 and applies to all small groups as of January 1, 2014. In 2014, the tax is estimated to be $5.25 per Blue Shield member, which is approximately 1.5% of dues and/or premiums.

What does this mean to me and my employees?

When these taxes go into effect, customers’ dues and/or premiums will increase by an amount that covers the new taxes. Starting with January 2014 bills, the new taxes will be included as a percentage of the dues and/or premiums.

Small group employers will continue to have a 12-month rate guarantee and the plan base rates will continue to be in effect for 12 months. As mentioned above, however, in January 2014, the two taxes will be added to plan dues and/or premiums.


Health Care Reform: Open Enrollment Update

Some of you may already be aware, but the deadline to have a January 1 start date for the ACA has been bumped to December 23rd. So, if you need your insurance to start at the beginning of the year, you now have a little over a week longer to get signed up!

However, don’t forget that if you don’t need to have the insurance start immediately, Open Enrollment is going on through March 15th, so call us to schedule your appointment today!

For each month, signing up by the 15th gives you a start date of the 1st of the following month (e.g. If you enroll on February 12th, 2014, your insurance will start March 1st ).

Don’t fret! All of your Health Care Reform answers are just a phone call away with one of our Certified agents.


Health Care Reform: Fitting into the Puzzle

Not sure how you fit into the Health Care Reform puzzle? Navigating Health Care Reform can be tricky, but luckily, you have Sweeney & Sweeney Insurance to help you along the way! Contact one of our certified, friendly, and knowledgeable agents today with your questions and concerns. We’re always ready and willing to help!

Q: What is the household income eligibility requirement?

A: Americans with household income of 100% to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) are eligible. For example:

  • 100% FPL- individual $11,490, family of four $23,550
  • 400% FPL- individual $45,960, family of four $94,200.

Q: Do the credit amounts vary by income?

A: It is a sliding scale that comes into effect here. If you fall on the lower end of the FPL percentage spectrum, you can expect more help from the government than someone closer to 400% FPL.

Q: What is the exchange?

A: You can think of the exchange as a marketplace to purchase insurance. Exchanges are new organizations that are being created to provide a more organized and competitive way to purchase health insurance. Consumers can view several options and easily compare rates and coverage details.

Q: Will Agents be participating in the Health Care Reform?

A: Agents and Brokers have the choice to become Certified Health Care Reform Agents, to have the opportunity to better serve our community and help them get the best coverage available.

Q: What if I already have an individual health plan?

A: When the new law comes into effect in January 1, 2014, all current plans will no longer exist. Your options are to either be moved to a plan that is closest to your current plan or you may call Sweeney & Sweeney Insurance to go over your options in the Exchange, as you may qualify for a tax credit.

 


Top 10 ACA Points You Should Know

Are you wondering what the different parts of the ACA really mean? Straight from Blue Shield, here are the top 10 key issues you should know about.

1. Guaranteed Issue – No one will be denied healthcare due to health, age, gender, or other issues including pre-existing conditions.

2. The Individual Mandate – All individuals will be required to have coverage that qualifies as the minimum essential by January 2014, or risk paying a tax penalty.

Ind. Mandate table

3. Grandfathered Plans – People who have healthcare plans that were in effect prior to March 23, 2010, can keep their plans if they want. The only caveat is they are not subject to the ACA’s requirements.

4. New Marketplaces – Marketplaces (Exchanges) have been created as a place for people to explore and compare different health plans. You can access this marketplace directly through brokers and individual carriers just as before.

5. Open Enrollment – This Open Enrollment period began on October 1, 2013 and ends March 31, 2014.

6. Essential Health Benefits – All non-grandfathered plans for individuals and small businesses will include the following 10 categories:

  • Ambulatory patient services
  • Emergency services
  • Hospitalization
  • Maternity and newborn care
  • Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioural health treatment
  • Prescription drugs
  • Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
  • Laboratory services
  • Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
  • Pediatric services, including or and vision care

7. Metal Level Plans – All non-grandfathered health plans offered to individuals and small businesses will be required to provide coverage at a “metal level”—Platinum (90%), Gold (80%), Silver (70%), and Bronze (60%)—based on the actuarial value (E.g. With a gold plan, the Insured pays 20% of health care costs, while the plan covers 80%).

8. Federal Subsidies – Subsidies will be available starting 2014 for those whose annual income is between 134% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and who meet the guidelines. Subsidies will help lower the costs of both premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Those who fall less than 134% below the poverty level may be eligible for Medi-Cal. Tax credits will also continue to be available to small businesses with 25 or less full-time equivalent employees to help cover the costs of providing coverage.

9. ACA Taxes – Taxes covering the ACA will start January 1, 2014. Click here for a downloadable copy of the ACA tax fact sheet

10. Play-or-Pay – As of January 1, 2014, the ACA requires companies over a certain size to offer affordable health coverage to full-time employees and their dependents or face paying a penalty if an employee receives federally-subsidized coverage through the Exchange.

 


Health Care Reform: The Bill at a Glance

With the government also shutting down, I think many people have forgotten that Tuesday was also the start of Open Enrollment for the Affordable Care Act. I know many people have been confused about exactly what the ACA (A.K.A. Obamacare, PPACA, Health Care Reform) is. There has been much confusing media coverage, and people spreading around incorrect information. I just want to take a minute to give you a basic breakdown of what the bill entails.

  • No one will be turned down for coverage due to pre-existing conditions, any longer.
  • The age ceiling for young adults being covered on their parents’ health plans has been raised to 26.
  • You may have the ability to modify the way you pay for your coverage by adjusting your monthly premium payments with your deductible.
  • You may qualify for a premium tax credit.
  • Free preventative care.
  • Choose the best doctor for you within your plan.
  • Women’s health preventative care is also 100% covered.

These are just a few of the many new changes included with the Affordable Care Act. Call today to schedule your appointment to come in and get enrolled! We’ll help you find the best plan for you and your family or you and your employees! For more information on the Reform, check out our past blogs: Women’s Health Care, Pre-Existing Conditions, Improved Coverage Options, Q & A, Premium Assistance Calculation, Employer Mandate Delayed, Young Adults, Small Business Tax Credits, Individual Tax Credits, Getting Covered, Small Business, Health Insurance Plans at a Glance, Questions Answered, and many more.

 


Health Care Reform: Women’s Health Care

Beginning this past August, health insurance plans began covering certain women’s preventative care services at 100% (i.e. STI testing maternal support, birth control) unless you have a grandfathered plan. Now, what does this mean for you specifically? If you’re a female teen/young adult: important preventative care is covered including STI screenings, birth control as well as sometimes counseling services. If you do become pregnant, much of your pregnancy-care support is also covered through your new plan.

For women trying to get pregnant: During this time, both yours and your baby’s health are exceptionally important. You’re new plan covers many of the screenings you’ll need when you do get pregnant including Hep. B, gestational diabetes, and syphilis. Since fertility testing isn’t considered “preventative”, it’s not completely covered, but may be partially covered. Call your agent to find out what is and is not covered under your
plan.

If you’re a woman over the age of 40: Breast cancer screenings is one of the top priority for women in this age group. If detected early, breast cancer can be very treatable, and now your plan covers—completely—mammograms for every one to two years. (You only have to pay a copay if you’re under the age of 40 and not at an additional risk for breast cancer.)

For women over the age of 60: As you advance in age, your body goes through a number of changes. Regular checkups and screenings are an important part of staying healthy. These are now available at no cost to you.

Previously these services could cost you a pretty penny, but now, as long as you’re visiting an in-network doctor and buying covered drugs with a prescription, it’s all free. Feel free to call Sweeney & Sweeney with any concerns or questions, and of course, to get you a free quote on health insurance (either for you as an individual, or for your business).


Health Care Reform: Pre-Existing Conditions

My guess is, you at least know someone who’s heard this response to their healthcare application, “We regret to inform you that coverage has been denied due to a pre-existing condition.” If you’ve ever been denied for this reason, we have really great news for you. Under the Affordable Care Act, no one will ever be denied coverage for a pre-existing condition!

Beginning in 2014, when your coverage begins, so will the coverage for your illness. The only exception to this is if you have a “grandfathered” individual policy (health insurance not provided through your employer). If you have a policy that doesn’t cover your pre-existing condition, you can choose to switch over to the Marketplace to get your new inclusive plan.

Be sure to get enrolled between October 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014 (Open Enrollment). After the open enrollment period, you may not get Marketplace coverage unless you have a qualifying life event”. Sweeney & Sweeney is more than capable and willing to help you out with enrollment. Medicaid and CHIP will also cover pre-existing conditions.

Health Care Reform updates are coming out all the time, and the whole thing can get very confusing. We want to remind you that Sweeney & Sweeney is up to date on all the news and is willing to answer any questions, and alleviate any concerns. Call us today!

 


Health Care Reform: Improved Coverage Options

Part of what the Affordable Care Act guarantees, is that all new insurance plans have to meet certain requirements such as doctor visits, hospitalization, emergency care, maternity, pediatric care, prescriptions, etc.

New insurance plans will be rated based on the percentage of expenses covered by the plan and put into categories: bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. The goal of this system is to make it easier for individuals to compare plans either on the same level, or across levels, to determine which one meets your needs, best.

Plans are designed for as your coverage goes up, so does your monthly premium payment, but your out-of-pocket expenses go down when you actually receive medical care. You can also choose to go the other route where you pay less monthly, and more at the time you receive treatment. This design allows people to choose the payment plan that best suits their unique needs.


Health Care Reform: Q & A

Q: What is the household income eligibility requirement?

A: Americans with household income of 100% to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) are eligible. For example:

  • 100% FPL- individual $11,490, family of four $23,550
  • 400% FPL- individual $45,960, family of four $94,200. 

Q: Do the credit amounts vary by income?

A: It is a sliding scale that comes into effect here. If you fall on the lower end of the FPL percentage spectrum, you can expect more help from the government than someone closer to 400% FPL. 

Q: What is the exchange?

A: You can think of the exchange as a marketplace to purchase insurance. Exchanges are new organizations that are being created to provide a more organized and competitive way to purchase health insurance. Consumers can view several options and easily compare rates and coverage details.  

Q: Will Agents be participating in the Health Care Reform?

A: Agents and Brokers have the choice to become Certified Health Care Reform Agents, to have the opportunity to better serve our community and help them get the best coverage available.  

Q: What if I already have an individual health plan?

A: When the new law comes into effect in January 1, 2014, all current plans will no longer exist. Your options are to either be moved to a plan that is closest to your current plan or you may call Sweeney & Sweeney Insurance to go over your options in the Exchange, as you may qualify for a tax credit.


Health Care Reform: Premium Assistance Calculation

With Health Care Reform keeping everyone on the edge of their seats, Sweeney & Sweeney Insurance is here to provide new details as much as possible. Many people are wondering where they will fall with premium assistance and are worried if it will be affordable for their family.

Premium assistance is calculated based on where you fall in the federal poverty level scale. If you make less than 138% of the federal poverty level, you qualify for free health insurance, known as Medi-Cal. The amount of assistance each person receives depends on the individual’s income, age, and zip code. The Affordable Care Act sets a monthly maximum that people will pay based on their poverty level. In general, the less the income, the more assistance you will receive. Below are some tables to give you an idea of the federal poverty level you may fall into:

table

federal table

For more information on The Affordable Care Act (ACA), you can always call Sweeney & Sweeney for more information, and to schedule your appointment for enrollment!