
2021 Federal levels for ACA tax credits

Changes have been made to make this a more enticing option. Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), an employer-funded benefits option since the 1970s, will undergo an extensive transformation beginning in January 2020.
An HRA is a type of benefits arrangement in which employers reimburse employees for health insurance expenses like monthly premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket medical costs. Both sides of this agreement receive tax benefits, as businesses can claim a tax deduction for the reimbursements and employees are reimbursed for eligible expenses tax-free.
This allows the employer to help fund the cost of healthcare but not take on the administration of the benefits. It gives the employee more freedom to choose a plan that works with their provider of choice, but to ensure that the employee understands the plan and benefits, it is helpful to work with an agent. The health insurance agent will educate and assist your employee to find the right plan for them.
It is not right for all businesses or all employees and there can be pit falls that you will need to comprehend prior to making this decision. Employees cannot use tax credits for health insurance and get employer sponsored payments. For some employees this would push them to higher deductibles. An evaluation would need to be done by an agent. Woodhead Insurance Services LLC is here to help.
Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA): In June 2019, the Trump administration finalized new HRA rules that will create two new types of HRAs for 2020. ICHRA, like QSEHRA, will enable businesses to reimburse employees for premiums and other qualified expenses, but there are key differences between the two. ICHRA regulations include the following core features:
Excepted Benefit Health Reimbursement Arrangement (EBHRA): Also coming to the 2020 HRA environment are EBHRAs, another component of the recent Trump administration directive. EBHRAs allow employers to contribute up to $1,800 per year toward their employees’ expenses that are not covered by their group plan. These types of HRAs can be used to reimburse employees for expenses such as short-term insurance and dental, vision and home care, among other certified costs. Under EBHRA regulations, these employers must also offer a group health plan.
How will the new HRA landscape — particularly the arrival of ICHRA — impact employers and employees? What about HR platforms and InsurTech companies?
It’s expected that the new HRA rules, especially the availability of ICHRAs, will transform the employer-sponsored health insurance market by transitioning employees from group plans to the individual market. For employers, this lessens their administrative burden. For employees, this means more personal choice and greater control of their insurance options.
With more businesses eligible to offer HRAs, it’s likely the individual market will grow substantially over the next few years. And, millions of employees will experience shopping for and enrolling in on-exchange and off-exchange individual plans for the first time.
According to a U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury estimate, it will take employers around five years to fully adjust to the updated rule, at which time roughly 800,000 businesses will offer ICHRAs. This, the departments’ modeling suggests, will cover about 11 million employees and family members.
The White House calculates that, as an effect of the new directive, the size of the individual market could increase by as much as 50%.
Woodhead Insurance Services it here to help you with your employee needs as they shop for a plan for themselves or their families. Call us today to learn more. 920-544-0058
Are the cost of medications getting harder to handle. Make sure to learn more about Senior Care of Wisconsin.
Your health and wellbeing are our number one priorities at Woodhead Insurance Services LLC. We want to make sure you have the information and resources you need to stay safe. I have discussed with some of you the benefit of virtual visits, but want to reiterate the value of not going where sick people are. Maybe it is time to reschedule your wellness check or at least call the doctor’s office to see if they want you to come in.
It is also time to familiarize yourself with your options for care. Here are the links for each insurance company’s virtual visits. I have personally used this and can verify that it was very easy and we are here to help you if you need us. Many of the below plans offer this to members for free. Most plans are offering COVID-19 testing for no cost, but check their site or call/email us with questions. If you need to speak with someone due to anxiety… the lines are here to help you too!
Anthem
Arise/WPS
Children’s Community Health Plan – Together with CCHP
CGHC Common Ground Health Care
Humana
Molina
Network Health
You will have to click Virtual Visits off of the main page and then log-in
Prevea360
Robin Health Partners
Quartz
(You will need to log-in to Quartz MyChart)
Security Health
Nurse Line / Care My Way for Security Health Plan members: 1-800-549-3174. Most Security Health Plan members have unlimited access to Nurse Line or Care My Way services for free.
UnitedHealth care
Speak to network telehealth providers using your computer or mobile device online at www.amwell.com
NOW AVAILABLE – directly with your current clinic (((co-pays may apply)))
Prevea
Bellin
Theda
Ascension
Ascension Online Care is also offering video urgent care visits at a discounted rate of $20, valid through March, so you can talk to a doctor from home. No insurance required. Use the code HOME at Ascension Online Care
Modified Adjusted Gross Income
Nutrition is an important part of living a healthy lifestyle and it has become a growing trend in our nation to not only eat better but to support our local farmers and businesses. Eating unprocessed foods is a great way to make a change in your eating habits.
In our area farmer’s markets have become very popular and are not held just on the weekend any longer. The days of a farmer’s market just having a few food stalls is mostly in the past, now you can find a wide range of goods from clothing to bird feeders and household items. Farmer’s markets have even become a place to socialize; stretch your legs and take a stroll through the vendor stands, stop and listen to a local musician or catch up with a friend and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere!
Not sure where to start? Below are a few of the local options you can find for farmer’s markets.
Farmer’s Markets:
Green Bay –
• Downtown Green Bay: Saturdays (5/26/18 – 10/27/18) from 7am to noon http://www.downtowngreenbay.com/events/saturdayfarmersmarket
• On Broadway: Wednesdays (5/30/18 – 9/26/18) from 3pm to 8pm http://onbroadway.org/events/farmers-market
• Definitely DePere Market: Thursdays (6/21/18 – 9/27/18) from 3pm to 7pm https://definitelydepere.org/downtown-de-pere-farmers-market/
• Market on Military: Thursdays (6/7/18 – 10/25/18) from 3pm to 7pm http://militaryave.org/market-on-military/
Appleton –
Downtown Appleton: Saturdays (6/2/18 – 10/27/18) from 8am to 12:30pm https://appletondowntown.org/downtown-appleton-farm-market/
Manitowoc –
City of Manitowoc Farmers Market: Saturdays (May thru October) 8am to 1pm & Tuesdays (June thru September) 12 noon to 5pm https://www.manitowoc.org/298/Farmers-Market
Seymour –
City of Seymour Farmers Market: Fridays (June thru October) 2pm to 6pm https://bestfarmersmarkets.org/place/seymour-farmers-market-seymour-wi.html
An HSA or Health Savings Account allows account owners to pay for current health care expenses and save for those in the future.
What can I use it for?
Qualified expenses include most services provided by licensed health providers, as well as diagnostic devices and prescriptions. Allowable expenses are explained fully in IRS publication 502 Continue reading
Did you know that if your employer group plan is small, delaying the Part B enrollment could create a penalty?
When you are eligible for Medicare usually at 65 you are required to maintain creditable coverage or enroll into the Medicare program with parts A, B, & D. In most situations employer group is considered creditable and you can delay the enrollment and stay on the group plan, but not always.
You may want to wait to sign up for Medicare Part A (hospital service) and/or Part B (outpatient medical services) if you are working for an employer with more than 20 employees when you turn 65, and have healthcare coverage through your job or union, or through your spouse’s job. COBRA is not considered employer group coverage.
*If you are disabled under 65 and working (or you have coverage from a working family member), the Special Enrollment Period rules also apply as long as the employer has more than 100 employees.
When deciding to delay your Medicare enrollment it is important to determine if you will qualify for Special Enrollment Period (SEP).
You can get a Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Parts A and/or B:
• Any time you are still covered by the employer or union group health plan through your or your spouse’s current or active employment, OR
• Within 8 months following the month the employer or union group health plan coverage ends or when the employment ends (whichever is first).
If you wait longer, you may have to pay a penalty when you join.
When in doubt it is important to schedule an appointment with the local social security office and have them assist you in making the best decision for you.