Commercial Weekly Bulletin: Oct. 22, 2019

An important announcement about 2020 group products

We are introducing our 2020 group product portfolio. The portfolio focuses on maintaining a streamlined set of products that simplify the sales process. There are a few changes that will affect all new groups enrolling in a standard product in 2020, as well as all existing groups renewing into a standard product in 2020. It’s important that you know about them.

PPACA/IRS changes for 2020
- The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) establishes a maximum in-network out-of-pocket (OOP) limit on the member cost share for essential health benefits. Effective with the first renewal on or after January 1, 2020, the OOP maximum may not exceed the limit of $8,150 for individuals and $16,300 for families. The IRS sets a different limit each year when it comes to Qualified High Deductible Health Plans (QHDHPs) and health savings accounts (HSAs). It sets the limits for an HSA-compatible QHDHP to be considered IRS-compliant. This will not apply to KYP, small group ACA (already filed for 2020), non-GFA self-funded plans and AON (already filed for 2020).
2020 HSA contribution limits
- Individual: $3,550 ($50 increase from 2019)
- Family: $7,100 ($100 increase from 2019)
2020 HDHP minimum annual deductibles
- Individual: $1,400 ($50 increase from 2019)
- Family: $2,800 ($100 increase from 2019)
2020 HDHP maximum out-of-pocket amounts
- Individual: $6,900 ($150 increase from 2019)
- Family: $13,800 ($300 increase from 2019)
2020 small group ACA naming convention
- Hearing a small group ACA product referred to as a “Marketplace” plan is confusing, isn’t it? We heard you, and now a new naming convention has been adopted. Small group ACA products that were previously named “Geisinger Marketplace” will now be referred to simply as “Geisinger” as follows:
  - Geisinger Marketplace HMO will now be Geisinger HMO
  - Geisinger Marketplace PPO will now be Geisinger PPO
  - Geisinger Marketplace Extra will now be Geisinger Extra
  - Geisinger Marketplace Options will now be Geisinger Options
- The change is in name only; how we administer these plans remains the same. Our standard QHDHP quotes will include the new product name.

Do you have the latest Geisinger Funding Alternative (GFA) materials?

We have several GFA marketing materials that are ready for use! Make sure you have them all by downloading the materials in the buttons below.

Contact your account service representative with any questions.

Participating hospital lists: correction

Please use the participating hospital lists for October in the buttons below. There has been a correction from last week’s versions.

Participating hospitals: All Access network »
Participating hospitals: Premier network »
Participating hospitals: Choices network »

Screening and early detection saves lives

The earlier breast cancer is found, the better the chances are for successful treatment. The best way to detect breast cancer is to visit your doctor for an annual mammogram, which is an x-ray picture of the breast. A mammogram can often show breast changes that may be cancer prior to physical symptoms developing. But when is the optimal time to start regular mammograms?

Under age 40: even though your risk of developing breast cancer isn’t as high, you should still pay attention to your body’s signals. Watch out for any breast irregularities and report any breast changes to a health care provider right away.

Ages 40-44: you can choose to begin yearly mammograms. Talk with your doctor about the risk and benefits.

Ages 45-54: mammograms are recommended every year.

Ages 55 and over: you can switch to mammograms every other year or you can continue yearly mammograms.

Still have questions? Your best resource will be your primary care doctor, who can point you in the right direction and offer advice.

Source: American Cancer Society: Breast Cancer Fact Sheet »

News at-a-glance

The House Energy and Commerce and Education and Labor Committees advanced House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's comprehensive prescription drug package. It is expected to be voted on by the full House before the end of the month.
NAHU's coalition, the Partnership for America's Health Care Future, continued its media campaign at this week's Democratic presidential debate through both television and digital media, underscoring the perils of adopting a single-payer or Medicare-for-All type plan.

This week's news courtesy of the National Association of Health Underwriters