New FAQ on Updated SBC Template Implementation

A new Affordable Care Act (ACA) Implementation FAQ regarding the applicable date for using the new proposed Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) template and associated documents is now available. Learn more.

Top Tips for Navigating Through a DOL Health Plan Audit

U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) audits of group benefit plans are happening with greater frequency to companies of all sizes. Learn more.

Highmark Agency Action Alert - March 10, 2016

This week's Agency Action Alert covers the following topics: Health Insurance Marketplace (HIM) Producer of Record Confirmation Form, Penn State Health St. Joseph. Read more.

You're Invited to the UPMC Spring Producer Meeting!

Find out new information about our products and services. Make sure you attend our Producer Kickoff meeting! Read more.

Capital BlueCross If You Like It You Can Keep It (LIKI) Discontinuation

Capital BlueCross continues to promote our PPACA-compliant plans for our group customers. Beginning with June 1, 2016 renewals, we will be discontinuing our small group transitional relief If you Like It You Can Keep It (LIKI) product portfolio. Read more.

2016 Product Information

Find all the current product information on our website. Read more.

Spring to Sprout Flowers and Appeals!

Flowers may be welcome signs of spring, but a sign that spring is here that may be less welcome is the implementation of the marketplace appeals process for employers. Beginning in 2016, the federally facilitated marketplace (FFM) will send notices to employers if an employee receives APTC and the employee has identified their employer in their application for coverage. Read more.

Republicans: ObamaCare payments break the law

Republicans are putting heightened scrutiny on ObamaCare payments that they argue break the law. Read more.

A new sign Obamacare is helping the people who really need it

People enrolled in health plans through the Affordable Care Act exchanges are ramping up their use of prescription medications more rapidly than those in employer or government-sponsored plans, according to a new report from Express Scripts, the largest prescription drug benefits company. Read more.

Employees Need to Beware Subsidy Farsightedness

Head over to the Compliance Cornered blog to check out our latest post: “Employees Need to Beware Subsidy Farsightedness.” People who are farsighted see things that are far away more clearly than they see something close to them. So it is with employees who have their eyes focused on the Affordable Care Act’s individual market subsidies. Read more.

Obama administration backs off on ACA rules for 2017 health plans

In a major win for the industry, health insurers will not be forced to have minimum quantitative standards when designing their networks of hospitals and doctors for 2017, nor will they have to offer standardized options for health plans. Read more.

10 traits to look for in a benefits adviser

As a result of the Affordable Care Act, employers are looking for their advisers to do more than provide a health insurance quote. Joe Ellis, senior vice president of CBIZ Benefits & Insurance Services, shares his top 10 traits employers are looking for when selecting their next adviser. Read more.

Health Care Briefs for March 7 - 11, 2016

A new study by America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), published in The American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC), found that health care price variation based on where a service was performed led to $1.9 billion in additional health care spending on seven commonly-performed medical services in 2013. Read more.

Weekly PPACA Update Conference Call

In a continuing effort to assist our agent-partners in getting the information needed to flourish within the under 65 group and individual markets in Pennsylvania, we are holding weekly live webinars. They will serve as a place to get your questions answered and discuss topics and strategies that will lead to your continued success in the health insurance market. Register once and you'll be signed up for all of the 2016 Weekly PPACA Conference Calls. Register now.

Weekly PPACA Conference Call Archives

Click here to view the archived recordings of the PPACA Conference Calls.