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"STOP Buying Health Plans and START Buying Health Insurance!"
This book is a guide with the latest techniques and strategies that show you how to save thousands on your group health insurance program.
July 4, 2009
East Orange General Hospital has terminated its hospital contract with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. Under state law, the terms of Horizon BCBSNJ’s hospital contract with East Orange General Hospital are extended for four months through October 29, 2009 and Horizon HMO members may continue to use East Orange General Hospital as a network hospital through October 29, 2009 (prior authorization must be obtained when required).
Oxford has just released the following information in a statement to members:
As part of our commitment to providing our members with access to the best care possible we are pleased to announce that, effective July 1, 2009, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) will be added to the Oxford and United Healthcare provider networks.
By participating in the Oxford and United Healthcare networks, members will be able to receive care at MSKCC on an in-network basis. This applies to Oxford and United Healthcare members with Freedom and Liberty plans. Care may be received at MSKCC's facilities in New York City and its five outpatient facilities on Long Island, in Westchester County and New Jersey.
Keep reading, there's more »The Stratford Financial Group is one of New Jersey and New York's leading insurance consulting and brokerage firms. We specialize in employee benefits such as group medical insurance, dental, life, accident, short term disability, long term disability, long-term care, vision and other group insurance programs. We have been early adopters of the strategy of consumer directed healthcare. By linking up two specific healthcare components we have been able to reduce company healthcare costs without reducing benefits or increasing employee contributions for our clients.
The Resource Center for Women and Their Families Since its founding, The Stratford Financial Group has been committed to helping non-profit groups-not just by saving them money on health care but by getting behind their causes. No organization is more worthy than the Resource Center for Women and Their Families, which for 30 years has been sheltering women, children and men who are victims of domestic violence in Somerset County. In 2008, this group answered more than 3,000 calls and provided 5,000 hours of counseling and case management.
Keep reading, there's more »Application of the Group Coverage Continuation Subsidy to Persons Who Worked for New Jersey Small Employers
On February 17, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), commonly called the Stimulus Plan. ARRA provides for premium reductions and additional election opportunities for health benefits under Federal continuation, commonly called COBRA. Eligible individuals pay only 35% of the COBRA premium and the remaining 65% is reimbursed to the coverage provider (such as an insurance company or HMO or other plan) through a tax credit. The premium reduction applies to periods of health coverage beginning on or after February 17, 2009 and lasts for up to nine months.
Keep reading, there's more »Upcoming Webinars On The New COBRA Laws
As we mentioned in our previous communications, effective immediately, new legislation has been passed that includes several major changes to the COBRA laws. With that said, The Stratford Financial Group has arranged for Mathew Dwyer of Infinisource to host several webinars regarding the new COBRA laws. Matthew is a COBRA expert and national speaker for one of the nation's leading COBRA compliance firms, Infinisource.
Matthew will advise as to what aspects of the COBRA law and its administration has changed and what you need to do to comply with the new law. Attendance for the webinars will be limited so please RSVP.
COBRA Webinar Dates & Times:
To RSVP please call Anthony Natale at 866-217-9053. Upon registering for a webinar, you will receive instructions, including login information, for the webinar and conference call.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact your Stratford Representative.
Keep reading, there's more »Landmark Changes To The Federal Law COBRA
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The Act contains legislation that amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). Employees who lose group health plan coverage due to involuntary termination will now be eligible for a 65% federal subsidy payment toward the cost of their COBRA premiums. The termination must occur between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009. COBRA excludes coverage for those terminated for gross misconduct, so the subsidy program would not apply to these employees. The employee will pay 35% of the premium cost under the plan’s normal payment procedures. The employer will then claim the 65% as a credit toward the employer’s payroll taxes.
NEW - Model General Notice for COBRA
(Full version) Plans subject to the Federal COBRA provisions must send the General Notice to all qualified beneficiaries, not just covered employees, who experienced a qualifying event at any time from September 1, 2008 through December 31, 2009, regardless of the type of qualifying event, AND who either have not yet been provided an election notice or who were provided an election notice on or after February 17, 2009 that did not include the additional information required by ARRA. This full version includes information on the premium reduction as well as information required in a COBRA election notice.
New - Model General Notice for State Continuation
Insurance issuers that provide group health insurance coverage must send the Alternative Notice to persons who became eligible for continuation coverage under a State law. Continuation coverage requirements vary among States, and issuers should modify this model notice as necessary to conform it to the applicable State law. Issuers may also find the model Alternative Notice or the abbreviated model General Notice appropriate for use in certain situations.
Click here for Word version: DOL State Continuation Model Notice
Click here for PDF version: DOL State Continuation Model Notice
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