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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.
CPA's - We are approved by both the NJ & NY Boards of Accountancy to provide CE credits to CPAs on HDHP/CDHC
Resource Center
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COBRA & State Continuation
- Federal Stimulus for New Jersey Groups Not Subject to COBRA
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... Read more »
- IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR AETNA CLIENTS WITH 19 OR FEWER EMPLOYEES
State Continuation Updates: As you may be aware, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provides for a 65-percent subsidy on federal COBRA and COBRA-comparable state continuation premiums for certain assistance eligible individuals (AEIs) for up to nine... Read more »
- Landmark Changes To The Federal Law COBRA
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... Read more »
- NEW - Model General Notice for COBRA
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,... Read more »
- New - Model General Notice for State Continuation
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... Read more »
- Keep the IRS out of your business and keep your business out of court
The federal Law of COBRA The Stratford Financial Group has a simple goal in mind when it comes to COBRA Compliance – Keep the IRS out of your business and keep your business out of court. Determining which employers... Read more »
- AETNA CHANGES UNDERWRITING GUIDELINES EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2010
The New Jersey Small Employer Health (SEH) Benefits Board's recent interpretation of the participation rule will allow carriers to require 75% of eligible employees be insured with one carrier. Subsequent to the SEH's recent interpretation, Aetna will change their underwriting... Read more »
- Aetna's Policy For Large Group Dual Quoting Activity
To: The Stratford Financial Group, Inc. Per our discussion regarding the dual quoting activity, as you know it is our policy that multiple quotes for the same group will produce the same rates assuming the plan design and corresponding information... Read more »
- Health Net Sells Northeast Subsidiaries & Renewal Rights to UnitedHealthcare
Important Health Net News Health Net, Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Northeast subsidiaries and membership renewal rights to UnitedHealthcare. They expect the transaction to close in up to 12 months, subject to regulatory and other approvals.... Read more »
- East Orange General Hospital Ends Contract With Horizon
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... Read more »
- Horizon Blue Cross NJ Brief Notes 5.5.09 Applies to: Small Employer Market 2 to 50 employees
Tips to help your groups submit timely payments to avoid terminations for nonpayment Recently there has been an increase in the number of small group accounts making late payments to Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, causing termination... Read more »
- Horizon Blue Cross NJ Brief Notes 5.5.09 Applies to: All Size Markets
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Bon Secours Community Hospital and St. Anthony Community Hospital Sign Long-term Contracts Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Bon Secours Community Hospital and St. Anthony Community Hospital have signed long-term... Read more »
- Horizon Blue Cross NJ Brief Notes 5.4.09 Applies to: All Size Markets
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey announces cost reduction initiatives to weather economic downturn Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey announced today that it has taken a number of cost reduction initiatives over the past few... Read more »
- Horizon Blue Cross NJ Brief Notes 4.13.09 Applies to: All Size Markets
Information Regarding Changes to New Jersey Continuation and COBRA Important information explaining what steps Horizon is taking to administer the changes to NJ State Continuation Act and COBRA that have been made by the passage of the ARRA law.... Read more »
- Horizon Blue Cross NJ Brief Notes 4.9.09 Applies to: All Size Markets
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey And the University of Pennsylvania Health System Reach Long-Term Rate Agreement (Newark, April 8, 2009) - Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ) and the University of Pennsylvania Health... Read more »
- Horizon Blue Cross NJ Brief Notes 3.18.2009 Applies to: All Size Markets
A network change for services provided outside Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield's service area. In compliance with a mandate set forth by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, effective January 1, 2009, members seeking behavioral health and substance abuse... Read more »
- Important Announcement - Oxford Health Plans/United Healthcare and Memorial Sloan Kettering
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... Read more »
- Information About Grace’s Law
The Stratford Financial Group would like to inform you about New Jersey’s first law (Grace’s Law) that requires limited insurance coverage for children’s hearing aids. Pursuant to P.L. 2008, c. 126, effective upon issuance, renewal or new business on or... Read more »
- Are You Overpaying For Your Prescriptions?
Now you can compare prescription drug costs from pharmacy to pharmacy in your neighborhood—not just co-pays—to save money and become a better-educated health care consumer. The state has established the New Jersey Prescription Drug Retail Price Registry, which compares... Read more »
- Employee Benefit Education Meetings
How important are employee Education/Benefit Meetings? We feel Employee Benefit Education Meetings are paramount to the success of the implementation of a benefits program. By taking the initiative and having meetings that explain the change and the reason for the... Read more »
- Health Savings Accounts
In our newsletters, we have discussed the recent enhancements to Health Savings Accounts (HSA) as further reasons why employers should re-visit this approach. Admittedly, the establishment and implementation can appear daunting to many employers, but here at Stratford we assure... Read more »
- Don't Use the ER As Your Primary Care Physician's Office
If you are experiencing chest pain, go straight to the ER. If you are hit by a car or experiencing a serious allergic reaction, go straight to the ER. Going to an emergency room instead of scheduling a doctor's appointment... Read more »
- New Jersey Prescription Drug Price Registry
New Jersey Prescription Drug Price Registry - The N.J. Prescription Drug Retail Price Registry (which can be found on the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs website) will help consumers compare the retail prices charged by many pharmacies for the... Read more »
- Links to Important Government Websites
- Medicare - The Official Website
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
- NJ Temporary Disability Benefits - Q&A - Click here to down load the NJ TDB claim form
- NJ Paid Leave Information
- New Jersey Prescription Drug Price Registry
- NJ Department of Insurance Website - Click here to down load the Complaint Form
- NY Department of Insurance - File Complaint On Line
- PA Department of Insurance - File Complaint On Line
- US Department of Labor Employment Standards Administration You can download the Minimum Wage Poster from this site for free
- THE HEALTHCARE REFORM TAX CREDIT
Did you receive a post card from the IRS about the healthcare reform tax-credit? Millions of small businesses will (if they have not already) receive a post card from the IRS that alerts them to the NEW Small Business Health... Read more »
- SOCIAL SECURITY RETIREMENT BENEFITS: THINGS TO CONSIDER
For most individuals, social security retirement benefits can play a key role in figuring the right age for retirement, and maximizing income during later years. While social security will not usually be the only source of retirement income, the benefits... Read more »
- Tax-Related Information - IRS Releases 2009 Adjusted HSA Amounts
Eligible individuals with self-only coverage under a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) may contribute an annual maximum of $3,000 to their Health Savings Account (HSA) for 2009. Eligible individuals with family coverage (coverage for two or more individuals) under a... Read more »
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Aetna
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