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On-Exchange vs Off-Exchange

Where should you shop for insurance, on or off-exchange?

Frequently Asked Questions

Read about the most commonly asked questions.

Healthcare Reform 101

Learn the basics of the Affordable Care Act and how it affects you.

 

Illinois Chamber of Commerce Delivers Benefit Offerings To Help Small Businesses Compete In Today's Hot Job Market

Newest program features Dental and Vision coverage with two-year rate guarantee
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On-Exchange vs Off-Exchange

Where should you shop for insurance, on or off-exchange?

Frequently Asked Questions

Read about the most commonly asked questions.

Healthcare Reform 101

Learn the basics of the Affordable Care Act and how it affects you.

 

Illinois Chamber of Commerce Delivers Benefit Offerings To Help Small Businesses Compete In Today's Hot Job Market

Newest program features Dental and Vision coverage with two-year rate guarantee

Benefits of Short Term Health Insurance

Health insurance has gotten expensive. But it isn't worth remaining uninsured.  In response to the rising...

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HMO vs PPO—what's the difference?

  HMO vs PPO, what is the difference? How do I know which one is right for me? If you’ve asked...

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How to Save Over 30% on Group Health Insurance Premiums with a Level Funded Plan

If you currently offer health insurance benefits through your business—you're spending a lot of money to...

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Can we help you find what you're looking for faster?

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  • Compliance
  • Small business

How COBRA and Health Insurance Subsidies Work Under the American Rescue Plan Act
A Quick Overview As you may know, on March 11, 2021, President Joseph Biden signed into law the American...

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In Case You Missed It: Special Enrollment is Extended to August 15, 2021
As you may be aware, the Biden administration previously created a special enrollment period (SEP) on...

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How PPEs Can Be Reimbursed Under FSAs, HRAs & HSAs
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently published Announcement 2021-7 which indicates Personal Protective...

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6 Reasons to Re-Evaluate Your Medicare Coverage
If you enrolled in Medicare on your 65th birthday and haven’t looked at your coverage since—you are not alone...

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Save on Employee Benefits Through the New Federal Relief Package
The American Rescue Act was signed into law last March 11, and provides additional pandemic relief for small...

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New Law Provides Additional Flexibility for Health FSAs and Dependent Care FSAs
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently released Notice 2021-15, providing clarity regarding FSA relief...

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Health Insurance Marketplace Reopened—Here's What You Need to Know
On Thursday, January 28, President Joseph Biden signed an executive order that reopened the marketplace from...

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7 Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) to Offer Your Employees
Health Reimbursements Arrangements (HRAs) are employer-funded plans that provide tax-free reimbursements to...

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Medicare and Group Health Plans
More employees than ever before are working beyond age 65, and this is the age when most people in America...

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What Do Employees Want in Their Health Benefits Package?
Employee benefits in the last few years have evolved into a true attraction, retention, and engagement tool—...

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5 Reasons To Offer Employee Benefits
Offering group health insurance is one of the biggest advantages you have for attracting talent and improving...

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I’ve Enrolled in a New Plan—Now what?
Congrats! You've planned ahead, selected a plan that fits your needs, and enrolled in a new health insurance...

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Introducing a New Individual Carrier Option in Illinois
Introducing Bright Health, a brand new carrier in Illinois offering a carefully curated network of doctors,...

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7 Practical Ways to Save Money on Group Health Insurance
There is one thing everyone can agree on when it comes to health insurance: it's expensive. And as a business...

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ACA Reporting: 2020 Updates
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently issued Notice 2020-76 with information pertaining to the upcoming...

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Employer Mandate 2020 and 2021 Updates
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued draft reporting forms for the purpose of filing information...

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Medicare Part D Notice Due by October 14, 2020
Each year employers must provide a written notice to Medicare-eligible employees who are covered under their...

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ACA Constitutionality: Supreme Court to Hear Case in November
A date is finally set for the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) to once again rule on the...

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2021 ACA Affordability Percentage
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently issued Rev. Proc. 2020-36 which includes details on the minimum...

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Telemedicine and COBRA
If there is one healthcare program that has benefited from COVID-19, that would seem to be telemedicine (...

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Level-Funded Plans + Health Reimbursement Arrangements
Do you remember the days when employers could change from a $500 deductible plan to a $5,000 deductible plan...

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Counting Employees
Many employee benefit laws only apply to employers who have a certain number of employees. The challenging...

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ICHRAs vs. 401(k) Plans
What do ICHRAs and 401(k) Plans Have in Common? The short answer is that they are both defined...

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Coronavirus: Impact to Health Plans
In just a very short period of time, the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) is impacting health plans and...

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CMS to Pilot Wellness Programs in Individual Market
Published October 14, 2019    The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced...

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Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) FAQs
Published October 9, 2019   1. What is an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA...

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Calculating Affordability under the Employer Mandate (2020 Plan Year)
Published September 23, 2019    The Employer Mandate guidelines state that coverage is affordable when...

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2020 PCORI Story – The Final Chapter
Published September 10, 2019   The Affordable Care Act (ACA) created a research institute known as the...

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Reminder: Medicare Part D Notices Must Be Distributed by October 14
Published September 3, 2019   Each year employers must provide a written notice to Medicare-eligible...

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Marketplace Plans to Receive Star Ratings in 2020
Published August 26, 2019   The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced earlier...

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Combining HRAs and HSAs
Published August 16, 2019   It’s no surprise that more and more employers are offering qualified high...

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Can the Employer Mandate Penalties be Waived or Reduced?
Published August 12, 2019   Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) submitted an inquiry to the Internal Revenue...

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2020 Employer Mandate Details
Published August 5, 2019   The Internal Revenue Service recently released Revenue Procedure 2019-29  ...

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5 Things to Know About the New ICHRA
Published July 29, 2019 The new Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) will become...

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New Definition of High Deductible Health Plans
Published  July 22, 2019   President  Donald  Trump  issued  an  executive  order  last  month  aiming...

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6 Types of HRAs
Published July 8, 2019    Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) have been on a roller coaster the...

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New Executive Order May Enhance CDHPs
Published July 1, 2019   On June 24, 2019, President Donald Trump signed an  executive order  on  “...

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Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements
Published June 14, 2019   The Departments  of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury (...

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Employer Mandate Penalties for Non-Filers
Published June 10, 2019     The Employer Mandate requires applicable large employers (ALEs), which...

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PCORI Fees
Published June 3, 2019   There always tends to be some confusion when it comes to determining which...

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2020 HSA and HDHP Inflation Adjustments
Published May 28, 2019   Each year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) makes inflation adjustments to...

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New Jersey to Mandate Commuter Plans
Published May 20, 2019   New Jersey becomes the first state to require certain employers to offer...

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Association Health Plan Update
Published May 6, 2019   Last year, the Trump administration issued new regulations relating to...

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FMLA Premium Collections
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires applicable employers to extend group health plan coverage...

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Court to Hear ACA Appeal in July
Published April 29, 2019 Last December, a federal judge in Texas District Court ruled that the...

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2020 Part D Coverage Parameters
Published April 22, 2019   Each year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) adjusts the...

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Employer Mandate Penalty Notices Continue
Published April 15, 2019   The Internal Revenue Services (IRS) is continuing to send Letter 226J to...

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Judge Strikes Down New Association Health Plan Rules
Published April 8, 2019   Last year, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued new regulations pertaining to...

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Lots of ACA Developments Last Week
Published April 1, 2019   There’s never a dull moment when it comes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA)....

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Simple Cafeteria Plans
Published March 25, 2019   Simple Cafeteria Plans were created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and...

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BIG changes to Medicare Supplements in 2020
Published March 18, 2019   There are some big changes coming to Medicare Supplement plans in 2020....

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Flexible Spending Accounts
Published March 4, 2019     When talking about Health Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), you may...

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Michelle’s Law and Notice Requirements
Published February 25, 2019   Michelle Morse was diagnosed with colon cancer on December 12, 2003. She...

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Medicare-for-All
Published February 11, 2019   You may have heard the phrase “Medicare-for-All,” but what does it really...

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Reminder: Medicare Part D Reporting Due for Many Employers
Published February 4, 2019   Annual Medicare Part D reporting is required for all employers who provide...

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Updated Form 8889, Revised Publication 502 & 2020 Payment Parameters Released
Published January 29, 2019   Updated Form 8889, Revised Publication 502 & 2020 Payment Parameters...

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25 Reasons Why Employers Need a Wrap Document
Published Janaury 21, 2019   The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) requires...

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2018 ACA Reporting Deadlines Approaching
Published January 14, 2019     It’s that time of year. Applicable large employers (ALEs) and certain...

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Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: Round 2
Published January 7, 2019     You may be familiar with Medicare’s open enrollment period (OEP) which...

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End of Year HSA Tips & Reminders
Published December 31, 2018   Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) allow eligible individuals to put money...

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10 Health Plan Changes Taking Effect in 2019
Published December 26, 2018   Whether it be inflation adjustments, new laws, or tweaks to existing...

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Federal Judge Rules ACA Unconstitutional
Published December 17, 2018   Last Friday, a federal judge in Texas ruled the Affordable Care Act (a.k....

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Illinois STM Plan Update
Published December 11, 2018   Illinois state legislators passed a law last month which makes several changes...

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ICHRAs and the Employer Mandate
Published December 3, 2018 ICHRAs and the Employer Mandate In October, regulatory agencies proposed new...

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Cafeteria Plans and Constructive Receipt
Published November 26, 2018   Many employers offer a cash payment to employees who waive health...

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2019 Contribution Limits to Employee Benefit Programs
With healthcare costs continuing to grow, employee benefit programs are becoming a must-have for your...

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The 2019 PCORI Story
Published November 12, 2018 The Affordable Care Act (ACA) created a research institute known as the...

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Employer Compliance Reminders
Published November 5, 2018 The November and December months are a busy time of the year for employee...

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New HRA rules proposed for 2020
Published October 29, 2018   The Department of Labor (DoL), Department of Treasury (DoT) and the...

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How to give your employees affordable coverage for everyday legal matters
Published October 23, 2018        Let’s face it — many of your employees can’t afford an attorney...

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2019 Open Enrollment Periods are officially underway
Published October 22, 2018   Last week, the 2019 open enrollment period (OEP) season officially kicked...

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Medicare cost changes for 2019
Published October 15, 2018   Each year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) adjusts...

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Medicare Part D Notice Distribution
Published October 8, 2018   Each year employers must provide a written notice to Medicare-eligible...

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Advancing Health Savings Account Funds
Published October 1, 2018   While we continue to hear about the rapid growth of Health Savings Accounts...

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Wait...this is a Group Health Plan?
Published September 24, 2018   ERISA Section 607 defines the term group health plan as an employee...

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Private Brokerage versus Professional Employer Organization
Employee benefits are one of the largest cost’s employers in the United States encounter.  Deciding which...

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2018 ACA Reporting & CSR Subsidy Update
Published September 17, 2018     The fate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is being challenged once...

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Seasonal Workers vs Seasonal Employees
Published September 10, 2018   Seasonal Employees & Seasonal Workers: There’s a Difference! The...

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ACA lawsuits making headlines before midterm elections
The midterm elections will be held on November 6, 2018, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will surely be a...

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Why your employer sponsored Long Term Disability plan isn’t enough
Your income is your greatest asset. Protect it. If you’re an incentive-based earner your income is more...

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Association Health Plan and Individual Mandate Updates
Published August 27, 2018   Association Health Plan Updates  The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has...

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Looming HRA Regulations
Published August 20, 2018 In October of 2017, President Donald Trump issued an executive order which was...

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New Short Term Medical Plan Rules Finalized
Published August 7, 2018 Last week, the Trump administration issued final rules which extend the maximum...

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HSA Bills Advance Through the House
  Published July 30, 2018 Below is a summary of key Health Savings Account (HSA) provisions included in each...

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Risk Adjustment Payments Suspended
Published July 16, 2018 Many of you are familiar with the reinsurance fees that were charged to health...

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Medicare Entitlement: The Most Confusing COBRA Qualifying Event
Published July 9, 2018 Part 1 – Is it or isn’t it a qualifying event? Medicare entitlement of the...

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Clarifying the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Impact on Commuter Plans
Published July 2, 2018 The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law at the end of 2017. There still...

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New Association Health Plan Rules Finalized
Published June 25, 2018   Last week, the Department of Labor (DOL) finalized new rules pertaining to...

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Obamacare Lawsuit
Published June 18, 2018 A lawsuit contesting the legality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as...

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3 States Now Have an Individual Mandate
Published June 11, 2018 The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed into law last year wiped out the federal penalty...

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Packaged Health Insurance
Published June 4, 2018   We all know health insurance has an expensive price tag. Even plans with high...

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Calculating ACA Affordability under the Employer Mandate
The original version of this article was published on January 15, 2016. It was updated on November 7, 2017...

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Employer Mandate Update
Published May 30, 2018   The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently released Revenue Procedure 2018-34...

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Medicare and Group Health Plans
More employees than ever before are working beyond age 65, and this also happens to be the age when most...

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2019 HSA Limits Released
Published May 21, 2018 On Thursday, May 10, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published Revenue...

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Medicare and HRAs, the perfect pair to save you money on retiree coverage
Published May 22, 2018 As health care costs continue to soar, many companies seek alternative solutions...

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2018 Family HSA Contribution Limit Adjusted Back to $6,900
Here's a little history: May 4, 2017 – The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) publishes Rev. Proc. 2017-37 which...

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The 2018 PCORI Story
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) created a research institute known as the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research...

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Grandmothered Plan Extension
Health plans in the individual and small group markets that were issued after March 23, 2010 and prior to...

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New Medicare ID Cards Coming Soon
Medicare ID numbers are changing!  Social Security numbers followed by the letter “A” or “B” have...

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5 Ways to Improve your Current Benefit Offering, Increase Employee Retention and Spend Less
Your employees rely completely on you for benefits. From office perks as simple as fresh fruit on Friday...

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Bipartisan HSA Improvement Act
Last month, U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) introduced the Bipartisan HSA Improvement Act. The proposed...

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Federal Spending Bill Leaves ACA Untouched
Last week, President Donald Trump signed into law a 2,232-page federal spending bill avoiding another...

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9 Employee Benefits Trends Gaining Traction in 2018
Offering desirable benefits can be pricey (and overwhelming). And with little wiggle room in your budget,...

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COBRA Laws in Illinois
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) applies to employers who had 20 or more...

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Short Term Plans Not So Short Anymore
Published February 26, 2018   In October 2017, President Donald Trump issued an executive order...

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7 Compliance Requirements For Small Businesses
1. Premium Only Plan Document (POP Document) The only way for an employer to provide certain benefits tax...

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Exclusive partnership brings better benefits to association members
Company Release: January 25, 2018  The Chicago Bar Association and IXSolutions Announce Exclusive Health...

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Will the ACA get Repealed This Week?
Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) are spearheading efforts to repeal and replace...

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An Alternative to the Individual Mandate
The so-called Individual Mandate has been a widely unpopular provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  ...

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The Healthcare Roller Coaster Continues
September 13, 2017 A bipartisan group of Senators, Governors and Insurance Commissioners held meetings in...

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These Unique Proposals May Restore Health Insurance For 17 Million Americans
5 Outside-The-Box Ideas For Fixing The Individual Insurance Market By Julie Rovner  With Republican efforts...

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Two ways age rating will impact the individual and small group market in 2018.
No, this article isn’t about the possibility of the age rating ratio changing from 3:1 to 5:1. This article...

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Can Democrats and Republicans Work Together to Stabilize the Individual Market?
In September, Senators will return to Washington D.C. from their August recess. Almost immediately, they’ll...

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FSA Break-Even Breakdown
A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is one of the few benefits an employer can provide that will often pay...

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Are health insurance rates different in every state?
Question: Are health insurance rates different in every state? For example, is New York more expensive than...

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Worried About What The Future Holds For Healthcare?
Insurers Can Bend Out-Of-Network Rules For Patients Who Need Specific Doctors By Michelle Andrews The...

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3 Continuation Coverage Laws Illinois Employers Must Follow
Several states have continuation coverage laws in place, and Illinois is no different.  In fact, the state...

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Are there cheaper coverage options than COBRA?
Question: I am looking for temporary coverage while I'm switching jobs. I do not want to be without health...

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Big Business Owners Pledge to Provide Health Insurance Benefits To Their Employees in 2018
Taking A U-Turn On Benefits, Big Employers Vow To Continue Offering Health Insurance By Jay Hancock The...

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Are health screenings free once you're over the age of 50?
Question: Are health screenings free once you're over the age of 50? I have health insurance, I’m 52 and I...

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Is there a health insurance plan that would cover me in multiple states?
Question: I’m an Illinois resident but I travel to Florida every winter. Is there a health insurance plan...

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Basics of Medicare - Beginners Guide to Medicare
Thinking about Medicare? Chances are, if you're nearing the age of 65, you know you've got to put some...

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I was told I can only enroll during Open Enrollment Period. Is that true?
Question: I recently moved from CA to TX and my health insurance doesn't cover me here. I was told I can only...

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What happens to my insurance when I need to take off work for a serious injury?
Question:   I’m having surgery and my doctor says it will take me over a month to recover.  I currently have...

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1,442 Ways The ACA Can Still Change
We know efforts of the Republican party to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have failed. What...

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Are Group Health Plans Subject to ERISA?
Group health plans are almost always subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, also...

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9 Employee Benefits Mistakes You Can't Afford to Make
As a small business owner, you may think offering quality benefits to your employees sounds time consuming...

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The Most Important Person in the Healthcare Debate
It isn’t Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and it isn’t Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell.   Who could...

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House Passes Bill to Repeal & Replace the ACA
House Representatives’ votes are in—does this mean the Affordable Care Act is out? On Thursday, May 4 the...

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5 New Exchange Rules for 2018
On April 13, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final Market Stabilization...

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Types of Health Insurance Plans
One way to ease the health insurance shopping process is by comparing options and selecting a specific type...

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How the New CMS Guidance Impacts You
How the New CMS Guidance Impacts You     The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)...

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Compliance and Health Insurance for Small Businesses
If you own a small business, it can be really difficult to keep up with all of the compliance issues you...

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Uncertainty Surrounds the Affordable Care Act
  Around 12.2 million people signed up for health insurance coverage through federal and state-run...

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How to Find a Doctor
  You’ve already elected a plan for 2017—but you’re not covered yet.  Understanding the cost of...

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The Switch to Small Business Health Plans
The Old School way of Offering Benefits Change is inevitable—and with health insurance it's become...

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3 Barriers Republicans Must Overcome to Repeal the ACA
Despite a Republican-controlled house, Republican-controlled Senate and a Republican President, repealing...

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ACA Repeal and Replace Plan
ACA Repeal and Replace Plan Put on Hold After postponing, delaying and staling the scheduled vote on the...

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Medicare Advantage vs Medicare Supplement
Nearing retirement, most of us would rather spend our days debating between a destination in the sun or in...

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9 Things You Didn't Know About Group Health Insurance
As a small business owner, you may think group health insurance plans are only for large corporations. Or...

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