Posted on April 9, 2013
#1:Can I enroll an employee in the group health plan outside the open enrollment period? The open enrollment period is an opportunity for employees who have previously waived coverage to join the group health plan. If an employee requests to join the group health plan outside the open enrollment period or new hire eligibility period, […]
Posted on April 9, 2013
Paying bills is not on anyone’s top-ten list of favorite things to do, but it is necessary. From time to time you may have billing issues. We’d like to offer some solutions to eliminate these issues: #1: Please include the invoice stub(s) for each division (plan option) and indicate the amount that you would like […]
Posted on April 9, 2013
We’ve upgraded the HNE Mobile App. Here is a list of enhancements: Updated the ID card to match the physical ID card more accurately Replaced the HNE logo with a new HNE logo Updated the contact information on the app Added the logo for Catamaran, our new Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) The app is free […]
Posted on April 9, 2013
An employer must notify an employee of their Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) rights when there is a COBRA-qualifying event such as a voluntary or involuntary termination of employment for reasons other than gross misconduct or reduction in the number of hours of employment The employer is responsible for providing HNE with the termination […]
Posted on April 9, 2013
As out-of-pocket health care costs rise, it’s beneficial for your employees to know there are cost-effective facilities, known as Urgent Care centers, available for non-life-threatening services when their doctors’ office is closed. For a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room (ER). However, the ER is not usually the best place […]
Posted on April 4, 2013
Since the time of its enactment in 2010, the health care reform law has remained controversial — at least in part due to a constitutional challenge to the law’s requirement that almost all Americans carry health insurance or pay a penalty tax. In June 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law’s “individual mandate.” As […]
Posted on April 2, 2013
FAQs for Sponsors of Health Reimbursement Accounts (“HRAs”) What is PCORI? PCORI is a private, non-profit corporation established by Section 6301 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”). Its purpose is to perform research that will help patients, medical providers, policy makers, and insurance companies make informed health decisions by comparing clinical effectiveness […]
Posted on February 8, 2013
Charting the Course for 2014: Navigating Federal and State Healthcare Reform Wednesday January 23, 2013 MassMutual Center Never before have we operated in such an intense legislative and regulatory environment. Massachusetts Payment Reform was passed in August 2012. Implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) continues with key provisions to be enacted […]
Posted on February 4, 2013
Health New England (HNE) Summaries of Benefits and Coverage (SBCs) Frequently Asked Questions for Employers Here are a few answers to frequently asked questions about the new SBCs: Q. What is the SBC? A. The SBC is a description of health plan insurance coverage, including cost sharing amounts (deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance), and any exclusions […]
Posted on November 15, 2012
You can save a few trips to the pharmacy by using HNE’s Access 90 program and now we’re pleased to announce the addition of CVS to the program – making this program available for all in-network pharmacies for your convenience. Along with our independent in-network pharmacies, other participating Access 90 pharmacies include Big Y, Costco, […]