Each year, Medicare Part D requires group health plan sponsors to disclose to individuals who are eligible for Medicare Part D and to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) whether the health plan’s prescription drug coverage is creditable. […]
Premium Tax Credit Income ranges for different household sizes
Below is a chart of the Premium Tax Credit calculation for 2026 In order to qualify for a PTC your income needs to be above 100% and below 400% of the federal poverty line. If your income is lower than […]
New Notice Requirement for Fixed Indemnity Coverage for 2025
Employers offering fixed indemnity coverage must comply with a new notice requirement for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2025.The new notice is designed to explain the limitations of fixed indemnity coverage and help prevent employees from mistakenly […]
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Fee
PCORI Fees Due July 31, 2024 The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires health insurance issuers and self-insured plan sponsors to pay Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute fees (PCORI fees). The fees are reported and paid annually using IRS Form 720 […]
Rehires and the ACA Employer Mandate
Brief Background Applicable large employers (generally those with more than 50 full-time and full-time equivalent employees in the prior year), are subject to the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) employer mandate. The ACA employer mandate requires those employers to offer health […]
COVID-19 expanded benefits update
April 22, 2022 There is a new COVID-19 update for members covered by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Health Advantage (fully insured health plans). Arkansas Blue Cross and Health Advantage are committed to the safety and well-being of […]
Affordable Insulin Initiative
You know diabetes is one of the costliest illnesses your clients’ employees can have. In fact, according to a 2020 study, about 13.6% of adult Arkansans have diabetes, and we rank 5th in the nation for the condition. Blood sugar management […]
Insurers and health plans to cover COVID-19 at home tests On Jan. 10, 2022, the Departments of Labor, Treasury and Health and Human Services released guidance to support the Administration’s directive that health insurers and group health plans cover, subject […]
Blue Cross Blue Shield Over-the-counter at-home COVID-19 test
Over-the-counter at-home COVID-19 test FAQs We are proud to do our part to protect our members from COVID-19. Beginning January 15, 2022, each of our members* can receive 8 FDA-approved, over-the-counter (OTC) at-home COVID-19 antigen tests a month at no […]
New Required Health Plan Coverage for Over- the-Counter COVID-19 Tests
Federal agencies release guidance expanding health plan coverage for COVID-19 testing On December 2, 2021, the Biden Administration published an action plan outlining additional steps it intends to take to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The action plan included a requirement for […]
