News & Updates
Humana Pharmacy Solutions
Generic Lipitor now available, expect savings on your drug costs. Please click on the link for additional information:
http://app.humanaresponses.com/e/es.aspx?s=1579&e=13245&elq=384ab29c14cf485bb3ecea2d1b493d5b
New Universal Applications to be used effective 02/01/11
On January 5, 2010, Governor Quinn signed into law the "Illinois Insurance
Fairness Act" [Public Act 96-857].
Applications are available in a PDF format below. You may download, print and forward the application directly to our office for any New Hires, Employee Changes and new Case submissions.
Please note that for BCBS HMO Enrollments, please complete both the standard BCBS form as well as the BCBS Provider Selection Enrollment Change Form.
The Provider Selection Form needs to accompany the Standard Health Employee Application and can also be used to to change your HMO providers or network selections. Please see form for specific instructions and/or further information. 
Aetna.pdf (371 KB) BCBS_of_IL.pdf (1008 KB) BCBS_Provider_Selection_Enrollment_Change_Form.pdf (92 KB) Humana_-_HMO.pdf (996 KB) Humana_-_PPO.pdf (995 KB) Nippon_Life_Benefits.pdf (611 KB) United_Healthcare.pdf (59 KB)
Small Business Health Care Tax Credit
This new credit helps small businesses and small tax-exempt organizations afford the cost of covering their employees and is specifically targeted for those with low- and moderate-income workers. The credit is designed to encourage small employers to offer health insurance coverage for the first time or maintain coverage they already have. In general, the credit is available to small employers that pay at least half the cost of single coverage for their employees.
Learn more about the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit on the IRS website. Small Business Health Care Tax Credit Overview 3 Simple Steps - Find out if you Qualify
Health Coverage for Older Children
Health coverage for an employee's children under 27 years of age is now generally tax-free to the employee. This expanded health care tax benefit applies to various work place and retiree health plans. These changes immediately allow employers with cafeteria plans -- plans that allow employees to choose from a menu of tax-free benefit options and cash or taxable benefits -- to permit employees to begin making pre-tax contributions to pay for this expanded benefit. This also applies to self-employed individuals who qualify for the self-employed health insurance deduction on their federal income tax return. Learn more by reading the notice that is available on the IRS website. Health Coverage for Older Children Notice
Kaiser Summary of New Health Reform Law
On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed comprehensive health reform, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, into law. The following summary of the new law, and changes made to the law by subsequent legislation, focuses on provisions to expand coverage, control health care costs, and improve health care delivery system. Summary_of_New_Health_Reform_Law.pdf (227 KB)
The Affordable Care Act and "Grandfathered" Health Plans
During the health reform debate, President Obama made clear to Americans "if you like your health plan you can keep it." He emphasized that nothing in the health reform law would force businesses or consumers to change health plans or change their doctor. The new "grandfather" rule implements the grandfather provisions of the Affordable Care Act designed to allow strong health plans to continue to grow and remain vibrant. The grandfather rule enables businesses and families to keep their plan while adding important new benefits for all Americans with private insurance. It provides both market stability and a more level playing field as people, businesses, insurers and medical providers adapt to the historic reforms of the Act.
Questions and Answers: The Affordable Care Act
IRS Makes New W-2 Reporting Optional for 2011 and Provides Draft of New W-2
As part of a provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the IRS was requiring employers to state the contributions to their employer-sponsored health plans starting in 2011 on their W-2 forms. In an Oct. 12, 2010, notice, the IRS announced that employers may defer this new requirement for W-2 forms issued in 2011.
The Treasury Department and the IRS determined that employers need additional time to make any necessary changes to their payroll systems or procedures for compliance with the new health plan reporting requirement. Additionally, the IRS stresses that employees will not be taxed on these contributions - this provision was for reporting purposes only.
The IRS also issued a draft of Form W-2, which employers use to report wages and employee tax withholdings. The IRS will continue publishing guidance on the new requirement later this year. For additional information, please visit http://www.irs.gov/
Please note that a recent publication from Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC also addresses this topic and you may find this newsletter informative and useful. 184_Fall-2010-Employment-Labor-Benefits-Quarterly. (568 KB)
It may be best for employer's to consult with your accountant to confirm the requirements for the distribution of the 2011 W-2's. If any other information becomes available from any other source, our office will be sure to keep you updated.
