Group Benefits Industry News

 April, 2017
A Note from The FILCO Executive Team:  
All NY brokers and agents selling health insurance to NY companies need to be very concerned about their future.  This is a very serious message we are delivering to all agents and brokers, not just FILCO producers.  The threat of single payer in NY is very real and has gained momentum with several new politicians supporting the single payer bill this time around.  We need all agents in NY communicating with Albany and your NY employer clients educating them on the real statistics and damage a single payer model will have on NY State.  I encourage all our producers to read this recent article that was published regarding how close NY is now to approving the single payer bill.  There is quite a bit of misinformation plus the estimates the single payer bill is using are flawed. If we do not voice these errors to our clients and legislators they will believe it to be accurate.  In the NAHU section below is a detailed report by Avik Roy a leading healthcare commentator dissecting the errors and false estimates being used by the single payer bill and he explains the impact this would have on NY. Read this and share with your colleagues and clients, plus I encourage you to join us in Albany on for NAHU's Day On The Hill May 8th-9th.
In This Issue
Carrier Highlights 
UnitedHealthcare
CareConnect
Horizon NJ
Cigna
Emblem 
AmeriHealth NJ
PrimePay
Guardian 
PEO Products
Specialty Department 
NAHU Update
Senior Care
Wellness
Individual Coverage
Always stay up to date with the FILCO Monthly Calendar

FILCO Resources   

NAHU Spring Events


NYMAHU Annual Conference 
April 27, 2017
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM

Kimpton Hotel Eventi 
851 6th Avenue 
New York, NY 10001
11th Annual Day on the Hill

Monday, May 8th and Tuesday May 9th 
Highlights include an optional CE Class, cocktail reception, legislative update plus much more!

CTAHU
May 4, 2017
11:30am-2pm

Attention CT Brokers, here's a great opportunity for you to attend a fantastic industry event featuring a PEO
 question/answer panel moderated by our very own FILCO PEO Sales Manager, Colleen Visconti! Don't miss it!

NJAHU Annual Conference 
May 15-17, 2017

Bally's Atlantic City Hotel and Casino
1900 Pacific Ave.
Atlantic City, NJ 08401


 
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April Wellness
Welcome Spring, the warm weather is upon us, this month's Well Aware is pack with helpful fitness tips, recipes, health harmony and guidance on making good choices. 

Skin Cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US!  Information can save a life.


This is a great way to promote relaxation and a healthy work environment.  

 Questions? Call:
888-684-6064

Health Fitness Concepts, RN, LLC


The federal government bumped up average pay raises for 2017 Medicare Advantage plans and modified several of the program's policies in favor of the health insurance industry.

Payment rates for insurers that sell Medicare Advantage plans will rise by 0.45% on average for 2018, the CMS said in its final rate notice Monday. That's a slight bump from the 0.25% rate increase proposed in February.

How with this affect plans for 2018? TBD Filco will be up to date on the change and will update you as soon as we know, so you can serve your clients best.
 
 
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Individual Health Plans
Do your clients need an individual health care plan?  With Oxford pulling out of the individual market, many clients will need to find alternative coverage options during open enrollment. You can now refer them to our individual website:  


Carrier Highlights 
 
UnitedHealthcare:
Do not let opportunities pass you by.  UnitedHealthcare is offering a bonus for all new business Specialty Products sold in 2017  (1/1/17-1/1/18).  Eligible lines of coverage include Dental, Vision, Base Life, Supplemental Life, STD, LTD, Critical Illness & Accident and OBM.  

CareConnect: 
CareConnect has released their 3rd Quarter rates, please see below for printable sheets to bring with you on your next client meeting.

Horizon NJ:
Please see the attached information in regards to Horizon Blue Cross Shield of NJ compliance with the new SBC template as mandated by the department of Health and Human Services.

AmeriHealth NJ:
AmeriHealth NJ will be offering two seminars during the month of April,  topics to be covered, ACA and Market Update, Broker Portal and Demo, Service Update, Network Update plus much more. 
Thursday, April 20th | Location: Mount Laurel| Details and Registration 
Thursday, April 27th | Location: Woodbridge | Details and Registration 
CIGNA:
Please note your Cigna Select clients will be receiving a communication from Cigna.  Clients with employees 
enrolled in the Cigna medical benefit that have a family member currently on a formulary Rx being impacted by the changes to the formulary July 2017, all impacted clients are being notified via email.  Please click on this resource Cigna has created to help clients manage the rising cost of speciality medications.

EmblemHealth:
Exciting news, EmblemHealth's Prime Network is now available throughout the Tri-State area; if a member works for a New York company and has a plan that uses our Prime Network, they can also access network doctors in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut.  

PrimePay: 
PrimePay is offering a deep discount on new payroll clients for the month of April, as well as a free month of payroll. This has the potential of saving your clients approximately 40% from what they are paying currently! Contact your FILCO Team  member to take advantage of this opportunity. 

PEO Update

  
Prestige is offering $50 CASH to any of our FILCO Brokers that invites our Prestige rep to any upcoming client meeting! If you book 5 or more appointments from 4/1 - 6/30, you would be eligible to earn an additional bonus of $350 -$1000!! WOW! Please submit/register all upcoming opportunities through Colleen Visconti , our PEO Specialist so she can track your potential earnings! What a great way to earn some extra dollars in your pocket! 
 
TriNet has invested over $60 MIL into their new and improved HR technology!  Check out their cool 3 minute demo to preview this for your clients: TriNet's New Technology Demo Overview . Clients will love all the latest features to help them with their HR needs. Best of all, it is all cloud based software so it is accessible from anywhere. Please see the attached flyers for more details. 

 
Contact  Colleen Visconti FILCO's  knowledgeable PEO Sales Manager 732-704-5079.
Specialty Department 


Have you thought about adding a Guardian EAP component to your clients portfolio? 
Many working Americans struggle with work-life balance, mental health and financial issues. Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) often provide a range of helpful services, but less than 1 in 10 employees have used an EAP 
Help clients unleash the potential of their EAPs. When used, EAPs have proven to improve work performance and reduce absenteeism.

FILCO Specialty Team 
New Business:   Andrew Guarini: 732-704-5073 Renewal Clients: Christa Wilson: 732-704-5074
NAHU Update 


Congress Cancels Vote on American Healthcare Act
Leadership in the House of Representatives decided to cancel the vote on the AHCA an hour before it was scheduled to be reviewed on March 24 th. Throughout the day it became increasingly clear that Republicans simply did not have the votes needed to pass the bill. This decision was made by President Trump and Speaker Ryan who announced that the ACA would remain for the foreseeable future. This month marked the 7 th anniversary of the ACA.

NAHU's Meeting with Tom Price
On March 21 st, members of NAHU's leadership team met with Health and Human Services Secretary, Tom Price. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the role that HHS will play in the Trump administration's efforts to repeal and replace the ACA, as well as the importance of market stabilization. Topics of discussion included action on the current MLR rules and the request to remove broker and agent commission out of the definition of "administrative" expenses, the renewed use of HIPAA Certificates of Credible coverage and our extensive presence in state legislatures that our local chapters maintain. Overall it was a positive meeting and we look forward to our continued work with Dr. Price and to his continued support of the agent and broker community.
Single-Payer and New York State
As expected, the New York Single-Payer Health Plan bill has been picked up and reintroduced in the Senate. While NYSAHU supports the idea of Universal Healthcare, Single-Payer is not the answer and would be financially catastrophic to the State. Please take some time to read the report by Avik Roy, a leading healthcare commentator on the impact of Single-Payer to the state of New York. Please join us at NYSAHU's Day on the Hill , May 8-9 in Albany - Now more than ever your voice is needed!
 

Senior Care Update 


Seniors benefit from Affordable Health Care Act:

Seniors have benefited in the last 6 years from several provisions added to Medicare as a result of the Affordable Health Care Act of 2010, according to a recent study by the Department of Health and Senior Services. The ACA called for relief to Medicare beneficiaries who reach the prescription drug coverage gap (donut hole) by narrowing the gap each year until it closes in 2020. Fast forward to 2016 when over 4.9 million Part D Rx members received discounts of over $5.6 billion, for an average of $1,149 per beneficiary. Seniors are also taking advantage of free preventive services with 10.3 million Medicare members taking part in their Annual Wellness Visit in 2016. This is up by over one million since 2015. While this is all good news for Seniors they still need guidance with choosing the right prescription and medical plans and navigating Medicare in general. Reach out to your FILCO Senior Care Rep for solutions!
Get Appointed to Sell Medicare Products this Spring
As we head into spring this is a great time to expand your portfolio of products to start earning money on Medicare Supplement, Part D Rx and Medicare Advantage Plans. As a general agency, FILCO can help you sign up to sell UnitedHealthcare/AARP, Aetna, United American and Globe Life of New York as well as SilverScript prescription plans. Stop giving away your referrals and retain them!

 
FILCO Senior Care Team
Cheryl Dicksheid:(646) 658-6921 
Michael Friedman:(646)-658-6999  
Howard Roth:(646) 658-6915
"A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."
 - Albert Einstein
Fiduciary Intermediary Ltd
NYC Office: (212) 972-1970 | NJ Office: (732) 219-6545 | www.filco.net  | help@filco.net