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Starting July 1, Covered California for Small Business (CCSB) is offering new Blue Shield plans, providing more options for enrollees. These plans include the Access+ HMO Network with Platinum, Gold, and Silver metal tier options, as well as the Bronze Trio HMO 7000/70. The two most popular Blue Shield High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP), Silver Full PPO Savings 2300/25% and Bronze Full PPO Savings 7000 plans, are also now available.
All of these plans offer benefits such as Wellvolution, Teladoc Mental Health, Nurse Help 24/7, LifeReferrals 24/7, and the Blue Card program for when members are outside of California.
For assistance, please contact our Quotes team at quotes@claremontcompanies.com or 800.696.4543.
Login To PrismAll health insurance carriers have a legal obligation to provide small businesses (1-100 employees) with a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) once per year, from November 15 through December 15, 2023 – for medical coverage starting January 1, 2024. This limited opportunity allows employers to enroll in coverage with no minimum participation requirements or employer premium contributions.
Our easy-to-use Carrier SEP Guide for January 2024 medical coverage can help you and your small groups quickly compare carrier deadlines and details.
Please note: the Special Enrollment Period is different than the relaxed participation promotions. These carrier promotions are usually offered for a specific time period and may be discontinued at any time.
Questions?
Contact The Answer Team at 800.696.4543 or info@claremontcompanies.com.
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The IRS has released the 2024 contribution limits for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), commuter benefit plans, and adoption assistance programs. For a summary of the 2024 amounts and plan limits, check out BRI’s overview by plan type and access the IRS official announcements.
*Includes limited purpose FSAs that are restricted to dental and vision care services, which can be used in tandem with HSAs.
To learn more visit Benefit Resource (BRI) and SHRM.
Questions?
Contact The Answer Team at 800.696.4543 or info@claremontcompanies.com.
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Easily help your small business clients and their employees choose the right Health Savings Account (HSA), Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) plan during open enrollment with the Sterling Administration HSA, HRA, and FSA Comparison Guide.
HSA, HRA, and FSA Comparison Guide
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Employers minimize health benefit costs by offering high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) paired with HSAs which require less paperwork than traditional plans, reducing administrative costs. HSAs provide employees added value: unspent funds aren’t forfeited, contributions, growth and withdrawals see triple tax savings, there is investment growth potential, and employees have the option to pay for non-medical expenses from the HSA if needed. Pairing an HDHP with an HSA cuts employer costs while giving employees a valuable, flexible health savings option.
Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
HRAs encourage employees to be smart healthcare consumers. With an HRA, employers set aside annual funds for employees to use towards health expenses like deductibles and coinsurance not covered by their regular plan. Only employers contribute to these accounts, which offer flexibility in design to meet specific needs. As one of the most adaptable benefits, HRAs are an attractive option for employers to help employees pay healthcare costs.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
FSAs are frequently paired with traditional health plans since HDHP enrollment is not required. Traditional plans limit out-of-pocket expenses, allowing employees to better estimate annual medical expenses by calculating projected copays, deductibles, coinsurance, etc. FSAs are intended for spending on healthcare expenses within the plan year, though some plans build in added flexibility
Get Help with HSAs, HRAs, and FSAs
Questions?
Contact The Answer Team at 800.696.4543 or info@claremontcompanies.com.
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Effective January 1, 2024, Beam Benefits is making some changes to its Value-Added Services for life and disability products.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Beam Benefits is discontinuing the current Employee Assistance Program (EAP) as a value add service with Beam Life benefits plans. This change does not affect your group(s) life coverage through Beam Benefits and the change does not apply to Beam’s new Hartford disability products.
Two New Value-Added Services
Beam Life members can take advantage of two new Value-Added Services at no additional cost:
Questions?
Contact The Answer Team at 800.696.4543 or info@claremontcompanies.com.
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Celebrate the holiday season with friends and colleagues at the festive CAHIP Silicon Valley holiday party and toy drive. This event is the perfect chance to take a break from the busy season to socialize and get into the holiday spirit while supporting children in need by donating a new toy for Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office gift distribution.
To learn more, contact SVAHU at 877.748.0815 or info@svahu.org. Limited seating is available. Register now.
Questions?
Contact The Answer Team at 800.696.4543 or info@claremontcompanies.com.
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Cigna + Oscar has announced two new plans for 2024, along with a new enhanced virtual primary care offering. Q1-2024 rates are now available through PRISM, our free and easy online quoting system. The Q1 statewide average rate increase across all metallic tiers is less than 1%.
New HSA plans
Two new HSA plans have been added to the Open Access Plus PPO and LocalPlus® PPO networks, effective January 1, 2024:
New Oscar (Virtual) Primary Care
Available in all non-HSA plans (pending regulatory approval) for new groups effective January 1, 2024 and for existing groups on their 2024 renewal. Oscar Primary Care offers enhanced virtual visits by video, phone, or secure messaging and:
To learn more, download these flyers:
With Cigna + Oscar, your groups get quality care and all of these (EPO) plan features:
With rates comparable to Kaiser, and networks that include Dignity Health, UCSF, Stanford, and Sutter, Cigna + Oscar brings together the power of Cigna’s nationwide and local provider networks, and Oscar’s member-focused tech-driven experience, to deliver small group health insurance that meets the unique needs of California small businesses and their employees. Learn more about Cigna + Oscar.
Note: to enroll your groups, you will need to have an appointment with Cigna + Oscar. Check out the Cigna + Oscar Appointments Guide for full instructions.
Questions?
Contact The Answer Team at 800.696.4543 or info@claremontcompanies.com.
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Covered California for Small Business (CCSB) has announced several new portal and administrative updates.
New Renewals
Starting with January 2024 renewals, CCSB has updated the format and included employee worksheets based on the current offerings. The renewals and Employee (EE) Worksheets can be found through the Employer Dashboard on MyCCSB.com under “Documents > Letters.” The Employer Proposal and the Employee Renewal Worksheets will be listed separately. The Employee worksheets are only available through the portal and will not be physically mailed with the Employer Renewal.
New Business Submission Deadlines
The workaround is no longer needed when submitting a new business case after the 25th of the month. You can now submit your new business cases through the portal for your intended effective date, through the end of the day on the 7th (includes weekends and holidays). The system will now require the Late Submission form when submitting past the initial deadline (2023 and 2024 deadlines). With this enhancement, employee applications/waivers will not be required with your submission if the employee enrollment is completed online.
SIC Requirement
The portal will now require the SIC when entering a new business case or completing a renewal when the SIC is missing.
Disabled ACH Feature and Reinstatement Policy
Effective immediately, CCSB will begin to enforce their policy on payments that have been returned unpaid and the number of times a policy can be reinstated after termination for non-payment.
Returned Payment Policy
The ability to enter one time or recurring ACH payments through MyCCSB.com will be restricted for 12 months (365 days) when two returned payments have occurred on the account within six months (183 calendar days).
Notices will be sent out based on the mode of delivery selected by the employer. For example: If the employer is opted into paperless delivery, they will only get an email notice with their agent cc’d if one is attached. If they are not opted into paperless delivery, notices will be physically mailed to the employer only. View the Partner Alert for details.
Policy Reinstatement After Termination for Non-Payment
A qualified employer terminated due to non-payment of premium may only reinstate once during the 12-month period beginning at the time of their original effective date or from their most recent renewal date, whichever is more recent. Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. View the Partner Alert for details.
With the CCSB bonus program, agents who place new small group business with CCSB from July 1, 2023 – January 1, 2024, can earn up to a $12,000 bonus per group, in addition to competitive commissions. To qualify for the first bonus tier of $1,000, agencies must submit a minimum of three groups with four enrolled employees. Best of all, the bonus is per group with no maximum number of groups! Download the flyer for details.
In addition to California’s most comprehensive access to doctors and hospitals, CCSB health plans offer choice and control, with:
As a trusted CCSB partner since its 2014 launch, we are a top-producing general agency in our sales territory. From agent certification and quoting to assessing new group eligibility and resolving post-enrollment issues, our CCSB experts will provide guidance and support every step of the way.
Questions?
Contact The Answer Team at 800.696.4543 or info@claremontcompanies.com.
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As mental health and well-being become higher priorities for employees, it is important for employers to understand the range of relevant services and benefits available through insurance carriers. Staying informed on these carrier offerings helps you provide guidance to your clients so they can support their workforce.
Carriers offer a variety of programs that promote emotional, behavioral, and mental health. These may be included in existing policies or offered through additional coverage options.
Carrier Services and Benefits Include:
Regularly reviewing our Carrier Resources Guide can help you advise your clients on current services that align with their employee needs and preferences.
Download our updated Guide by clicking on the image or button below.
Emotional, behavioral, and mental health resources are also available from government agencies, health systems, and others.
Questions?
Contact The Answer Team at 800.696.4543 or info@claremontcompanies.com.
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Patricia has decades of experience in healthcare and benefits administration. Her varied roles include provider, medical group and hospital contracting, multistate network development, national recruitment/contracting of mental health providers, and creating the state’s first network of complementary/alternative healthcare providers.
Her superior bilingual skills and firsthand knowledge of the cultural issues in the Hispanic community support her understanding of underserved community groups and the brokers who serve them.
As a member of the Claremont Insurance general agency family, she is focused on bringing education, advocacy and differentiation to the agent and broker community throughout California.
Patricia and her family enjoy the beautiful surroundings throughout the state. Big Sur and Mendocino coasts are among her favorite locations to explore with beach walks and hikes in the mountains and trails on her weekends. She also enjoys serving her local community by volunteering through local agencies and her community of faith.
You can reach Patricia at patricia@claremontcompanies.com or 925.296.8817.
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Your success is important to us, and we’re actively working on new solutions to support you throughout the year. To get the latest news via text messaging in the future, simply provide your cell phone number here.
The 2024 Small Group Special Enrollment Period (SEP) starts November 15, 2023.
The Small Group SEP is the opportunity for employers to enroll in coverage with a $0 contribution requirement and no minimum participation requirement (at least 1 employee must enroll). The limited application period is from November 15 to December 15, 2023, for coverage effective January 1, 2024. Learn more.
Questions?
Contact The Answer Team at 800.696.4543 or info@claremontcompanies.com.
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Your success is important to us, and we’re actively working on new solutions to support you throughout the year. To get the latest news via text messaging in the future, simply provide your cell phone number here.