Latest Blogs

Why should I consider HDHP and HSA?

By Steven Messer posted 11-14-2018
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I would like to posit a question? How much thought of the future goes into making a health plan choice at open enrollment? Most insurance participants have been conditioned to look at health insurance for the coming year with little or no thought as to what is just over the horizon. They briefly consider the most likely worst case scenario and then enroll accordingly. All of the guided decision support tools that I am aware of ask about current conditions, prescriptions, and overall health status now. What about the future? Are we more likely to need more healthcare or less in the future? Many plan for retirement using a 401(k) of some type and consider ...
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ALE affordable plan definition

By Tony Wong posted 05-04-2016
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I am seeking advice regarding Applicable Large Group offering affordable coverage to employees. My ALE group in New York will offer health insurance coverage with minimum value (a Bronze level plan) starting this June. The required annual contribution from the staff for this plan will not exceed 9.5% of the W2 wages of each worker (even for lowest wage worker for the company). The group also gave the choice to the workers to get a Silver level plan but the annual contribution will exceed 9.5% of their W2 wages. It turns out none of the staff want the Bronze level plan but they all chose the Silver plan and be willing to pay more contribution. Because ...
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Must an employee be on their employers plan if they are also on spouse plan?

By T. Brian Knauer posted 10-27-2015
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Must an employee be on their employers plan if they are also on spouse plan? I'm wondering if this is law or something that some employees require.
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Employer sponsored Fitness Membership

By Sherri Stewart posted 01-16-2015
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I have an employer group who would like to offer a discount to a fitness center for their employees - possibly pay 50% of the fee or monthly membership. They just aren't sure how to do the accounting of it. How would they withhold the employee portion - pre tax, post tax? If anyone has experience with something like this and can offer advice, that would be great. Thank you! #EmployerResponsibilityRequirements
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ACA Measurement and Stability Compliance Software

By E. Wilson Clary posted 08-20-2014
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For those employers with 50 or more employees do you have a recommendation on a software program that determines if any of their part time employees would be considered fulltime when taking into consideration the measurement and stability periods.? Ideally this software would interface with existing payroll program. Or would anyone know of a firm that provides this service to those 50 to 150 type size businesses/ Wilson
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"MEC" Plans Simply Mini-Meds in Disguise

By Joanna Morrow posted 08-17-2014
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In recent months I have had a number of calls and mailings from providers, brokers, and general agents selling "MEC" plans. I learned a long time ago in this industry that just because someone shows up at my door stating they have done all the research for me and their product or strategy cuts the mustard, I always do my own research. That said, I have spent hours reading up on Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC), it’s evolution as it pertains to the ACA, and the application process for an organization looking to have a plan recognized as MEC. I understand that for any entity who wished to have their health plans or policies recognized as MEC there was/is ...
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Is it a co-incidence that "Blue" medical and long-term care insurance plans have the "edge"?

By Honey Leveen posted 11-08-2013
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An article in the October 11, 2013 New York Times titled Blue Cross Plans Jump to an Early Lead caught my attention. It reports that Blue Cross Blue Shield carriers are emerging as the most competitive of the new Affordable Care Act (ACA, or Obamacare) plans. It states that the majority of Blue Cross Blue Shield companies are “not-for-profit” corporations. This unique status can be very important when it comes to creating affordable insurance policies. Here is a reputable link that describes what a Not-For-Profit corporation is . Here’s a quote from that link, “ A not-for-profit corporation may not be formed for pecuniary profit or financial gain and ...
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Participation requirements

By Robert Reese posted 10-12-2013
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The SHOP has a 70% participation requirement of FTE's minus those on Medicaid and Medicare, and certain other government programs. I haven't read that the carrier requirements are now void, so I'm going to advise based on the current rules until I know otherwise.
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Medicare Exchange....

By Michael Wilson posted 02-22-2013
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This is a "Hail Mary"....... Does anyone know anything about or have been solicited by someone regarding a "Medicare Exchange"!!!! ........... If you would and could (and are of a generous spirit to share) with me. Please forward to my e-mail: mww01@bellsouth.net Phone calls are always welcome! Respectfully, Michael W. Wilson WILSON INSURANCE 601 Mary Street Waycross, GA 31501 912-285-1732/ fax 912-283-2020
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Tri Care

By Michael Wilson posted 01-19-2013
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Hi, to all..... Are there any supplements for the 25% which Tri-Care doesn't pay? Thank you for your help. Gratefully,
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S. M. Snow & Associates, Inc.

By Michael Wilson posted 01-15-2013
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Re: "S. M. Snow & Associates, Inc." Recieved a flier with an agenda pack full of pertinent materials and wanted to ask if anyone has been to his seminars. How was your experience? ..... Looks like they have one scheduled for Florida & Neveda. Thanks in advance, Michael Wilson
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W-2, Part Time VS. Full Time, # of hours worked

By Michael Wilson posted 01-03-2013
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Hi, All, How do compute Part-Time workers vs Full Time workers? And if anyone dare come up with a list of basic bullet points we need command this year to be prepared for 2014...... or is this possible..... Thanks, Michael Wilson WILSON INSURANCE 601 Mary Street Waycross, GA 31501 912-2285-1732
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RE:Future of B2B

By Ron Tupps posted 12-19-2012
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See the original eGroup Post
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Anyone have any experience w/Purchasingpower.com......?

By Michael Wilson posted 09-19-2012
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Any comments about this voluntary benefit? Thanks, Michael
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Technology

By Michael Wilson posted 05-04-2012
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More and more I am solocited from folks that offering software for the ability to do everything from online enrollments to voluntary products to HR related issues to PAYROLL to WELLNESS PROGRAM to COMPENSATION STATEMENTS just to mention a few. And of course they are all not the same........ So whether you go to a NAHU convention or Benefit Selling Expo....... One these vendor's is giving us reason to think differently about our business and we are going to invest our own skin in this game and it is not cheap. Anyone have any thoughts or recommendations? Respectfully, Michael W. Wilson WILSON INSURANCE 601 Mary Street, P O Box 112 Waycross, ...
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How does compliance assistance strengthen the broker-client relationship?

By Karen Kirkpatrick posted 03-12-2012
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Please take 5 minutes to complete this survey for me. I am very curious to see the correlation between offering compliance assistance and the impact on the broker-client relationship. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/N2MP88M
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PROTECTING YOUR CLIENT FROM ERISA’S SIGNIFICANT LIABILITIES, Top Five Compliance Challenges

By Michael Wilson posted 06-21-2011
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Hi, All, I just simply wanted to know the where "ERISA SIGNIFICANT LIABILITES" OR WHAT would be the "Top Five Complaince Challenges" were........ as described in advertisement for an agent seminar. After a few calls to the Employee Benefits Security Administration (A.K.A.) EBSA to their complaince department they said there was no TOP FIVE COMPLIANCE issues. They gave the example of walking into a police station and asking what were the top FIVE motor vehicle violations. They said that they could not give this information to me. Most of the folks are eager to help. If you hit at the Compliance Assistance button is take you to this: The ...
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Baucus demands McKinsey survey details

By Michael Wilson posted 06-20-2011
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Hi, All, How do you think this is going to turn out? It seems to reason that McKinsey should have nothing to hide. Has anyone heard anything else on this? Thanks, Michael
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Question.........

By Michael Wilson posted 06-20-2011
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Here is a question that made me stop and think.... What do you think are ERISA'S most significant liabilities? And what would be the top five compliance challenges? Or is this just a question that has been re-worded? Michael Wilson WILSON INSURANCE P O BOX 112, 601 Mary Street WAYCROSS, GA 31502 912-285-1732
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PROTECTING YOUR CLIENT FROM ERISA’S SIGNIFICANT LIABILITIES, Top Five Compliance Challenges

By Michael Wilson posted 06-17-2011
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Here is an easy question....... What do you think are ERISA'S most significant liabilities? And what would be the top five compliance challenges? I just wonder what you think. Thanks, Michael Wilson WILSON INSURANCE P O BOX 112, 601 Mary Street WAYCROSS, GA 31502 912-285-1732
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