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Benefits Bites

2023 Proposed Rates – Small Group & Individual Plans

7/11/2022

2 Comments

 
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The carriers have submitted 2023 rates to the OIC for review. Let's take a peek at what is in store for next year's individual and small group premiums.

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WA State Small Group Rate Approvals

11/2/2020

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The OIC has approved 2021 rates for all small group carriers in Washington State. Here's how it's all shaking out.

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Benefit Bites - Resources Edition - October, 2020

10/30/2020

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In this Benefit Bites:
Blog: 2021 Small Group Plans

Carrier Corner
  •  988 - National hotline for mental health emergencies, set up by 7/2022
  •  Aetna - partnered with Metlife for dental, vision, life, disability
  •  AP Connect - can now provide community-rated medical plans through NW Benefit Alliance
  •  Flu Vaccine - WA is working with Safeway and Albertons to offer no-cost flu shots to the uninsured
  •  Guardian - rolled out teledentistry for urgent needs
  •  Guardian - now coordinating EIO process for employer
  •  Health FSA - plan limits for 2021
  •  Insurance Transparency - federal rule passed, fully effective in 2024
  •  Kaiser - removing some Bartell phamacies from Core network
  •  KAVI - plan renewals
  •  NWBA - plan renewals
  •  Premera - ConnectYourCare will be administrator and custodian for HSA accounts 1/1/2021
  •  Public Health Emergency - HHS extended through 1/21/2021

SURVEYS & SUCH
  •  Optum - 3rd Annual Optum Surey on AI in Health Care
  •  WA State - if ACA struck down, estimated residents who would lose coverage
  •  Willis Towers Watson - 2020 Health Care Delivery Survey

Monthly Freebies
  • HSA - BeneBrief - HSA at 55+
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2021 Proposed Rates – Small Group & Individual Plans

6/17/2020

1 Comment

 
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The proposed 2021 premium numbers for small group and individual plans have been submitted to the OIC. We're diving into the details and looking ahead to what's the future looks like for carriers, counties and rates in Washington state.


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Benefit Bites - Industry Edition - June, 2019

6/15/2019

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In this Benefit Bites:
Blog: 2020 Individual and Small Group Proposed Rates
Carrier Corner:
  •  Aliera - OIC ordered to stop selling in WA
  • ALLtech/AIMS - employers can pay invoices online
  • Benefit Resource Hub - changing to AP Connect
  • BIAW - now providing telehealth through Doctor on Demand
  • First Choice EAP - new telehealth technology through BetterHelp
  • HealthNet - will not sell individual or small group in WA in 2020
  • IRS 2020 Limits - HSA and out of pocket maximums
  • PCORI - payments due 7/31
  • UHC - new preferred lab network
  • Farm Bureau - moving administration to Rehn
  • Zywave - acquired RateFactory
  • SURVEYS AND SUCH
    BenefitFocus - 2019 Consumer Benefits Coverage Index

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Breaking News: WA OIC releases 2020 individual & small group rates

6/3/2019

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Mike Kreidler's office released proposed rates from 13 individual medical carriers with an average increase of <1%. We pulled the requested changes, by carrier, for both individual and small group plans.  Here's how it breaks down.

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November 15th, 2018

11/15/2018

0 Comments

 
In this Benefit Bites:
Blog: Getting Ready for WA State Leave Law
Carrier Corner: 
  • Kaiser - specialty Rx change
  • UHC - three rate packages available for 2019
  • Premera Peak Care - new EPO program in Tacoma
  • Seattle Transit Ordinance - guest written article by Gina Marken of Sound Benefit Administration
  • Kaiser in Spokane - Columbia Med news
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Proposed 2018 Rate Increases in WA

6/28/2017

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​Here's a glimpse of the proposed 2018 health plan rates as submitted to the Washington OIC.

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Whatever Happened to the 3 Rs? The downfall of the ACA.

5/30/2017

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​Risk mitigation was built into the ACA but gutted by Congress. Here's our take on the demise of the ACA.

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Premera & Providence – Big Network Changes.  Part 2: Small Groups, 1-50 – Plans offering the Larger Network

10/18/2016

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​With the new agreement, only a few small group plans will be able to offer Providence as a PPO.

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    About Sandy

    I love numbers.  I'm a math geek. I read benefits industry articles and periodicals for relaxation (but, honestly, I'm still a fun gal).  I also like to share what I've learned and you'll find it all here.

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