Insurance - HL 242 (3)

Can someone please help the Captain out and please CC the PCN with your thoughts!

Michael Maher

Email   microb4591@gmail.com

Issue Area - Insurance

Comments - Has someone compared the Medicare Standard Supplemental Plans to the Insurance Trust for Delta Retires?  Is it similar to the "F" Plan?  It seems as if I saw a note on this in a previous High Life but can't find it. Thanks!

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IMPORTANT Revised Guidelines from HCTC,  ESPECIALLY for anyone planning on using the benefit again contained below. .……

By the way, our service oriented IRS is STILL working on their “signup guidelines” News when it is available.

From: Jim George

Date: 11/11/15 14:32:13

To: Mark Sztanyo

Subject: Fw: Pre-65 HCTC 2016 Enrollment Information!

Mark:

I received this latest HCTC update from one of our clients.  This is info of great significance to your readership who may be eligible for the recently reinstated HCTC.   To qualify for this reinstated and revised, now 72.5% medical insurance tax benefit going forward, they MUST enroll in a plan that is HCTC eligible.  This is or course significant at the moment, as under-age-65 retirees make their decision as to their health care coverage plan for 2016.

Further, such individuals may be eligible to file a revised 2014 income tax return to claim this substantial tax credit.

Regards,

Jim

Important Updates on Pre-65 HCTC Program for Retirees 55-64 and Dependents!

November 06, 2015                                                                              Dear Eligible Health Coverage Tax Credit Recipient(s), As you have probably heard by now, the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) was reauthorized June 29, 2015 after a great deal of effort by many to contact their congressional representatives, and asked them to vote to support the reauthorization of the HCTC program for Retirees that have lost their Pensions to the PBGC as well those people affected by the offshoring of jobs through the TAA program.  The Good News is that this new reauthorization will include a 6 year period, from January 01, 2014 until at least December 31, 2019, not the usual, 1-2 year reauthorization as was done in the past! Advanced Payment Program (APP) will be delayed until mid-2016 While that is Great News, there are some important interim steps that will be necessary as the IRS/HCTC re-establishes the "Monthly" Advanced Payment Program (APP).  The APP program allows you to pay 27.5% of you and/or your family's total healthcare cost each month instead of 100% of the cost and receiving the Tax Credits on your tax return in 2016.  This means that effective with the January 2016 enrollment and roll-out of the HCTC qualified healthcare program we are establishing, through the Auto Industry, Airline Industry and Steel Industry Trusts, it will be necessary to pay 100% of the total cost of your healthcare in 2016, until the monthly program begins.  The target date for the reinstatement of the monthly program is with the July payment to be 27.5%.  We have been working closely with the IRS/HCTC program leaders and they are working as quickly as possible to get the program reestablished, as they understand the hardship this will be for many, to pay 100% of the cost during the interim. Receiving your 72.5% Tax Credit back As you know, it is important to be enrolled in a "qualified" health plan and all three of these Trusts, Airline, Auto and Steel, are qualified plans for the purpose of the HCTC tax credit program.  During the period of time when the HCTC program was awaiting reauthorization, most people were enrolled in plans that were not considered credible coverage for the HCTC program however, the IRS/HCTC program, through the law that was passed on June 29, 2015 made allowances for those people that enrolled in "alternative" plans through the individual market, as well as the Affordable Care Act, to receive the tax credits during that period, by filling an amended tax return for 2014.  If you were enrolled and eligible for the HCTC program in 2014.  For people eligible for the HCTC in 2015, you will have the ability to file for your HCTC 72.5% tax credit on your 2015 Tax Return in early 2016.  There will be a new form created and we will be providing more information on the form you will need to complete once the information becomes available. It is Important to be enrolled in a "Qualified HCTC plan" in 2016! Effective January 01, 2016 and going forward, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will not be considered "HCTC qualified" coverage for the purposes of receiving the 72.5% subsidy.  This means that if you are currently enrolled in a health plan through the ACA today, you will not be able to continue in that plan effective January 01, 2016 and receive the 72/5% tax credit.  We have been working with the Pre-65 insurance provider, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan(this will be a national plan) to allow people to enroll in plans that have lower plan coverage/cost levels until the monthly payment program gets re-established.  This will assist in keeping your cost down with lower premium levels while you are paying 100% of the cost of the insurance.   Once the monthly program begins, we will hold another "special enrollment window" to allow you to improve/increase your coverage if you choose to do so.   While it is understandable that paying for these healthcare premiums for the plans we are offering are high and will be difficult for some to manage, we do suggest that you consider some alternatives that would allow you to pay for the cost of your premiums during this period as you will be able to get the money back when you file your tax returns as opposed to enrolling in a plan that does not qualify for the HCTC program such as an employer plan or a plan through the Affordable Care Act since they will not be qualified plans in 2016. Why are the Premiums for the Blue Cross Blue Shield HCTC Plans so Expensive? I am sure that as you look at the cost of the plans we are offering for January 01, 2016 to Pre-65 HCTC eligible plan participants, you are just as surprised as the Boards of the three Trusts were when they saw the rates after 2 years without the HCTC program in effect.  The bottom line is, 2 predominant reasons, (1) we had no experience to rate the plans for 2016, therefore, we had to take a rate that was higher than it may have been if we could have been able to provide some experience to the provider.  Experience is necessary in order for the providers to understand their risk exposure when offering a plan for people in the pool of eligibility for the plans.  We have had no experience to provide since the plans were terminated more than 2 years ago and (2) it has been 3 years since we have had a price change in the program and as you know, much has happened in the Healthcare industry.  The main negative has been the Affordable Care Act and the impact it has had on plans, with the taxes and fees assessed in order to pay for those that qualify to pay nothing for their healthcare across the United States.  Just as with the people that are enrolled in Medicare Plans, everyone is feeling the impact of rising healthcare cost with no end in sight, unless the Affordable Care Act is changed drastically over the next few years.  At this point, the rising healthcare cost are just unsustainable for most families in the years to come.  While these cost are high in the plans we are offering, they are a much better option for most retirees that are eligible for plans through former employers even when those providers provide subsidies for retirees age 60 and over in some plans.  We were very fortunate to have the ability to offer the plans we will be offering in 2016 to Pre-65 Retirees eligible for the HCTC.   Please watch for the Conference Call/Webinars we will be having in November and December to go over the plans we are offering through all 3 Trust programs!  Watch our website, www.coneretireebenefits.com    for the latest information on the Conference Call Details. You will find the pricing and Summary Plan Designs for the Pre-65 Insurance Programs on the www.coneretireebenefits  website under Pre-65 Rates and Summary Plan Designs link at the top of the page!    Thanks for your Support! Cathy Cone cathy@coneretireebenefits.com Broker for The Trusts

You Can Go to www.coneretireebenefits.com to Downlaod Your Pre-65 HCTC Enrollment Forms!

Dear HCTC Eligible Airline, Auto and Steel Retirees, You can now find the Pricing, Summary Plan Descriptions and Enrollment Forms  for the Pre-65 HCTC Plans offered on a nationwide basis through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, on our website www.coneretireebenefits.com Today!  Simply click on the link at the top of the Home page that says Pre-65 Summary Plan Designs and Rates and it will take you to that page.  You will need to complete the form, provide a copy of proof of your receipt of a pension check from the PBGC along with your first months payment to Benistar at the address on the enrollment form on page 2.  You can find a copy of all the plan designs being offered and the complete coverage details on the website.   If you elect to enroll in our plan, please remember that until mid- 2016, it will be necessary to pay 100% of the cost of the healthcare you select until the monthly program begins.  The plans we are offering are a much better value than the plans offered to Delta Pilots as the DPMP OOA Plan they are eligible to enroll in requires up to a $3350 Out of Pocket cost  plus a 20% copay for other than preventative care for most  services, such as doctors visits and emergency room, unlike the plan we offer that provides office visits for $10 and $50 for emergency room along with a 10/20/40 Drug program.  Check out the plans we are offering and the pricing on our website, www.coneretireebenefits.com        We are also pleased to announce that the Benistar Retiree Service Center will be the Call Center for the Pre65 and Medicare Plans for 2016.  There Phone Number is 1-800-236-4782. We are in the process of scheduling the Conference Call/Webinars for the Pre-65 Insurance Programs and hope to announce the beginning of these Webinar/Conference Calls early next week.  Please watch the website and your email for more information .  If you have not already done so, please sign up on our website to provide us with your latest contact information. Thanks for your Support!  Cathy Cone cathy@coneretireebenefits.com  Broker for The Trusts  (c) 832-541-8842

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Just Released 2016 Original Medicare Cost Sharing Changes!

Part A

Part A Deductible - Increased to $1,288 ($1,260 in 2015)

Part A Inpatient Coinsurance
 Days 1-60:  Covered in full after deductible
        Days 61-90:  Increased to $322 ($315 in 2015)
        Lifetime Reserve Days: Increased to $644 ($630 in 2015)

Skilled Nursing Home Care

      Days 1-20:  $0

        Days 21 - 100: Increased to $161 ($157.50 2015)

Part A Premium
         Increased to $411 with less than 30 quarters ($407 in 2015)
         Increased to $226 with 30 or more quarters ($224 in 2015)

Part B

Part B Deductible Increased to $166 ($147 in 2015)

Part B Premium (no increase)$104.90 for those currently enrolled in Part B

and not collecting Social Security ("hold harmless provision")

Part B Premium Increased to $121.80 for those not covered under the "hold harmless" provision

Important!   Those not collecting Social Security Benefits

 Those who will enroll in Part B for the first time
           Dual eligible people who have their premiums paid for by Medicaid
                Beneficiaries who pay an additional income-related premium

will be required to pay the higher cost

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Join Us for one of our Bi-Weekly 2016 Medicare Conference Call/Webinars 

November and December 11 AM EST each Tuesday and Thursday

hosted by Cathy Cone

Join WebEx meeting

If you are looking for the Pre-65 HCTC Information, Please visit our website for the latest information on the HCTC program including cost and plan designs.  We will begin those Conference Calls in the near future!  This call will not cover the Pre-65 HCTC plans! 

The Voluntary Benefit Trust for Airline Retirees along with the Auto Industry and Steel Industry Trusts will be holding a Conference Call on Thursday, November 10, 2015 at 11 am EST to go over the benefits available to Airline, Auto and Steel Industry Retirees in 2016.  If you would like to hear about the plans we offer through these Trusts, please join us for the call! 

 Join WebEx meeting

                               Meeting number:           642 556 884     

 
                                               Join by phone   

Participant Dial In Number: 877-834-4186 Conference ID: 74337407  

  We will have the same Conference Call ID numbers for each day we have a call scheduled.   There will be a Question and Answer period following the Presentation.

We will spend the first 15 minutes discussing Medicare and how it works; If you are already in Medicare and are only interested in the portion of the call that pertains to plans designs and cost, Please join us a 11:15 EST.  

We anticipate the call will last approximately 1 ½ hours.  You are welcome to join and drop off at any time.   We will begin holding our Bi-Weekly Webinar/Conference Calls Tuesday, November 10, each Tuesday and Thursday for the remainder of November and the first 2 weeks in December, excluding the week of Thanksgiving.   

Beginning this week, you will have the ability to join both the Conference Call and the Webinar to follow along with the presentation it will be important to download the webex software prior to the start of the call so you will be ready to follow along when the call begins. 

We have Great News for Auto and Steel Industry Retirees!  They are NO Rate Increases in 2016 for your Flat rate, Plan F and Plan A options!  These plans are available in the States Aetna has been licensed to sell the Aetna Medicare Supplemental Plans through this Trust. That translates to Great Savings to You! (flat rates are not available in Florida and Washington)  

The Auto & Steel Trusts are now offering Flat rates for Supplemental Plans F $168.98+ $11.75 admin fee (excluding FL and Washington which have age and zip codes to determine rates)

The Plan F is now offered as a Flat Rate in the Airline Industry in most states $194.33+ admin fee of $8.75 excluding Florida & Washington (FL & WA. have age and zip code to determine their rates and FL. also offers Plan A) This rate for 2016 includes a 15% rate increase. 

  For more information on these Plans along with other Great options for 3 Prescription Drug Plans, 2 Dental Plans and 2 Vision Plans in all 3 Trusts, please go to our website, www.coneretireebenefits.com  or call our Call Center,  Benistar @ 1-800-236-4782.  

We will be holding these Conference Call/Webinars beginning next week every Tuesday and Thursday for the months of November and the first 2 weeks in December excluding the weeks of Thanksgiving.  Mark your calendar and Join Us!

Thanks for your Support!

 Cathy Cone

cathy@coneretireebenefits.com  

Broker for The Trusts 

 


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