Stahl & Company

Exchanges for health insurance tax credits are opening next week. In some areas of Pennsylvania, the tax credits will cover 100% of the premium cost for the Blue Cross, Geisinger or other carrier of your preference.

I reviewed numbers this morning for a man owning a business in central Pennsylvania making $100,000 per year. The three carriers he could choose between Capital Blue, Geisinger and Highmark were available with the tax credits for he and his wife for $0 monthly premium. By purchasing a supplemental insurance good for all medical services, he will have a $2,000 deductible Health Savings Account (HSA) eligible insurance for $171 per month for whichever carrier he preferred. By putting $10,000 next year into his HSA IRA, he saves more in income taxes than it costs to pay for their $171 per month health insurance supplement.

Does it make sense to set aside $10,000 for retirement, and after tax credits for insurance and tax deduction for HSA IRA contribution, pay $0 in insurance premiums? Should this families health not take a turn for the worst, when age 65 and Medicare eligible, enough will be accumulated in their HSAs to pay their Medicare premiums and AARP/United Healthcare PPO premiums for the rest of their lives.

I am here to help you. My cell phone is the best way to reach me. Please call or text 484.883.0411 to set up a time we can talk. No one has any reason to not have quality health insurance. In previous posts, I have uploaded reference charts regarding tax credits.

Does a high deductible stop you from using your health insurance?

More than a decade has passed since healthcare reform. Due to large premium increases, many individuals, self-employed and small business owners raised their health insurance deductible to afford insurance premiums. Historically high premiums have caused two problems, an affordability problem and now a high deductible problem. The Maximum out of pocket is approaching $10,000 per family member. Is this a concern?

We are here to help. The tax credits expanded under the American Rescue Plan Act toward the purchase of health insurance can help significantly solve the affordability problem. A medical insurance supplement will solve the deductible problem. The great news is that an individual insurance supplement cost 40% less than what your family members insured under Medicare spend for a Medicare Supplement.

A link to our solutions portal:

https://brokers.insuranceforeveryone.com/?share=true&Portal=03471-00000

Our contact information is at the top left with questions.

Chamber Program & Delta Dental strategic partnership

Individual dental insurance is expensive and typically has reduced coverage. Stahl & Company is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Delta Dental for companies with two or more employees. Delta Dental coverage with white filings coverage is now available with major services (crown and bridge) coverage. The program can be established pretax through your companies Section 125 plan as a voluntary program for employees to purchase. Quality benefits make hiring easier.

The substantial increase in tax credits remain available for lowering the cost of health insurance through tax year 2022. The COVID-19 enrollment period remains in affect for another few months.

A number of clients I have helped recently make between $100,000 and $200,000 annually. Most have received more than $1,000 per month in premium relief.

If you are an independent sales consultant, 1099 employee, self-employed or own a small business, please call me at 866-680-0951 to understand more about the new tax brackets for health insurance premiums.

Piggybacking on the PPP Program included in the Rescue Plan being signed tomorrow. (FREE Health Insurance)

Much has been reported about various parts of the 1.9 trillion Rescue Plan the President is signing tomorrow. The three most important things to know regarding the world of health insurance in the law are:

1.) Affordability: Someone making $13 per hour or less can expect FREE insurance. Anyone making $15 per hour can expect to work 20 minutes per week to pay the premium they are expected to pay.

2.) Higher income earners will Average a $10,000 or more tax credit for the purchase of health insurance for their families when the policy is established as required under the new law. Every American is expected to pay 8.5% of their Adjusted Gross Income or less.

3.) Unemployment: Anyone receiving one week of unemployment will receive family health insurance with a ZERO premium and a waived deductible until they return to work.

In 1974, the Federal Government passed a law to incent Americans to save toward retirement in a new account called an Individual Retirement Account or IRA. Fast forward to today, how many people enjoy the tax savings of an IRA, Simple IRA, ROTH IRA or SEPP IRA?

An old friend once told me to go with the flow of the stream of life. He was right when he said it is too difficult to fight the current trying to paddle back upstream. If the current administration wants to pay for 91.5% or 100% of your healthcare premiums, let them.

Please call or write me to explore your choices with all Blue Cross Blue Shield carriers in Pennsylvania or Delaware. This is my 25th year of helping make health insurance more affordable. I can be reached at 866-680-0951 or [email protected]

PENNIE exchange Board of Directors approval.

As posted recently, the PENNIE Health Insurance Exchange will be re-opening for additional enrollment through May 15, 2021. Many people are unaware that the deductibles and premiums are substantially reduced as income changes occur. With COVID-19 affecting many families' finances, converting COBRA coverage to an individual policy may save you a mortgage payment monthly in premium.

As well, children from the ages of 21-26 may have incomes that qualify them for $0 deductible Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage for premiums less than $10 per week. Many families carry older children on their company based insurance for hundreds of dollars more per month. Redirecting $2,000 or more in premium savings to your 401k plan will make retirement more comfortable.

People who have already purchased coverage on the exchange may be missing out on deductible reductions and additional premium savings. Most clients I helped this year had out of date files port over from Healthcare.gov. Please refer to the chart below and call with questions of how to reduce your premiums. We are here for extended hours to help in these difficult times!

Stahl & Company updated their business hours.

PENNIE.com reopening for individual health insurance enrollment.

President Biden is scheduled to sign an executive order this morning re-opening the Federal and State based exchanges to extend enrollment to individuals who are currently not insured. You will have until May 15th to elect coverage that meets your needs and budgets. The local Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is the main carrier I represent in the four insurance regions of Pennsylvania.

Please call (866-680-0951) or write to learn how quality, affordable BCBS coverage can be available for as low as $50 per month for a $0 deductible plan. Business hours are extended to 9:00pm until the end of this special enrollment period ends.

PPP Loans Round TWO application

Many small businesses, sole proprietors and independent contractors are struggling through one of the most difficult times in our countries history. The application for the second round of PPP loans was released this morning. If in any quarter of 2020 you incurred more than a 25% reduction in revenue, you are eligible for a PPP loan and applicable loan forgiveness.

Many 1099 independent employees and self employed are not aware they are eligible for loan forgiveness up to $100,000 of 2019 earned income. The maximum loan and forgiveness at this level is $20,833.

A link to a virtual folder containing PPP round two information:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/pyiydsqtqrpyrrh/AACDolWw1liYfuj_3_q2lLQga?dl=0

This is my twenty fifth year of helping small businesses manage the cost of their second largest expense, health insurance. Please call or write for a free quote from one of the Chamber of Commerce, Consortium, PENNIE exchange or other resources I have to help you improve your insurance while lowering your cost. [email protected] or 866-680-0951

COVID testing, CVS mini-clinics and LabCorp

I posted the announcement of the opening of the 1000 CVS mini-clinics a few months ago as that was unfolding. Having been tested there a few times myself, I can only say very good things about the experience. The only other local resources in my part of Pennsylvania you can find testing are urgent care centers. Unfortunately , most appear to be requiring you to allow them to bill your insurance and you pay a co-pay as an urgent care visit. Testing is still paid by the CARES Act for the uninsured, an urgent care visit is likely not reimbursed. Your insurance carrier is also reimbursed for the cost of you getting tested.

A huge THANK YOU for the leadership at CVS to have the foresight to see the need for weekend nurse practitioner care when most doctors offices are closed. With the average ER claim ranging from $2,000 to $3,000, it makes perfect sense to seek weekend care for non-emergency situations at urgent care or mini-clinics near you.

LabCorp, a preferred lab partner to many insurance carriers including BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD, offers test kits they will mail to your home if it is more convenient for you or you can’t get an appointment at CVS or other local testing location. Visit their website and order one today in the event you have a loved one showing any signs of the virus.

Stay healthy, be safe and best wishes for a prosperous 2021 for us all!

Should any of your family or friends own a small business, be aging into Medicare or lose group insurance through their job, please have them contact me at 866-680-0951, [email protected] or here .com

Coronavirus Response And Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act:

With the new stimulus relief legislation passed Monday, comes one of the best protections for America in more than 100 years.

Hidden charges from providers who elect to not participate with most main stream insurance carriers will now be limited to In-Network carrier reimbursement starting January 1, 2022. Their costs will be applied as in-network toward your deductible and MOOP.

Negotiating with a non-contracted provider in a hospital or other healthcare setting can be a financial nightmare. While recovering from an Emergency or a surgery, many have found themselves being billed by providers and service providers, unknown to the patient, that refuse industry standard reimbursements for their services.

As example, the $9,600 your provider pretends an MRI costs them is reimbursed by Medicare in five county Philadelphia for roughly $450. Most imaging centers tack on an extra procedure code or two to upcharge even Medicare to receive $1,500 or more for the service. Typically, Medicare reimbursement is 200% over the submitted cost data from the contracted providers in the service area. Your providers pretend $9,600 charge for the service that costs them $225 to perform isn't pretend when your provider is not contracted with your insurance carrier or you are without insurance.

Key elements of the legislation would:

Hold patients harmless from surprise bills stemming from emergency medical care. That would apply if the patient is seen at an out-of-network facility, or if they are treated by an out-of-network clinician at an in-network hospital. In either case, the patient could only be billed based on their plan's in-network rate.

Protect patients admitted to an in-network hospital for a planned procedure when an out-of-network clinician gets involved. This can happen when a surgeon is called in to assist in the operating room, or if the anesthesiologist on duty is not part of the patient's plan.

Generally require out-of-network service providers to give patients 72-hour notice of their estimated charges. Patients would have to agree to receive out-of-network care for the hospital or doctor to then bill them.

Bar air ambulance services from sending patients surprise bills for more than the in-network cost sharing amount. Air ambulance charges have become a bigger problem in states where patients have to travel long distances to get to the best hospitals.

However, ground ambulance services will not face the same restrictions, and the legislation only calls for more study of their billing practices.

Please remember us for your small group, individual and Medicare insurance needs. Call us at 866-680-0951.

The PENNIE exchange extended enrollment scheduled to close today for January 1st effective date. The new deadline is December 22nd. Adjusted gross incomes of under $25,000 in 2021 can expect to pay $50-$75 per month irrespective of age or total premium cost. A family of four under $104,500 can expect significant premium savings.

Important Details for Customers:

All customers will continue to be able to shop for 1/1 coverage through 11:59pm EST on 12/22
Extended deadline is automatically available to all customers and will be reflected when they login and plan shop.

Customers will not be able to enroll in 2/1 coverage until 12/23 (although they will be able to anonymously shop for 2/1 coverage from 12/16-12/22)

Customers enrolling for 1/1 coverage after 12/15 should remember to make a prompt binder payment to ensure that their coverage is in effect on 1/1. Any delays could result in the customer not having all of their member materials in hand on 1/1.

Our office hours are extended to 10:00pm to help you secure a quality BCBS program. Call 866-680-0951

The Pennsylvania PENNIE Exchange deadline is DECEMBER 15th. This year has been a very difficult year for many. When qualified, Health Insurance in Pennsylvania is available for roughly 2% to 10% of your income, depending upon your family size and income. Most of my work is done with Highmark and Independence Blue Cross.

Should you or a family member need insurance, I will help! Two new clients avoided being enrolled onto Medicaid rather than quality, affordable BCBS coverage with reduced deductibles. One new client would not have had to return $11,000 in tax credits had I been his agent prior to 2020. Health insurance can be #2 on the family budget. The guide below can help you understand how affordable coverage can be. Call 866-680-0951 to explore your options!

Pennsylvania Insurance Exchange opening soon!

To improve service, the PA Insurance Department elected to start a state based exchange in lue of continuing to have qualifying citizens of the commonwealth purchase insurance through Healthcare.gov. Local insurance agents are the boots on the ground to guide you through the maze of healthcare options for 2021. If we can be of assistance in securing you quality, affordable coverage for 2021, the exchange will be opening shortly.

Individuals are expected to pay roughly 10% of their 2020 Adjusted Gross Income in premium. Families pay much less.
With COVID-19 layoffs, many more people may benefit by a sizable tax credit.

Email or call to open a conversation on receiving your tax credits directly on your premium bill in 2021. We can be reached at [email protected] or 866-680-0951.

Prescription Drug Overhaul

The President signed four executive orders in late July to create pathways to lower prescription costs in the United States. Three of the four orders have taken affect, with the last to be negotiated with the Pharma Manufacturers by the end of this month.

To read about how the executive orders will help reduce your prescription costs, please use this link to the HHS website:

https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/07/24/trump-administration-announces-historic-action-lower-drug-prices-americans.html

Some of the carriers I represent will honor prescriptions filed thru lower cost channels. For more information how you can substantially reduce what you pay for your prescriptions, please contact our office at 866-680-0951.

Trump Administration Announces Historic Action to Lower Drug Prices for Americans Today, President Donald Trump took historic action to deliver lower prescription drug prices to American patients. The President signed three Executive Orders on drug pricing directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take several steps to deliver for American patients lower costs...

Today marks the one year anniversary of Independence Blue Cross (Independence) beginning to offer drug rebates at the point of sale to Commercial fully insured members who have prescription drug benefits and fill rebate-eligible brand medications through retail pharmacies or the mail. Independence has historically used the rebates received from drug manufacturers to help offset all members’ prescription drug plan costs and premiums.

IBC is a premier partner to our uniquely designed Chamber Program. Aetna, other PA & DE BCBSs and United Healthcare also work in tandem with our program. We can enhance the prescription benefits of your preferred carrier to lower brand name drug copays from more than $150 down to a $75 copay. These are difficult times. Invest twenty minutes and save twenty percent.

How It Works: Taxable Insurance Deductibles

When offered a choice of health plans through work, as an individual or as a small business, one of the most important decisions you can make is how large a deductible risk you are willing to accept. As important, is the deductible you select TAXABLE or can it be TAX FREE?

In order to save $70 per month in premiums, I regularly see companies, individuals and employees select a deductible of $2,500 and higher. Without the proper insurance and proper planning, the true cost of a $2,500 deductible requires roughly $300 per month of your pay to satisfy. Why? Very simple, income taxes.

The average middle income American must earn $150 in order to bring home $100 after income taxes are paid. The same middle income worker with a $100 medical bill will receive a $30-$35 tax REFUND with the proper insurance program. For the same medical service, would you rather spend $150 in earnings, or would you rather spend $70 after receiving your tax refund?

One of the biggest mistakes many people make is taking a high deductible health insurance that does not qualify for a tax deduction.

One of our most popular small business plans saves an average of $3,000 per year in premium from the carrier of your choice, with Aetna, BCBS or United Healthcare as network choices. Would you rather have your employer pay your insurance carrier an additional $3,000 while you must meet a $2,000 taxable deductible? Does it make more sense to reduce your premiums by $3,000, and redirect the savings to a TAX FREE account to be used for deductibles or co-pays? What if any amounts left over are yours to keep as retirement savings? Ask in another way, if your employer asks you to contribute $3,000 toward your insurance, would you rather contribute the money to your retirement or pay it to your insurance company?

Email, call or write for more information on cutting the cost of meeting your deductibles or co-pays in half with a TAX FREE deductible.
[email protected], or 866-680-0951.

HOW IT WORKS: PPP Loan Forgiveness

On Friday, June 5, President Trump signed the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Flexibility Act, clearing the way for more flexibility and forgiveness of the loans made through the PPP. Originally these loans, which were part of the CARES Act, were provided to help business owners cover payroll costs, rent, and utilities.

The newly enacted legislation states that:
- Business owners now have 24 weeks to spend funds (up from eight weeks)
- Business owners only need to spend 60% of the loan on payroll costs (down from 75%)
- The covered period of the loan now ends December 31 instead of June 30
- Business owners won’t have to make employer payroll tax payments through the end of 2020
- The business will not lose any loan forgiveness eligibility if it can show that some employees declined to return to their jobs or the pre-pandemic headcount is no longer required

The payback period for new loan applicants has been extended from two years to a minimum of five for those not seeking, or who are ineligible, for forgiveness.

You can download the application form for loan forgiveness from my Facebook post last week. Visit us on Facebook. Message me to ask how a chamber health insurance plan can help reduce your third largest expense by 20%.

PPP Loan Forgiveness Applications are now available.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has released the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application along with detailed instructions. Employers that received money from the PPP must apply for loan forgiveness from their lender.

The SBA will also issue regulations and guidance to assist borrowers in completing their applications and will provide lenders with guidance on their responsibilities.

The form and instructions include measures to reduce compliance burdens and simplify the process for borrowers, including but not limited to:

Options for borrowers to calculate payroll costs using an “alternative payroll covered period” that aligns with borrowers’ regular payroll cycles.

Flexibility to include eligible payroll and non-payroll expenses paid or incurred during the eight-week period after receiving their PPP loan.

Step-by-step instructions on how to perform the calculations required by the CARES Act to confirm eligibility for loan forgiveness.

Addition of a new exemption from the loan forgiveness reduction for borrowers who have made a good-faith, written offer to rehire workers that were declined.

A link to download the application:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/d1gnhc4m4ng3kwe/AACxFoiNzK7bxUHHRAEIXZrqa?dl=0

Health Insurance is a top five expense. Association, Chamber, Consortium and PEO health insurance programs help most clients reduce premiums by more than 20% while improving your coverage. Place a 👍 in the comment below if you would like more information on lowering your cost while improving your benefits.

[email protected]
866-680-0951
866-374-7569 fax

HOW IT WORKS: CVS Health establishes 1,000 COVID-19 test sites across the country. Aetna is now a CVS Company.

CVS Health is uniquely positioned to play a vital role in helping support both local communities and the overall health care system in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Our ability to coordinate the availability of COVID-19 testing helps bolster the country's efforts to manage the spread of the virus. Read more.

What you need to know:

Starting May 29, we'll have a total of 1,000 testing sites across more than 30 states and Washington, DC (AZ, CA, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NV, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TX, TN, VA and WI).

Individuals must register in advance at CVS.com to schedule an appointment. Once registered, they will be provided with an appointment window for that same day or up to two days out.

Find a testing location and details on how to register:

https://cvshealth.com/covid-19/testing-information-locations

HOW IT WORKS: PPP Loan Forgiveness Application are now available.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has released the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application along with detailed instructions. Employers that received money from the PPP must apply for loan forgiveness from their lender.

The SBA will also issue regulations and guidance to assist borrowers in completing their applications and will provide lenders with guidance on their responsibilities.

The form and instructions include measures to reduce compliance burdens and simplify the process for borrowers, including but not limited to:

Options for borrowers to calculate payroll costs using an “alternative payroll covered period” that aligns with borrowers’ regular payroll cycles.

Flexibility to include eligible payroll and non-payroll expenses paid or incurred during the eight-week period after receiving their PPP loan.

Step-by-step instructions on how to perform the calculations required by the CARES Act to confirm eligibility for loan forgiveness.

Addition of a new exemption from the loan forgiveness reduction for borrowers who have made a good-faith, written offer to rehire workers that were declined.

A link to download the application:

PPP Loan Forgiveness Shared with Dropbox

HOW IT WORKS: Life without health insurance

The most recent complex image I had done was billed to my BCBS policy for $9,600. The carrier contracted price for the service was $1,200. While helping an AARP Medicare client with his claim, he sent me copy of his benefit summary. Medicare approved $1,600 for the exact same service. Even if you can only afford an extremely high deductible temporary insurance, you receive United Healthcare contractually negotiated rates. Over $8,000 in contractual savings from one minor bump and bruise situation for me.

Purchase what you can afford in monthly payments. Should you ever need to use your coverage, carrier pricing will help you avoid bankruptcy. At the least, it will prevent inflated medical charges/bills from haunting your credit history. Medical bills prevent you from buying a car or a home. They affect the dignity and stress in which you live your life.

The coronavirus has forced us all to focus on NEED TO HAVE. NICE TO HAVE’s are optional. Good credit and health insurance are NECESSITIES.

A link to run a quote for the 100+ Temporary Health plans available through United Healthcare:

https://www.uhone.com/shop/ #/census/shortterm?brokerid=AA5002568

Follow us on Facebook in the event family or friends loose their job and insurance.

Unreal, this virus could take any one of us, even our hero’s. No one is above it. Stay healthy, be safe, protect yourself and your loved ones.

Please take a minute to make certain your loved ones are protected in the event of your death. Click this link:

https://www.bankrate.com/calculators/insurance/life-insurance-calculator.aspx

Life Insurance Calculator - How much life insurance do I need? Find out how much life insurance you need with Bankrate.com's free life insurance calculator.

You wake up tomorrow morning and your cell phone is dead, how long would you comfortably live without it? Five hours? Five days? Five months? Five years?

Your loved ones wake up tomorrow morning and you are dead, how long would they live comfortably without you?

In less than one minutes, our free online life insurance calculator will let you know your worth.

Call or write to protect the ones you love.

866-680-0951
[email protected]

For 50 years, my father magically made your car .2 of a second quicker.

Let us quote your business health insurance, and watch your monthly premiums magically become 20% cheaper.

If you are an individual, and your health coverage has run out or is ending, United Healthcare temporary insurance is an excellent, affordable choice. Major medical coverage, typically less than one third the cost of COBRA.

Click this link to run a quote and purchase protection:

https://www.uhone.com/shop/ #/census/shortterm?brokerid=AA5002568

Follow our page in the event a family member or friend loses coverage. Don’t let the COVID-19 virus win. 🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁

When is less, more?

Cable companies charge us $10 per month per cable box. By replacing two cable boxes in your home with a Roku or other compatible device, here are the potential results.

Redirecting $20 per month you spend on unnecessary cable boxes into a Health Savings Account (HSA) results in an additional $17,000 in retirement in 20 years.

Redirecting $20 per month into $2,500 of deductible insurance results in an insurance company paying $2,500 of your medical deductibles and co-pays.

Placing the $2,500 saved in medical bills into an HSA results in a $750 tax refund next year. A saves of $60 per month in taxes is three times the cost of your deductible insurance. Investing the $2,500 paid by insurance into your HSA is an additional $170,000 in retirement in 20 years.

Depending on your age and health, $60 per month could buy enough life insurance to
pay for your children’s college and secure your family’s future should you die.

Financial security is like Life, a choice. As Andy Reed would say, Times yours.

Please contact me with any questions at
866-680-0951 or [email protected]

The top health insurance carriers servicing the Mid-Atlantic states have agreed to waive deductibles and co-pays for services related to a positive COVID-19 test result. This is only for a limited time, yet the virus will remain. For more information on reducing your Maximum Out of Pocket (MOOP) to as low as $250, please contact our office. The MOOP limit is $8150 per family member at 2020 renewal.

Protecting the wealth of your workforce is more important than ever. Our mortality is more real than it has ever been.

The Chamber Insurance Program has an option to lump sum pay future health insurance premiums for up to five years at an employee's death. In most cases, this option can be added while reducing monthly premiums over present cost.

Does the dignity and piece of mind of five years of paid health insurance make sense? Please call or write for more information.