Two from Ronstadt Insurance, Recognized by CMS as Nationwide Top Performers

Shara Gerhart and Karrie Reaney were recently recognized as two of the top performing agents in the country by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This nationwide recognition as a member of the HealthCare.gov Champions Circle goes to agents and brokers for their success during the 2017 Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment. Agents and brokers, who are certified through a registration process in order to assist people in enrolling in health insurance through the Marketplaces via HealthCare.gov, receive recognition when they exceed 20 consumers making plan selections on HealthCare.gov.

“Agents and brokers, like the ones we have recognized, are there for people in the community,” said Kevin Counihan, Marketplace CEO. “They help people get the coverage they need for their families when they need it.”

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Health Net IFP Members Will Receive Replacement Renewal Notice

Health Net of Arizona, Inc. (Health Net) recently mailed notices to Individual & Family Plan (IFP) members, letting them know that they are closing the 2016 CommunityCare HMO plans and migrating members to the Ambetter from Health Net plan plan most similar to the one they have now.  A subset of these notices had the wrong 2016 premium amount. Health Net mailed corrected notices on November 1, 2016. If you are a member of one of these plans, we ask you to call Health Net at 1-888-926-5057 (TTY: 711) with any questions, and encourage you to visit www.AmbetterHealthNet.com to review the summary of benefits and coverage for your new Ambetter from Health Net plan.

Is Social Security considered income when enrolling in a plan through the Healthcare.gov?

Yes. Social Security income is included in the calculation to determine your subsidy eligibility.

To get your Modified Adjust Gross Income (MAGI, which is often referred to as “household income”), you start with your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from your tax return. Then there are three things that must be added to your AGI if any of them apply to you:

1) Non-taxable Social Security income.
2) Foreign-earned income (and housing expenses if you live abroad).
3) Tax-exempt interest income. (more…)

Is Your Business at Risk for Fair Labor Standards Act Fines?

The new overtime rule, which every employer must comply with by Dec 1, 2016 more then double the current white collar exemption salary threshold to $47,476 per year or $913 a week.  These new requirements will have a large impact on employers, since it will require them to review employees’ exempt status and update overtime polices in order to comply with the FLSA overtime rules.

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10 EEOC Tips for your Small Business

The (EEOC) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1964 to eradicate discrimination in employment. The Commission enforces various statutes that prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, retaliation, age, and disability or protected veteran status.

The EEOC has the authority to investigate charges of discrimination filed against employers who have a statutory minimum number of employees. HR can help avoid costly penalties by following the tips published by the EEOC.

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