Issue Alerts

As your trusted advisor, we want to keep you informed about industry updates and how they could impact your coverage. We will post urgent and pertinent information you need to know in a variety of insurance situations.

As always, our team is standing by ready to serve all your insurance needs. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us


September 2023

Annual Medicare Part D Notices Deadline Approaching October 15

Each year, Medicare Part D requires group health plan sponsors to disclose to individuals who are eligible for Medicare Part D and to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services whether the health plan’s prescription drug coverage is creditable..[read more]


August 2023

Delivering Certificate of Liability Insurance

Due to ongoing issues with the reliability of the United States Postal Service (USPS), we have decided to discontinue mailing individual renewal certificates of liability insurance to certificate holders. Instead, we will be adopting a more efficient and secure delivery method, offering you three options for receiving your renewal certificates:

  1. Email Delivery: If we have a valid email address on file for your certificate holders, we will send the certificate directly to that email address. This option is quick and environmentally friendly, ensuring your Cert Holders receive the document in a timely manner.
  2. Delivery to You:  If you prefer, we can email the renewal certificates in batch form as a pdf file to our main contact at your organization. The certificates can then be forwarded by your staff to the appropriate recipient (s) as needed.
  3. Centralized Mailing: For our clients who do not wish to receive the certificates via email, we will consolidate and mail all renewal certificates to one designated contact at your organization. This contact will be responsible for distributing the certificates to the certificate holders as needed.

To ensure a seamless transition and to make the necessary arrangements for your preferred delivery option, please get in touch with your account manager.

New Corporate Transparency Act 

On January 1, 2024 a new reporting requirement goes into effect that will require millions of small businesses to file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report with the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). [Read More]


October 2022

Annual Medicare Part D Notices Deadline Approaching — October 15

Each year, Medicare Part D requires group health plan sponsors to disclose to individuals who are eligible for Medicare Part D and to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services whether the health plan’s prescription drug coverage is creditable..[read more]


July 2022

Supreme Court Dobbs Decision 

On June 24, 2022, in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the U.S. Constitution does not protect the right to obtain an abortion.

While reactions to the opinion vary widely, employers who sponsor group health plans should consider the potential impact of the ruling soon, as participants may have questions about the scope of abortion coverage under their group health plans and, depending on state law, their ability to legally provide coverage for abortion-related services may be limited.

Employers should consider a number of basic steps when evaluating the impact of the Dobbs ruling and state abortion-related laws. A detailed list of steps is available here

Additionally, Larry Grudzien will be conducting a free webinar on July 28 at 2:00 PM EST about the Court’s decision and its impact on employers and coverage. You can register for the 60-minute webinar here


March 2022

MCCA Refunds for Michigan Drivers

The Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA) will begin the process of refunding $400 per vehicle to Michigan drivers. Drivers are expected to receive checks or an ACH deposit in the second quarter of 2022.
 
We are beginning to receive notifications from our insurance companies in reference to the refunds. The insured can expect to receive their refunds by 6-15-22. The majority of insurance companies are going to send this refund by mail to the address they have on file for you.
 
What we know so far- if you had a vehicle insured with at least liability coverage (also called PLDP coverage) on 10-31-21, the refund applies. In the event you had more than one vehicle insured with at least liability insurance, the refund applies to each vehicle. The level of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage has no bearing on refunds.
 
You can find additional information and Frequently Asked Questions by clicking this link from Michigan.gov: DIFS – MCCA Refunds (michigan.gov)
 

January 2022

Carriers Enforcing Strict Application and Renewal Deadlines

Recent events have led to strict application and renewal deadlines enforced by our insurance carriers. Please be advised that listed deadlines should be strictly adhered to as they have increasingly led to policy cancellations and/or a gap in coverages. Additionally, the accuracy and timelessness of the information you provide are extremely important to communicate timely and effectively with insurance company underwriters.

October 2021

Annual Medicare Part D Notices Deadline Approaching October 15

Each year, Medicare Part D requires group health plan sponsors to disclose to individuals who are eligible for Medicare Part D and to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services whether the health plan’s prescription drug coverage is creditable..[read more]

 

Medical Loss Ratio Rebates

What is Medical Loss Ratio?
Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) is the percent of premiums an insurance company spends on member care, claims, and administrative expenses that improve health care quality..[read more]


2021-03 March 2021
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Provisions Affecting Employers

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021. Here is an overview of three temporary provisions affecting employers. These provisions are effective April 1, 2021…[read more]


2021-02 February 2021
Demonstration of Insurance Policies as Contracts

Insurance policies are in fact contracts. All contracts, including insurance policies, contain rights and duties.
A recent Michigan Court of Appeals case demonstrates that insurance policies are contracts. In the case of Fabatz v. Auto-Owners…[read more]


2021-01 February 2021
Temporary Rules for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 into law on December 27, 2020. The Act provides temporary special rules for health and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs) that give employees additional time to use these funds…[read more]


2020-07 September 2020
Annual Medicare Part D Notices Deadline Approaching October 15

Each year, Medicare Part D requires group health plan sponsors to disclose to individuals who are eligible for Medicare Part D and to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) whether the health plan’s prescription drug coverage is creditable.

Plan sponsors must provide the annual disclosure notice to Medicare-eligible individuals before October 15, 2020 — the start date of the annual enrollment period for Medicare Part D...[read more]


2020-05 July 2020
PIP Coverage & Qualified Health Plan Letters

As you know, changes to the Michigan No-Fault law became effective early July 2020.  These changes have brought additional requests from auto insurance carriers.  Since Mason McBride is your trusted advisor, we wanted to make our clients aware of this situation that could potentially affect you. 

In the Past:  Coordination of Benefits Letter
A Coordination of Benefits letter was requested when…[read more]


2020-04 June 2020
What Public Acts 21 and 22 Mean to Your Michigan No-Fault Auto Insurance Coverage

In May 2019, the Michigan legislature passed – and the Governor signed – Public Acts 21 and 22 of 2019. These Acts were the first comprehensive No-Fault Auto changes of any substance in 40 years. The Acts have several staggered “triggers” that will have taken effect or many that will take effect in the future. But, the bulk of this reform package takes effect on July 2, 2020.

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