Health Care Reform and Wellness Awards - Topics of 14th Annual MBP Benefits Update Seminar

Over seventy benefits professionals attended the 14th Annual Miller Buettner & Parrott Benefits Update Seminar held March 14, 2012 at the Hoffman House in Rockford, Illinois.  Mike Parrott, Ed.S, Vice President of Miller Buettner & Parrott, Inc., thanked the MBP Inc. clients for their continued support and many referrals.  He introduced the growing staff of MBP Inc. noting that as the company has grown, staff has been added to accommodate the needs of the clients.

Chris Ralston, Sales Manager of National CooperativeRX discussed the impact of poor drug adherence to your health plan’s bottom line. “Drugs don’t work in people who don’t take them,” pointed out Ms. Ralston, as quoted from former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop.  “Finding ways to help employees take their medications as directed will help them stay healthier and contain health costs”.

Deanne Gustasfon, Wellness Coordinator at MBP Inc., presented the first annual Wellness Awards to recognize MBP Inc., clients who are engaging their employees in healthier lifestyle choices.  (See related article)

Matt Hall, Account Executive with Met Life discussed the importance of good oral health and its link to good physical health.

The popular annual “Policy Pitfalls – 2011 Client Case Studies" was presented by Laurie S. Miller, MBA, President of MBP Inc.  The case studies dealt with mishandled COBRA paperwork, group life insurance concerns and Waiver of Premium issues.  Ms. Miller pointed out that MBP Inc., has well-trained staff ready to assist clients in resolving these types of situations and preventing them in the first place.

MBP Inc. Manager of New Business Development, Jeanette Rowan, presented 2012 Legislative Updates followed by Adam Fleming, Associate with WilliamsMcCarthy LLP, who provided an update on Health Care Reform.  One item that MBP will be assisting clients with is complying with the new Uniform Summary of Benefits & Coverage requirement. 

Following the seminar, clients were invited to celebrate the 14th anniversary of Miller Buettner & Parrott, Inc., with a delicious anniversary cake. 

MBP, Inc. Recognizes Clients for Successful Wellness Programs

We recognized three of our clients at our Benefits Update Seminar for their work in creating wellness programs for their employees.  These clients were recognized in the area of Vision, Inititiave, and Committment.  The awards went to:

• Specialty Screw Corporation for "Vision"
• South Beloit CUSD #307 for "Initiative"
• Hononegah CHSD 207 for "Commitment"

Please click here for more information and photos.

Final Regulations Issued for Summary of Benefits & Coverage

The Department of Labor, Health and Human Services and Treasury have released the final regulations for the issuance of the Summary of Benefits & Coverage (SBC). The regulations include a revised template, uniform glossary of terms commonly used in health insurance, and a revised template for a standardized comparison tool. The comparison tool is referred to as “Coverage Examples” and must include information on baby delivery and diabetes. These are the only two coverage examples required.

The final regulations apply for groups who have an open enrollment period or renewal that begins on or after September 23, 2012. If the plan does not offer an open enrollment, the SBC will need to be provided annually at renewal, to new enrollees, and members that are added during a qualifying event on or after September 23, 2012.  Click here to read more and see a sample template.

Regulation Change for Schedule II Controlled Medications

The State of Illinois has made a regulation change in the requirements for Schedule II controlled medications.  Effective Jan. 1, 2012, Illinois prescribers can no longer write a single prescription for more than a 30-day supply of a Schedule II controlled medication. Prescribers may issue multiple prescriptions, such as three prescriptions each for a 30-day supply to be filled sequentially, for the same Schedule II controlled medication authorizing up to a 90-day supply at one time. However, the prescriber must indicate on each prescription the next allowable date of fill. Each prescription is valid for up to 90 days after the date of issuance.

As a result of this change, members can no longer obtain Schedule II controlled medications through their mail order vendor . New prescriptions for Schedule II controlled medications submitted to your mail order vendor will be returned to the member.

Click here for a current list of Schedule II controlled medications.

Upcoming Patient-Centered Outcome Research Institute Fee

The Patient-Centered Outcome Research Institute Fees were created from the PPACA legislation and go into effect for policy or plan years ending after September 30, 2012.  The fees will stop applying for plans ending after September 30, 2019.  The research fees are derived to support clinical effectiveness of medical treatments, procedures, drugs and other strategies as defined by PPACA.  

Fully-insured carriers and self-insured plans are subject to the research fees.  Fully-insured carriers will be required to pay the fees, but self-funded employers will be responsible for submitting the fee.  For the first year, the fee is $1 times the average number of covered lives under the plan for years ending after Sept. 30, 2012. The fee will increase to $2 for subsequent plan years until 2019 (or 2018 for calendar plan years).

The federal government is expected to release final regulations in June 2012.  More information will be provided once the regulations are available.