by Ally Nemetz, Director, Customer Service and Data Administration
Quick notes on key services. Call 800.563.5981 for credit card processing assistance or 800.366.3699 for other matters. We value your membership and trust. Let us know whenever we can help with your question or problem, no matter how large or small.
Reduced Dental Rates for 2017
We are pleased to announce that Retailers Insurance Company dental rates are going down on January 1, 2017, thanks to the positive performance of the program. Rates will decrease anywhere from 6 to 20 percent, depending on the plan. Those with Family Coverage will see smaller decreases because a pediatric rider is attached.
The current Open Enrollment period has been extended through December 30, 2016, with an effective date of January 1, 2017. Eligible employees and dependents have the opportunity to enroll for coverage during this time. To learn more, please contact our office at 800.366.3699, ext. 681.
Affordable Care Act 1095 Tax Forms for the 2016 Tax Year
The Affordable Care Act requires insurance carriers and employers with a self-funded health insurance plan to send a tax form called IRS Form 1095 to employees who are full-time employees (work an average of 30 or more hours per week) or were enrolled in a health plan for any month in 2016.
In Notice 2016-70, IRS extends the 2017 deadline from January 31 to March 2 for employers and insurers to furnish the 1095s on 2016 health coverage and full-time employee status. In addition, the notice extends 2015 good-faith penalty relief to 2016 for incorrect or incomplete reports that are due in 2017.
Although this is the second year of this requirement, there are still many employees who are unfamiliar with the IRS Form 1095. To help your employees understand the form’s purpose, you can distribute a memo or post information about the 1095s. Visit the IRS.gov website (hint: type Form 1095 into the search function) for useful information and Q&As to help you with communication to your employees.
Blue Cross Mobile App
A new mobile app from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan enables you to manage your health plan via smartphone or tablet. It allows you to manage your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum balances, claims activity and explanation of benefits statements.
You also can find a doctor, obtain cost estimates for health care services, and much more.
Search for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan through Apple App Store or Google Play. It’s available for Android OS 5.0 or higher or iPhone iOS 7.1.2 or higher. You must first set up an online account at bcbsm.com before using the app.
UPS and FedEx Rate Increases
Small-package carriers FedEx and UPS evaluate their shipping rates annually and make adjustments that can have a substantial effect on your business. New UPS rate increases take effect on December 26, 2016, and new FedEx rates take effect on January 2, 2017.
How much more expensive your particular small package shipments will be depends on many factors, including shipment volumes, sizes, weights and modes. Quick facts:
• FedEx Express and International rates are increasing an average of 3.9%
• UPS Air and International rates are increasing an average of 4.9%
• FedEx Ground and Home Delivery® rates are increasing an average of 4.9%
• UPS Ground rates are increasing an average of 4.9%
• The dimensional divisor for FedEx is changing from 166 to 139
• FedEx SmartPost®, FedEx One Rate®, and UPS SurePost® rates will be changing.
However, the announced average increases paint an inaccurate picture of the true impact these new rates could have on your business. The shipping experts at PartnerShip® have analyzed the new rate tables to assess the true impact to shippers.
Learn more about how the 2017 rate increases will affect your shipping costs by downloading the free white paper at PartnerShip.com/RateIncrease.
PartnerShip manages MRA’s Shipping Savings Program. To enroll and receive exclusive discounts on select FedEx® services, visit PartnerShip.com/41mra. For more information, email sales@PartnerShip.com or call 800.599.2902.
