Boca Benefits Consulting Group Inc.

If you are an employer or senior management person trying to keep up with the provisions of PPACA, you are likely very frustrated as are many others. It is a moving target with interpretations and interim rules emerging almost daily. I noted in today’s St. Pete Times comments made following a seminar hosted by the Tampa Chamber on the details of PPACA. Even the normally informed “experts” are a little behind the curve and major employers are struggling with decisions due to incomplete guidance.

CIGNA has been holding a series of web meetings hosted by both their own employees and outside experts. The last one had two attorneys who specialize in PPACA as presenters and who were excellent in terms of their level of knowledge and current information. Following the presentation, a web conference operator moderates individual telephone questions directly to the presenters for specific questions and answers.

You do not need to be a CIGNA client to take advantage of this resource. Even if you just “lurk” without asking any questions, you will be brought up to speed on many details that might not otherwise be available to you. BBCG encourages you to register via the below link and join the web meeting at 2 P.M. June 17, 2010.

Click here for the CIGNA registration web page and link to additional health reform information available from CIGNA.


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For those persons who prefer to do business with a long-established insurance carrier in the individual healthcare market, BBCG offers United Healthcare’s “UnitedHealthOne” (f/k/a Golden Rule) products. Various traditional, high deductible, point-of-service and HSA products are available. Please feel free to use this service to explore options that you feel might meet your needs.

Please click on the above Golden Rule icon to open the auto-quoting page. This is a free and non-binding service unless the user actually submits an application.

This service is in addition to the similar auto-quote function provided by BBCG via the CIGNA individual/small group market segment per our earlier blog entry at http://bocabenefits.com/blog/?p=588.

Both CIGNA and United Healthcare offer individual products as solutions to the “To Age 26” gap many college seniors may face while waiting for eligibility under one of their parent’s health plans.


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In addition to the UnitedHealthOne (f/k/a Golden Rule) individual products auto-quote function from United Healthcare , BBCG now has a similar auto-quote function available for CIGNA products. Just click on the CIGNA logo above to open the quoting window.

Like the UnitedHealthOne products, CIGNA products also address the “To Age 26” issue for graduating college seniors.

This is a free and non-binding process unless an application is actually submitted by the user. 


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United Healthcare’s “UnitedHealthOne” web site is down right now. Guess you guys overwhelmed them with quote requests! The auto quote function on http://bocabenefits.com/ind_health.htm won’t work until they have their scripts up and running again.

If you are attempting to get an individual healthcare quote, please re-try later.


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Guardian Life Insurance Comipany of America is donating $1 to Mental Health America for every “depresssion knowledge” survey completed during May 2010 Mental Health Month.  A few minutes of your time will support a worthwhile cause. 

Please click here to access survey.


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CIGNA is hosting an educational teleconference on the subject of early implementation of the “To Age 26” provision of PPACA. Valuable for all employers sponsoring employee health plans (i.e., both insured and self-funded). Possibly broker and CIGNA client oriented. However, pertinent to all regardless of present carrier and/or TPA.

CIGNA teleconference registration link.

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Below are two links to resources provided by the U.S.  Department of Health and Human Services in regard to the new “To Age 26” provisions of PPACA. Important reading for graduating college seniors, parents and other adult children less than 26 years of age.

HHS Frequently Asked Questions

HHS fact sheet

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United Healthcare announced that it has agreed to the White House’s request to provide coverage for graduating college seniors under the “To Age 26” provision of PPACA (i.e.,  2010 health reform act). See below excerpt from announcement. Click here for full broker announcement.

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On April 19 we (sic) announced that we will work with customers that wish to extend the health coverage that graduating college students currently have under their parents’ plans. As a result, we are mailing letters beginning May 5 to all fully insured customers* regarding our graduate coverage initiative.  The mailing includes the Customer Notice, Letter and FAQ and Opt-Out form posted above.

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Below from The White House Blog. See http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/04/27/more-support-young-adults for a list of carriers voluntarily accelerating the “age 26” provision to make in coincide with 2010 college graduation dates as of the date of this posting. BBCG expects that most all carriers will ultimately agree to this timeline.

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But we knew that some young adults graduating from college this spring could risk losing their health insurance before the provision takes effect, only to be added back onto their parents’ policy the next time their parents’ plan comes up for renewal on or after September 23rd.  That was bad news for families and bad news for insurance companies too.  Removing an individual from a health insurance plan and then adding them back on a few months later takes time, and it costs money.

That’s why on April 19, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius called on leading insurance companies to begin covering young adults voluntarily before the September 23 implementation date required by the new health reform law.  Early implementation would avoid gaps in coverage for new college graduates and other young adults and save on insurance company administrative costs of dis-enrolling and re-enrolling them between May 2010 and September 23, 2010.   Early enrollment will also enable young, overwhelmingly healthy people who will not engender large insurance costs to stay in the insurance pool.

And we’re pleased to report that the following insurance companies are doing just that:

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We have received communications from both CIGNA and Aetna that they will each be implementing the “to age 26” provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act earlier than required by statute (9/23/2010).  The concern stated is the potential for a gap in coverage for those in the 21-26 age group who may be graduating from college and who would otherwise lose eligibility once full-time student status was eliminated.

Both companies are making their eligibility changes effective 6/1/2010.

Although we have not seen announcements from either Blue Cross/Blue Shield or United Healthcare, BBCG is surmising that the changes announced by Aetna and CIGNA have become the new de facto eligibility standard and that the other major healthcare insurers will follow.

Click here for CIGNA announcement. 

Click here for Aetna announcement.