CalCPA ProtectPlus

These tips are provided by “We Connect”

Consider COBRA (but act fast)
If you lose job-based coverage, you only have a short window to make decisions that affect your health insurance options. The federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and state law (Cal-COBRA) give workers and their families the right to continue group health benefits for at least 18 months, but only if they enroll within 60 days of losing their health coverage.

The Federal Government May Partially Offset the Cost
Usually, you’d have to pay your premium share, your former employer’s share, and an administrative charge to keep coverage under COBRA or Cal-COBRA. But if you lost job-based coverage after September 2008, the federal government will pay 65 percent of the cost of COBRA continuation coverage through December 2009.
Get Connected

Local Community Health Centers and Clinics Can Help
If you can’t afford or qualify for coverage, care is available through community health centers and other safety-net providers, which are located in most California communities.
Get Connected to locate a clinic near you. (continue reading…)

Employer Eligibility
ProtectPlus is available to accounting firms and firms offering general financial services. Solo practitioners (a CPA practicing on his/her own with no other employees) are eligible to apply.

To be eligible and retain such eligibility, more than 50% of all the Employer’s owners (i.e., principals, proprietors, partners, shareholders or other owners) must be CPAs or Associate members of CalCPA in good standing.

If you are a CPA and not a member of CalCPA, see how you can join CalCPA here.

All employers deemed to be part of an affiliated group under Internal Revenue Code Sections 414 (b), (c), or (m) are considered to be a single employer. (continue reading…)

Comprehensive healthcare, with simple administration.  We know that your time is limited and you have enough to do just keeping your firm running smoothly. The last thing you need standing between you and billable hours is more work shopping for healthcare options and then investing even more time administering a plan. But, there’s an easier way to provide your firm with quality healthcare at affordable rates.

ProtectPlus, makes it simple for small firms to provide comprehensive healthcare to their employees with easy one-stop shopping for plans that include medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance. And, we make it even easier by providing back office assistance–so administration of your benefits is a breeze.

With ProtectPlus, your CalCPA firm can get exclusive programs and coverage ordinarily available only to larger firms. Our group plans include the best doctors, hospitals and administrators available at competitive rates. Additionally, our staff is responsive and delivers personalized service you won’t get anywhere else.

Since we offer programs only to CalCPA member firms, we understand the unique needs of your business. Our plans are specifically designed just for CPAs, so you’ll find the perfect program for your business.

And if you thought you needed more staff to administer a healthcare plan, think again. So you can stay focused on your core business, ProtectPlus provides back office services that include:

• CalCobra administration and billing
• Employee eligibility assistance
• Help with completing forms
• Billing and collection of premiums
• Answering employee’s questions about plan benefits
• Facilitating claims resolution

Get comprehensive coverage for your firm from the people that know your needs and understand your business. Click here to receive an instant, no-obligation quote now.

(COE) are health care providers which have a Centers of Expertise Agreement in effect with the claims administrator at the time services are rendered. COE agree to accept the COE negotiated rate as payment in full for covered services. A participating provider in the plan network is not necessarily a COE. A provider’s participation in the plan network or other agreement with the claims administrator is not a substitute for a Centers of Expertise Agreement.

Protect HSA plans are self-funded High Deductible Healthcare Policies (HDHPs) offered through the Group Insurance Trust of the California Society of CPAs. The Protect HSA plans, when paired with a Health Savings Account offered through a bank, brokerage or other financial institution, provides security against catastrophic medical expenses, while allowing you to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified medical expenses. Detailed information on HSAs: official government site.

As with the ProtectPlus copay plans, the Protect HSA plans have contracted with Anthem Blue Cross of California to use its comprehensive provider network and to process our claims. You will have the freedom to choose virtually any health care provider and no physician referral is required. It’s up to you whether you go in-network and receive a higher benefit (after your deductible is satisfied) or go out-of-network and pay more. However, when you choose participating network providers, you will take advantage of negotiated rates, which lowers out-of-pocket expenses.

For more on CPA ProtectPlus HSA Plans