Medicare Part D Notices Due Before Oct. 15, 2021

OCTOBER 2021

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

Plan sponsors must provide the annual disclosure notice to Medicare-eligible individuals before Oct. 15, 2021—the start date of the annual enrollment period for Medicare Part D. CMS has provided model disclosure notices for employers to use.

Medicare beneficiaries who do not have creditable prescription drug coverage and do not enroll in Medicare Part D when first eligible will likely pay higher premiums if they enroll at a later date. Although there are no specific penalties associated with the notice requirement, failing to provide the notice may be detrimental to employees.

Employers should confirm whether their health plans’ prescription drug coverage is creditable or noncreditable and prepare to send their Medicare Part D disclosure notices before Oct. 15, 2021. To make the process easier, employers often include Medicare Part D notices in open enrollment packets they send out prior to Oct. 15.

Creditable Coverage

A group health plan’s prescription drug coverage is considered creditable if its actuarial value equals or exceeds the actuarial value of standard Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. In general, this actuarial determination measures whether the expected amount of paid claims under the group health plan’s prescription drug coverage is at least as much as the expected amount of paid claims under the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit.

Changes Proposed to Form 5500

On Sept. 14, 2021, federal agencies announced proposed revisions to the Form 5500 Annual Return/Report. These changes are primarily designed to implement the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 (SECURE Act) and make other improvements.

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Key proposed form revisions would:

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Deutsch & Associates, LLC

• • Consolidate the Form 5500 for defined contribution retirement plans.
• • Modify the Form 5500 to reflect pooled employer plans (PEPs) as a new type of retirement plan.
• • Improve financial reporting by adding new fee and expense reporting requirements.

• • Expand the number of defined contribution retirement plans that would be eligible for small plan simplified reporting options.
• • Add questions to improve financial and funding reporting by certain defined benefit pension plans, and improve oversight and compliance of tax-qualified retirement plans.

The proposed changes generally would be effective for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2022. For the 2022 plan year, Form 5500s generally are not required to be filed until seven months after the end of the 2022 plan year (July 2023 for calendar year plans), and a two-and-a-half-month extension is available. Download pdf

3 Strategies for Reducing Health Benefits Costs in 2022

According to a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report, medical costs are projected to increase 6.5% in 2022. That’s why employers must think strategically but creatively about how they can lower their health benefits expenses. Here are three strategies to help.

1. Control Drug Spending

Employers can educate employees on the price differences between name-brand and generic medications. Doing so can help employees understand that they can save money while still receiving the same quality treatment. Additionally, employers may consider introducing varying levels of prescription drug coverage.

2. Encourage Active Benefits Participation

Employers can help limit overall health costs by making employees active participants in their health care. Price shopping, in particular, should be easier in 2022, given the new hospital price transparency rule that took effect on Jan. 1, 2021.

3. Embrace Virtual Health Options

There are countless telehealth services available these days. Individuals can connect with health professionals in just a few clicks—no waiting times or driving to a clinic. Additionally, individuals won’t need to take large chunks of time off work, allowing for greater productivity.

Open Enrollment 2022: Benefit Notices

Employers that sponsor group health plans should provide certain benefit notices in connection with their plans’ open enrollment periods. Some of these notices must be provided at open enrollment time, such as the summary of benefits and coverage (SBC). Other notices must be distributed annually.

Some benefit notices apply to all group health plans. Others only apply to certain group health plans, based on plan design and coverage.

Specific notices (non-exhaustive):

• • Medicare Part D Notice
• • SBC
• • HIPAA Privacy Notice
• • WHCRA Notice
• • CHIP Notice
• • SPD (and SMM, if applicable)
• • Notice of Patient Protections
• • Wellness Program Notices
• • Individual Coverage HRA (ICHRA) Notice

In general, any plan design changes for 2022 should be communicated to plan participants either through an updated summary plan description (SPD) or a summary of material modifications (SMM). Reach out to your broker contact with any questions. Download pdf

The information in this newsletter is intended for informational use only and should not be construed as professional advice. © 2021 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. For further information, please consult a medical professional. © 2007-2009. 2012, 2014, 2017-2018 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. For further information, please consult a medical professional. © 2007-2010, 2012, 2014, 2018 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

• • Sleep well—Finding a comfortable sleeping position helps avoid placing unnecessary strain on the back and neck.
• • Warm-up and cool-down—Warming up with five to 10 minutes of light aerobic activity helps prepare your muscles for exercise. Cooling down after a workout helps relieve muscle tightness, maintain balance and alignment and relieve joint strain.
• • Stand up—Sitting too much loads the spine and compresses the discs in your back, leading to disc issues.
• • Wear good shoes—Flat shoes or shoes with heels one inch or lower are best for your back.
• • Go holistic—Body work techniques such as massage therapy, yoga, Pilates, chiropractic or acupuncture are great ways to keep the structures of the spine tuned.

Tips for Relief

The following tips can help relieve back pain:

• • Heating pads can help to relax painful muscle spasms. Use heat for 20 to 30 minutes at a time. Ice packs and massages can also provide

When you suffer from back pain, your ultimate goal is to eliminate it. However, if you cannot completely avoid it, learning how to relieve your back pain is the next best option.

Tips for Prevention

The following tips can help prevent back pain:

• • Lift safely—Use your legs, bend your knees, tighten your abdominal muscles and keep the object being lifted close to your body.
• • Avoid twisting—Pay close attention to how you are moving your spine, and scale back on twisting according to the warning signs your body gives you.
• • Drink water—Drinking plenty of water increases the height of intervertebral discs, enhancing their ability to be shock absorbers for your body.
• • Be active—Exercise and activity keeps spinal muscles strong. The most important muscles to strengthen to avoid back pain are the abdominals.
• • Stretch—Incorporate stretching into your fitness program to avoid stiffness and stay flexible. Stiff muscles are a precursor to injury.
• • Maintain a healthy weight—Being at a healthy weight helps avoid compression and loading of the intervertebral discs in your back, which can lead to posture abnormalities.

Health and wellness tips for your work, home and life—brought to you by the insurance professionals at Deutsch & Associates, LLC Read Pdf

This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as professional advice. Readers should contact a health professional for appropriate advice. © 2021 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

5 Ways to Cope with Pandemic Re-entry Anxiety

Brought to you by Deutsch & Associates, LLC

With the COVID-19 vaccine becoming much more widely available across the country, the topic of returning to in-person work, school and other activities is being discussed constantly. However, the country’s reopening coincides with the spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus, which accounts for more than half of all COVID-19 cases in recent weeks. Returning to pre-COVID life amid this latest development can understandably cause feelings of uncertainty or re-entry anxiety.

What Is Re-entry Anxiety?

Re-entry anxiety is an overall uneasiness or uncertainty about returning to the way things were before the pandemic. This feeling may be triggered when meeting socially with friends and family, going back to the workplace or pursuing other important aspects of social interaction. It might be difficult to get reacclimated, but it’s important to remember that you’re not alone.

Managing Your Re-entry Anxiety

Different people have different coping strategies, but there are some common ways everyone can cope with re-entry anxiety. If you’re feeling anxious as you transition back to your pre-COVID-19 life, consider the following five coping tips:

1. Start small and gradually build up to more significant social interactions. Don’t rush into anything.

2. Set boundaries by letting other people know what you’re comfortable with. There’s no need to apologize for not wanting to do something, so clearly explain how you feel and also be respectful of others.

3. Make a post-pandemic bucket list to shift your thinking from anxious to positive. A lot has changed due to the pandemic, but you can focus on the new possibilities.

4. Do what makes you happy, even if only for a few minutes each day. It’s important to engage in something fulfilling for yourself regularly.

5. Take care of yourself and set aside time every day to relax and reset your mind.

Re-entry anxiety can be alleviated when managed in a healthy way. If you’re worried about your mental well-being, reach out to a doctor or mental health professional to ensure that you’re getting the help you need as you make a return to everyday life.

Cholesterol and You

Did you know one in three American adults has high cholesterol? Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in your blood. Your body needs it to build cells, but too much can pose a problem. Cholesterol travels through the blood on proteins called lipoproteins. There are two types of lipoproteins:

1. LDL (low-density lipoprotein)—known as bad cholesterol—makes up most of your body’s cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol can increase your risk for heart disease and stroke.

2. HDL (high-density lipoprotein)—known as good cholesterol—absorbs cholesterol and carries it back to the liver to be flushed from the body.

Bad cholesterol can be elevated by certain factors, including obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, smoking, excessive alcohol use and family history. High cholesterol usually has no symptoms, so it’s best to have a cholesterol screening every four to six years and discuss lifestyle risks with a doctor.

Breathing Exercises for Anxiety

When anxious, you tend to take rapid, shallow breaths from the chest. Chest breathing can result in increased heart rate, dizziness and muscle tension. During abdominal or diaphragmatic breathing, you instead take even deep breaths, which reduces the amount of work your body needs to do to breathe.

If you’re feeling breathless because of anxiety, try the following techniques to alleviate symptoms:

• • Equal breathing—From a sitting or lying-down position, inhale for the same amount of time as you’re exhaling. Try using a four-second count.
• • Mindful breathing—Focus on your breathing and bringing your mind’s attention to the present. Don’t let your mind drift to any concerns.
• • Slow breathing—You normally take 10 to 20 breaths per minute, so strive to take four to 10 breaths per minute.
• • Resonant breathing—Lie down and close your eyes. Gently breathe in through your nose for six seconds and exhale for six seconds.

If these types of breathing feel challenging, try again in a day or so, or build up the time gradually. If your anxiety persists or gets worse, contact your doctor.

Apple Oatmeal Muffins

Makes: 6 servings

Ingredients

. cup nonfat milk

⅓ cup applesauce

. cup all-purpose flour

. cup quick-cooking oats (uncooked)

1 cup sugar

1 . tsp. baking powder

. tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tart apple (cored and chopped)

Raisins and walnuts, optional for topping

Preparations

1) Preheat oven to 400 F.

2) Line six muffin tins with paper liners.

3) In a mixing bowl, add milk and applesauce. Stir until blended.

4) Stir in flour, oats, sugar, baking powder and cinnamon. Mix until just moistened.

5) Gently stir in the chopped apples.

6) Divide the muffin batter among the prepared pan.

7) Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

8) Cool in pan 5 minutes before serving. Store unused portions in an airtight container.

Nutritional Information Read Pdf