Zane Benefits launches new program for small businesses
Following the passing of the Small Business Healthcare Relief Act, Zane Benefits has launched a new program called PeopleKeep Health.
The Act, which restores a class of stand-alone Health Reimbursement Arrangements for businesses with 50 employees or fewer, clarifies how businesses can assist employees with their personal health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses.
“The inclusion of the Small Business Healthcare Relief Act in the 21st Century Cures Act is a huge win for small businesses,” said Rick Lindquist, President and CEO of Zane Benefits. “Under the Affordable Care Act, access to HRAs was extremely limited. Our new platform, PeopleKeep Health, is a private sector solution to this public sector problem.
An HRA allows businesses to make up to $4,950 available ($10,000 for families) to employees. It’s tax free for employees and tax deductible for the business.
Agency launches tech solution to health insurance ID delay
A Californian insurance agency has addressed the issue of the wait for health insurance IDs for new recipients of employer-provided plans.
Word & Brown’s mobile app gives employees instant access to a digital ID which can be shown to a doctor while they await their permanent ID, which can take up to two weeks to arrive.
The agency has already signed Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California and Health Net and hopes to add more insurers to the MedID app in 2017.
Employees use their personal data to access the digital ID once their group’s insurance company has approved coverage.
“We are excited to offer brokers the ability to provide a secure, easy way for insured employees and their loved ones to access their medical ID Card on their phone soon after their group’s coverage is approved,” said Jessica Word, president of the Word & Brown General Agency.
Insurer claims world first for new line
A Canadian insurer says it is the first in the world to offer a digital insurance product to cover wine.
Alfred Secure is a collaboration between insurance firm Industrial Alliance, tech firm Alfred / Celliers Intelligents and The Wine Experts; and its coverage is linked to real time measurement of the value of both small reserves and large wine collections, via an integrated cellar management app, Alfred.
Rather than a wine collection being covered under a home insurance policy with the potential for dispute regarding the value of lost bottles, this solution aims to provide an accurate valuation of the collection.
