Employers

Employers should consider the full financial impact a QSEHRA could have on their employees’ premium costs. While QSEHRAs can help reduce employees’ health care costs, QSEHRAs can increase health care costs for some employees who purchase individual health plan coverage through the Health Connector and receive premium tax credits or ConnectorCare state premium subsidies. Under federal tax law, employees cannot get both a QSEHRA benefit from their employer and a full premium tax credit through the Health Connector. If an employee qualifies for a premium tax credit through the Health Connector, and their employer offers a QSEHRA benefit (even if the employee does not use it), the employee’s premium tax credit amount will be reduced or eliminated by the federal government when they file taxes and the employee will have to pay the federal government back either some or all of their premium tax credit amount. For more information about how QSEHRAs work and what employees should know about QSEHRAs, please visit https://www.mahealthconnector.org/help-center-answers/hra-and-your-aptc The following example demonstrates how an employee’s costs may increase if they are eligible for premium tax credits and their employer provides a QSEHRA:[1] Consider an employee in Boston earning 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL) or $24,280 annually. Under current law, she would be eligible for an APTC of $140 and a ConnectorCare state premium subsidy of $49. Her employer cannot afford group coverage but decides to make a QSEHRA contribution of $100 per month. The QSEHRA offered to the employee is considered affordable coverage [...]

Who is this guide for? Employers who want to assign, change or remove a broker for their Employer account on Health Connector for Business. Step 1: After logging in to your Health Connector Employer account, click the "Brokers" tab on the left- hand side of your account page under My Health Connector.   Step 2: Search for your Broker by name or by agency. Step 3: Once you've found the Broker you want, click "Select Broker." Step 4: You will need to confirm your Broker selection by clicking the red "CONFIRM" button. Another way to search for a Broker is on our Get Expert Help page: http://my.mahealthconnector.org/enrollment-assisters Changing or Terminating a Broker Step 1: If you need to change the broker you selected, login to your Health Connector Employer account and click "Change Broker". Step 2: Next, click "Terminate Broker" to return to the Broker browsing screen. Step 3: If you want to assign a new broker, please reference the "Assigning a Broker" steps above.    

How to pay your premiums online This guide shows Small Business owners how to pay health insurance premiums online through secure electronic check payment in your Health Connector for Business account. It covers: Making your first payment (binder payment) Setting up or deleting recurring payments (AutoPay) Making a one-time payment Making Your First Payment (Binder) Your first payment is called your binder payment. You must follow these steps to make your first payment. If you would like to set up AutoPay, you can do so after making your binder payment. Step 1.   Login to your Health Connector employer account. Step 2.    Select "Billing" from the left menu.   Step 3.    Select the "Statements" tab to view the invoice for your first month of coverage. Record the total amount due – you will need it when you set up your payment. Step 4.    Select the "Pay My Bill" tab. Step 5.    Select "Pay Online". Step 6.    Select "Pay Online". Step 7.    Select 'Pay My Bills'. Step 8.    Select the row that says 'Due Date' and 'Payment Note'. You'll see a row with 'Health Connector for Business Account Number 1' expand below. Step 9.    Select 'Initial Binder Payment from drop down menu Step 10.  Enter the total amount due from your invoice. Step 11.    Select 'Add A Payment Method'. Step 12.  Enter bank account information. Select 'Add'. Important: Double check your routing and account numbers to make sure we process your payment accurately. [...]

Health Insurance planning is an important part of the financial planning process for small businesses. Securing the right insurance begins with selecting the right insurance adviser. Make sure you have a broker who is responsive and shows flexibility and understands both your business and your business needs. You also need a broker who is capable of adhering to your desires and goals—it is not what is best and the fastest thing for the broker, it is what is best for you as the client and what is the best way to achieve your goals in the short and long term. The following checklist will help you find the right broker: Your Personal Advocate An experienced, trustworthy, and competent insurance broker should be your personal representative and advocate to point out the pros and cons of policy comparisons from various insurers, as well as to alert you to the company’s claims paying policies and ratings. Although the Health Connector system will provide automatic price and plan comparisons based on information provided in the marketplace that you are interested in, a broker will work on your behalf and is your personal adviser, looking out for your company’s best interest. Dependable Advisor Your relationship with your insurance broker does not end once the policy is active. When you select a broker as your agent, they will serve as your representative throughout the plan coverage period and should be easily accessible at claim time to help you resolve any issues that may arise [...]