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Professional Associations’ Agency, Inc. Date: November 7, 2013 To: West Virginia State Bar Active Members Re: OPEN ENROLLMENT – WV State Bar Medical Insurance Program Ends November 30, 2013. Attorneys can take advantage of a once-a-year opportunity during November by enrolling in the West Virginia State Bar-endorsed medical insurance program regardless of their health history or current health condition. This insurance is underwritten by United Healthcare. It is also available to your employees regardless of their health history, even if you do not enroll. It meets the criteria of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 requiring individuals to purchase health insurance by January 1, 2014. Here are some important features of the program. No health questions. Acceptance is guaranteed. Once insured a person cannot be cancelled because of health conditions. Premiums are not “step rated” (increased) because of chronic health conditions. Neither all nor certain percentage of employees have to be insured. Attorney can have high deductible plan while employees have low deductible plan. Attorneys or employees losing their insurance may enroll regardless of health conditions. Employees can enroll without the attorney enrolling. Attorneys and employees joining the firm during the year can enroll with no health questions. Eligible dependent children are covered to age 26 years. Three benefit plans are open for enrollment, including two indemnity plans and a health savings accounts (HSA). United Healthcare has a nationwide network of health care practitioners and hospitals, which is beneficial with travel and children attending out-of-state schools. The plans have various levels of benefits, deductibles and copayments with premiums reflecting the extent to which you wish to insure against health care costs. The HSA has these tax advantages: (I) contributions to your HSA account are tax deductible; (2) earnings on your HSA account are tax-free; and (3) withdrawals from your HSA account to pay medical expenses are tax-free. Accompanying this notice is the 2013-2014 Benefit Choices, including the monthly premium for each of the three plans open for enrollment. To obtain an enrollment form please FAX your request on your letterhead to Professional Associations’ Agency at 304-344-5316. If you have any questions please call our office 304-344-5320. Attorneys and employees enrolling in November will have their insurance effective December 1. |