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Tag Archive for: minimum essential coverage

Safeguard Your Family’s Wellness This Back-to-School Season

October 16, 2022/in Healthy Living, News, Personal

School is back in session!

As a parent, we’re sure you’re excited that the summer chaos, coordinating camps and activities, and simply having your children around 24/7 have ended!

As you know, going back to school typically means your child gets sick more frequently. So, how can you safeguard your child and the rest of your family’s wellness this back-to-school season?

Below are a few tips.

Stay Up-to-Date on Immunizations and Vaccines

Vaccination requirements typically vary on a state-by-state basis or even in a school-specific district. To find out precisely what immunizations your child needs, contact your local school board.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians recommend a few specific vaccines based on your child’s age. These are as follows:

By Age Two

A vaccination series of the following vaccines should be completed in all children by age two:

  • Hepatitis B
  • DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis)
  • Hib (Haemophilus influenzae)
  • Polio
  • Pneumococcus
  • MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
  • Varicella (protects against chicken pox)

In addition, annual flu vaccines are recommended for infants from six to 24 months, as this age group is at high risk of complications from contracting the flu.

Hepatitis A vaccines may also be recommended starting at age 2 for those in high-risk groups or areas.

Age Four to Six

Typically, boosters are recommended between ages four to six for DTaP, Polio, and MMR. Those who are younger than nine and have not received the flu vaccine, need two doses of the vaccine given more than one month apart. After age nine, annual vaccination is recommended.

Children with asthma or lung diseases, sickle cell anemia, HIV, diabetes, and heart or kidney disease should receive the influenza vaccination annually.

Age 11 to 12

At around age 11 to 12, a pediatrician visit is recommended to review vaccinations and ensure all necessary immunizations have been provided. At this age, a hepatitis B, MMR, or varicella vaccine may be given if missed or incomplete at earlier ages.

Your child may also receive a combination of boosters for tetanus and diphtheria (if five years have passed since the last Td vaccine). Children with a high risk of complications from the flu should receive an annual vaccine. 

Attend Annual Checkups

Annual doctor’s office visits and check-ups can help prevent greater health issues later on down the line. These check-ups can help identify hearing and vision issues, malnutrition, and other lifestyle imbalances.

Hearing and Vision Issues

Vision and hearing losses are often overlooked in children at a younger age. These issues are difficult to identify if your child is not getting tested in their annual check-up for vision and hearing ability.

Identifying these issues early on can make a huge impact on your child’s ability to learn and engage both in school and at home.

Malnutrition

A child’s development depends on proper nutrition, both physically and cognitively. Malnutrition is an issue that impacts children globally, including in the U.S.

Annual checks and doctor’s visits can help give you greater insight into how your child is developing compared to other children of the same age. A slight change in nutrition can have a huge impact on your child’s ability to learn.

Infographic for "Safeguard Your Family's Wellness This Back-to-School Season"

MEC Covered Services for Children

To make sure your child can receive the care they need to remain healthy during the school year, you need proper insurance coverage.

Minimum essential coverage (MEC) offers an affordable coverage option to keep you and your family healthy at all times.

Some of the services covered for children include:

  • Alcohol and drug use assessments for adolescents
  • Autism screening for children at 18 and 24 months
  • Behavioral assessments for children at 0 to 11 months, one to four years, five to 10 years, 11 to 14 years, and 15 to 17 years
  • Bilirubin concentration screening for newborns
  • Blood Pressure screening for children at 0-11 months, one to four years, five to 10 years, 11 to 14 years, and 15 to 17 years
  • Blood screening for newborns
  • Cervical dysplasia screening for sexually active females
  • Depression screening for adolescents
  • Developmental screening for children under age three
  • Dyslipidemia screening for children at higher risk of lipid disorders at one to four years, five to 10 years, 11 to 14 years, and 15 to 17 years
  • Fluoride chemoprevention supplements for children without fluoride in their water source
  • Fluoride varnish for all infants and children as soon as teeth are present
  • Gonorrhea preventive medication for the eyes of all newborns
  • Hearing screen for all newborns; and for children once between 11 and 14 years, 15 and 17 years, and 18 and 21 years
  • Height, weight, and body mass index measurements for children at 0 to 11 months, one to four years, five to 10 years, 11 to 14 years, and 15 to 17 years of age
  • Hematocrit or hemoglobin screening for all children
  • Hemoglobinopathies or sickle cell screening for newborns
  • Hepatitis B screening for adolescents ages 11 to 17 years at high risk.
  • HIV screening for adolescents at higher risk
  • Hypothyroidism screening for newborns

These services in combination with preventative measures taken at home can help keep your family and your children safe during the back-to-school influx of sickness.

Looking to start a family or grow your current family? Take a look at one of our recent articles to learn about pregnancy and minimum essential coverage.

https://www.sbmabenefits.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Safeguard-Your-Family_s-Wellness-This-Back-to-School-Season.png 628 1200 Amanda Rogers https://www.sbmabenefits.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/SBMA_Website-Logo_250x150.png Amanda Rogers2022-10-16 07:00:142022-08-28 22:27:24Safeguard Your Family’s Wellness This Back-to-School Season

Retaining Employees with Minimum Essential Coverage Plans

July 10, 2022/in Employee Retention, MEC

Over the past two years, employees have been leaving their jobs in record numbers. In fact, this phenomenon, termed The Great Resignation, resulted in 20 million people leaving their jobs in the second half of 2021 alone. Due to mass resignations, employers are searching for solutions to successfully recruit and retain employees.
There are, of course, a variety of factors that contribute to an employee’s decision to leave or stay with a company. Today, we’ll be discussing just one of these factors: How health benefits can contribute to employee recruitment and retention.

Read more
https://www.sbmabenefits.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Untitled-design-2-1.png 924 1640 Amanda Rogers https://www.sbmabenefits.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/SBMA_Website-Logo_250x150.png Amanda Rogers2022-07-10 17:09:302022-06-30 17:10:08Retaining Employees with Minimum Essential Coverage Plans

Understanding the ACA’s 1094 and 1095

January 2, 2022/in ACA Compliance, MEC, News

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), enacted in March 2010, was created with the goal to make healthcare more affordable. All applicable large employers (ALEs) with 50 or more full time, or full time equivalent employees must offer ACA compliant benefits to at least 95% of their workforce, and their dependents.

Read more
https://www.sbmabenefits.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Untitled-design.png 924 1640 Amanda Rogers https://www.sbmabenefits.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/SBMA_Website-Logo_250x150.png Amanda Rogers2022-01-02 10:31:562022-01-06 11:31:06Understanding the ACA’s 1094 and 1095

HIPAA vs FERPA: What’s the Difference?

November 21, 2021/in ACA Compliance, HIPAA

HIPAA stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. Under this federal law, patient health information is protected and kept secure unless the patient gives consent to disclose their information. The patient has control of who has access to their records.
Physical activity doesn’t always mean an intense hour-long workout at the gym every day. While this form of exercise has great benefits, it’s not for everyone.

Read more
https://www.sbmabenefits.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/SBMA-Open-Enrollment-Nov-1-copy-2.png 924 1640 Amanda Rogers https://www.sbmabenefits.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/SBMA_Website-Logo_250x150.png Amanda Rogers2021-11-21 21:39:002022-07-01 08:51:57HIPAA vs FERPA: What’s the Difference?

Reviewing The ACA Times “ACA EMPLOYER PENALTIES ARE REAL AND THE IRS WILL BE ISSUING MORE”

November 14, 2021/in ACA Compliance, News

All Applicable Large Employers (ALEs) are required to offer at least 95% of full-time employees Affordable Care Act (ACA)-compliant Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) benefits.

ALEs are any business with over 50 full-time employees in a calendar year. Full-time equivalent employees (anyone who works at least 30 hours per week) also count towards the 50 full-time employee tally.

Read more
https://www.sbmabenefits.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/SBMA-Open-Enrollment-Nov-1-copy.png 924 1640 Amanda Rogers https://www.sbmabenefits.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/SBMA_Website-Logo_250x150.png Amanda Rogers2021-11-14 21:09:002022-01-11 10:11:40Reviewing The ACA Times “ACA EMPLOYER PENALTIES ARE REAL AND THE IRS WILL BE ISSUING MORE”

Open Enrollment 2022-2023: What You Need to Know

October 31, 2021/in MEC, Open Enrollment

Open enrollment is the one period of the year where employees can sign up for health insurance or change a health insurance plan provided by the employer. Remember that this period also allows employees to disenroll in health insurance if they no longer wish to have coverage.

The only exception to enrolling, changing a health insurance service, or disenrolling is through a qualifying event. Qualifying events can vary depending on the state the employee resides in.

Physical activity doesn’t always mean an intense hour-long workout at the gym every day. While this form of exercise has great benefits, it’s not for everyone.

Read more
https://www.sbmabenefits.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/SBMA-Open-Enrollment-Nov-1.png 924 1640 Amanda Rogers https://www.sbmabenefits.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/SBMA_Website-Logo_250x150.png Amanda Rogers2021-10-31 13:33:002022-11-18 09:39:43Open Enrollment 2022-2023: What You Need to Know

11 Minutes to a Longer Life

October 24, 2021/in Employee Engagement, Healthy Living

Living a longer, healthier life requires physical activity, eating healthy, and routine visits to the doctor. When these three factors work together, it allows you to stay your healthiest. In turn- your odds of living longer increase.
Physical activity doesn’t always mean an intense hour-long workout at the gym every day. While this form of exercise has great benefits, it’s not for everyone.

Read more
https://www.sbmabenefits.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Oct-25-SBMA.png 924 1640 Amanda Rogers https://www.sbmabenefits.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/SBMA_Website-Logo_250x150.png Amanda Rogers2021-10-24 10:47:002021-11-30 17:03:4411 Minutes to a Longer Life

Opt-in vs Opt-out Health Insurance: What You Need to Know

October 17, 2021/in Employee Engagement, Employee Retention

Large employers offering employees health benefits need to choose between opting all employees in automatically, encouraging them to opt-in, or making them opt out of health benefits. When it comes to health insurance, opting in and out plays a key part in enrollment. Using the right strategy can help you as a large employer provides coverage for your employees.

Read more
https://www.sbmabenefits.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/opt-in-opt-out.png 924 1640 Amanda Rogers https://www.sbmabenefits.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/SBMA_Website-Logo_250x150.png Amanda Rogers2021-10-17 22:27:002021-11-30 17:02:25Opt-in vs Opt-out Health Insurance: What You Need to Know

How Do I Get My Employees to Sign Up for Health Insurance?

October 10, 2021/in Brokers, Employee Engagement, Employee Retention

All businesses with over 50 full-time employees are required to offer health insurance or be penalized $3,860 per uninsured employee. Our Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliant MEC benefits calculator breaks down the cost of remaining incompliant vs. annual costs with MEC here. Offering Minimum Essential Coverage benefits saves over $180,000,000 annually.

Read more
https://www.sbmabenefits.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Oct-1121_Encourage-Employee-Health-Insurance_SBMA.png 924 1640 Amanda Rogers https://www.sbmabenefits.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/SBMA_Website-Logo_250x150.png Amanda Rogers2021-10-10 22:05:002021-11-30 17:02:04How Do I Get My Employees to Sign Up for Health Insurance?

How to Eat Healthy on a Budget

October 3, 2021/in Employee Engagement, Healthy Living

Healthy eating doesn’t have to mean organic and overpriced. It’s possible to have a healthy diet while on a budget. You can still pick fresh produce that gives important nutritional value to your diet without breaking the bank.

Read more
https://www.sbmabenefits.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Oct-7.21_-Eat-Healthy-Cover_SBMA.png 924 1640 Amanda Rogers https://www.sbmabenefits.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/SBMA_Website-Logo_250x150.png Amanda Rogers2021-10-03 20:49:002021-11-30 16:57:53How to Eat Healthy on a Budget
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