How will you pay your bills if you cant work?

Call us today, protection is a lot more affordable than you might think.

Andrew Darlington CRM, CIC, CBIA, AAI

Tennessee health insurance rate increases

​The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance approved the 62% Marketplace rate increase that Blue Cross requested in June. Watch this video to learn more about how this ruling will impact you! 

https://youtu.be/5ocJtnJ-8Pg​​

Health Insurance Rate Hikes....

#ObamaCareUpdate Yesterday, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance approved the 62% Marketplace rate increase that Blue Cross requested in June.

#Obamacare #HealthInsurance #RateIncrease #ACA

Andrew Darlington CRM, CIC, CBIA, AAI

It Wasn’t MY Tree, But Will My Insurance Cover It?

​It Wasn't MY Tree, But Will My Insurance Cover It?

With the recent storms you may have had some trees fall. Or, you may have had a neighbor's tree fall in to your yard. You may be wondering what your insurance will do to cover the damage. You may even be wondering who is responsible for the damage if a neighbor's tree falls in your yard or vice-versa. This is a very common question. Who's liable and what coverage is available to homeowners in these situations? Check out this video to get the information you need! If you have any questions call us at (423) 292-4142. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU2djFOFn3k

​

OSHA Releases "Quick Card" for Zika Virus Protection for Outdoor Workers

Guidance Available for Business Travelers & More

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued guidance for protecting outdoor workers from occupational exposure to Zika virus.

Background
Outdoor workers may be at the greatest risk of exposure to Zika virus, which is primarily spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Your employer should inform you about the risk of exposure through mosquito bites and how to protect yourself.

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Click Here or go to https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3880.pdf for the OSHA Quick Card.  

OSHA and NIOSH recommend that you talk to your supervisor(s) about any outdoor work assignment(s) or travel to Zika-affected areas if you are or may become pregnant, or, for males, if your sexual partner is or may become pregnant. Consult CDC information on Zika virus and pregnancy: www.cdc.gov/zika.

Andrew Darlington CRM, CIC, CBIA, AAI

Veritas
Risk Management & Insurance Services

PO Box 4539
Johnson City, TN 37602
Phone- (423)292-4142

IRS Alerts Payroll and HR Professionals to 'Phishing' Scheme Involving W-2s

Make sure your CPA and HR Team are aware of this as these Scams Target Taxpayers' Personal Information

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued an alert to payroll and human resources professionals to beware of a "phishing" email scheme that purports to be from company executives and requests personal information on employees.  This is not just limoted to large busineeses.  This could happen to anyone in Tennessee or Virginia.... from Mountain City to Memphis and from Bristol to Norfolk.

Background
The IRS has learned that this scheme—part of the surge in phishing emails seen this year—has claimed victims as payroll and human resources offices mistakenly email payroll data, including Forms W-2, that contains Social Security numbers (SSNs) and other personally identifiable information to cybercriminals posing as company executives.

IRS Criminal Investigation is reviewing cases in which people have been tricked into sharing SSNs with what turned out to be cybercriminals. Criminals using personal information stolen elsewhere seek to monetize data.

What is a Phishing Scheme?
This phishing variation is known as a "spoofing" email. It will contain, for example, the actual name of the company chief executive officer (CEO). In this variation, the "CEO" sends an email to a company payroll office employee and requests a list of employees and information, including SSNs.

The following are some of the details contained in the emails:

"Kindly send me the individual 2015 W-2s (PDF) and earnings summary of all W-2 of our company staff for a quick review.
Can you send me the updated list of employees, with full details (names, SSNs, dates of birth, home addresses, and salaries)?"

Or

"I want you to send me the lists of W-2 copies of employees' wage and tax statements for 2015. I need them in PDF file type—you can send them as attachments. Kindly prepare the lists and email them to me ASAP."

Additional Information
The IRS, state tax agencies, and the tax industry are engaged in a public awareness campaign to encourage businesses to do more to protect personal, financial, and tax data. IRS Publication 4524 features additional steps you can take to protect your business or just call our Johnson City office at 423.292.4142 or send us an remail requesting more information.

Andrew Darlington CRM, CIC, CBIA, AAI
423.292.4142

#irs
#scam
#phishing
#veritasrm.com
#veritas
#veritasinsurance

Important Information on Short-Term and Marketplace Plans with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee

What’s Changing?

Short-Term Plans:·         Several new regulations are restricting our ability to cost-effectively support short-term health insurance policies. After much thought and discussion, we will no longer offer these plans after August 30, 2016. This applies to new policies and renewals.

Marketplace Plans:·         Due to rising processing fees, we’ve chosen to stop accepting credit cards for premium payments. Members can no longer make credit card payments online, but may still make credit card payments by phone through December 31, 2016. Beginning January 1, 2017, we will no longer accept credit cards for any premium payment. Members can continue to pay their premiums online with a debit card or electronic check, by paper check, or by setting up automatic monthly payments.
·         Starting in January 2017, we will administer claims during the payment grace period according to our existing policy language. This changes how members can access their pharmacy benefits at the point of purchase. If the premium has not been paid in full by the due date, and the member has a prescription filled, they will have to pay for their prescription. After the member has paid their monthly premium, they can then file a claim for reimbursement. Claim reimbursement forms can be found at bcbst.com under “Manage my Plan”, then under “Forms.”