Ugh - Emergency Insurance Information

We just received word, that beginning in 2014 all Americans with children under the age of 18 are required by the Affordable Health Care Act to provide pediatric dental care for these individuals. If it is not provided, you will be subject to a fine. It is not clear how they will enforce - but would probably get figured out if you were audited by the IRS. It was our intent to renew dental as an option effective January 1st, 2014. However, just like health insurance, you are only required to meet these conditions the first time we renew in 2014. This means that we are doing a last minute early renewal for dental as well. It will go into effect December 1st 2013. That was yesterday, but they are going to let us backdate it.

So this is what you need to do. First - if you want your dental to remain exactly how it is - do nothing. If you want to remain dentally unaffiliated, also do nothing. However, if you want to add or change anything to do with dental, you must contact me immediately with an email expressing your desire to do whatever it is you desire to do.

Here are the new rates for dental - it looks like it is about a 9% increase:

• Employee Only - Current = $34.67  -  New = $37.79
• Employee & Spouse - Current = $69.34  - New = $75.58
• Employee & Family - Current = $107.37  - New = $117.03 
• Employee & Child(ren) - Current = 74.43  - New = $81.13

I am sorry to spring this decision on you at the last minute - but it was better than the alternative. This will give us 11 more months to sort out all of the requirements going into next year. With the new rules, each family member is paid for separately and they no longer have family plans. A family of 6 (4 kids) would have cost about $160.00 - $175.00 to insure. This will keep reasonable rates for at least 12 more months.

Again - if you need to make any changes or have any questions - please email as soon as you possibly can. I am to have all changes turned in by Thursday.  Thanks.