I’d like to start by thanking all of you that have chosen The Phia Group as your trusted partner. I know very well that other options are available to you, and we are inspired and thankful everyday that you place your trust in us. I have always, and will continue to promise, that our team of recovery specialists, plan drafters, paralegals, lawyers, and support staff will do everything in our power to maximize the benefits while lowering the cost of your health benefit programs!
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Well, the fall is definitely upon us! Over in Boston, leaves are falling, changing to majestic landscapes, and the nights are getting cold; but The Phia Group is just heating up. We have so much information to share with you this newsletter from new service offerings to case law to regulatory changes. One of the things I wanted to share with you is the amazing conference I had the privilege to speak at this past weekend in Oklahoma City; the First Free Market Medical (FMMA) Association conference. It is rare that I am overwhelmed with new information, but this forum did the trick. The goal of the Free Market Medical Association is to bring together physicians, surgeons, providers, facilities, and support businesses to provide necessary resources to promote a successful industry. Its focus is to defend the practice of free market medicine without the intervention of government or other third parties.
What a spring we have had here at The Phia Group. From travelling across the country speaking at various venues, hosting our own Phia Forum a few weeks ago, to our new service offerings; we have been extremely busy here at the home office. Now that the summer is here, you would expect that things would slow down but that’s not the case at all. As the temperature rises, so does our work load, as the number of issues facing the self insured industry continues to grow. Who said that health insurance is boring!?!?!?
2014 is now upon us and I can’t imagine it being any crazier, both personally and professionally, than 2013; of course, I’ll probably say the same thing next year! Thanks to your concerns and needs, we have many exciting new opportunities coming your way this year. 2014 will be the year of self funding where we see the industry grow to heights never seen before. With growth comes many potential pit falls, as always, we are here to get you through them. It will be interesting to see how Obamacare fares in 2014 and what it does to the employer based healthcare system. I am optimistic that things will work out for us in the end and that we will be stronger for it. Just remember that through all the chaos, The Phia Group will be your one stop for all of your cost containment and consulting needs. 2013 was great – the prospects are even brighter for this year!!!! Happy reading!
Ill be honest with all of you – did I think back in 1999 when I formed The Phia Group with my college buddy Mike Branco that this company would become what it is today? The answer is I had no idea what I expected this company to become. I was just doing something that I loved and thought if I could make a living doing it then that would be “wicked” cool. We have blown away any expectations we have 14 years ago and the fact remains we have much more to do.
As always, thank you for your support of The Phia Group. We promise to keep you informed so you can protect yourselves and your clients. Happy reading.
A Delay In Play (or Pay) – The News Isn’t As Good As You May Think
The Obama administration announced that it is postponing the requirement that employers provide employees robust, affordable health plans; also known as “pay or play.” You may think that this is good news… It’s another year to consider options, prepare funds, and study the intricacies of PPACA. DON’T BE FOOLED!
Regulatory officials have stated that the delay was prompted by so-called “compliance complexity concerns.” Employers have attacked the rule from every angle; targeting unrealistic expectations, costs, and difficulties in reporting. In addition, many employers have threatened to “trim” their employment rosters. Employers with fewer than 50 employees (or full-time equivalent employees) are exempt from the rule. It should have come as no surprise, then, that some employers were going to cut employees’ hours or terminate staff, dropping below 50 lives. With all of this in mind, the administration – “thankfully” – pulled back on the reins. Great news, right? Wrong!
At The Phia Group, we hope for the best but plan for the worst. For the following reasons, now is not the time to disregard cost containment efforts. – Read More
As you have no doubt heard by now, on April 15, 2013 – two bombs were detonated just before 3 P.M. Eastern Standard Time in the Copley Square area of Boston, MA.
Since the news broke, many of you have reached out to us to ascertain our situation and confirm our wellbeing. I am pleased to advise you that our entire team is whole and healthy. The outpouring of support from you, our industry partners, has been moving.
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It’s only February and I’m already getting sick of the snow. Thankfully spring training is underway and for the first time in years, my beloved Indians have a chance to win! We here at The Phia Group want all of you to win new clients and increase your profitability and that’s why our services are catered to you.
The industry is going through much change and our expertise can and will guide you through the storms. Our recent webinar on cost plus offerings was the highest attended to date and we expect to beat that number with our next two on how to convince employers that self funding is right for them. Thanks for choosing us and happy reading.