Southwestern Montana Insurance Center, LLC. a RELI Exchange Company

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Employee benefits made easier. Health • Dental • Vision • Life • More
📍 Belgrade, MT

10/24/2026

Happy Birthday Ana!

10/22/2026

I am whatever you need me to be, we're getting you approved!!! 💪

10/21/2026

I promise I'm not being nosey underwritying needs it...

10/20/2026

Every office has *that*
phrase everyone says way too much 😂

So we asked the SMTIC team: **what’s your most-used
phrase at work?**

Some were predictable. Some were painfully accurate.
And some probably need to be retired immediately.

What phrase do you say at work at least 10 times a
day?

10/17/2026

If your business is reviewing employee benefits for 2027, ACA affordability should be part of the conversation early.

For plan years beginning in 2027, the IRS set the Section 36B required contribution percentage at 10.22%. While that may sound technical, it matters because this percentage is used in determining whether employer-sponsored minimum essential coverage is considered affordable for premium tax credit purposes.

Why does that matter for employers?

Because affordability is not just a pricing conversation — it is also a planning and compliance issue. Employer contribution strategy, employee premium-sharing, safe harbors, and plan design all play a role in how affordability is evaluated.

A few important takeaways:

• 10.22% is the 2027 benchmark for Section 36B affordability
• This number is relevant when reviewing employee contribution levels
• Employers should not look at renewal pricing alone — they should also review how contribution strategy affects affordability
• Affordability analysis should be part of open enrollment and renewal planning, not an afterthought
• This is a compliance reference point, not a recommendation for what any employer should charge employees

For employers, this is a good reminder to ask:

• Are our employee contributions aligned with our broader benefits strategy?
• Do we need to revisit affordability safe harbors for 2027?
• Are we reviewing our renewal through both a cost lens and a compliance lens?
• Are we communicating plan costs and employee contributions clearly?

As always, the right answer depends on the employer, the plan structure, and the workforce. But the earlier these conversations happen, the more time businesses have to review options, make thoughtful decisions, and avoid rushed last-minute changes.

A strong benefits strategy is not just about offering coverage — it is also about building a plan that supports employees while staying aligned with business goals and compliance responsibilities.

10/16/2026

Please just email me back.....

10/14/2026

Never a boring day at the office

10/13/2026

Choosing a health insurance plan can feel overwhelming — especially when every option comes with different premiums, deductibles, networks, copays, and out-of-pocket costs.

So we asked around the office: **what’s your best advice when choosing a health insurance plan?**

Our biggest takeaway? Don’t look at the premium alone. Think about how you actually use healthcare, which providers matter to you, your prescription needs, and what you could realistically afford if something unexpected happened.

What’s one thing you always look at before choosing a plan?

*General educational information only. Coverage, costs, networks, eligibility, and plan terms vary by policy.*

10/10/2026

Unexpected medical bills are one of the most frustrating parts of health coverage — especially in emergencies, when patients usually don’t have the luxury of choosing where they go or which provider treats them.

That’s why surprise billing protections matter.

Under federal protections, patients with health coverage for emergency services generally cannot be charged more than in-network cost-sharing for most covered emergency care, even if the emergency provider or facility is out of network. In many cases, that means the patient’s responsibility is generally limited to the deductible, copay, or coinsurance they would have owed for similar in-network emergency care.

Why is this important?

Because people often assume that if an ambulance, ER physician, hospital, or specialist is out of network, they will automatically be stuck with a massive bill beyond what their plan normally requires. In certain protected situations, that is not supposed to happen.

A few important reminders:

• These protections are especially relevant in emergency situations, where patients often cannot meaningfully choose their provider
• Patients should still review both the provider bill and the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) carefully
• If something looks wrong, it may be worth contacting the provider, the health plan, or the appropriate billing support resource
• There are still important exceptions — for example, ground ambulance services are generally not included in the federal surprise billing protections

10/09/2026

Bucket night!!

Address

14 Pollywog Lane
Belgrade, MT
59714

Website

https://swmtic.org/

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