Share Early Renewal Information

August 5, 2013

Below are the early renewal materials for your Health Alliance small groups considering an early or extended renewal with a December 1, 2013 effective date. We will email rate portfolios to you and the group. Note: Rate portfolios will be sent via a secured email which will be accessible for only 30 days from your receipt, so remember to save these documents to your own computer or server within this time period.

Note: We will not provide these materials with the rate portfolios. Instead, you will need to share these materials with your renewing employees.

It is our priority to keep you informed about employer group health care coverage options, especially those tied to health care reform, so you are able to communicate with your groups and members.

Remember, we must receive decisions about early renewal no later than September 15, 2013 by providing the signed rate sheet, early renewal program form, and EEQ.

Thank you for your continued support of Health Alliance. If you have any questions, contact your client consultant.

Please Note Explanation of Benefits Change

Starting September 1, fully insured medical EOBs will be available to members online-only at Your Health Alliance. We recently notified members.

We are also encouraging Medicare members and select self-funded participants to opt in to get their EOBs online-only.

If we deny a claim, members will get a paper EOB in addition to their online EOB. We want to make sure members understand their appeal rights.

We hope this change encourages members to use Your Health Alliance as their primary benefit resource.

Learn More About Marketplace Navigators

Federal law requires states to establish a community outreach program, sometimes called navigators or personal assisters, to help eligible individuals purchase health care coverage through the health insurance marketplaces. The counselors will perform impartial outreach, education, and enrollment activities in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner on behalf of the shopper. Under the laws of each state, all navigators will be subject to initial training and must complete yearly continuing education requirements to maintain eligibility for their license or certificate renewal.

The navigator legislation is nearly identical in Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska with a few subtle differences:

Illinois and Nebraska issue certificates while Iowa issues a license to individual and entity navigators.
Illinois and Nebraska navigator certificates are valid for one year, while an Iowa navigator license is valid for 3 years.
Illinois and Nebraska simply require training and education prior to certification. In Iowa, you must pass a written exam and pay an exam fee.

Illinois recently announced $27 million in federal grants to 44 community groups to help consumers navigate the statewide health insurance exchange this fall. The groups include well-known clinics, such as Chicago-based Access Community Health Network, as well as advocacy organizations such as the Champaign-based Campaign for Better Health Care. The federal government also announced an award to state health centers to perform similar outreach to facilitate enrollment.