Flashes

Group Medicare Supplement Renewals Delayed

December 5, 2018

Last week we sent the renewal mailing to group Medicare supplement members without the 2019 rates included, as these have not yet been approved by Department of Insurance (DOI). The renewal mailing informs members of the 2019 Original Medicare benefits. A cover letter explains that we’ll mail the rates separately once we receive approval.

We are required to give members and groups a 30-day notice before changing their rates, so the new rates will not go into effect on January 1, 2019. Even though we aren’t changing the rates on January 1, we will not extend the 2020 renewal. That renewal date will still be January 1, 2020.

We filed within the appropriate time frame, and we are working diligently with the DOI to receive approval. We will provide an update once we receive the 2019 rate approval. 

Please contact your client consultant with any questions.

Retro Change Policy for Exhibit Bs

November 20, 2018

The Exhibit B for your group contains eligibility terms of the contract and more. This document must be reviewed and re-signed upon renewal. We do not accept retro changes to the Exhibit B more than 30 days after your renewal or effective date.

Retro changes beyond that time period are not accepted due to the potential risk to you from a discrimination standpoint. The Exhibit B must be signed by the owner of the company or an authorized employee of the company and returned to us as soon as possible, and no later than 30 days after your renewal or effective date.

Contact your client consultant with any questions.

Updates to Employer Group Reports on Your Health Alliance

October 2, 2018

On Your Health Alliance for brokers, you can now access employer group reporting for large groups of 25 or more subscribers. The subscriber count will be calculated at the time of sale and at renewal. All brokers will automatically have access to reporting for qualified groups.

Principal agents will have access to their group reports plus all of the agency’s group reports. Assistants, with the principal agent’s permission, will also have access to all of the agency’s group reports.

The following reports will be available.

  • Income Statement
  • Cost Use Comparison
  • Per Member Per Month Comparison
  • Cost Use by Year
  • Catastrophic Claim Report
  • Member Cost by Claim Level
  • Discount Report
  • Diagnosis by Category
  • Top 10 Vendors

The reports will post quarterly (the month after the quarter ends, based on the group’s renewal date) on the 20th of the month. Brokers will receive an email when the reports are available. Your employer groups will also get this notice and have access to the same reports.

To learn more, see the YourHealthAlliance.org Guide for Brokers. If you have any questions, contact Broker Support at 877-917-8489 or BrokerServices@healthalliance.org.

Biometric Screening Services Available

June 26, 2018

To better meet your needs, we offer two great biometric screening options from vendors we trust: Quest Health Diagnostics and Onsite Diagnostics.

Highlights

  • Availability throughout the United States
  • On-site health fairs, covering height, weight, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), cholesterol and glucose (finger stick and/or blood draw) conducted by the vendor
  • Management and process support of employer health fairs
  • The ability for an employee to see his or her primary care provider with a designated form (subject to the plan’s copay/coinsurance/cost-sharing)
  • Reporting:
    • For groups with fewer than 50 participants*, the vendor will only report participation level
    • For groups with more than 50 participants*, more detailed reports are available (and custom reports may also be available for an additional fee)
  • Flexible ways to receive services:
    • On site
    • Through a lab
    • Through an employee’s personal doctor
    • Through home test kits

*Quest Diagnostics requires 40 participants; Onsite Diagnostics requires 50 participants.

 Check out the biometric flier on Your Health Alliance for employers, and contact Broker Support at 1-877-917-8489 or BrokerServices@healthalliance.org with questions.