CareFirst Notifies Groups on Facets of Move to Further, new CDH Vendor

Transcription

1 Date: February 1, 2018 Market: All Facets grups CareFirst Ntifies Grups n Facets f Mve t Further, new CDH Vendr As mentined in the January 19, 2018 flash, CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield and CareFirst BlueChice (CareFirst) will be partnering with Further (frmerly SelectAccunt ) t administer all BlueFund cnsumer directed health care (CDH) plans and Blue Rewards incentive cards. Effective April 1, 2018, all grups n Facets and all new business will transitin t Further. We see this as an investment in the future, and by wrking with Further, tgether we will be able t prvide ne cnsistent and high-quality experience fr all ur accunts and members. T prvide accunts with advance ntice, CareFirst will be mailing ne f these letters based upn their medical prduct(s) t all Facets grups with a CDH plan the week f January 29, Because we anticipate that this ntificatin letter may generate questins, CareFirst will be reaching ut t grups and members in the next few weeks t prvide them with additinal details t help ease cncerns. We will als equip yu with additinal infrmatin fr fielding any questins r cncerns yu may receive frm grups and members. We encurage yu t regularly lk fr additinal Sales Flashes abut new materials, training pprtunities, and mre in the cming weeks. In the meantime, please refer t the attached list f Frequently Asked Questins. Shuld yu have any questins, please cntact yur brker sales representative. Brian D. Pieninck Chief Operating Officer CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield is the shared business name f CareFirst f Maryland, Inc. and Grup Hspitalizatin and Medical Services, Inc. CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield and CareFirst BlueChice, Inc. are bth independent licensees f the Blue Crss and Blue Shield Assciatin. Registered trademark f the Blue Crss and Blue Shield Assciatin.

2 Frequently Asked Questins CareFirst and Further Partnership Transitin Training 1. Will sales wrk directly with Further r will there be an internal cntact/liaisn t wrk thrugh? Cindy Otley will be yur primary CDH marketing cntact. In additin, Further is hiring a Principal Sales Executive t wrk with key internal teams t drive the direct sales strategy, distributin channel grwth, and deliver n sales gals. They are als hiring a Senir Accunt Executive wh will be wrking with key internal teams t meet client/partner specific needs. Bth individuals will be based in Owings Mills. 2. What kind f implementatin and nging supprt will we have? The n-site team will be available t assist with grup-specific needs. They will als be available t assist in implementatins, as needed. There will als be a team hused in Eagan, MN that will wrk directly with CareFirst, brkers r grups t set-up their accunts. 3. Is there a dedicated BlueFund team with the new vendr? Will we be given their cntact infrmatin and are they available fr calls with grups? As we mve frward, we will identify individuals fr ur large grup accunt managers t cntact fr emplyer calls if necessary. 4. Hw lng will it take t set-up a new grup (frm enrllment t setting up a bank accunt t members having access t their funds)? Fr new grups, the entire set-up prcess can take as little as seven t ten business days. Members typically receive debit cards within days f their mail date, based n US Pstal Service delivery. With that said, CareFirst recmmends receiving enrllment 30 days in advance f the client s effective date. The client must be set-up t prcess enrllment. 1. When will training sessins ccur? In preparatin fr the 4/1/18 g-live date, CareFirst and Further will be hlding the fllwing train-the-trainer sessins n the fllwing dates: January 25-26, 2018: Training sessin ne, train the trainer with Further + CareFirst February 1-2, 2018: Training sessin tw, c-facilitated training with Further + CareFirst February 14, 2018: Training sessin three, CareFirst facilitated training Training dates fr peratins, sales & service and brkers have nt yet been established, but will be scheduled. CareFirst and Further are tentatively planning n hlding additinal training sessins t refresh the team in preparatin fr the NASCO 7/1/18 migratin date. CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield is the shared business name f CareFirst f Maryland, Inc. and Grup Hspitalizatin and Medical Services, Inc. CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield and CareFirst BlueChice, Inc. are bth independent licensees f the Blue Crss and Blue Shield Assciatin. Registered trademark f the Blue Crss and Blue Shield Assciatin January 21,

3 BlueFund 1. What is BlueFund? BlueFund refers t a suite f cnsumer directed health care (CDH) plans frm CareFirst that have been designed t make health care mre affrdable. By using a medical spending accunt, such as a Health Savings Accunt (HSA) r a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) with a higher deductible health plan, BlueFund gives members mre cntrl ver hw they spend their health care dllars, while ffering emplyers mre cst saving ptins. BlueFund plans have tw main cmpnents: A qualified high-deductible health plan frm CareFirst that meets IRS requirements, and An integrated, tax-preferred accunt used t save fr, and fund, ut-f-pcket medical expenses. Emplyer HSA benefits include: Premium reductin when cmpared t nn-cdh ptins N administrative, setup r mnthly fees (ASO grups are respnsible fr these fees) Integrated enrllment s emplyers d nt need t send the CDH administratr enrllment infrmatin r changes Access t detailed transactin and balance infrmatin Emplyer HRA benefits include: Premium reductin when cmpared t nn-cdh ptins N administrative, setup r mnthly fees (ASO grups are respnsible fr these fees) When HRA funds are used t reimburse emplyees fr ut-f-pcket health care expenses, these funds are exempt frm payrll and Scial Security taxes HRA payments made by the emplyer can be taken as a business expense deductin Member benefits include: Members have mre cntrl ver hw they spend their health dllars Members may single sign n t check their balances, submit claims etc. thrugh My Accunt CareFirst will share infrmatin with the CDH administratr t help make claims prcessing simpler 2. Will CareFirst cntinue t ffer BlueFund? Yes, BlueFund, which is CareFirst s suite f fund management slutins, is a key differentiatr fr us. When the HSA and/r HRA is paired with a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), BlueFund helps make health care mre affrdable and accessible while als featuring: Mre chices, tax advantages and lwer premiums fr emplyers and their emplyees Integrated enrllment and claims prcessing t make it easy fr emplyers and emplyees t manage their accunt CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield is the shared business name f CareFirst f Maryland, Inc. and Grup Hspitalizatin and Medical Services, Inc. CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield and CareFirst BlueChice, Inc. are bth independent licensees f the Blue Crss and Blue Shield Assciatin. Registered trademark f the Blue Crss and Blue Shield Assciatin January 21,

4 Prducts 1. What type f medical expenses are cvered by an HRA r HSA? The same types f medical expenses cvered tday by ur BlueFund plans will be cvered by Further. Please see IRS213d fr mre infrmatin. 2. Will CareFirst ffer FSAs as a BlueFund prduct? Nt at this time, s initially, grups will need t wrk directly with Further t establish a FSA. Balance Transfers, Investments and Fees etc. 1. Hw will balance transfers be handled? Fr HRA balances, Further and CareFirst will wrk with the previus vendr t get thse dllars transferred. 2. Hw will investments be handled? If members chse t mve their HSA dllars t Further, they will need t liquidate their investments and then transfer thse dllars t their new HSA accunt. It is up t the member t determine if they wish t transfer. If members chse t keep their investments where they currently have them, they will be respnsible fr all the administrative fees. Further ffers a cmprehensive suite f Charles Schwab investment ptins fr members. Members may pen an investment accunt when their HSA base balance reaches and maintains a minimum f $1,000 (fr the mutual fund ptin). With a $10,000 investment balance, members may pt fr a self-directed brkerage ptin. 3. Are there HRA fees? The BlueFund fee structure will nt change. 4. What will members have t d t rllver their HSAs and mve t the new bank? Members have the ptin t mve their HSA dllars t Further. If they chse t d s, frms t rllver their dllars will be available n the CareFirst website and custmer service ( ) will be available t help with the transfer. 5. Will I be charged a fee fr transferring a balance frm my current CDH vendr t Further? Members will nt be charged a fee. CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield is the shared business name f CareFirst f Maryland, Inc. and Grup Hspitalizatin and Medical Services, Inc. CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield and CareFirst BlueChice, Inc. are bth independent licensees f the Blue Crss and Blue Shield Assciatin. Registered trademark f the Blue Crss and Blue Shield Assciatin January 21,

5 Emplyer/Emplyee 1. When can grups begin funding emplyees' accunts? As sn as the member accunts are set-up, the emplyer can begin sending cntributins. Funds will be accessible t emplyees n their effective date. 2. What happens t an emplyee's HRA funds if they leave the cmpany r retire during the plan year? If an emplyee leaves the cmpany during the plan year, the HRA funds g back the emplyer. If an emplyee retires during the plan year, the placement f the HRA funds is dependent n hw the emplyer requested the HRA t be set-up. 3. When can emplyees expect t receive their Health Benefits Debit Card? BlueFund debit cards will be in members hands shrtly befre their effective date. This is cntingent upn timing f when set-up and enrllment infrmatin is received. Blue Rewards 1. What is CareFirst s relatinship with Further as it relates t Blue Rewards? Currently, BenefitWallet is the vendr which peratinalizes the Blue Rewards incentive cards. In 2018, we will be migrating t Further wh will be peratinalizing the incentive card. 2. What will happen t the current incentive cards? Members wh have an available incentive balance will be re-carded. Any member wh newly earns, will receive a new card frm Further. 3. D grups r members need t d anything t be able t access their incentive funds at Further? N, the prcess is autmatic. There is nthing fr the grup r member t d. 4. Hw will members access their Blue Rewards incentive card infrmatin? The same prcess will cntinue mving frward with Further. Members shuld lgin t My Accunt, click n Blue Rewards, then View Payments then click n View Balances and Transactins t be directed t the Further website. CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield is the shared business name f CareFirst f Maryland, Inc. and Grup Hspitalizatin and Medical Services, Inc. CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield and CareFirst BlueChice, Inc. are bth independent licensees f the Blue Crss and Blue Shield Assciatin. Registered trademark f the Blue Crss and Blue Shield Assciatin January 21,

6 CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield Mill Run Circle Owings Mills, MD February 1, 2018 Dear Grup Administratr, CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield is pleased t annunce that we have entered int an agreement with Further (frmerly SelectAccunt ), a leading administratr f health spending accunts, t prvide BlueFund Cnsumer Directed Healthcare (CDH) and Blue Rewards incentive card administratin services t ur grups and members. The decisin t select a new partner, was based, in part, n feedback we received frm ur members and grups. Thrugh this partnership we will be able t prvide a single cnsistent high-quality experience fr all ur members and grups while enriching ur CDH prduct fferings. This partnership will help us better engage ur grups and members in their health care and enhance the verall custmer experience. Yur grup will migrate t Further n April 1, We knw an exciting change like this may raise questins, s we will be prviding yu and yur emplyees additinal details in the cming weeks. Belw is a tentative schedule fr when we will be reaching ut t yu r yur emplyees: February Yu will receive details abut this change and hw it may impact yu and yur emplyees We will ntify yur emplyees abut the change and prvide details abut hw it affects them March CDH members will receive a new CareFirst-branded CDH debit card, if they previusly had ne Members wh have a current balance n their Blue Rewards incentive card will receive a new CareFirst-branded incentive card. Please nte: If a member mves his/her Health Savings Accunt t Further, there will be a blackut perid during which funds will be unavailable. When the timing and length f the blackut perid is finalized, we will include this infrmatin in the cmmunicatins we send t members. It may be helpful t bring this t yur emplyees attentin, s they can make the necessary arrangements t pay fr prescriptins r ther eligible expenses. This letter is ntice t yur grup that CareFirst f Maryland, Inc. dba CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield is amending yur cntract by replacing all references t Xerx/XHR with MII Life, Incrprated dba Further. We will keep yu infrmed and make available any necessary frms r educatinal materials that brkers, emplyers r members may need fr this transitin in the cming mnths. Rse Megian Small Medium Grup SBU David Crkum Large Grup SBU CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield is the shared business name f CareFirst f Maryland, Inc. and Grup Hspitalizatin and Medical Services, Inc. which are independent licensees f the Blue Crss and Blue Shield Assciatin. Registered trademark f the Blue Crss and Blue Shield Assciatin. Registered trademark f CareFirst f Maryland, Inc.

7 CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield 840 First Street, NE Washingtn, DC February 1, 2018 Dear Grup Administratr, CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield is pleased t annunce that we have entered int an agreement with Further (frmerly SelectAccunt ), a leading administratr f health spending accunts, t prvide BlueFund Cnsumer Directed Healthcare (CDH) and Blue Rewards incentive card administratin services t ur grups and members. The decisin t select a new partner, was based, in part, n feedback we received frm ur members and grups. Thrugh this partnership we will be able t prvide a single cnsistent high-quality experience fr all ur members and accunts while enriching ur CDH prduct fferings. This partnership will help us better engage ur grups and members in their health care and enhance the verall custmer experience. Yur grup will migrate t Further n April 1, We knw an exciting change like this may raise questins, s we will be prviding yu and yur emplyees additinal details in the cming weeks. Belw is a tentative schedule fr when we will be reaching ut t yu r yur emplyees: February Yu will receive details abut this change and hw it may impact yu and yur emplyees We will ntify yur emplyees abut the change and prvide details abut hw it affects them March CDH members will receive a new CareFirst-branded CDH debit card, if they previusly had ne Members wh have a current balance n their Blue Rewards incentive card will receive a new CareFirst-branded incentive card. Please nte: If a member mves his/her Health Savings Accunt t Further, there will be a blackut perid during which funds will be unavailable. When the timing and length f the blackut perid is finalized, we will include this infrmatin in the cmmunicatins we send t members. It may be helpful t bring this t yur emplyees attentin, s they can make the necessary arrangements t pay fr prescriptins r ther eligible expenses. This letter is ntice t yur grup that Grup Hspitalizatin and Medical Services, Inc. dba CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield is amending yur cntract by replacing all references t Xerx/XHR with MII Life, Incrprated dba Further. We will keep yu infrmed and make available any necessary frms r educatinal materials that brkers, emplyers r members may need fr this transitin in the cming mnths. Rse Megian Small Medium Grup SBU David Crkum Large Grup SBU CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield is the shared business name f CareFirst f Maryland, Inc. and Grup Hspitalizatin and Medical Services, Inc. which are independent licensees f the Blue Crss and Blue Shield Assciatin. Registered trademark f the Blue Crss and Blue Shield Assciatin. Registered trademark f CareFirst f Maryland, Inc.

8 CareFirst BlueChice, Inc. 840 First Street, NE Washingtn, DC February 1, 2018 Dear Grup Administratr, CareFirst BlueChice is pleased t annunce that we have entered int an agreement with Further (frmerly SelectAccunt ), a leading administratr f health spending accunts, t prvide BlueFund Cnsumer Directed Healthcare (CDH) and Blue Rewards incentive card administratin services t ur grups and members. The decisin t select a new partner, was based, in part, n feedback we received frm ur members and grups. Thrugh this partnership we will be able t prvide a single cnsistent high-quality experience fr all ur members and accunts while enriching ur CDH prduct fferings. This partnership will help us better engage ur grups and members in their health care and enhance the verall custmer experience. Yur grup will migrate t Further n April 1, We knw an exciting change like this may raise questins, s we will be prviding yu and yur emplyees additinal details in the cming weeks. Belw is a tentative schedule fr when we will be reaching ut t yu r yur emplyees: February Yu will receive details abut this change and hw it may impact yu and yur emplyees We will ntify yur emplyees abut the change and prvide details abut hw it affects them March CDH members will receive a new CareFirst-branded CDH debit card, if they previusly had ne Members wh have a current balance n their Blue Rewards incentive card will receive a new CareFirst-branded incentive card. Please nte: If a member mves his/her Health Savings Accunt t Further, there will be a blackut perid during which funds will be unavailable. When the timing and length f the blackut perid is finalized, we will include this infrmatin in the cmmunicatins we send t members. It may be helpful t bring this t yur emplyees attentin, s they can make the necessary arrangements t pay fr prescriptins r ther eligible expenses. This letter is ntice t yur grup that CareFirst BlueChice, Inc. dba CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield is amending yur cntract by replacing all references t Xerx/XHR with MII Life, Incrprated dba Further. We will keep yu infrmed and make available any necessary frms r educatinal materials that brkers, emplyers r members may need fr this transitin in the cming mnths. Rse Megian Small Medium Grup SBU David Crkum Large Grup SBU CareFirst BlueChice, Inc. is an independent licensee f the Blue Crss and Blue Shield Assciatin. Registered trademark f the Blue Crss and Blue Shield Assciatin. Registered trademark f CareFirst f Maryland, Inc.

9 CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield CareFirst BlueChice, Inc. 840 First Street, N.E. Washingtn, DC February 1, 2018 Dear Grup Administratr, CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield and CareFirst BlueChice (CareFirst) are pleased t annunce that we have entered int an agreement with Further (frmerly SelectAccunt ), a leading administratr f health spending accunts, t prvide BlueFund Cnsumer Directed Healthcare (CDH) and Blue Rewards incentive card administratin services t ur grups and members. The decisin t select a new partner, was based, in part, n feedback we received frm ur members and grups. Thrugh this partnership we will be able t prvide a single cnsistent high-quality experience fr all ur members and accunts while enriching ur CDH prduct fferings. This partnership will help us better engage ur grups and members in their health care and enhance the verall custmer experience. Yur grup will migrate t Further n April 1, We knw an exciting change like this may raise questins, s we will be prviding yu and yur emplyees additinal details in the cming weeks. Belw is a tentative schedule fr when we will be reaching ut t yu r yur emplyees: February Yu will receive details abut this change and hw it may impact yu and yur emplyees We will ntify yur emplyees abut the change and prvide details abut hw it affects them March CDH members will receive a new CareFirst-branded CDH debit card, if they previusly had ne Members wh have a current balance n their Blue Rewards incentive card will receive a new CareFirst-branded incentive card. Please nte: If a member mves his/her Health Savings Accunt t Further, there will be a blackut perid during which funds will be unavailable. When the timing and length f the blackut perid is finalized, we will include this infrmatin in the cmmunicatins we send t members. It may be helpful t bring this t yur emplyees attentin, s they can make the necessary arrangements t pay fr prescriptins r ther eligible expenses. This letter is ntice t yur grup that Grup Hspitalizatin and Medical Services, Inc. dba CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield and CareFirst BlueChice, Inc. dba CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield is amending yur cntract by replacing all references t Xerx/XHR with MII Life, Incrprated dba Further. We will keep yu infrmed and make available any necessary frms r educatinal materials that brkers, emplyers r members may need fr this transitin in the cming mnths. Rse Megian Small Medium Grup SBU David Crkum Large Grup SBU CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield is the shared business name f CareFirst f Maryland, Inc. and Grup Hspitalizatin and Medical Services, Inc. CareFirst f Maryland, Inc., Grup Hspitalizatin and Medical Services, Inc. and CareFirst BlueChice, Inc. are independent licensees f the Blue Crss and Blue Shield Assciatin. Registered trademark f the Blue Crss and Blue Shield Assciatin. Registered trademark f CareFirst f Maryland, Inc.

10 CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield CareFirst BlueChice, Inc Mill Run Circle Owings Mills, MD February 1, 2018 Dear Grup Administratr, CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield and CareFirst BlueChice (CareFirst) are pleased t annunce that we have entered int an agreement with Further (frmerly SelectAccunt ), a leading administratr f health spending accunts, t prvide BlueFund Cnsumer Directed Healthcare (CDH) and Blue Rewards incentive card administratin services t ur grups and members. The decisin t select a new partner, was based, in part, n feedback we received frm ur members and grups. Thrugh this partnership we will be able t prvide a single cnsistent high-quality experience fr all ur members and accunts while enriching ur CDH prduct fferings. This partnership will help us better engage ur grups and members in their health care and enhance the verall custmer experience. Yur grup will migrate t Further n April 1, We knw an exciting change like this may raise questins, s we will be prviding yu and yur emplyees additinal details in the cming weeks. Belw is a tentative schedule fr when we will be reaching ut t yu r yur emplyees: February Yu will receive details abut this change and hw it may impact yu and yur emplyees We will ntify yur emplyees abut the change and prvide details abut hw it affects them March CDH members will receive a new CareFirst-branded CDH debit card, if they previusly had ne Members wh have a current balance n their Blue Rewards incentive card will receive a new CareFirst-branded incentive card. Please nte: If a member mves his/her Health Savings Accunt t Further, there will be a blackut perid during which funds will be unavailable. When the timing and length f the blackut perid is finalized, we will include this infrmatin in the cmmunicatins we send t members. It may be helpful t bring this t yur emplyees attentin, s they can make the necessary arrangements t pay fr prescriptins r ther eligible expenses. This letter is ntice t yur grup that CareFirst f Maryland, Inc. dba CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield and CareFirst BlueChice, Inc. dba CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield is amending yur cntract by replacing all references t Xerx/XHR with MII Life, Incrprated dba Further. We will keep yu infrmed and make available any necessary frms r educatinal materials that brkers, emplyers r members may need fr this transitin in the cming mnths. Rse Megian Small Medium Grup SBU David Crkum Large Grup SBU CareFirst BlueCrss BlueShield is the shared business name f CareFirst f Maryland, Inc. and Grup Hspitalizatin and Medical Services, Inc. CareFirst f Maryland, Inc., Grup Hspitalizatin and Medical Services, Inc. and CareFirst BlueChice, Inc. are independent licensees f the Blue Crss and Blue Shield Assciatin. Registered trademark f the Blue Crss and Blue Shield Assciatin. Registered trademark f CareFirst f Maryland, Inc.