What’s New for Employers
Enrollment Changes? Please Complete and Return Your Change Form
If you have any enrollment changes, please complete and return your enrollment change form (located on the last page of your billing statement) as soon as possible. If an employee or dependent is adding coverage, you must also include their enrollment application. Please include your group name and number if it is not already listed on your application. Please allow at least five days for application processing.
Fax enrollment changes and new applications to the attention of your Membership Representative to the fax number listed on the form, or mail them to:
- Idaho: PO Box 5679, Boise, ID 83705
- Oregon: PO Box 7068, Springfield, OR 97475-0068
You may also make enrollment changes online through InTouch. If you’re not already set up to use this convenient tool, just give us a call.
Find Our Current Enrollment Forms Online
Did you know our current forms are available 24/7 in the For Employers>Forms and Materials area of PacificSource.com? Because forms occasionally change to conform to updates in state and federal regulations, please periodically check to make sure you are using the most recent forms. We’re happy to help if you need a printed copy or have questions about any of our forms and materials. Please feel free to fax your Membership Representative to verify you’re using a current form.
“Benefit Matters” Showcases Support for Members with Greater Health Needs
The enclosed issue of Benefit Matters highlights the services and programs available to members with more intensive health needs. You’ll also find information about the Affordable Care Act’s refund provision (the “80/20 rule” or medical loss ratio provision) and a reminder for where to find your current Member Benefit Handbook. You’re welcome to download a PDF of this and other recent issues from our Employer Newsletters page.
Holiday Hours
We will be closed on Monday, May 28, for Memorial Day. Our offices will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 29.
Making Premium Payments in Person
When making a payment in person at one of our offices, please bring your billing statement payment coupon or your PacificSource member ID card. Presenting your coupon or card will help ensure we have all the information we need to process your payment.
Do You Have New Waived Employees?
Please review the Waived Employees section (if you have one) of your billing statement. If you have new waived employees (eligible employees who have declined coverage) to add, be sure to send us their waiver forms. In addition, if any of the waived employees on the list have terminated, please notify us as soon as possible.
Employee Address Changes
When an employee updates their address, please forward this information along to us. This will help ensure your employee receives important mailings, such as Explanation of Benefits statements. We offer several of ways to update addresses:
- The Enrollment Change Form: You can note address changes on the Enrollment Change Form, which is the last page of your billing statement, and then mail or fax it to your Membership Representative. Your Membership Representative’s contact information is listed on your statement on page one.
- Email: If you prefer, you can email the change to your Representative. Please include your group name and number in the body of your email.
- Online: You can update addresses online through our secure Web portal, InTouch for Employers. More information about using InTouch to update addresses is available online at Pacificsource.com/enroll.
Your April-May Issue of Benefit Matters Is Available
Your new issue of Benefit Matters is enclosed with your April billing statement. For your convenience, you can also download a PDF of this and other recent issues from our Employer Newsletters page.
Allow Plenty of Time for Mailed Payments
Holidays and the end of the month are often busy times for post offices. If you mail your bill, please allow ample time for mailing to be sure it arrives to us before the end of your grace period, especially during these peak times.
Please Pay as Billed – Even If You Have Changes
To ensure your account stays current, we ask that you pay the amount you are billed each month even if you sent us changes that have not been completed. Please review your billing and report any enrollment changes, so we can adjust your next month’s billing. If we do not receive the billed amount after 15 days, we will notify you that your bill is past due. Please feel free to contact your Membership Representative with any questions.
Double-checking Forms Saves Time
When we receive forms (such as enrollment applications and waivers) that are incomplete, we are required to follow up to obtain the missing information. This can delay processing. Help us avoid delays by carefully reviewing forms before submitting them to make sure they are complete.
Your February Issue of “Benefit Matters” Is Available
Your new issue of Benefit Matters is enclosed with your February billing statement. For your convenience, you can also download a PDF of this and other recent issues from Employer Newsletters.
Thank You!
As 2011 draws to a close, all of us at PacificSource would like to thank you for your business and wish you a happy and healthy new year!
Remember to Enclose Coupon with Payment
Please enclose your billing statement coupon anytime you make a payment, along with coupons for each subgroup if you are paying for multiple subgroups. Also, please write your group ID number (the number that begins with a “G”) on your premium check, as well as your group name if it is not already on the check. This will enable us to apply the payments correctly. Thank you for your assistance.
Please send any other documents or correspondence, such as terminations, to your PacificSource Membership Representative directly. For your convenience, your Representative’s contact information is listed on your statement at the bottom of page one. When emailing, please include your group name and number in the body of your email.
Please Provide Your Current Email Address
Please provide us with your current email address so we can make sure our records are up to date. You may send email address, mailing address, and phone number updates directly to your PacificSource Membership Representative. When emailing, please include your group name and number in the body of your email.
Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season
We will be closed on December 26 and January 2 for the holidays.
Oregon: Please Complete and Return Your COBRA Determination Form
Last month, we mailed COBRA determination forms to Oregon employers. If you have already returned your form, thank you! If not, we ask that you please take a moment to complete it and fax it to your Membership Representative at the fax number on the form, or mail it to PO Box 7068, Springfield OR 97475-0068.
EFT Payment Option Makes Premium Payment Easier
Thanks to our EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) payment option for groups, paying your PacificSource health plan premium can be easier.
- EFT means one less check to process, as well as easier reconciliation.
- The regularly scheduled payments are confirmed by email.
- No postage and reduced administrative costs add up to significant savings.
It’s easy to sign up, too. Contact your Membership Representative to get started. The EFT form is available in the For Employers>Forms and Materials area of PacificSource.com under Administrative forms.
Your December Issue of “Benefit Matters” Is Enclosed
Your new issue of Benefit Matters is enclosed. For your convenience, you can also download a PDF of this and other recent issues from PacificSource.com. Click on For Employers, and then Employer Newsletters.
Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season!
We will be closed on November 24 and 25 for the Thanksgiving holiday. We will also be closed on December 26 for Christmas and January 2 for New Year’s.
Making Premium Payments in Person
When making a payment in person at one of our offices, please bring your billing statement payment coupon or your PacificSource member ID card. Presenting your coupon or card will help ensure we have all the information we need to process your payment.
Do You Have New Waived Employees?
Please review the Waived Employees section (if you have one) of your billing statement. If you have new waived employees (eligible employees who have declined coverage) to add, be sure to send us their waiver forms. In addition, if any of the waived employees on the list have terminated, please notify us as soon as possible.
Oregon: COBRA Determination Form
This month, we are including our COBRA Determination Form for Oregon employers with your bill. Please complete and fax this form to your Membership Representative at the fax number on the form. Since this form requires that employees be counted in a specific manner for the current year, please take into account any expected employee changes for the next two months. We would appreciate the return of this form as soon as these numbers are available to you.
Holiday Hours
Our offices will be closed November 24 and 25 for Thanksgiving. Best wishes for a warm and happy holiday from all of us at PacificSource!
Membership Representative Assignment Changes
This month, your billing statement may show that a new Membership Representative has been assigned to your account. We made adjustments to account assignments to ensure we continue to serve our customers as quickly and efficiently as possible. For your convenience, we’ve enclosed a cover letter listing your Membership Representative with your statement. The Representative's contact information is also listed on your statement at the bottom of page one.
Enrollment Changes? Please Complete and Return Your Change Form
If you have any enrollment changes, please complete and return your enrollment change form (located on the last page of your billing statement) so we receive it by the 15th of the month. We ask that you submit your changes by this date in order to process your changes and provide an accurate billing for your next month’s premium payment.
Remember to include an enrollment application if an employee or dependent is adding coverage. Please include your group name and number if it is not already listed on the application.
Fax enrollment changes and new applications to the attention of your Membership Representative to the fax number listed on the form, or mail them to:
- Idaho: PO Box 5679, Boise, ID 83705
- Oregon: PO Box 7068, Springfield, OR 97475-0068
You may also make enrollment changes online through InTouch. If you’re not already set up to use this convenient tool, just give us a call.
Medicare Part D Materials Available Online
The updated Medicare Part D creditability matrix and sample notices are available in the For Employers>Forms and Materials section under Medicare Part D Notices.
Your October-November Issue of Benefit Matters Is Available
Your new issue of Benefit Matters is enclosed with your October billing statement. For your convenience, you can also download a PDF of this and other recent issues from our Employer Newsletters page.
Holiday Hours
We will be closed on Monday, September 5, for Labor Day. Our offices will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 6.
New EFT Form Available
Thanks to our EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) payment option for groups, paying your PacificSource premium can be easier.
- EFT means one less check to process, as well as easier reconciliation.
- Receive a confirmation email for each regularly scheduled payment.
- No postage and reduced administrative costs add up to significant savings.
It’s easy to sign up, too. Use the new EFT form (with interactive form fields) and contact your Membership Representative to get started.
Upcoming Statements to Get Format Update and Smaller Envelope
We are in the process of updating our billing statements and expect to complete the changes during the next month. And we will begin mailing statements in half-sheet-sized (9.5" x 6") envelopes, instead of large envelopes. The change in envelopes will allow us to significantly reduce mailing costs. Please watch for the smaller envelope from us. You may also notice small changes to the format on future statements.
Your August-September Issue of Benefit Matters Is Available
Your new issue of Benefit Matters is enclosed with your August billing statement. For your convenience, you can also download a PDF of this and other recent issues from our Employer Newsletters page.
Oregon: Enrollment Form Updated
Our Oregon Medical/Dental Enrollment Application has been updated and is available in the For Employers > Forms and Materials > Oregon area of our website under Administrative Forms, Enrolling New Members. Please begin using this form immediately, and recycle any older versions. (If you currently use a different form, we will send you a new version if it is also updated.) As always, if you have any questions, please contact your Membership Services Representative.
Allow Extra Time for Your Electronic Payments
If you use an online bill payment service, please be sure to schedule your payments well in advance of when they are due. Most online bill pay services actually make your payment by mailing us a check, which adds to the time it takes for a payment to reach us—as much as a week. Also, please be sure your group name and number are referenced with your payment, so we can identify your payment. This number is listed on the payment coupon portion of your statement, under your group name.
Have a Happy and Safe Independence Day!
We will be closed on Monday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. Best wishes from all of us at PacificSource for a happy and safe holiday!
Enrollment Changes? Please Complete and Return Your Change Form
If you have any enrollment changes, please complete and return your enrollment change form (located on the last page of your billing statement) as soon as possible. If an employee or dependent is adding coverage, you must also include their enrollment application. Please include your group name and number if it is not already listed on your application. Fax the form and new applications to the attention of your Membership Representative to the fax number listed on the form, or mail them to:
- Oregon: PO Box 7068, Springfield, OR 97475-0068
- Idaho: PO Box 5679, Boise, ID 83705
Please allow at least five days for application processing.
Membership Representatives Assist with Future Address Changes
Thanks to everyone who updated their e-mail addresses last month. For future e-mail address, mailing address, and phone number changes, please contact your PacificSource Membership Representative directly. For your convenience, your Membership Representative’s contact information is listed on your statement at the bottom of page one. When e-mailing, please include your group name and number in the body of your e-mail.
Your June Issue of Benefit Matters Is Available
Your new issue of Benefit Matters is enclosed with your April billing statement. For your convenience, you can also download a PDF of this and other recent issues from our Employer Newsletters page.
Remember to Enclose Coupon with Payment
Please enclose your billing statement coupon anytime you make a payment, along with:
- Coupons for each subgroup if you are paying for multiple subgroups
- Payment coupons for Oregon continuation plan subsidy members when paying their continuation premiums
Also, please write your group ID number (the number that begins with a “G”) on your premium check. Please write your group name as well if it is not already on the check. This will enable us to apply the payments correctly. Thank you for your assistance.
Your April Issue of Benefit Matters Is Available
Your new issue of Benefit Matters is enclosed with your April billing statement. For your convenience, you can also download a PDF of this and other recent issues from our Employer Newsletters page.
Remember to Submit Enrollment Changes Before the 15th
Making enrollment changes and sending them with your payment before the 15th of the month will help us to process your changes in time for them to appear on your next statement. Changes we receive after the 15th, and premium adjustments for these changes, may be reflected on the following month’s statement.
Please Pay as Billed – Even if You Have Changes
We ask that you pay the amount you are billed each month even if you sent us changes that have not been completed. By paying the full amount listed on your invoice, our system will recognize your account as being current. If we do not receive the billed amount after 15 days, we will notify you that your bill is past due. Please feel free to contact your Membership Representative with any questions.
Please Use Our Current Enrollment Forms
Are you using our current enrollment forms? Please update your set of PacificSource forms with our current enrollment forms, which include updates related to healthcare reform. Please begin to use the new applications in February, if you aren’t already using them. As always, you are welcome to contact us for printed copies of any of our forms and materials. Our current forms are also available 24/7 on our For Employers>Forms and Materials page.
Idaho employers: After the end of January, we will no longer be able to accept older enrollment forms.
EFT Payment Option Makes Premium Payment Easier
Thanks to our EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) payment option for groups, paying your PacificSource health plan premium can be easier.
- EFT means one less check to process, as well as easier reconciliation.
- The regularly scheduled payments are confirmed by e-mail.
- No postage and reduced administrative costs add up to significant savings.
It’s easy to sign up, too. Contact your Membership Representative to get started. Use our EFT form.
Thank You!
As 2010 draws to a close and 2011 begins, all of us at PacificSource would like to thank you for your business and wish you a happy and healthy new year!
Oregon Employers: Please Complete and Return Your COBRA Determination Form
Recently, we mailed COBRA determination forms to Oregon employers. If you have already returned your form, thank you! If not, we ask that you please take a moment to complete it and fax it to your Membership Representative at the fax number on the form, or mail it to PO Box 70088, Springfield OR 97475.
Reminder to Please Provide Your Current E-mail Address
If you have not already done so, please provide us with your current e-mail address so we can make sure our records are up-to-date. For your convenience, you may simply send an e-mail to membership@pacificsource.com. Please include your group name and number in the body of your e-mail. This will help us in sending end-of-the-month payment reminders, as well as general correspondence, to the correct recipient.
Oregon Employers: Please Complete and Return Your COBRA Determination Form
Last month, we mailed COBRA determination forms to Oregon employers. If you have already returned your form, thank you! If not, we ask that you please take a moment to complete it and fax it to your Membership Representative at the fax number on the form, or mail it to PO Box 70088, Eugene OR 97401.
EFT Payment Option Makes Premium Payment Easier
Thanks to our EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) payment option for groups, paying your PacificSource health plan premium can be easier.
- EFT means one less check to process, as well as easier reconciliation.
- The regularly scheduled payments are confirmed by e-mail.
- No postage and reduced administrative costs add up to significant savings.
It’s easy to sign up, too. Contact your Membership Representative to get started. The EFT form is available in the Forms and Materials area under Administrative forms.
December Benefit Matters Newsletter Available
Your December issue of the Benefit Matters newsletter for employers is now available on our Benefit Matters page.
Updated Medicare Part D Materials Available
Medicare Part D creditability matrix and sample notices have been updated as of October 27, 2010, and are available in the Forms and Materials section under Medicare Part D Notices.
FSA Eligibility of OTC Medicines to Change in 2011
Beginning on January 1, 2011, most over-the-counter (OTC) medications will now require a prescription from a medical provider to be eligible for reimbursement from a flexible spending account (FSA). Items such as cough medicines, pain relievers, allergy medicines, acid controllers, and diaper rash ointment will no longer be reimbursed unless there is a doctor's prescription submitted along with the reimbursement request. Manley Services, our subsidiary, has developed an OTC FAQ to provide more information about this change.
Oregon Employers: COBRA Determination Form
This month, we are including with your bill our COBRA Determination Form for Oregon employers. Please complete and fax this form to your Membership Representative at the fax number on the form. Since this form requires that employees be counted in a specific manner for the current year, please take into account any expected employee changes for the next two months. We would appreciate the return of this form as soon as these numbers are available to you.
Premium payment returned by the Post Office? Give us a call!
Recently, it was brought to our attention that an error at the post office caused some premium payment mailings to be returned to the sender, instead of being delivered to us. If the post office returned your payment, or you suspect your payment has not been delivered to us, we ask that you please contact your Membership Representative right away. If you alert us to the problem, we can make a note in our system that your payment has been delayed due to a postal issue.
Idaho Employers: Our Boise Office is Moving
On October 16 and 17, 2010, our Boise office will move to a new location:
PacificSource Health Plans
408 E. Parkcenter Blvd., Suite 100
Boise, ID 83706
Our phone and fax numbers will not change:
Phone: 208.342.3709, 888.492.2875
Fax: 208.342.4508 or 208.344.4262
Please continue to send your premium payments to the address on your payment coupon: PO Box 4210, Portland, OR 97208-4210.
Please Provide Your Current E-mail Address
Please provide us with your current e-mail address, so that we can make sure our records are up to date. For your convenience, you may simply send an e-mail to membership@pacificsource.com. Please include your group name and number in the body of your e-mail.
Idaho Employers: New Direct Fax for Enrollment Changes
New applications, enrollment changes, and terminations can now be faxed directly to your PacificSource Membership Representative. This new fax number will help streamline our enrollment processes. You can find your representative’s new fax number on the enrollment change form section of your August billing statement. Please begin using the new number right away.
Small Changes Made to InTouch
In July, you and your employees may have noticed changes when you logged in to InTouch. The changes to the InTouch systems are a prerequisite to a scheduled upgrade of our claim system software. Although the page layout, colors, and icons may look a bit different, you will find InTouch still contains all your favorite tools and links. After the initial rollout of the InTouch software upgrades, we will continue to make refinements to both the employer and member InTouch sites.
Remember to Enclose Coupon with Payment
Please enclose your billing statement coupon anytime you make a payment. This will enable us to apply the payment correctly.
Oregon employers: If you have members who receive an Oregon continuation plan subsidy, please include the payment coupons for the subsidy members when paying their continuation premiums.
Oregon Employers: Please Include State Continuation Coupon with Payment
If you have members who receive an Oregon continuation plan subsidy, please include the payment coupon for the subsidy when paying their continuation premium. This will enable us to apply the payment correctly.
Find more information about COBRA and state continuation on our COBRA and Oregon State Continuation Update Web page.
Extended Eligibility Now Available for Young Adults
Effective May 1, 2010 PacificSource will allow dependents currently covered on their parents’ health plan to keep that coverage until they reach age 26. While federal law requires insurers to implement that change beginning with policy renewals on or after September 23, 2010, we join several other health plans in making this change early to help more of our members retain access to affordable healthcare coverage. For More information, read our Early Extension of Dependent Eligibility FAQ.
Please Provide Your Current E-mail Address
Please provide us with your current e-mail address, so that we can make sure our records are up-to-date. For your convenience, you may simply send an e-mail to membership@pacificsource.com. Please include your group name and number in the body of your e-mail.
Oregon Employers: New Address for Enrollment Changes
If you mail your enrollment changes to us, please use our new address beginning with this billing statement. Mail changes, applications, and other correspondence to:
PacificSource Membership Department
PO Box 7068
Springfield OR 97475-0068
You may also fax your PacificSource Membership Representative—this fax number is listed on the Enrollment Change Form (no fax cover sheet please).
Please note that your billing address will remain the same as before.
If you have questions, please contact your PacificSource Membership Representative. We will continue to accept changes sent to our old PO Box during the transition to the new address.
Allow Extra Time for Your Electronic Payments
If you use an online bill payment service, please be sure to schedule your payments well in advance of when they are due. Most online bill pay services actually make your payment by mailing us a check, which adds to the time it takes for a payment to reach us—as much as a week. Also, please be sure your group number is referenced with your payment, so we can identify your payment. This number is listed on the payment coupon portion of your statement, under your group name.
Flu Vaccine Information for Members
Your employees are likely asking about H1N1 flu vaccine coverage. An announcement that you can print and distribute to your employees to help answer their questions was included with your November billing statement. A shorter version in a payroll stuffer format is also available. Please distribute the information in whichever format works best for you. Please contact your Client Service Representative if you have any questions. The text of this announcement is also available on our Flu Vaccination Coverage and General Information page.
Our Employer Wellness Tool Kit also provides additional materials to help educate your employees about the flu and staying healthy. Or you may contact your Client Service Representative for printed copies.
Rehired Employees May Be Able to Resume Coverage
In many cases, employees may be able to resume their coverage after a layoff, leave of absence, or after their hours have been reduced below the minimum requirement. Employees who are rehired within six months (unless otherwise endorsed) are eligible to resume coverage on the date they return to work. This year, the Oregon legislature increased this period to nine months for laid-off workers who are rehired by Oregon employers with state continuation and 2-19 employees. Rehired employees may be re-enrolled by a written request; no applications are required.
Dependents: Previously enrolled dependents may re-enroll by submitting an application within 31 days of the employee’s rehire date. If the dependents have continuation coverage through the time the employee returns to work, only a written request is necessary, instead of a new application.
Employees laid off (or with hours reduced) prior to coverage eligibility: Employers may either choose the full qualification period or reduce period by the number of days the employee previously worked. Although you may choose either option, it must be applied consistently to all employees.
Employees who voluntarily quit or who are terminated by the employer are not eligible to resume coverage under the rehire provision.
Members Can Estimate Medical Procedure Costs with TCN
To help our members make more informed decisions about their healthcare, we’ve launched Treatment Cost Navigator (TCN). This new online tool—part of InTouch for Members—lets members estimate costs for more than 50 medical procedures, based on their plan’s benefits. We will add more procedures to TCN in the coming months. Watch for more information on TCN in the August edition of Benefit Matters.
Federal COBRA and State Continuation Information
Our new COBRA and Oregon State Continuation Update page contains all the latest Federal and state forms and notices, as well as our current FAQs and links to other resources, previously found here.
Download the New Online Resources Toolkit
Our new Online Resources Toolkit makes it easy to educate your employees about the wealth of health, wellness, and benefit management resources available on PacificSource.com. The kit contains articles, stuffers, and posters on a variety of topics, including the health risk assessment and Lifestyle Improvement Programs. Pieces can be used alone or in combination to create impactful mini-campaigns. To access kit materials, simply visit the Online Resources Toolkit section of our Wellness Communication Toolkit.
In order to help us process your payments more efficiently and reduce the chance for error, please write your group ID number on your premium check. Please write your group name as well if it is not already on the check. Thank you for your assistance.
When a member reaches age 65, they may get something for their birthday that they weren’t expecting—a change in coverage. At age 65, Medicare may become the member’s primary coverage and PacificSource the secondary coverage, even if the member has not enrolled in Medicare. This applies to active members belonging to employer groups with 19 or fewer employees. This may also apply to members of other groups, for example groups that have elected to allow Medicare to become the primary coverage.
PacificSource coverage will end for retirees or their dependents following their 65th birthday, regardless of Medicare eligibility, unless an exception is in the contract. If you have members that will soon reach age 65, and whose coverage will change, please inform them of this change. As always, feel free to contact your Membership Representative if you have questions.