Quick links to state-specific news: Idaho, Montana, Oregon
Expansion Continues with Close of Montana New West Deal
It’s official! PacificSource welcomed approximately 8,500 members on February 29, when we finalized our purchase of New West’s commercial business. We are excited about the opportunity to serve Montana employers and members as they renew their coverage with PacificSource.
The deal significantly strengthens our presence in Montana, and positions us well for future growth. Montana is similar to other markets where we’ve had success with our community health plan approach. We look forward to working with providers and employers in the region to provide affordable, high quality health insurance options to Montanans.
If you’d like to learn more about the New West transition, please see the Special Agent Bulletin distributed to Montana agents on March 13.
Product Offerings in Montana Also Grow
In addition to individual and family plans, we’re now offering PPO and dental plans for employers. HMO plans are filed with Montana’s Office of Securities and Insurance. We will update you as soon as we receive approval.
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Find Past Issues of the Agent Bulletin Online
For recent issues of the Agent Bulletin, please visit our PacificSource Agent Bulletin e-Newsletter page.
A note about receiving the Agent Bulletin email: The Agent Bulletin newsletter is sent by email from agentbulletin@pacificsource.com using Constant Contact, an email marketing company. To receive the Agent Bulletin email without disruption, you may need to add it to your “safe senders” or “white list” And make sure it’s not being blocked by your email service provider. You might want ask your company’s network technology staff to assist you.
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Employer Newsletter Mails this Month
The April/May issue of Benefit Matters, our newsletter for employers, mails this month with April group billing statements. Stories include the new addresses for our Eugene/Springfield PO Boxes and a clarification about adding a family member coworker to coverage. The Oregon edition also includes an announcement about the Low Back Pain Program and a note about ways to learn more about insurance through state websites. The Idaho edition also includes information about using benefits while traveling. This issue and recent issues are available on our website in our Benefit Matters newsletter archive.
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Individual Tips: Effective Dates and Adding Children
Effective dates are always on the first of the month, even when you are making a change to an application. The only exception is when a client adds a newborn or newly adopted child to their policy. Applications must be received prior to the requested policy effective date. (For tips related to application changes, please see the February 29 issue of the Agent Bulletin.)
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Idaho Agent Events
Individual Product Training Slated for April 18
You and your staff are invited to attend an individual product “refresher” training meeting at 9:30 a.m. on April 18 in our Boise office. For more information or to reserve your space, please email Idaho Individual Sales Manager Jim Bianchi.
IAHU Health Symposium Slated for April 24-25
The Idaho Association of Health Underwriters has announced the date of the Annual Health Symposium and Awards Banquet. These events will take place in Boise at Boise State University. For more information, see the announcement on the iahu.org home page.
Other Idaho Association of Health Underwriters Events
For more information about the meetings listed below, please contact your local health underwriters association chapter.
Northern Idaho Association of Health Underwriters
Chapter Meeting, April 19, Coeur d’Alene Resort
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Helena Office Welcomes Client Service Representative
Please join us in officially welcoming Client Service Representative DeAnna Anderson to PacificSource. “We are excited to add DeAnna to the Montana team,” says Montana Regional Manager Frank Mayo. “I know her experience and dedication to service will prove invaluable to our growth in this market.”
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DeAnna Anderson, Client Service Representative
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As a Client Service Representative, DeAnna will help educate members about the many extras and services available to help them make the most of their coverage with PacificSource. She is available to help with open enrollment and benefit meetings, answer questions, fulfill requests for materials, and be a resource for clients with special issues or needs. “We’ve found the client service representative role to be invaluable in building relationships with our mutual clients,” says Frank. “It is a contributing factor to our retention rates, which are typically higher than industry average.”
DeAnna comes to PacificSource with nine years of industry experience, most recently with Payne Financial Group in Helena as employee benefits account manager. She also worked for Billings- based Employee Benefit Management Services as medical claims examiner, and is well versed in third party administrative operations, as well as all aspects of fully insured small and large group service. A NAIFA member since 2006, she also holds a Montana State Insurance License in Life and Disability and Limited Lines Credit. In addition, DeAnna received Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) Wellness Program certification in 2010 and is a member of the local Helena Society for Human Resource Management. [Ed.: Correction to bio 3/30/12.]
DeAnna will be based in our Helena office. You are welcome to give her a call at (406) 422-1008 or (855) 422-1008, or send her an email.
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Montana Group Plan Summaries Available Online
The Montana Plan Summaries section of PacificSource.com offers sample summaries whenever you need them 24/7. The one-page summaries provide your clients with at-a-glance benefit information for each plan. This week, we added several PPO medical plans. The available summaries include:
- PPO Medical Plans
- Prescription Drug
- Vision
- Alternative Care
- Additional Accident Benefit
Check back often. We’ll continue to add more summaries as they are finalized. In the meantime, if you don’t see what you’re looking for, please email montanagroupsales@pacificsource.com, or contact our Helena office at (406) 422-1008 or (855) 422-1008.
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New West Transition Update
On March 13, we sent out a Special Edition of the Agent Bulletin to Montana agents with details about the New West transition. In case our email didn’t reach you, here’s a link:
March 13 Agent Bulletin Montana Special Edition
We are excited about the opportunity to serve you and your transitioning clients.
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Oregon Agent Events
PAHU Spring Forum Scheduled for April 17
The Oregon Association of Health Underwriters Spring Forum will take place on April 17 in Portland at the Embassy Suites, Portland Airport. For more information and to register, please visit the Oregon Association of Health Underwriters website at orahu.org.
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Community Events
PacificSource is proud to sponsor Northwest community events that support healthy communities and health-focused organizations. We hope you will join us in supporting these events:
18th Annual BE GREAT Ball—Boys & Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County
March 30, Billings, Montana
Chefs’ Night Out—Food For Lane County
April 10, Eugene, Oregon
Get Inspired Luncheon—Children’s Cancer Association
April 11, Portland, Oregon
Pear Blossom Festival
April 13-14, Medford, Oregon
Drop by the PacificSource booth at the Street Fair. Sample tasty fruit and test your health smarts with our fun trivia game.
Adventure Fest 2012—Looking Glass
April 14, Eugene, Oregon
Central Oregon’s Got Talent—Bend Park and Recreation District
April 21, Bend, Oregon
Changing Destinies Luncheon—De La Salle North
April 26, Portland, Oregon
March for Babies—March of Dimes
April 28, Oregon and Idaho (Note: Walks in some communities are scheduled for different dates.)
Please join us as we walk to ensure every baby gets a good start in life.
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