Quick links to state-specific news: Idaho News, Oregon News
Looking Back at 2010: A Year of Growth, Success, and Recognition
A letter from PacificSource President and CEO Ken Provencher
2010 has certainly been a remarkable year for PacificSource. We successfully integrated Primary Health and the Advantage Dental business, completed the purchase of Clear One and Trusteed Plans, met or exceeded most of our financial and service targets, and received recognition for our performance in a number of areas.
The Primary Health, Advantage Dental, Clear One, and Trusteed Plans moves give us a very strong position as we prepare for a post-reform marketplace. Combined with what we are doing to strengthen PacificSource Administrators, Inc. and Manley Services, as well as what we’ve done in the individual market, we now have a full array of products and services that should help us to be successful in the years to come.
Our financial and service performance has been very strong throughout the year. In addition, we just received our first HEDIS and CAHPS results and performed very well, with the best results in Oregon on some of the claims and customer metrics according to Quality Compass. [Ed.: Watch for more on our HEDIS and CAHPS results in the next Agent Bulletin.]
In the past two months, the company has been named the second healthiest company to work for in Oregon, ranked twelfth on the Portland Business Journal’s Top 25 Corporate Philanthropists lists, and named one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in Oregon.
I’ve said it before, but I cannot say it enough: The reason for our success is our staff and business partners. Their commitment to our customers, and ongoing willingness to go the extra mile, has put us where we are today. There is still much to do and there will undoubtedly be challenges ahead, but I am convinced that we can succeed because of the great people who make up this company and your dedication to serving our mutual customers.
Thank you for all you do! Happy Holidays!
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State Taxes Apply to Benefits for Adult Dependent Children
The federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA) allows coverage for adult children up to age 26. The Act excludes the value of this coverage from federal income tax. However, current Oregon and Idaho law considers this value subject to state income tax.
We have started receiving questions about the taxation of adult dependent benefits. Unfortunately, we are not able to provide tax advice. Employers should consult their CPA or benefits attorney regarding state taxation questions, or contact their state department of revenue for more information.
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Past Due Reports Corrected
We have corrected a software error affecting our “Elect Past Due” and “Group Past Due” reports for agents. Beginning in January, the reports will reflect accurate data, and will be updated and mailed twice a month.
- Group reports will be generated on the 16th and 25th of each month.
- Individual reports will be generated on the 12th and 25th of each month.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact your Individual Billing or Group Membership Representatives. Thank you for your patience.
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Agent Bulletin Updates Coming in January
Mid-January, as we announced in the December 15 Agent Bulletin, we will begin using Constant Contact (an e-mail marketing tool) to make sending the Agent Bulletin more efficient.
- The e-mail sender will be PacificSource (noreply@pacificsource.com), instead of a specific staff member.
- The newsletter will be easier to skim. Most articles will include the title, a brief introduction, and a link to the full article on our Web site.
- A quick link at the top of the page will give you the option to go directly to the Web version of the newsletter.
- If you have a question, comment, or need to change your e-mail address, you will be asked to e-mail agentcoordinator@pacificsource.com, instead of replying directly to the e-mail. [Ed.: The email queue address changed to agentcoordinator@pacificsource.com from groupsales@pacificsource.com effective 8/2/11].
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Thank You!
As 2010 draws to a close and 2011 begins, all of us at PacificSource would like to thank you for your partnership, serving our mutual clients and supporting healthy communities across the Pacific Northwest. We wish you a happy and healthy new year!
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Reminder: Please Use Our Current Employer Application
Please use the newly revised Universal Idaho Small Employer Application and discard any older versions. We can only accept this new version. The form applies to both new business and existing business. You'll recognize the new application by the box in the upper right hand corner stating "Use for effective dates after September 22, 2010." The application is also available in the For Agents>Forms & Materials>Idaho area of our Web site under Administrative Forms > Requesting Quotes.
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Idaho Agent Events
Idaho Association of Health Underwriters Events
For more information about the meeting listed below, please contact Treasure Valley Association of Health Underwriters.
Treasure Valley Association of Health Underwriters
Chapter Meeting, January 13, Meridian, Courtyard by Marriott
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OID to Streamline Licensing Process
The Oregon Insurance Division (OID) is streamlining the resident license application process beginning January 1, 2011. OID will change the process so that resident producer applicants will take the required exams before submitting an application to the division. Read the OID article.
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