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| Volume 2, Issue 10: May 4, 2007 |
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Technology Upgrade Means New ID Cards, ID Numbers, Billing Statements, and Other Changes IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT HOW OUR TECHNOLOGY UPGRADE WILL AFFECT YOU AND YOUR CLIENTS Last December, we shared with you the news that we would be implementing several business system enhancements in 2007. Our technology upgrades will enable new services and greater efficiency in processing business transactions and result in improvements to many of our processes. We'd now like to give you more details about how these changes will affect you and your clients. We'll also notify our members, plan administrators, and providers about changes that affect them as the changes occur. Please take a moment to read this important overview of what you and your clients can expect over the coming weeks and months. We are taking a phased approach to implementing these system upgrades. At this time, only small group (SEHI) and individual policy business will be transitioned. As a result, we will be doing business on both our current and our new systems simultaneously until the transition is complete. PacificSource group numbers are changing. New group numbers will begin with a G (for group clients) or an N (for individual clients), and will be reflected on next month's billing statement for SEHI groups and on your June commission statement. Other groups will remain on their current group numbers until the second phase of our implementation.
We're also pleased to announce that we're upgrading our member ID cards to a higher quality plastic card. W e think our members and providers will find the new cards easier to use and more durable. As always, cards will be issued to all subscribers and their enrolled family members age 16 and over. PacificSource member ID numbers are changing. New member numbers will begin with a numeral instead of an R, and will be reflected on billing statements and new member ID cards as they are issued. We're making changes to our billing statements and our billing adjustment process. Both of the following changes will affect most SEHI group clients beginning with their July premium billing (issued in June), and other clients when they are transitioned:
You'll notice improvements to our secure online Web portal, InTouch.
We'll provide clear on-screen instructions to help you and your customers find what you're looking for, and we think you'll appreciate the new and improved InTouch system. Of course, our Marketing Service Representatives and other staff members will be pleased to answer your questions and help you navigate the system as well. Please be assured that we will maintain our commitment to exceptional, personal service both during this project and after its completion. We appreciate your patience with these changes and invite you to contact your PacificSource Marketing Service Representative or Marketing Representative if you have any questions. PacificSource Sponsors CE Classes in Portland and Medford June Classes in Portland (six credit hours total) June Classes in Medford (six credit hours total) Invitations will be e-mailed with class and registration details. Class space is limited, so be sure to register as soon as you receive your invitation. Please e-mail Marketing Agent Coordinator Candice Wilkins to register or for more information. The Oregon Legislative Session deadline for bills to move out of committee in their originating chamber was Monday, April 30. Many bills did not make the cutoff. Two bills of particular interest that have moved out of committee are House Bill 2002 and Senate Bill 587. These bills redefine the SEHI market as employer groups of 2 to 50 employees. Currently, SEHI includes only employer groups of 2 to 25 employees. Both would also require carriers to use nearly the same premium rating methodology in the 26 to 50 employee market as is proposed in the 2 to 25 employee market. As a result of the consolidation, some employers will likely experience reductions in premium rates while others will experience increases. Industry representatives, including PacificSource staff, have actively collaborated with the Oregon Insurance Division, the Department of Consumer and Business Services, and lawmakers in an attempt to ensure the bill is amended with provisions for mitigating the premium impact to our clients. One feature that will be added toward this end is a three-year phase-in period. This feature would allow carriers to gradually introduce the premium changes that a group might otherwise experience in the first year the law becomes effective. Insurance carriers are also advocating for a methodology for determining group size that is consistent with current HIPAA regulations, as well as an amendment to allow groups of 26 to 50 employees the choice of whether or not to cover all classes of employees. With the progress of these two bills, a version that includes at least some of the proposed changes will likely become law effective January 1, 2008. For more information, visit the Oregon State Legislature Web site at http://www.leg.state.or.us/bills_laws/. Updated Corporate Brochure is Available Our corporate brochure provides a good overview of PacificSource and is one of the sales tools available to you in the For Agents/materials area of our Web site. The brochure includes recent data on our financial performance, customer satisfaction ratings, and key operational service measures, as well as information about our history, corporate mission and vision, and community giving initiatives. You'll also find profiles of several PacificSource group clients. We've recently updated the brochure with information from our 2006 fiscal year. You can download a low-resolution, Web-friendly version of the brochure from our site, or contact your Marketing Representative to request high resolution hard copies for your client presentations. 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: “A Salute to Heroes” Scholarship Awards Dinner Old River Ramble Dogs for the Deaf—Dog Walk |
Questions? You’re always welcome to contact us! |
Eugene Bend Medford |
Portland Manley Services Select Benefit Administrators |
New, upgraded PacificSource member ID cards will be issued. A sample of our new ID card design is shown at right. Members in the first phase of our transition (SEHI groups and individual policyholders, as noted above) will receive their new ID cards in mid-June. Other members will continue to use their current PacificSource ID number and card until the final phase of the transition.