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| Volume 3, Issue 4: February 22, 2008 |
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Important Change to Oregon Group Profile Form Form is Crucial to Oregon Renewal or Quote Process Thanks to your feedback, we’ve updated our Oregon Group Profile Form to make the disclosure statement (second paragraph) and questions clearer. We have also changed our requirement that only clients sign the form. While we still prefer the client's signature, the new form will allow for you to sign on behalf of your client. All sections of the form must be complete and the form must be signed. Missing information or signatures can significantly delay the renewal or quote process. As you are completing this form, please make sure to:
If you have any questions about the form or our related administrative processes, you are welcome to contact us. Oregon Domestic Partner Coverage Update Recently, Oregon HB 2007 was reviewed by the Federal District Court and upheld. This month, Oregon counties began issuing Certificates of Registered Domestic Partnership. The Oregon Insurance Division interprets the law to mandate that insurance contracts must permit registered domestic partners to be eligible on the same basis as spouses. If a group already has a PacificSource domestic partner endorsement, their current domestic partner rules will remain in place (unless the group tells us otherwise in writing); however, registered domestic partners will no longer have to meet all the requirements outlined in the endorsement. Here is how the new law will affect other groups:
We are pleased to announce that our Elect and portability individual and family plans will offer coverage to registered domestic partners beginning March 1. Children of registered domestic partners will be eligible on the same terms and conditions as dependent children of married couples. The process for changes to enrollment, such as adding a partner to a plan, will be the same as for married couples. If you have questions, please contact your Individual Sales Representative or our Individual Department. Based on the questions we’ve received, we have developed a Domestic Partner Coverage Frequently Asked Questions document to describe the mandate and our approach to domestic partner coverage. Please contact us if you have additional questions. We will update this document as new questions arise. Portland Offices Open Doors at New Location Our Portland PacificSource, Manley Services, and Select Benefit Administrators, Inc. (SBA) offices are open for business at our new Tigard location. "We love the new facilities and having all three companies under one roof," says Portland Regional Manager Dennis Reed. "The new training room for meetings, classes, and other events is going to be fantastic!" The new address is 13010 SW 68th Parkway, Suite 140, Tigard, OR 97223. PO Boxes and local phone numbers remain the same, and we are adding two new toll-free numbers:
Wellpartner Pharmacy Reports Delays During February Last week, one of our two mail order pharmacy services—Wellpartner Pharmacy Services—notified us about service issues they are experiencing. Operational changes at Wellpartner have contributed to uncharacteristic mail order service delays for PacificSource members submitting new prescriptions for processing. Wellpartner expects that members may continue to experience delays with receiving their new mail ordered prescriptions through the end of this month, but service should return to normal after that. Although new prescriptions are experiencing delays, Wellpartner reports that refills are moving through their system in a more normal timeframe. Members should anticipate that it may take 10-14 days to receive their prescription, and should plan accordingly. In the meantime, Wellpartner continues to work aggressively to reduce turnaround times. They report that they have added additional customer service personnel and made system improvements to improve call center response times. They expect telephone hold times will return to normal by March. In addition to ordering by mail or telephone, members may also use the Wellpartner interactive voice response (IVR) system or Web site to place prescription refill requests. This can help to speed prescription processing. To use the IVR service, members can dial (877) 568-6460 and select Option 1. They will need to know their Wellpartner prescription number (available on their prescription bottle) and confirm some of their account information. Members can also sign up on the Wellpartner Web site at www.wellpartner.com and refill their medications from their personalized Medicine Cabinet. Wellpartner has been known for a high level of customer service and fast prescription turnaround times. They have assured us that they are committed to catching up as quickly as possible, and returning to the service levels that our members have come to expect. Oregon Chemotherapy Drug Coverage Clarification In the January 25 Agent Bulletin and February 1 Agent Bulletin Special Edition, we notified you about changes to our oral chemotherapy drug coverage and included links to member notices. The changes were in response to Oregon Senate Bill 8, and only apply to groups that are domiciled in Oregon. Portland Office Welcomes Catherine Wing When you visit our new Portland office, a new smiling face will greet you. We are pleased to welcome Reception/Front Desk staff member Catherine “Cat” Wing to our Portland regional office. Cat has taken Marcella Soulagnet’s place at the front desk. Marcella has accepted a new position as Sales and Service Assistant, and will continue to assist agents and work closely with Portland Regional Manager Dennis Reed and Sales Representative Kristin Kennedy. (Read more about Marcella in the February 9, 2007, Agent Bulletin.) |
In This Issue: Important Change to Oregon Group Profile Form Oregon Domestic Partner Coverage Update Portland Offices Open Doors at New Location Wellpartner Pharmacy Reports Delays During February Oregon Chemotherapy Drug Coverage Clarification Portland Office Welcomes Catherine Wing PacificSource Volunteers Aid People in Need |
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Before joining PacificSource, Cat worked as an executive administration assistant and an escrow assistant. She also volunteered at the Gladstone Public Library, and has been involved in various charitable events for cancer and diabetes. Outside of work, Cat enjoys going to concerts and is an avid music lover. “I have enough music on my iTunes to listen to a new song every day for 13 years,“ she remarks. Between tunes, Cat can still find time for snowboarding with her boyfriend or playing with her dog, Pugsly. Cat is tuned-in to people, too. “I've learned that communication is key,” she says. “I believe that keeping people informed and having an open line of communication helps everyone.” PacificSource Volunteers Aid People in Need On February 7, PacificSource employees worked side-by-side with other community volunteers at Project Homeless Connect in Eugene, Oregon. The event is an effort to connect the homeless, and those at risk for homelessness, in Lane County with critical services and basic needs. Our volunteers provided basic medical and dental services, including counseling, education, and testing, to guests ranging in age from 2 to 76 years old. Some volunteers also served warm meals to more than 1,200 people.
Our volunteers were deeply rewarded and moved by their experience at the event. “The homeless event was interesting, amazing, and overwhelming,” said PacificSource Dental Director and volunteer, Scott Baxter, D.D.S. “We were able to put faces on people who actually are homeless, and they are not who you think. We saw old people, young people, and children. The dental needs of this population are enormous and often very acute.” The goal of Project Homeless Connect is to provide an array of services and create lasting solutions for people who have trouble finding a safe, secure place to live. For more information about this event, see the Project Homeless Connect fact sheet. Remember to Register for PacificSource CE Classes PacificSource-sponsored CE Classes are scheduled for February 26 in Eugene and February 28 in Portland. The Eugene schedule has changed and the new class times are:
For details, check our 2008 schedule in the For Agents/Prof'l Development section of our Web site. Please e-mail Marketing Agent Coordinator Candice Wilkins to register or for more information. The Willamette Valley Association of Health Underwriters will host a CE seminar, “Overview of Oregon Health Fund Board,” on March 13 in Salem, Oregon. See the WVAHU CE seminar registration flier for details. For more information about OAHU, visit www.orahu.org. 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: 2008 Spring Fling—Birth to Three Diabetes Expo—American Diabetes Association |
“I believe that keeping people informed and having an open line of communication helps everyone.” Catherine Wing |
Questions? You’re always welcome to contact us! |
Eugene Bend Boise Medford |
Portland Manley Services Select Benefit Administrators |
