In this issue:
Oregon Individual Plans Offer Domestic Partner Coverage
Oregon FHIAP Discontinues Some Subsidies
Updated Flier Explains Rising Healthcare Costs
Lori Corotis is MVP in Service
What's the Advantage of Elect Plans?
From the variety of plans to our exceptional customer service rating, PacificSource Elect products offer you the PacificSource advantage. See our Top Reasons to Sell Elect flier for reasons why PacificSource Elect products are a top choice for your individual and family clients.
Volume 3, Issue 2: April 2, 2008
Oregon Individual Plans Offer Domestic Partner Coverage
As you may have heard, our individual and family plans now offer domestic partner coverage. Applications must be submitted within 31 days of the certificate being issued or 31 days after policy renewal.
The State of Oregon Insurance Division (OID) issued a bulletin on December 13, 2007, requiring all Oregon health plans to offer benefits to registered domestic partners effective January 1, 2008. And in February, Oregon counties began issuing Certificates of Registered Domestic Partnership. The new domestic partner coverage law defines a domestic partnership as “a civil contract entered into in person between two individuals of the same sex who are at least 18 years of age, who are otherwise capable and at least one of whom is a resident of Oregon.”
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 for group and individual plans. Please contact us if you have additional questions. We will update this document as new questions arise.
Oregon FHIAP Discontinues Some Subsidies
Oregon’s Family Health Insurance Assistance Program (FHIAP) has notified us that approximately 4,000 adults will lose their FHIAP health plan subsidies on May 31, 2008. FHIAP mailed notices and information to only these clients on March 31. It’s important to note that not all FHIAP individual market adults will lose their subsidy, and that this discontinuation does not affect children; they will be allowed to retain their subsidies. Currently, we have 195 individual members who receive a subsidy from FHIAP. We expect to receive a detailed list from FHIAP so we can determine exactly how many of our PacificSource members are affected by this news.
FHIAP’s “Information about FHIAP customers for carriers” document provides additional information and lists questions that clients are likely to ask.
Materials for members include:
- Cover letter to members, “Your FHIAP subsidy ends May 31, 2008.”
- Family Selections and Consent Form that must be returned to FHIAP by April 18, 2008
- “How To” guide for members with instructions and additional information to help with their transition
- FHIAP Transition Guide for members with answers to frequently asked questions
As you know, PacificSource offers a variety of individual and family health plans for Oregon residents not covered by employer-based group insurance policies. Our Elect Value Option plans provide low-cost catastrophic coverage. Our Individual Department is happy to work with your clients to help them find an affordable plan that meets their needs. For more information, please visit the Individual and Family Plans area of our Web site, contact your PacificSource Individual Sales Representative, or e-mail our Individual Department at individual@pacificsource.com.
Updated Flier Explains Rising Healthcare Costs
We've recently updated a member flier about rising healthcare costs. It explains the leading factors that drive rising healthcare costs in the United States, what PacificSource is doing to keep costs down, and how members can become informed consumers. The flier is available to download from the For Agents/ Materials section of our Web site. At PacificSource, we’re committed to providing the highest value for every premium dollar without compromising our exceptional customer service.
Lori Corotis is MVP in Service
Individual Plan Specialist Lori Corotis joined the PacificSource Individual team last October—right in the middle of football season. Lori may be new, but she’s no rookie. She has an Oregon insurance license and more than four years in the industry.
“I especially like helping people understand the full scope of their PacificSource individual or family policy.”
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The favorite part of her job is helping members and potential members. “It’s always a pleasure to know that I have helped someone understand the options they have,” says Lori. “I especially like helping people understand the full scope of their PacificSource individual or family policy. By the end of the phone call, people are really excited about their plan and what it has to offer.”
Lori was born in Roseburg, Oregon, and grew up in Eugene. She loves the water and enjoys camping with her 13-year-old daughter. Lately, she’s taken up another outdoor pursuit—gardening.
Around the office, Lori is known for being a big fan of Oregon State (OSU) Beaver football and baseball. The orange and black decorations probably gave it away. Some people may be surprised to learn that she is also a boxing nut. “One of my favorite memories of my dad is of joking with him during an HBO boxing match,” Lori recalls.
No matter what the challenge, Lori strives to help all our members become healthcare winners. Her dedication to customer service make her an MVPE—a Most Valuable PacificSource Employee.
PacificSource Sponsors CE Classes in Medford
The class schedule has changed
April 15 Classes in Medford (Six credit hours total)
8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Rogue Regency Inn, Medford, Oregon
Updated class schedule:
| 8:00 - 8:30 | Registration and continental breakfast |
| 8:30 - 11:20 | SB329 Road to Health Care Reform, Law 3 hours Copresenter: Oregon Health Fund Board Chair Bill Thorndike |
| 11:30 - 12:15 | Directors and Officers Liability, P&C 1 hour |
| 12:15 - 1:15 | Break |
| 1:15 - 2:20 | COBRA, Health 1 hour |
| 2:30 - 3:15 | Ethics, Ethics 1 hour |
Invitations were e-mailed with class and registration details, but the class schedule has since changed. Please disregard the schedule in the invitation. Class space is limited, so be sure to register as soon as possible. Please e-mail Marketing Agent Coordinator Candice Wilkins to register or for more information. As we schedule additional classes, you can find them listed in our 2008 schedule in the For Agents/Prof’l Development section of our Web site.
An agent training on recent Oregon mandates will be presented by the Office of Private Health Partnerships (OPHP), and sponsored by OAHU. These CE trainings are scheduled in 20 locations throughout Oregon during April and May.
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:
Race for the Roses—Albertina Kerr Centers
April 6, Portland, Oregon
Get Inspired Luncheon—Children's Cancer Association (CCA)
April 9, Portland, Oregon, Multnomah Athletic Club
PacificSource is pleased to be the presenting sponsor of this year’s event.
Pear Blossom Festival and Street Fair
April 11–12, Medford, Oregon, Alba Park
PacificSource is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Street Fair. Stop by the main gazebo and say hello to us!
Food for Lane County Chef’s Night Out
April 16, Eugene, Oregon
March for Babies—March of Dimes
April 26 in Bend, Eugene, and Portland; May 3 in Medford
This year, we are proud to be the leading Oregon sponsor for the March of Dimes March for Babies campaign. Our Platinum-level statewide sponsorship supports the March of Dimes and helps prevent premature births and ensure babies get a good start in life.
Look for the PacificSource booth at the following March for Babies events:
- Bend, Oregon, Les Schwab Amphitheater (April 26)
- Eugene, Oregon, Alton Baker Park (April 26)
- Medford, Oregon, Bear Creek Park (May 3)
- Portland, Oregon, Rose Quarter Commons (April 26)
Questions? You're always welcome to contact us!
Kelly Walker
Portland (503) 867-6828
toll-free (866) 540-1191
Mike McKibben
Bend (541) 225-2703
toll-free (888) 877-7996
Susie Chun
Medford (541) 858-0381
toll-free (800) 899-5866
Individual Sales
(541) 684-5585
(866) 695-8684 toll-free
individual@pacificsource.com (541) 684-5401 fax
Comments or suggestions about this publication?
E-mail us at individual@pacificsource.com
ElectNews is published by PacificSource Health Plans • Each issue is archived
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PO Box 7068, Eugene OR 97401 • www.pacificsource.com
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