Summertime Plans for Open Enrollment

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

As the end of summer nears, some are thinking of one last trip to the beach. Another group, agents and brokers, are perhaps forgoing time in the sun to review health plans for clients that will soon be requesting new rates for open enrollment season.

Summertime and open enrollment season, what makes those two go together like sun and sand? It's preparation that makes the fall season of open enrollment easier for clients, agents and the employees involved. However, before getting too far into that upcoming season, employers need to be cognizant of a group that is often overlooked, COBRA qualified beneficiaries (QBs).

COBRA regulations require many notices: one of those is the Open Enrollment Notification. This is a requirement that states employers provide the same rights to COBRA qualified beneficiaries during an open enrollment period that are offered to active employees. This notice is required even if the only change is the COBRA rates. Infinisource, Inc. realizes the importance of this necessary requirement and is ready to offer support with Full Service Open Enrollment for COBRA beneficiaries.

Employers must provide an Open Enrollment Notification that informs QBs of the open enrollment period. This notice needs to include all options available, monthly premium rates for each option and the open enrollment deadline date.

With the Full Service Open Enrollment Service, Infinisource has the ability to process open enrollment information to COBRA beneficiaries. Infinisource can manage this as either an active or passive enrollment process. Any questions on the open enrollment period from QBs are directed to Infinisource. All changes are reflected back to employers and carriers through eligibility reports.

The Open Enrollment Notifications are sent to:

• Possible Electees (individuals in their 60-day election period)
• Electees (individuals who have elected but have not yet paid)
• Continuees (individuals who have elected and paid)

Infinisource mails information to inform the above individuals of:

• Open enrollment period
• Available options
• Rates for each option
• Deadline dates for open enrollment period

If provided by the employer, detailed plan information specific to the employer's coverage can be added to the packet mailed by Infinisource. Guidelines indicate this information is best sent before the start of the open enrollment period.

Clients interested in adding this service may contact a Customer Response Specialist at 866-320-3040. Clients will receive a packet of information to complete including an agreement for service, a questionnaire on how to process enrollments and current reports with the plans, rates and continuees.

Summertime may be full of fun in the sun for some, but for others it's preparing for the fall season that makes living easy. Don't pass over these important notifications. Move this work off your desk, focus on your active enrollees and let Infinisource process the paperwork for COBRA beneficiaries.