For Administrators: What's New

Administrator News Archives

New EFT Payment Option Makes Premium Payment Easier

Thanks to our new EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) payment option for groups, paying your PacificSource health plan premium just got easier.

EFT means one less check to process, as well as easier reconciliation.
The regularly scheduled payments are confirmed by e-mail.
No postage and reduced administrative costs add up to significant savings.

It’s easy to sign up, too. We enclosed a form with instructions in your January billing statement, so you can get started right away.

Social Security Numbers Will Be Needed in 2009

To meet the reporting requirements of the new federal Mandatory Insurer Reporting Law, we will require SSNs for plan members beginning January 1, 2009. Details will be provided in the next issue of our Benefit Matters newsletter, which will be included with the next month’s billing statement, or you can visit www.cms.hhs.gov/MandatoryInsRep for more information.

Oregon Group Medical and Dental Applications Updated

Our Oregon group application forms have been updated. We ask that you use these new versions and discard any older forms. The new forms are available in the For Administrators/ Materials/ Administrative Forms/ Oregon. You are welcome to contact us for printed copies of these forms by calling Marketing Tech Support Donna Wile at ( 541) 686-1242 ext. 2224 or toll-free at (800) 624-6052 ext. 2224.

Coverage Changes at Age 65

When a member reaches age 65, they may get something for their birthday that they weren’t expecting—a change in coverage. At age 65, Medicare may become the member’s primary coverage and PacificSource the secondary coverage, even if the member has not enrolled in Medicare. This applies to active members belonging to employer groups with 19 or fewer employees. This may also apply to members of other groups, for example groups that have elected to allow Medicare to become the primary coverage. PacificSource coverage will end for retirees or their dependents following their 65th birthday, regardless of Medicare eligibility, unless an exception is in the contract. If you have members that will soon reach age 65, and whose coverage will change, please inform them of this change. As always, feel free to contact your Membership Representative if you have questions.

Enhanced Flu Shot Program

As we announced in August, we’ve expanded our flu shot coverage. Our revamped benefit lets our members receive no-cost flu shots through clinics at select retail pharmacy chains.

We hope you’ll encourage your employees to take advantage of this benefit. At these retail clinics, members simply show their PacificSource member ID card to receive a shot at no cost. PacificSource will be billed directly, with no paperwork, deductibles, or copayments. Participating flu shot clinic locations include Albertsons, Bi-Mart, Fred Meyer, Kroger, and Safeway pharmacies.

Flu shot clinic member flier

Flu shot clinic payroll stuffer

Flu shot clinic worksite poster (11” x 17”)

Flu shot clinic newsletter article

Flu shot clinic directory (complete list)

Pay as billed for easier reconciliation

Remember, we now require that you pay as billed rather than making adjustments to your statement. As you send us new and deleted subscriber information, we will make the changes to your account, and premium adjustments will be reflected on your next month's statement.

Do we have current mailing addresses for your enrolled employees?

If "Invalid address, send update to PacificSource" appears next to an employee’s name on your billing statement, please update the mailing address via our online enrollment system, by fax at (541) 683-8328, or by e-mail at membership@pacificsource.com. Doing so helps ensure that your employees continue to receive important health plan correspondence.

Questions about InTouch for Administrators?

We’ve dedicated a phone line and e-mail address specifically to InTouch for Administrators. Contact our InTouch experts by phone at (541) 225-3742 or by e-mail at intouch4admins@pacificsource.com.

Changes Speed Premium Processing and Enrollment Updates

We now have separate fax numbers for each Membership Representative. Please fax your enrollment changes and other correspondence - without a cover sheet - to the number shown on your Enrollment Change Form. Using these new fax numbers enables your enrollment changes to be automatically entered into our system for quicker processing.

We Need Your Help to Ensure Enrollment Accuracy

When you receive your monthly billing statement, please check the list of enrolled members to make sure it’s complete and accurate. Doing so helps ensure that your eligible members have access to their benefits, and it helps us bill you correctly. To report changes or to add or delete members, you can use our online enrollment system, or fax back the Enrollment Change Form enclosed with your statement. Remember to include new member applications.

New Free & Clear® flier available

I Can (786 KB), a new Free & Clear^® tobacco cessation program flier, is available for you to download and post in your workplace. You'll find more Free & Clear materials in For Administrators/Materials under Member Materials.

Please Include Applications with Enrollment Change Forms

When adding members to your plan, please be sure to send their enrollment applications along with your enrollment change form. You can fax the form and applications to the attention of your Membership Representative at (541) 225-3642, or mail them to PO Box 70088, Eugene OR 97401. Please allow at least five days for application processing.

Password Security Feature Part of InTouch

In July, we added an additional security feature to PacificSource InTouch in response to HIPAA security regulations. Every 90 days, when you log in to InTouch, you will be prompted to change your password. You must choose a new password that is different from the previous three.

Medicare Part D Notices

By law, all employers who offer group health plans with prescription drug coverage must provide an annual disclosure notice to all Medicare Part D eligible individuals by November 15. We help you fulfill this obligation by providing you with sample member notices each year.

You're welcome to download and customize the appropriate notice (posted below), then distribute it to all covered individuals on your plan to ensure compliance with this law.

Notice A - for employers with creditable prescription plans

Notice B - for employers with noncreditable plans

Notice C - for employers with prescription plans that are changing from creditable to noncreditable

If you're unsure which notice to use, you may refer to our Medicare D matrix or contact your PacificSource Client Service Representative or insurance agent.

Assist America Emergency Services

We’re pleased to add Global Emergency Services from Assist America to your PacificSource medical benefits package. With this value-added program, members experiencing a medical emergency 100 or more miles from home can call Assist America for help accessing care. This no-cost program is available to all PacificSource members with medical coverage.

Short Term Medical Coverage Now Available!

PacificSource now offers affordable Short Term Medical coverage for people between health plans, such as employees who are in their enrollment waiting period or who may be retiring a few months before Medicare eligibility. Rates and applications are available for download from our Short Term Medical page.

Creating a company wellness program is one of the most effective ways to develop a healthier workforce and help reduce healthcare costs. How to Create a Corporate Wellness Program: A Personnel Choice by PacificSource Chief Medical Officer Steven Marks, M.D. provides simple tips you can use.