AGENCY ACTION ALERT FOR JAN. 22, 2015

This week's Agency Action Alert covers the following topics:

• 2015 appointment fees to increase for new producers
• Appointment effective date change
• Direct mail campaign reminds prospective members of Feb. 15 open enrollment deadline
• Spending Account solutions for peace of mind today and tomorrow

OPERATIONS UPDATE

2015 appointment fees to increase for new producers

Effective Feb. 1, 2015, Western Region appointment fees for new producers will increase by $15 for both commercial (under-65) and Senior Markets (over-65) appointments: 

• New commercial appointment - $60
• New commercial and Senior Markets appointment - $75

Producers who are currently appointed are  not impacted by the price increase. The new companies will be automatically added at no charge. However, if current producers with commercial appointments want to add the Senior Markets appointment, they must submit a check for $15 (made payable to Highmark Inc.) with their Senior Market appointment paperwork.

Appointment effective date change

For Western Region appointments, the effective date is now the date the completed appointment packet and fees are received by Highmark. Previously, effective dates were based on submissions made before or after the 15th of the month. Please take note of this change.

INDIVIDUAL MARKET UPDATE

Direct mail campaign reminds prospective members of Feb. 15 open enrollment deadline

This week, 160,000 prospective members in western Pennsylvania will receive a direct mail piece from Highmark, reminding them that they have until Sunday, Feb. 15, to enroll in coverage or they may have to wait until the 2016 open enrollment period.

Download the direct mail piece

Recipients are encouraged to contact their local insurance agent to enroll in coverage before the Feb. 15 deadline.   

If you have any questions regarding 2015 open enrollment, please contact your Highmark individual sales channel consultant.

HIGHMARK UPDATE

Spending account solutions for peace of mind today and tomorrow

More and more employers are looking for creative, innovative options to help their employees and retirees not only manage health care expenses they incur now, but also set aside funds for future expenses, as well as take a more active role in their health care. 

One popular option to recommend to clients is to stack products. With the flexibility afforded by our spending account solutions, there are a number of ways to stack products and plan designs to meet your clients' needs.

The most common means of stacking is to offer a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) coupled with a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA); however, Highmark offers a variety of Retiree Reimbursement Accounts that can be considered and offered in conjunction with an active employee HRA.

Stacking up savings

Here's how "stacking" works: 

• FSAs are where clients' employees set aside funds for short-term health expenses. Expenses are paid from the FSA first, and then from the HRA. HRAs are also available if members use up their FSA funds. 
• With HRAs, clients can add funds to employees' accounts and choose to roll over any unused funds to the following year. HRA funds can grow over time to fund longer-term health care expenses so as employees retire, their HRA dollars roll into a Retiree Reimbursement Account to pay for premiums, deductibles, etc. 

More rewards, more convenience

• Clients can also reward their employees for healthy living by depositing reward money in HRAs for employees who participate in wellness programs. 
• Employees have the convenience of managing their health plan and FSAs/HRAs in one place on Highmark's member website.

For additional information, please contact your Highmark client manager.