News Archive
All News
| Title | Issued Date |
|---|---|
Ensure Broker Authorization To Deliver Streamlined SupportBroker Update | February 2026 | Vol. 21 No. 2 As a reminder, our online tools offer valuable convenience for members. To ensure fast, efficient support, it’s important that you, as brokers, are authorized to speak with us on a member’s behalf. Completing this authorization saves valuable time and allows us to support... |
February 12, 2026 |
New AGIF Requirement For Community Rated HMO Groups And Additional Underwriting UpdatesBroker Update | February 2026 | Vol. 21 No. 2 Starting in 2026, Community Rated HMO groups will be required to provide an Annual Group Information Form (AGIF) for renewal. Community Rated HMO groups will be included as part of the small group AGIF renewal mailing notifications. Additionally, the AGIF Webtool has... |
February 12, 2026 |
Tax Form 1095-BBroker Update | February 2026 | Vol. 21 No. 2 Health insurers—including Univera Healthcare—are no longer mailing tax form 1095-B to members. Because taxpayers are not required to include the form when filing their taxes, the IRS no longer requires us to mail the form. Members can still download the form or request it... |
February 12, 2026 |
Support Preventive Care With A Ready-to-Use ToolkitBroker Update | February 2026 | Vol. 21 No. 2 Help your employer clients encourage preventive care with our new preventive care toolkit. (ZIP) It includes practical, ready-made resources designed to make preventive care easier to understand and promote. Inside you’ll find checklists, flyers, posters and... |
February 12, 2026 |
Understanding Your Wellbeing: February - Join Us For Our Upcoming Wellbeing WebinarsBroker Update | February 2026 | Vol. 21 No. 2 Help your groups stay engaged and inspired—our monthly webinars offer fresh, practical insights to support our members' health and wellbeing. Monthly flyers are available below to share with your groups. February: "Understanding Your Heart Health: Risks, Prevention, and... |
February 12, 2026 |
Vitalize℠ Toolkits Now Available: Make Member Engagement EasyBroker Update | February 2026 | Vol. 21 No. 2 Vitalize℠, in partnership with Personify Health, is a digital wellbeing program dedicated to engaging our members in their health and wellbeing. Vitalize gives eligible members the tools and support needed to make small, everyday changes to their wellbeing that are... |
February 12, 2026 |
March Wellbeing Tip: Food As MedicineBroker Update | February 2026 | Vol. 21 No. 2 The food you choose every day has a powerful impact on your health, energy, and overall wellbeing. Good nutrition fuels your body and mind. The foods you eat supply the essential nutrients that keep your brain sharp, muscles strong, bones healthy, skin glowing, and immune... |
February 12, 2026 |
2026 - January - Pharmacy Updates From Mona ChitreBroker Update | January 2026 | Vol. 21 No. 1 - Special Issue A Message from Mona Chitre As we step into 2026, we’re proud to reflect on the progress we’ve made together - because caring for Western New Yorkers starts with collaboration. We’re looking forward to the exciting developments this year has in store for pharmacy care. ... |
January 26, 2026 |
Understanding How Premium Dollars Are UsedBroker Update | January 2026 | Vol. 21 No. 1 Small businesses are feeling the pressure of rising health care costs and the impact of those costs on insurance premiums. The health care system is complex and understanding how premium dollars are used can be hard. Read more for a closer look at how premium dollars are... |
January 21, 2026 |
Expanding Access To Behavioral Health Care: What Brokers And Employers Need To KnowBroker Update | January 2026 | Vol. 21 No. 1 The rapidly growing need for mental health services and the limited availability of service providers has been well-documented. In addition, those same providers are experiencing burnout at higher levels than ever before and many are leaving or limiting their... |
January 21, 2026 |
Gag Clause Certificate Of Attestation Now AvailableBroker Update | January 2026 | Vol. 21 No. 1 On December 30, 2025, Univera Healthcare completed the Gag Clause Attestation on behalf of our fully insured and minimum premium groups who have our Rx. A Gag Clause Certificate of Attestation is available to groups, upon request. Please reach out to your Account Manager... |
January 21, 2026 |
Understanding Your Wellbeing: January - Join Us For Our Upcoming Wellbeing WebinarsBroker Update | January 2026 | Vol. 21 No. 1 Help your groups stay engaged and inspired—our monthly webinars offer fresh, practical insights to support our members' health and wellbeing. Monthly flyers are available below to share with your groups. January: "Train Your Brain – The Psychology Behind Healthy Habits"... |
January 21, 2026 |
Simple Ways Preventive Care Can Support The WorkforceBroker Update | January 2026 | Vol. 21 No. 1 Preventive care plays an important role in keeping employees healthy while helping employers manage long-term costs. In this blog, we outline four easy, effective ways to encourage preventive care, such as sharing clear reminders and offering simple incentives. Many... |
January 21, 2026 |
February Wellbeing Tip: Heart DiseaseBroker Update | January 2026 | Vol. 21 No. 1 Heart disease is a broad term for conditions affecting the heart, most commonly Coronary Artery Disease. One of the most serious outcomes of heart disease is a heart attack. A heart attack occurs when the flow of blood to the heart is severely reduced or blocked. Managing... |
January 21, 2026 |
Season’s Greetings From Univera HealthcareBroker Update | December 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 12 As the year comes to a close, we extend our warmest appreciation and gratitude for your partnership and loyalty. We wish you and yours a joyous holiday season and look forward to continuing to be right here, for you in the New Year! Have a safe and happy holiday season!... |
December 11, 2025 |
Strengthening Our Efforts To Streamline Prior AuthorizationBroker Update | December 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 12 In support of our ongoing mission to help members access quality, affordable health care, Univera Healthcare is participating in a joint effort to streamline, simplify and reduce prior authorization. This effort supports the federal government’s efforts to improve the... |
December 11, 2025 |
Legislative Updates - December 2025Broker Update | December 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 12 In this quarter’s Legislative Update, we highlight key political, legislative, and regulatory developments that may affect coverage and costs. Including: Federal & New York State Updates, Local Business Relief Coalition information and What We’re Reading. Learn More... |
December 11, 2025 |
Updates To Small Group Paperwork For Commercial Medical And Healthy New York ProductsBroker Update | December 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 12 Underwriting has recently updated several forms for our Small Group Commercial Medical and Healthy New York (HNY) products. The new group instructions, new group checklist and new group applications have been updated for our small group commercial medical and HNY... |
December 11, 2025 |
Upcoming Change To Dental Data DistributionBroker Update | December 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 12 Beginning January 1, 2026, we’re updating our criteria for dental data distribution to align with market standards. Currently, dental data is provided for our groups with 50 or more contracts. Starting in 2026, only groups with 200 or more contracts will receive dental... |
December 11, 2025 |
Understanding Your Wellbeing: December - Join Us For Our Upcoming Wellbeing WebinarsBroker Update | December 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 12 Help your groups stay engaged and inspired—our monthly webinars offer fresh, practical insights to support our members' health and wellbeing. Monthly flyers are available below to share with your groups. December: "Savor the Season — Smart Eating for Festive Times"... |
December 11, 2025 |
Save the Date: Upcoming Vitalize℠ Webinars for Members!Broker Update | December 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 12 Vitalize℠, in partnership with Personify Health, is a digital home base dedicated to engaging our members in their health and wellbeing. Through Vitalize, eligible members have access to a certified health risk assessment, digital health coaching modules, a variety of... |
December 11, 2025 |
January Wellbeing Tip: Building A Healthier YouBroker Update | December 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 12 A new year brings new opportunities to focus on your health and wellbeing. While resolutions can be exciting, they often feel daunting—and it’s easy to get discouraged if things don’t go to plan. To build sustainable behavior change, start small. Bite-sized goals make... |
December 11, 2025 |
Now Available: The 2026 Broker GuideBroker Update | November 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 11 Designed to support your client service efforts and help grow your brokerage business, the guide can be accessed on the Broker Tools page. If you have any questions on the 2026 Broker Guide, contact your Account Manager or email... |
November 11, 2025 |
REMINDER: Manage Rising Health Care Costs: 3 Practical TipsBroker Update | November 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 11 We understand the pressures your small businesses clients face in today’s economic climate. As your local, nonprofit Health Plan, we’re committed to helping small businesses find meaningful ways to manage costs while improving the quality of care for employees. Growing... |
November 11, 2025 |
Rx Update - Stelara And Biosimilar Formulary Updates For 2026Broker Update | November 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 11 Biosimilars represent an opportunity to improve access and affordability for our community. Univera Healthcare has advocated for the use of biosimilars since 2018 when we were the first standalone health plan to prefer a biosimilar in a major drug category. Today we... |
November 11, 2025 |
Understanding Your Wellbeing: November - Join Us For Our Upcoming Wellbeing WebinarsBroker Update | November 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 11 Help your groups stay engaged and inspired—our monthly webinars offer fresh, practical insights to support our members health and wellbeing. Monthly flyers are available below to share with your groups. November: "Demystifying Diabetes" November 20: 12:00 p.m.-12:45 p.m.... |
November 11, 2025 |
2026 Wellbeing ResourcesBroker Update | November 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 11 Many members are not aware of all the programs, resources, and tools available to them through Univera Healthcare. We are right here to help close that gap. Below are two resources that describe many of the programs and benefits available to members through their health... |
November 11, 2025 |
December Wellbeing Tip: Healthy Eating During The HolidaysBroker Update | November 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 11 Navigating food choices during the holiday season can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to maintain balance. If you’ve ever felt guilt or anxiety around holiday eating, you’re not alone. Balancing indulgence with intention can be difficult, but there are... |
November 11, 2025 |
ACTION REQUIRED: Multi-Factor Authentication Launching This Month For Broker And Employer Web AccountsBroker Update | October 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 10 To improve account security, multi-factor authentication (MFA) will be enabled toward the end of October. What you can do to prepare for this change: Log into your broker web account and go to Account Settings in the upper right corner. Verify that your email address... |
October 15, 2025 |
Small Group Underwriting UpdatesBroker Update | October 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 10 Standalone dental single contract groups As a reminder, any groups that have a standalone dental product with only one contract enrolled do not qualify for coverage and will be non-renewed starting with 1/1/2026 renewals. This only applies to groups that only have dental... |
October 15, 2025 |
Univera Healthcare Welcomes Dr.Martin Stallone To Executive Leadership TeamBroker Update | October 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 10 We’re thrilled to announce that Martin Stallone, M.D. has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Healthcare Services Officer for Univera Healthcare and its parent company, The Lifetime Healthcare Companies. Dr. Stallone currently serves as CEO of Centralus... |
October 15, 2025 |
2025 Gag Clause Attestation Process & Separate Letter NotificationBroker Update | October 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 10 As part of our ongoing support for the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) gag clause attestation, Univera Healthcare will continue to attest on behalf of our fully insured and minimum premium groups in 2025, unless the group instructs us otherwise. For Self-funded, Rx... |
October 15, 2025 |
2026 Annual Rate Notices Being MailedBroker Update | October 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 10 The New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) has finalized the 2026 rate adjustments for the following products: Small Group Individual Medicare Supplement Annual Rate Notices (ARNs) will be mailed to groups by the end of October. Medicare Advantage,... |
October 15, 2025 |
Donate Life Registry Question Added To Health Plan ApplicationsBroker Update | October 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 10 A new question regarding the New York State Donate Life Registry has been added to select health plan enrollment forms and online tools. This update is in response to a new state mandate and applies to both paper and digital enrollment processes. This requirement applies... |
October 15, 2025 |
Manage Rising Health Care Costs: 3 Practical TipsBroker Update | October 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 10 We understand the pressures your small businesses clients face in today’s economic climate. As your local, nonprofit Health Plan, we’re committed to helping small businesses find meaningful ways to manage costs while improving the quality of care for employees. Growing... |
October 15, 2025 |
2026 Medicare Star RatingsBroker Update | October 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 10 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released its 2026 Medicare Star Ratings. These ratings measure our plan’s performance in areas such as quality of care provided to our members, clinical outcomes and preventive care, member satisfaction and... |
October 15, 2025 |
Understanding Your Wellbeing: October - Join Us For Our Upcoming Wellbeing WebinarsBroker Update | October 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 10 Discover new ways to support a healthier lifestyle through our upcoming wellbeing webinars. Each month, we’ll explore a different topic designed to inspire and empower members on their wellbeing journey. Promotional flyers are available below so that you can easily share... |
October 15, 2025 |
November Wellbeing Tip: DiabetesBroker Update | October 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 10 Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common – and preventable – chronic conditions. There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2 and gestational. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), type 2 accounts for about 90% to 95% of all... |
October 15, 2025 |
Rx Update - Watch the Recording: August Pharmacy Webinar Featuring OncoHealthBroker Update | October 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 10 Thank you to everyone who joined us live! If you missed it—or want to revisit the insights—the recording is now available. (VIDEO) This session explores how our strategic partnership with OncoHealth is transforming oncology management and delivering real value to our... |
October 15, 2025 |
Individual Metal Plans And Rates For 2026 Now Available!Broker Update | October 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 10 - Special Issue Individual plans, rates, at-a-glance brochures and tip sheets for 2026 are now available on Univera on Demand. Now available: Individual & Family Qualified Health Plans Healthy Smile Stand-Alone Dental Plans 2026 Plan Highlights:Our 2026 plan updates are aimed... |
October 1, 2025 |
ANSI File Implementation DeadlineBroker Update | September 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 9 - Special Issue As we prepare for the upcoming Open Enrollment season, we want to ensure a smooth experience for you and your clients. To help us manage volume and maintain service quality, we ask that all ANSI file implementation requests be submitted no later than September 30, 2025. ... |
September 26, 2025 |
Legislative Updates – September 2025Broker Update | September 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 9 - Special Issue With Federal officials back from their summer recess, we’re closely monitoring upcoming budget and policy negotiations and awaiting further guidance on recently enacted legislation. Attached are some key highlights we believe you’ll find relevant and informative. As... |
September 26, 2025 |
Formulary ChangesBroker Update | September 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 9 - Special Issue In light of the rising costs of health care, we are committed more than ever to identifying opportunities for group savings. We also know we must balance quality and cost of care while offering access to the treatments our members need to get and stay healthy. Local and... |
September 26, 2025 |
ACTION REQUIRED: How To Prepare For Multi-factor AuthenticationBroker Update | September 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 9 As previously communicated, multi-factor authentication (MFA) will soon be required to access your Univera Healthcare broker web account. This added layer of security helps protect your data and ensures safe access. MFA is scheduled to launch for brokers and employers in... |
September 16, 2025 |
Virtual Teledermatology – Telemedicine Powered By MDLIVEBroker Update | September 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 9 We are proud to partner with MDLIVE to offer convenient telemedicine services for Acute Medical and Behavioral Health needs. Starting January 1, 2026, we’re expanding this partnership to include Teledermatology services—bringing even more care options to our members,... |
September 16, 2025 |
Request For Missing Social Security NumbersBroker Update | September 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 9 Under the Affordable Care Act, the Internal Revenue Service requires health insurers to request missing subscriber and dependent Social Security numbers from their members. In September, we will send Social Security number request letters to individuals who had health... |
September 16, 2025 |
REMINDER For Small Groups: Upcoming Member Webinar – Making The Most Of Your Health Plan!Broker Update | September 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 9 Many Small Group members are not aware of the programs, resources, and tools available through their Univera Healthcare membership. We are right here, for you and want to help close that gap. That’s why we are hosting a live Making the Most of Your Health Plan webinar for... |
September 16, 2025 |
Understanding Your Wellbeing: September - Join Us For Our Upcoming Wellbeing WebinarsBroker Update | September 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 9 Discover new ways to support a healthier lifestyle through our upcoming wellbeing webinars. Each month, we’ll explore a different topic designed to inspire and empower members on their wellbeing journey. Promotional flyers are available below so that you can easily share... |
September 16, 2025 |
Univera Healthcare Provides 22 Scholarships For Students To Attend Jim Kelly Football CampBroker Update | September 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 9 Univera Healthcare proudly awarded full scholarships to 22 Western New York students for the 2025 Jim Kelly Football Camp! Selected at random from entries, each student received a custom jersey signed by Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly and a special send-off to camp.... |
September 16, 2025 |
A Message From Medical Governance And Healthcare EngagementBroker Update | September 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 9 As we progress through 2025 and into 2026, we’re pleased to share our collective efforts to engage members, enhance outcomes, and expand services for all stakeholders. As we navigate a fast-changing health care landscape, our commitment remains rooted in serving our... |
September 16, 2025 |
