News Archive

2025 Exclusive Pharmacy Update From Mona Chitre

Broker Update | May 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 5 - Special Issue

A Message from Mona Chitre As your partner in managing pharmacy benefits, we routinely share the latest news impacting health care in our communities. By now, you have likely heard about the recent presidential executive order on drug pricing. We are closely monitoring...

We Want To Hear From You!

Broker Update | May 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 5

Over the next few weeks, check your inbox for the annual broker satisfaction survey. Your feedback and experience are valuable, and we want to learn more from you. You will receive an email with a link to the survey. Please respond at your earliest convenience. If you...

Upcoming Member Webinar For Large Group, Fully Insured Plans – Making The Most Of Your Health Plan!*

Broker Update | May 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 5

Date: Tuesday, June 24, Noon - 12:45 p.m. ET Many members may not be aware of the wellbeing programs, tools and resources available to them through their health plan. That’s why we’re hosting a live, “Making the Most of Your Health Plan,” webinar to highlight the various...

Rx Update - Don’t Miss This Webinar: Helping Employers Save On Pharmacy Costs

Broker Update | May 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 5

Webinar Topic: Rx Market Insights: Introducing Our Core Pharmacy Suite Date: May 20, 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. ET Every dollar saved on health care makes a difference. Join our webinar to see how Univera Healthcare’s core pharmacy suite helps businesses save $27.77 PMPM—with...

Understanding Your Wellbeing: May - Join Us For Our Upcoming Wellbeing Webinars

Broker Update | May 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 5

We are excited to host the following upcoming wellbeing webinars, geared towards helping our members learn about various health topics that can support and improve their wellbeing. Please share the following webinar flyers and registration links with your groups. May...

June Wellbeing Tip: Musculoskeletal Health

Broker Update | May 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 5

If you have ever had back, joint, or muscle pain, you know how much it can affect your quality of life and ability to do your job. Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is very common and virtually everyone experiences it at some point in their lives. Preventing MSK injuries at work...

Getting The Best For Your Clients: 3 Tips For An Efficient Proposal

Broker Update | April 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 4

Thank you for trusting Univera Healthcare with your clients’ business and for including us in your RFP process. 2025 is already off to a fast start! Our goal is always to provide you and your clients with the best, most complete and competitive proposal possible. With so...

Right Here, For You With New Comprehensive Care And Disease Management Materials

Broker Update | April 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 4

We’re proud to provide Western New York with a coordinated, caring, personalized and holistic health insurance experience. In 2024, we launched our commercial value story highlighting our approach to health care surrounding three pillars: Putting people first Making...

Rx Update - $27.77 PMPM. Savings Back In The Hands Of Your Groups

Broker Update | April 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 4

Webinar Topic: Rx Market Insights: Introducing Our Core Pharmacy Suite Date: May 20, 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. ET Every dollar counts when managing health care costs and that’s why we are right here to help businesses save $27.77 PMPM with our core pharmacy suite – all at no...

Understanding Your Wellbeing: Join Us For Our Upcoming Wellbeing Webinars

Broker Update | April 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 4

We are excited to host the following upcoming wellbeing webinars, geared towards helping our members learn about various health topics that can support and improve their wellbeing. Please share the following webinar flyers and registration links with your groups. April...

Univera Healthcare Serves As The Presenting Sponsor Of The Buffalo Business First Best Places To Work Awards

Broker Update | April 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 4

Univera Healthcare is proud to have been the presenting sponsor of the 2025 Buffalo Business First Best Places to Work Awards. The Best Places to Work Awards recognize local employers that have gone above and beyond to create an outstanding culture. As a 2024 recipient of...

Community Spotlight: Addressing Gaps In Care In Western New York

Broker Update | April 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 4

Patients in Western New York who face gaps in medical care will soon have access to essential support and guidance, thanks to funding support that we provided to Evergreen Health. This initiative aims to assist individuals with complex health and behavioral health...

May 2025 Wellbeing Tip: Stroke Awareness

Broker Update | April 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 4

May is National Stroke Awareness Month. A stroke occurs when something blocks blood supply to part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. During a stroke parts of the brain become damaged or die. A stroke can cause lasting brain damage, long-term...

REMINDER: It’s Time To Report Your 2024 Prescription Data

Broker Update | March 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 3

This is a reminder for the Broker Update eblast that was sent on Tuesday March 4, 2025. You can read that full eblast in the news archive at: Broker Update | March 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 3 - Special Issue As a reminder, Univera Healthcare will complete the required pharmacy...

Annual Group Information Renewal - Webtool Update

Broker Update | March 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 3

The webtool used to submit the annual group information form for small groups has been updated. The year dropdown has been updated to include 2026, which is the year in which the tool is auto populating with. Please ensure that your groups are using the correct survey...

Small Group Healthy New York Application And Forms Updated For 2025

Broker Update | March 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 3

The Healthy New York (HNY) maximum wage has been increased to $53,650 and the HNY New Business form and HNY Recertification form have been updated. Please use the new forms (linked below) moving forward to reflect the new wages. If you have any questions on the Healthy...

The Value Of A Wellbeing Strategy

Broker Update | March 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 3

Your groups’ employees are their organization’s greatest asset. Creating a culture of wellbeing where employees feel holistically supported by their employer helps them to be more engaged and productive, leading to greater retention and recruitment of talent. According...

Understanding Your Wellbeing; 2025 Wellbeing Webinar Series

Broker Update | March 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 3

We are excited to host a new wellbeing webinar series in 2025, geared towards helping our members learn about various health topics that can support and improve their wellbeing from our own internal experts. Promotional flyers will be available for each month’s upcoming...

April Wellbeing Tip: Breaking The Stress Cycle

Broker Update | March 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 3

April is National Stress Month. Stress is a natural response to challenges we face in everyday life. Common stressors include relationships, finances, major life events, work-related issues and more. Everyone experiences stress in different ways and for different reasons;...

Rx Update - Launching Our NEW Pharmacy Value Story

Broker Update | March 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 3

We are excited to announce the launch of our new pharmacy value story. Discover how we deliver an approach that improves health outcomes, cost savings and care delivery for Western New Yorkers. This collection of work includes a 12-page brochure, one-page overview flyer...

Rx Update - Innovative Care For Inflammatory Bowel Disease Management

Broker Update | March 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 3

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, impacts millions of people worldwide. Check out our new resources on UniveraforBusiness.com to see how we are making a difference for our groups and members with IBD management. If...

It’s Time To Report Your 2024 Prescription Data

Broker Update | March 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 3 - Special Issue

The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) requires group and individual health plans to report annual data about prescription drugs and health care spending to the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The last day to submit this data to CMS for the 2024...

2025 Pharmacy Updates From Mona Chitre

Broker Update | February 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 2 - Special Issue

A Message from Mona Chitre We're kicking off the year with a lot of excitement! As a pharmacy partner, we are always keeping an eye on market trends to ensure our programs and solutions align with the needs of our groups. We’re eager to share the many pharmacy...

Managed Care Organization Tax

Broker Update | February 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 2

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently approved New York's Managed Care Organization tax (MCO), effective 1/1/2025. This tax, authorized by the 2024-2025 State Budget, will apply different tax rates to Medicaid and non-Medicaid plans. The tax rates...

Enrollment Portal Reminder – Accuracy Is Important

Broker Update | February 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 2

There has been an increase in keying errors submitted from the web and requests submitted through the enrollment portal. This has resulted in ID cards being mailed to incorrect recipients, members being enrolled in incorrect groups and information being sent to groups...

Tax Form 1095-B

Broker Update | February 2025 | Vol. 20 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...

Understanding Your Wellbeing; 2025 Wellbeing Webinar Series

We are excited to host a new wellbeing webinar series in 2025, geared towards helping our members learn about various health topics that can support and improve their wellbeing from our own internal experts. Promotional flyers will be available for each month’s upcoming...

Why Having A Primary Care Provider (PCP) Matters

Broker Update | February 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 2

Individuals with a PCP may receive higher value healthcare. PCPs provide preventive care such as cancer screenings, identify and treat common medical conditions and provide referrals for specialists as needed. Preventive care can help identify health concerns and chronic...

New Year, New Goals: Take Charge With Preventive Health Today

Broker Update | February 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 2

Preventive care can help catch potential issues early before they develop into more serious health conditions. Things like routine checkups, screenings, and immunizations can fall under preventive care. Preventive services are covered in full by Univera Healthcare. Our...

March Wellbeing Tip: Healthy Eating On A Budget

Broker Update | February 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 2

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), good nutrition is essential for well-being across all stages of life. A nutritious diet consists of primarily whole foods which include unprocessed fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, beans...

Rx Update - We’re Making Medications More Affordable With Our Automatic Prescription Discount Program

Broker Update | February 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 2

Members who pay 100% out-of-pocket for certain medications outside of their pharmacy benefit now have access to the automatic prescription discounts. The automatic prescription discount program provides discounts on medications outside a member’s pharmacy benefit through...

Rx Update - Updated Integrated Pharmacy Program Flyers Now Available

Broker Update | February 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 2

We've refreshed our integrated pharmacy program flyers to showcase new offerings and remove discontinued ones. These flyers highlight all the value-added and optional pharmacy programs available to groups with our integrated medical and pharmacy coverage. Each flyer is...

Gag Clause Certificate Of Attestation Now Available

Broker Update | January 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 1

On December 30, 2024, 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...

Understanding Your Wellbeing; 2025 Wellbeing Webinar Series

Broker Update | January 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 1

We are excited to launch a new wellbeing webinar series in 2025, geared toward helping our members learn about various health topics that can support and improve their wellbeing from our own internal experts. Promotional flyers will be available for each month’s upcoming...

Starting The Year Off Right

Broker Update | January 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 1

January is a great time of year for employer group members to review their online account information or register for an account if they don’t already have one. Members can check their personal information, plan details and gain access to additional resources such as: ...

February Wellbeing Tip: Heart Health

Broker Update | January 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 1

February is American Heart Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States. The term “heart disease” includes several...

Rx Update - Pharmacy Affordability Toolkit Available

Broker Update | January 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 1

Health care costs are continuing to rise, impacting both groups and members alike. To address these challenges and support employee wellbeing, employers can now download our pharmacy savings toolkit. This toolkit offers ready-to-use educational resources and prewritten...

Season’s Greetings From All Of Us At Univera Healthcare

Broker Update | December 2024 | Vol. 19 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 working together in the New Year! Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Automatic Payment Error Impact

Broker Update | December 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 12

Some members may have received an email from us via our vendor, Instamed, saying that their automatic payment agreement has been terminated. If members received a letter in regard to their automatic payments, please refer to the banner on our Member Bill Pay Options page...

2025 Broker Guide Is Here

Broker Update | December 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 12

The 2025 Broker Guide is now available to help you better service our clients and grow your brokerage business. The guide is available on the broker tools page. If you have any questions about the 2025 Broker Guide, contact your account consultant or:...

Upcoming Member Webinar For Small Groups

Broker Update | December 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 12

Many members are not aware of the programs, resources, and tools available to them through their Univera Healthcare membership. We want to help close that gap. That’s why we are hosting a live “Making the Most of Your Health Plan,” webinar for our Small Group, Commercial...

2025 Workplace Wellbeing Resources

Broker Update | December 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 12

The new year brings new resources to help employers support the wellbeing of their employees. They can engage, educate and empower their workforce with these helpful resources: Employee Wellbeing Webinars: Looking to have your employees learn about health topics such as...

January Wellbeing Tip: New Year, Well You

Broker Update | December 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 12

The new year is a great time to reflect and set intentions for the upcoming year. Many resolutions center on health and wellness, highlighting the importance of physical and mental wellbeing. Despite resolutions having several benefits, sticking to them can be difficult. ...

Updates: 2025 Qualified Health Plans And The Essential Plan

Broker Update | December 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 12

Changes to Special Enrollment Period Coverage Effective Dates: Beginning January 1, 2025, NY State of Health must make the coverage effective date for special enrollment periods with no other specific effective date the first of the month following plan selection, with an...

Incorrect ID Card Mailing Impact

Broker Update | November 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 11

Univera Healthcare has identified that incorrect ID cards were recently mailed out to some small groups. Since ID cards are mailed in batches, not all small group members would have received an incorrect ID card.    We are working promptly to reissue ID cards...

REMINDER: Gag Clause Prohibition Attestation Under the Consolidated Appropriation Act

Broker Update | November 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 11

As a reminder, Univera Healthcare has determined that we will be completing the attestation on behalf of our fully insured and minimum premium groups for the time they had Univera Healthcare coverage in 2024. If any additional information is required to submit the...

Healthy New York - New Group Application and Recertification Form

Broker Update | November 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 11

The new Healthy New York – New Group Application and Recertification Form is now available for brokers and small groups.   The New Group Application should only be used when a small group is applying for a standalone Healthy New York plan, or when applying for...

Health Status Questionnaire

Broker Update | November 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 11

We encourage all plan members to complete a health status questionnaire upon enrollment and annually thereafter. We use this information to identify our members who may need care right away and are eligible for health care services that may be beneficial to them. Our case...

December Wellbeing Tip: Self Care & Seasonal Blues

Broker Update | November 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 11

While the holiday season can be a time of joy, it may bring added stress, anxiety, and depression for some people. According to the American Psychological Association, nearly 9 in 10 (89%) of U.S. adults say that concerns such as financial pressure, family conflict, and...

Rx Update - Introducing HelpScript, formerly Smart RxAssist

Broker Update | November 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 11

In July, we announced our partnership with Smart RxAssist to help maximize savings available from drug manufacturers assistance programs. This program provides financial relief to self-funded employer groups and decrease out-of-pocket costs for medical specialty drugs....