News Archive
All News
| Title | Issued Date |
|---|---|
Rx Update - Mona Chitre, PharmD Appointed New Senior Leadership RoleBroker Update | February 2023 | Vol. 18 No. 2 Mona Chitre, PharmD has been named President of Pharmacy Solutions, in addition to her role as Chief Pharmacy Officer. In her expanded role, Dr. Chitre will focus on delivering clinically sound pharmacy solutions to enable growth and diversification and bolster... |
February 13, 2023 |
Watch: New Experience Rated Formula VideoBroker Update | January 2023 | Vol. 18 No. 1 As we shared earlier this month, Univera Healthcare has filed with NYS DFS and received approval for changes to our insured rating formula, effective July 1, 2023. The changes filed include modifying the credibility and pooling methodology to provide more stable... |
January 25, 2023 |
2023 Broker Guide Is HereBroker Update | January 2023 | Vol. 18 No. 1 The 2023 Broker Guide for Univera Healthcare is now available to help you better serve our clients and grow your brokerage business. The guide is also available in the broker portal on the Univera Healthcare website. 2023 Broker Guide (PDF) Login Required |
January 25, 2023 |
Newly Updated Telemedicine Toolkit Is Now LiveBroker Update | January 2023 | Vol. 18 No. 1 The newly updated Univera Healthcare Telemedicine Toolkit is now available for employers to download on UniveraforBusiness.com. With this collection of informational flyers, FAQ and ready-to-send email, employers can encourage their team to activate their telemedicine... |
January 25, 2023 |
Tax Form 1095-BBroker Update | January 2023 | Vol. 18 No. 1 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... |
January 25, 2023 |
Submission Of Prescription Drug Data Collection ReportBroker Update | January 2023 | Vol. 18 No. 1 On December 23, 2022, we submitted the Prescription Drug Data Collection (RxDC) report as required under Section 204 of Division BB, Title II of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), 2021. The submission included information for fully insured policies issued and for... |
January 25, 2023 |
Here’s To Heart HealthBroker Update | January 2023 | Vol. 18 No. 1 Did you know your heart is about the size of your fist? Your heart is the engine that runs your circulatory system, which carries blood to and from all areas of your body. Your blood carries oxygen and nutrients to your organs and carbon dioxide to your lungs. If your... |
January 25, 2023 |
Rx Update - Pharmacy Concierge ProgramBroker Update | January 2023 | Vol. 18 No. 1 The rising price of prescription drugs continues to be a major driver of health care costs. Our innovative approach to pharmacy cost management has produced outstanding savings for our employer groups and their employees while maintaining the highest quality of individual... |
January 24, 2023 |
Rx Update - Frozen Formulary Mandate - Effective January 1, 2023Broker News | January 2023 | Vol. 18 No. 1 The Frozen Formulary Mandate is a New York state law that goes into effect January 1, 2023. The mandate prohibits health plans that provide essential benefits from removing a prescription drug from a formulary, or adding additional formulary restrictions, during an... |
January 24, 2023 |
NYS Prior Approval Of Rate Changes For Medicare SupplementBroker Update | July 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 7 On August 19, 2022, an application will be submitted requesting 2023 premium rate changes in accordance with New York state prior approval law. This rate application applies to Medicare Supplement products. Employer Group Communication Initial notification letters will... |
July 26, 2022 |
Coming In September: Virtual Training For 2023 Open EnrollmentBroker Update | July 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 7 Training for 2023 Open Enrollment will be virtual through the New Univera Sales Hub. This Sales Hub is designed to support all your open enrollment training and presentation needs for the 2023 season and beyond. Univera Sales Hub will go live in early August;... |
July 26, 2022 |
Pharmacy Reporting Under The Consolidated Appropriations ActBroker Update | July 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 7 To comply with the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), we will complete the required pharmacy benefit and prescription drug cost reporting for insured businesses and self-funded groups at no charge; however, there will be a charge for a self-funded group that... |
July 26, 2022 |
Univera Named To The Best Places To Work For Disability Inclusion®Broker Update | July 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 7 Univera Healthcare is pleased to be named to the Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion after receiving a top score of 100 percent on the 2022 Disability Equality Index (DEI), a national benchmarking survey by Disability:IN and the American Association of People... |
July 26, 2022 |
COBRA And The New York State Extension Of Benefits For Dental And VisionBroker Update | July 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 7 Federal COBRA benefits are generally available to employers with 20 or more employees in the prior calendar year. The New York state continuation of coverage (Mini-COBRA) is available for all insured health plans with under 20 employees; however, it does not apply to... |
July 26, 2022 |
2023 Large Group Product UpdatesBroker Update | June 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 6 - Special Issue We know that health and wellbeing have taken on new meaning and significance over the past few years. We’ve got exciting changes planned that will help groups and their employees enjoy even better health and wellbeing in 2023. Let’s look at what’s in store.* Here’s... |
June 29, 2022 |
New Business Bonus Now Paid MonthlyBroker Update | April 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 4 A new section is now visible on your commission statement. It includes the group detail for the New Business Bonus. This ONE-TIME BONUS PAYMENT is now being made monthly rather than quarterly. Please contact the Broker Contracts Team with any bonus or commission questions. |
April 21, 2022 |
Legislative Update, Additional Resources Now AvailableBroker Update | April 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 4 Hinman Straub, our external legal counsel, is providing legislative updates for our brokers. Additional sessions are planned throughout the year. The first update is available and includes: 2021 recap of legislation signed into law 2022 NYS budget COVID policy moving... |
April 21, 2022 |
Updates To Small Group Non-EnrollmentBroker Update | April 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 4 We are updating our practices for groups that have had prolonged periods of no enrollment in their small group health plan. The following changes will take effect June 1, 2022: Small groups will be reviewed at the time of renewal and will be non-renewed if there has... |
April 21, 2022 |
Welvie My Surgery Web PageBroker Update | April 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 4 Welvie My Surgery℠ is now available to our Fully Insured commercial group plans, Qualified Health Plan, and Essential Plan members. This self-guided online program leads participants through the decision-making process if they’re considering an elective surgery. If... |
April 21, 2022 |
Making The Most Of Your Health PlanBroker Update | April 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 4 Many members are not aware of the programs, resources, and tools we make available to them. We want to help close that gap. That’s why we created the Making the Most of Your Health Plan video. The video provides a member-level overview of creating an online account, using... |
April 21, 2022 |
May Is Mental Health MonthBroker Update | April 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 4 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 41 percent of adults report struggling with mental health or substance use, which is up 20 percent from pre-pandemic reports. Our own data also reflects this trend with nearly 1/3 of adults now reporting... |
April 21, 2022 |
CAA Compensation Disclosure RequirementBroker Update | April 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 4 As part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), we are required to identify for our ERISA groups all direct or indirect compensation we may potentially receive in connection with covered services of $1,000 or more, for the term of a group’s contract. Programs can... |
April 21, 2022 |
Small Group Underwriting Guideline UpdateBroker Update | March 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 3 The revised Small Group Underwriting Guidelines are based on the October 2021 updates and have been approved through New York State Department of Financial Services. The changes are effective immediately to ensure we are meeting all regulatory requirements for group... |
March 24, 2022 |
2022 Best Places To Work In Western New YorkBroker Update | March 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 3 Univera Healthcare is once again a top honoree in the Business First Best Places to Work, winning the Silver Award among employers with more than 250 employees. Companies were voted the best places to work in Western New York by those who know them best: their employees!... |
March 24, 2022 |
Small Group Underwriting Web UpdateBroker Update | March 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 3 The Medicare page/tab has been removed from the AGIF web tool as it was deemed no longer required in 2021. Groups are still not required to submit a Medicare AGIF and they will no longer be processed through SGUW. If a Medicare AGIF is submitted to SGUW, we will only save... |
March 24, 2022 |
Behind Every Great Health Care Outcome Is An Informed DecisionBroker Update | March 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 3 Introducing Welvie My Surgery℠ – We know that one of the keys to better health is better health literacy – the ability to understand health information and services and use that knowledge to make informed decisions. It’s especially important with major decisions like... |
March 24, 2022 |
April 16 Is National Healthcare Decisions DayBroker Update | March 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 3 National Healthcare Decisions Day was created to emphasize the importance of advance care planning. Advance care planning is the process we use to plan for future medical care, consider what matters most to us, share our values, beliefs, and goals with our loved ones and... |
March 24, 2022 |
Group Premium Payment ReminderBroker Update | February 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 2 - Special Issue The beginning of a new month is a good time to remind your groups, per contract, there is a 30-day grace period to make their premium payment. If payment is not received within the 30-day grace period, we will initiate the termination process. As a reminder, the first... |
February 28, 2022 |
New Wellness Videos Available To ShareBroker Update | February 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 2 A new suite of wellness videos is now available for brokers, employers, and members. The videos cover a variety of topics, including: Avoiding Processed Foods Be Stressed Less Benefits of Meditation Diabetes: Take Control of Your Health Fighting Virtual Work... |
February 17, 2022 |
Univera Healthcare Is Always At Your ServiceBroker Update | February 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 2 When you travel and ask the hotel concierge for help making plans, it comes with a certain sense of relief. You know that the person who knows the business the best is going take the pressure off of you when it comes to navigating an unfamiliar environment. That’s... |
February 17, 2022 |
Univera Healthcare Earns 90 Percent In Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 Corporate Equality IndexBroker Update | February 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 2 Univera Healthcare received a score of 90 percent out of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index, the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality.... |
February 17, 2022 |
Helpful Resources For Employees Using Our Website Or Mobile AppBroker Update | February 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 2 It’s early in the new year and a great time for employees to review the benefits and extras that are a part of their health plan. Employees can visit UniveraHealthcare.com 24/7 to: Register and/or log in to their online member account Download our mobile app Easy... |
February 17, 2022 |
Do You Really Need The Emergency Department?Broker Update | February 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 2 There are millions of visits to hospital emergency departments (ED) in New York state each year that don’t result in a hospital stay, according to New York State Department of Health data. And while some health conditions require emergency care, many are better suited for... |
February 17, 2022 |
March Is National Colorectal Awareness MonthBroker Update | February 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 2 In the United States, colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths. Men are much more likely than women to get colon cancer, and African Americans are more likely to get it than any other race or ethnicity. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force... |
February 17, 2022 |
Wishing You The Best In 2022Broker Update | January 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 1 As we begin another new year, I want to thank you for your continued partnership as together we guide our shared clients and members during these unprecedented times. Our local leadership—based right here, in Western New York—remains ready to support you and your... |
January 20, 2022 |
2022 Broker Guide Now AvailableBroker Update | January 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 1 Good health and preventive care are more important than ever and guiding your clients through their health care benefits is one way you provide confidence and security in uncertain times. The programs and tools outlined in the 2022 Broker Guide demonstrate our commitment... |
January 20, 2022 |
Coming In FebruaryBroker Update | January 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 1 Beginning next month, Hinman Straub, our external legal counsel, will be providing a legislative update for our brokers. Our first update will include: 2021 recap of legislation signed into law 2022 NYS budget COVID policy moving forward Additional sessions are... |
January 20, 2022 |
Enrollment Inquiry & Support UpdatesBroker Update | January 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 1 Updates to our Enrollment Inquiry & Support tool are scheduled to go live on February 7. Users who login and contact us by using the Enrollment Inquiry & Support tool will have access to new features that will enhance the support process from start to finish. ... |
January 20, 2022 |
Leadership UpdatesBroker Update | January 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 1 We are excited to share the following changes to our leadership team: Univera Healthcare Cindy Langston Named First Female Chief Information Officer Cindy Langston has been named senior vice president and the company’s first female chief information officer. In her new... |
January 20, 2022 |
2021 Diversity Equity And Inclusion Report AvailableBroker Update | January 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 1 We are proud to share our inaugural, “Diversity Equity and Inclusion Report, Bringing I.D.E.A. to Life,” which details our approach to mitigating the impact of bias, and our commitment to equitable treatment for all, within and beyond our walls. Our Corporate Commitment... |
January 20, 2022 |
Tax Form 1095-BBroker Update | January 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 1 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... |
January 20, 2022 |
February Is American Heart MonthBroker Update | January 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 1 February is American Heart Month, a time to spotlight heart disease which is the #1 killer of Americans. Yet heart disease is largely preventable by living a healthy lifestyle: eat a healthy diet, get regular physical activity, manage stress, don’t smoke, and get enough... |
January 20, 2022 |
Healthy NY UpdatesBroker Update | January 2022 | Vol. 17 No. 1 Based on NYS changes, the Healthy NY New Business Application and Healthy NY Recertification have been updated to reflect the new maximum annual wage of $45,450.00 on all systems including Univera On Demand Login. The cutoff for using prior versions of the form will be... |
January 20, 2022 |
Univera Healthcare Welcomes Dr. Gina CuylerBroker Update | December 2021 | Vol. 16 No. 12 In keeping with its mission to ensure access to high quality health care and reduce health disparities, Univera Healthcare announced that Gina Cuyler, MD. has joined the health plan as Vice President Health Equity and Community Investments. In this new role, Dr. Cuyler... |
December 14, 2021 |
Sending Our Thanks This Holiday SeasonBroker Update | December 2021 | Vol. 16 No. 12 As we come to the end of another year, we once again want to thank you for your partnership as we continue to help our shared clients navigate through these unprecedented times. We wish you and your families a safe and healthy holiday season. We hope the communities we... |
December 14, 2021 |
COVID Treatment Benefits Ending On 12/31/21Broker Update | December 2021 | Vol. 16 No. 12 Please remind your groups that COVID treatment benefits will be ending on December 31, 2021. Beginning January 1, 2022, COVID treatment benefits will process according to the member’s benefits. |
December 14, 2021 |
Online Billing For Brokers UpdateBroker Update | December 2021 | Vol. 16 No. 12 We will be launching Online Billing to all Brokers in early January. We will post an alert on our website when the tool is available. If you currently have access to enrollment for a group, you will be given access to billing for that group under the same account. ... |
December 14, 2021 |
Enhancements Made To Find A DoctorBroker Update | December 2021 | Vol. 16 No. 12 We continue to work to give our members the best user experience possible when it comes to our digital tools. Our Find A Doctor tool recently received the following enhancements to take advantage of in-app features such as: Location services Mapping capabilities ... |
December 14, 2021 |
New Individual Market COBRA Special Enrollment Period Effective January 1, 2022Broker Update | December 2021 | Vol. 16 No. 12 On May 5, 2021, CMS released the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP) for the 2022 plan year final rule, and it included a new/modified qualifying event for a special enrollment period (SEP). The existing SEP for Involuntary Loss of Minimum Essential Coverage... |
December 14, 2021 |
An Ounce Of Prevention…Broker Update | December 2021 | Vol. 16 No. 12 Are your employees regularly seeing their doctors for preventive care? Regular preventive care can help reduce the risk or severity of chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), 90... |
December 14, 2021 |
