Turnaround Times

When it comes to turnaround time with carriers, issues are able to be resolved more quickly when you have all of the information ready before it is sent in. Time is often wasted with carriers going back and forth between groups or our team asking for additional information.

To expedite your process, follow these important tips:

Change Forms

Have employees needing to make changes to their benefit elections throughout the year due to qualifying events? It is important to supply them with the correct form so that the carrier can process the change request.

To simplify this process for you, you can now access change forms for many of our carriers here on our blog!

Resources for Staying Up-to-date on Reform

Staying up-to-date with the latest health care reform is not only important for groups, but it is also important for individuals. Knowing what is in the Afforadable Care Act and how it applies to you or your groups policy can make a large impact on how you utilize your benefits.

One of my favorite sites for group is the McGohan Brabender Health Care Reform site. Not only does is provide clarifications of many changes to health care, but it does so in an easy to understand format. If you are your group's plan adminstrator, I strongly suggest that you take a moment to peruse this site.

Additionally, I have found that Health Care and You is a nice site for both employers and employees. Here you can find state and age specific changes to laws as well as a handy timeline as changes have become effective.

It may seem as though there is a lot to know when it comes to keeping up-to-date on health care reform, but utilizing helpful resources such as these sites can ensure that your group - and employees - stay informed.

Aetna Pharmacy to No Longer Cover Allegra

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration approved Allegra as an Over-The-Counter medication. With this change, prescription Allegra , Allegra-D, and generic equivalents will no longer be covered under most Aetna Pharmacy benefits. As of March 4, 2011, these medications will be available over-the-counter.

Aetna members who filled a prescription for any of these medications or their generic equivalent between January 2010 and February 2011 will receive a letter from Aetna explaining this change as the medications will not longer be covered by Aetna's Pharmacy Benefits. Aetna's Preferred Drug List is subject to change. For up-to-date information, you can visit www.aetna.com/formulary or call the Member Services on the toll-free number found on your Member ID card.

Nursing Mothers and the Workplace

Over the past few years, legislation has been passed protecting rights for mothers in the workplace. Some of this reform specifically addresses nursing mothers, and it is important to ensure that you are aware and compliant with these changes.

Effective March 23, 2010, all employers (except those with less than 50 employees who can be exempted if the requirements would pose undue hardship, causing significant difficulty or expense when considered in relation to the size, financial resources, nature, or structure of the business) are required to: