NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2015

INDUSTRY NEWS

Happy Holidays from USHL

In this season of gratitude, we pause to say thank you for your business

and for the confidence you place in us.

Best wishes for a very happy Thanksgiving from the entire USHL staff.

Employer Secure Services Portal Now Available

The employer online secure services portal was recently added to the USHL website, giving all insured and SafeGuard Self-Funding group contacts the ability to access online resources and assistance 24/7/365.

Functionality of the portal includes enrollment verifications, new or replacement identification card ordering, access to coverage details, provider and facility lookups, group reporting and more.

An authorization form must be completed prior to initial employer portal access; download a copy of the form here or go to www.ushealthandlife.com/products/forms.

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." --John F. Kennedy

2016 Transitional Renewal Offers

Include Extended, Early

Renewal Options

USHL Underwriting has begun issuing 2016 renewals for transitional groups; most groups will receive an early or extended renewal offer dependent upon their renewal date. All groups will have the ability to renew coverage through the federally-mandated September 30, 2017 transitional renewal end date by one of three avenues: an early renewal offer made in July 2016, an extended renewal offer made during the regular renewal cycle in 2016, or a standard 12-month renewal offer.

Renewal Processing

Transitional groups will receive renewal offers no later than 75 days in advance of their renewal date. As with all USHL renewals, agents will receive group renewal emails in advance of the hardcopy send-out to groups.

In accordance with transitional renewal regulations, groups will have the option of making changes within the same plan family-- i.e. Traditional Peak; HDHP Pinnacle-- deductible level changes will be allowed along with any desired change in prescription drug coverage in the case of Traditional plans. Changes between HDHP and Traditional plans will not be permitted.

Click here for offer details by renewal month and completion / remittance instructions.

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." --Albert Schweitzer

Are You Selling SafeGuard Self-Funding?

You Should Be!

The bonus program for SafeGuard self-funded coverage, offering special agent incentives and a streamlined underwriting process, has been extended to include new groups with effective dates through 01/01/2016.

In addition, SafeGuard rates for Michigan groups were recently reduced by 10 percentage points. SafeGuard rate reductions in additional states to be announced soon.

For full details, click here.

SAFEGUARD WEBSITE

SAFEGUARD TRAINING MODULES

OBTAIN A SAFEGUARD QUOTE

Important Formulary Change Announcement

Magellan Rx recently made some important changes to its Hepatitis C products coverage. Specifically, as of January 1, 2016, Harvoni� and Sovaldi� will be the only preferred Hepatitis C agents on the formulary. Viekira Pak� will no longer be a preferred agent and will move to non-preferred status.

The Magellan Rx National Formulary is established by the practicing physicians and pharmacists who comprise its Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee. The P&T Committee reviews drugs based on their evaluation of evidence for efficacy, effectiveness and safety. The Value Assessment Committee (VAC) considers factors such as therapy alternatives, outcomes statistics, utilization metrics and cost.

Magellan Rx recognizes that patient-specific variables and other factors must be taken into account in determining whether a particular prescription product is medically appropriate for a specific patient; they also recognize that physicians ultimately make that decision. For patients in whom Harvoni or Sovaldi are inappropriate, Magellan Rx has a process in place to obtain a formulary exception for other available products.

Review the full Magellan Rx formulary here.

"Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence." --Erma Bombeck