What are Health & Welfare Benefits Administration Services? Presented By: Jennifer Cerrito, Jennifer Cerrito, Director of Operations H&W
Current Landscape of Employee Benefits Administration Too much on Human Resources plate Limited Resources Increased benefit costs Expansion of consumer directed health plans Outdated administrative processes require significant staffing resources Inadequate audit of employee eligibility and elections may lead to significant added premium costs Employee appreciation of benefits program may be lost due to ineffective communications 1 of 17
Why Outsource? Outsourcing the administration of health & welfare employee benefits is a major change for many organizations and we understand the process. By outsourcing benefits administration, you can allocate internal resources in the most efficient manner possible. It has been our experience that many of our current clients value this approach because it allows the human resources department more time to focus on strategic initiatives. 2 of 17
3 levels of Administration Services Call Center Only Co-Sourcing Outsourcing 3 of 17
Call Center Only Dedicated toll free phone number Dedicated email address Respond to general plan inquiries for all health and welfare plan benefits Provide employee advocacy services/transfer and facilitate calls with vendors Provide appeals information and support Provide specialist support for complex inquiries and issues 4 of 17
Co-sourcing vs. Outsourcing Co-sourcing Outsourcing You use the web administration tool in-house, we provide your staff with training and your HR staff provides the day to day administrative functions You, the client, maintain the system We provide electronic files to update payroll and carriers Outsourcing builds on the Co-sourcing model with these added features: We assume responsibility of day to day administration of your H&W plans We respond to employees inquiries through our Benefit Service Center We become an extension of your staff when interacting with your carriers and vendors 5 of 17
Co-Sourcing Employees enroll in benefits via the web during open enrollment and throughout the year using Life Solutions 1 Employees have a unique user id and password Employees only see benefits for which they are eligible Employees will have access to forms, documents, carrier links Automatic transfer of elections to you carriers and provide customized payroll files 6 of 17
Outsourcing Same features as Co-sourcing PLUS: We maintain your employee census data and eligibility Provide many of the Benefits Administration functions you want to outsource Evidence of insurability Tracking Life event processing COBRA coordination with vendor Dependent Audit Beneficiary i designation Call center support 7 of 17
Open Enrollment Support
Out-sourcing and Co-sourcing Open Enrollment Support Coordinate Open Enrollment for the new plan year Plan management enrollment reports available Clients have a customized client specific web portal, Life Solutions 1 Employee access to all benefits offered to them Customized Marketing through USICG Toll Free telephone number (Outsourcing) Client Specific email box (Outsourcing) 9 of 17
Connectivity Payroll Payroll deductions are submitted to your payroll vendor in the required format. Frequency and groups are based on your needs. HRIS (Human Resource Information System) Some employers maintain election information. If that is your approach, we will provide HRIS files to keep your information up to date. Carrier Feeds Our carrier eligibility process is quick, easy and 834 compliant. 10 of 17
Sample look of the landing page 11 of 17
Communication Services
Communications Benefit experts Copy writing Graphic design Production capabilities Communication strategy and plan outline Customized communication campaigns Flexibility since we do it in-house Design and execution of materials in a cost effective manner 13 of 17
Multi-channel approach Announcement letters, posters, postcards, booklets Comprehensive Benefits Guides E-mail campaigns Enrollment & orientation presentations & brochures Intranet/ Internet design & implementation Comprehensive benefit statements Newsletters Promotional items Highlights brochures 14 of 17
Summary of Services Available Eligibility ibilit Determination ti & Maintenance Evidence of insurability tracking Life event processing Dependent audit Beneficiary designation Enrollment Open & Ongoing Web Platform: Life Solutions 1 Call center support Employer Change Process Payroll Files Carrier Feeds Employee Assistance Call center support Communication Billing & Reconciliation 15 of 17
Q&A Chat Box: Please submit questions using the drop-down menu at tthe top of your screen For more information: Please e-mail information@usicg.com Call your USI Consulting Group representative 16 of 17
Thank You! Please join us for our next Benefits in Focus webcast on November 5, 2015: Behavioral Solutions to Avoid a Retirement Savings Shortfall 17 of 17