At Oregon Aglink, the Association Health Plan (AHP) gives qualifying member businesses access to 20+ group health plans and dental coverage around the state. If the task of signing up for a new health plan seems like a lot to chew, here are some bite-sized pieces to get started on in summer before a renewal at the end of the year.
Consider who needs to be covered. Will your coverage include spouses and children? Depending on if your business has more than fifty employees, there are certain coverage requirements to meet. Do you need both medical and dental, or just one of them?
Gather basic employee info. To get an accurate quote, you’ll need to provide an employee census that includes their names, dates of birth, gender, and zip code. If you plan to offer spouse or dependent coverage, the same information is needed.
Think about what is important in selecting health plan options. With more than 20 health plans to choose from, you can pick 2-3 that best fit your workforce. Are you looking for the lowest deductibles? Options to offer one higher and one lower deductible plans? An HSA plan?
Find a time to get the quote. This can be the hardest task when you are already juggling so many priorities. Look at your calendar and find a two to three week window when you will have some time to reach out to your broker/representative for a quote. Gathering the information listed above will help this process. If you’re wanting to start coverage January 1, you’ll need to start the process above before November 15.
Of course, you don’t have to wait for the new year to sign up for health insurance or switch from your current carrier, and anything you’ve paid into your current coverage like deductibles or out-of-pocket maximums will transfer to a new plan with the AHP.
If you need that extra time to get things straight and start the process, here’s your summer reminder to plan ahead. And if you’re ready to roll with a quote, contact us at [email protected] or reach out directly to the Benefits Division Manager Victoria Monteblanco from Leonard Adams Company at 503-922-48-27 or [email protected]