News Archive
All News
| Title | Issued Date |
|---|---|
Important Information Regarding Annual RxDC Prescription Data SubmissionThe Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) requires group and individual health plans to report annual data about prescription drugs and health care spending to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The last day to submit this data to CMS for the 2025... |
February 25, 2026 |
Ensure Broker Authorization To Streamline Employee SupportAs a reminder, our online tools offer valuable convenience for your employees. To ensure fast, efficient support, it’s important that brokers are authorized to speak with us on the members’ behalf. Completing this authorization saves valuable time and allows our team to... |
February 18, 2026 |
New AGIF Requirement For Community Rated HMO Groups And Additional Underwriting UpdatesStarting in 2026, Community Rated HMO groups will be required to provide an Annual Group Information Form (AGIF) for renewal. Community Rated HMO groups will be included as part of the small group AGIF renewal mailing notifications. Additionally, the AGIF Webtool has... |
February 18, 2026 |
Tax Form 1095-BHealth 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... |
February 18, 2026 |
Make Preventive Care Easy For Your EmployeesKeeping your team healthy starts with preventive care, and we’re here to help. Our preventive care toolkit (ZIP) gives you simple, ready-to-use materials to encourage employees to take advantage of preventive services that are fully covered under their plan. The toolkit... |
February 18, 2026 |
Understanding Your Wellbeing: February - Upcoming WebinarsHelp your employees stay engaged and inspired—our monthly webinars offer fresh, practical insights to support our members' health and wellbeing. Monthly flyers are available below to share with your employees. February Topic: "Understanding Your Heart Health: Risks,... |
February 18, 2026 |
Vitalize℠ Toolkits Now Available: Make Employee Engagement EasyVitalize℠, in partnership with Personify Health, is a digital wellbeing program dedicated to engaging your team in their health and wellbeing. Vitalize gives your employees the tools and support needed to make small, everyday changes to their wellbeing that are focused on... |
February 18, 2026 |
March Wellbeing Tip: Food As MedicineThe food you choose every day has a powerful impact on your health, energy, and overall wellbeing. The concept of “food as medicine” highlights how nourishing eating habits—paired with positive lifestyle choices—can help prevent and manage disease, boost your energy, and... |
February 18, 2026 |
2026 - January - Pharmacy Updates From Mona ChitreA Message from Mona Chitre As we step into 2026, we’re proud to reflect on the progress we’ve made together - because caring for Western New Yorkers starts with collaboration. We’re looking forward to the exciting developments this year has in store for pharmacy care. ... |
January 26, 2026 |
Understanding How Premium Dollars Are UsedSmall businesses are feeling the pressure of rising health care costs and the impact of those costs on insurance premiums. The health care system is complex and understanding how premium dollars are used can be hard. Read more for a closer look at how premium dollars are... |
January 23, 2026 |
Expanding Access To Behavioral Health Care: What Employers Need To KnowThe rapidly growing need for mental health services and the limited availability of service providers has been well-documented. In addition, those same providers are experiencing burnout at higher levels than ever before and many are leaving or limiting their... |
January 23, 2026 |
Gag Clause Certificate Of Attestation Now AvailableOn December 30, 2025, Univera Healthcare completed the Gag Clause Attestation on behalf of our fully insured and minimum premium groups who have our Rx. A Gag Clause Certificate of Attestation is available to groups, upon request. Please reach out to your Broker or... |
January 23, 2026 |
Understanding Your Wellbeing: January - Join Us For Our Upcoming Wellbeing WebinarsHelp your employees stay engaged and inspired—our monthly webinars offer fresh, practical insights to support our members' health and wellbeing. Monthly flyers are available below to share with your employees. January Topic: "Train Your Brain – The Psychology Behind... |
January 23, 2026 |
Simple Ways Preventive Care Can Support Your BusinessPreventive care plays an important role in keeping employees healthy while helping employers manage long-term costs. In this blog, we outline four easy, effective ways to encourage preventive care, such as sharing clear reminders and offering simple incentives. Many... |
January 23, 2026 |
February Wellbeing Tip: Heart DiseaseHeart disease is a broad term for conditions affecting the heart, most commonly Coronary Artery Disease. One of the most serious outcomes of heart disease is a heart attack. A heart attack occurs when the flow of blood to the heart is severely reduced or blocked. Managing... |
January 23, 2026 |
Happy Holidays – From Our Team to YoursAs the year draws to a close, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation for trusting us with the health and wellbeing of your employees. It’s an honor to partner with you. We wish you and your team a joyous holiday season and look forward to continuing to be right... |
December 17, 2025 |
Strengthening Our Efforts To Streamline Prior AuthorizationIn support of our ongoing mission to help members access quality, affordable health care, Univera Healthcare is participating in a joint effort to streamline, simplify and reduce prior authorization. This effort supports the federal government’s efforts to improve the... |
December 17, 2025 |
Legislative Updates - December 2025In this quarter’s Legislative Update, we highlight key political, legislative, and regulatory developments that may affect coverage and costs. Including: Federal & New York State Updates, Local Business Relief Coalition information and What We’re Reading. Learn More... |
December 17, 2025 |
Rx Update - The Future Of Prescription Drugs: 5 Trends Impacting Your Business And EmployeesPrescription drugs play a major role in keeping employees healthy, but rising costs continue to challenge businesses across Western New York. As we look ahead to 2026, several important trends are beginning to reshape how pharmacy benefits work. Specialty medications,... |
December 17, 2025 |
Updated Forms For Commercial Medical and Healthy New York ProductsUnderwriting has recently updated several forms for our Commercial Medical and Healthy New York (HNY) products. The new group instructions, new group checklist, and new group applications have been updated for our commercial medical and HNY products. HNY recertification... |
December 17, 2025 |
Understanding Your Wellbeing: December - Join Us For Our Upcoming Wellbeing WebinarsHelp your employees stay engaged and inspired—our monthly webinars offer fresh, practical insights to support our members' health and wellbeing. Monthly flyers are available below to share with your employees. January: "Train Your Brain – The Psychology Behind Healthy... |
December 17, 2025 |
Save the Date: Upcoming Vitalize Webinars for Employees!Vitalize℠, in partnership with Personify Health, is a digital home base dedicated to engaging our members in their health and wellbeing. Through Vitalize, eligible members have access to a certified health risk assessment, digital health coaching modules, a variety of... |
December 17, 2025 |
January Wellbeing Tip: Building A Healthier YouA new year brings new opportunities to focus on your health and wellbeing. While resolutions can be exciting, they often feel daunting—and it’s easy to get discouraged if things don’t go to plan. To build sustainable behavior change, start small. Bite-sized goals make... |
December 17, 2025 |
Manage Rising Health Care Costs: 3 Practical TipsWe understand the pressures small businesses face in today’s economic climate and we continue to be right here for you. As your local, nonprofit Health Plan, we’re committed to helping small businesses find meaningful ways to manage costs while improving the quality of... |
November 14, 2025 |
Understanding Your Wellbeing: November & December - Join Us For Our Upcoming Wellbeing WebinarsHelp your employees stay engaged and inspired—our monthly webinars offer fresh, practical insights to support our members health and wellbeing. Monthly flyers are available below to share with your employees. November: "Demystifying Diabetes" November 20: 12:00... |
November 14, 2025 |
2026 Wellbeing ResourcesMany members are not aware of the programs, resources, and tools available to them through Univera Healthcare. We are right here to help close that gap. Below are two resources that describe many of the programs and benefits available to members through their health plan.... |
November 14, 2025 |
December Wellbeing Tip: Healthy Eating During The HolidaysNavigating food choices during the holiday season can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to maintain balance. If you’ve ever felt guilt or anxiety around holiday eating, you’re not alone. Balancing indulgence with intention can be difficult, but there are... |
November 14, 2025 |
ACTION REQUIRED: Multi-Factor Authentication Launching In The Coming Days For Employer Web AccountsTo improve account security, multi-factor authentication (MFA) will be enabled in the coming days. What you can do to prepare for this change: Log into your employer web account and go to Account Settings in the upper right corner. Verify that your email address and... |
October 22, 2025 |
Univera Healthcare Welcomes Dr. Martin Stallone To Executive Leadership TeamWe’re thrilled to announce that Martin Stallone, M.D. has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Healthcare Services Officer for Univera Healthcare and its parent company, The Lifetime Healthcare Companies. Dr. Stallone currently serves as CEO of Centralus... |
October 22, 2025 |
2025 Gag Clause Attestation Process & Separate Letter NotificationAs part of our ongoing support for the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) gag clause attestation, Univera Healthcare will continue to attest on behalf of our fully insured and minimum premium groups in 2025, unless the group instructs us otherwise. For Self-funded, Rx... |
October 22, 2025 |
2026 Individual Market PlansIf you have an employee who is not eligible for an Employer Group Plan, Medicare or COBRA, we are here to help connect them with Qualified Health Plans (metal level plans), stand-alone dental plans and NY State sponsored Safety Net coverage, including plans for children. ... |
October 22, 2025 |
2026 Annual Rate Notices Being MailedThe New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) has finalized the 2026 rate adjustments for the following products: Small Group Individual Medicare Supplement Annual Rate Notices (ARNs) will be mailed to groups by the end of October. Medicare Advantage,... |
October 22, 2025 |
Manage Rising Health Care Costs: 3 Practical TipsWe understand the pressures small businesses face in today’s economic climate and we continue to be right here for you. As your local, nonprofit Health Plan, we’re committed to helping small businesses find meaningful ways to manage costs while improving the quality of... |
October 22, 2025 |
Donate Life Registry Question Added To Health Plan ApplicationsA new question regarding the New York State Donate Life Registry has been added to select health plan enrollment forms and online tools. This update is in response to a new state mandate and applies to both paper and digital enrollment processes. This requirement applies... |
October 22, 2025 |
2026 Medicare Star RatingsThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released its 2026 Medicare Star Ratings. These ratings measure our plan’s performance in areas such as quality of care provided to our members, clinical outcomes and preventive care, member satisfaction and... |
October 22, 2025 |
Understanding Your Wellbeing: November - Join Us For Our Upcoming Wellbeing WebinarsDiscover new ways to support a healthier lifestyle through our upcoming wellbeing webinars. Each month, we’ll explore a different topic designed to inspire and empower members on their wellbeing journey. Promotional flyers are available below so that you can easily share... |
October 22, 2025 |
November Wellbeing Tip: DiabetesType 2 diabetes is one of the most common – and preventable – chronic conditions. There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2 and gestational. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), type 2 accounts for about 90% to 95% of all... |
October 22, 2025 |
Rx Update - Watch the Recording: August Pharmacy Webinar Featuring OncoHealthThank you to everyone who joined us live! If you missed it—or want to revisit the insights—the recording is now available. (VIDEO) This session explores how our strategic partnership with OncoHealth is transforming oncology management and delivering real value to our... |
October 22, 2025 |
ANSI Submission DeadlineAs we prepare for the upcoming Open Enrollment season, we want to ensure a smooth experience for your organization and employees. To help us manage volume and maintain service quality, we ask that all ANSI file implementation requests be submitted no later than September... |
September 29, 2025 |
Legislative Updates – September 2025With Federal officials back from their summer recess, we’re closely monitoring upcoming budget and policy negotiations and awaiting further guidance on recently enacted legislation. Attached are some key highlights we believe you’ll find relevant and informative. As... |
September 29, 2025 |
Formulary Changes - EmployerIn light of the rising costs of health care, we are committed more than ever to identifying opportunities for group savings. We also know we must balance quality and cost of care while offering access to the treatments our members need to get and stay healthy. Local and... |
September 29, 2025 |
ACTION REQUIRED: How To Prepare For Multi-factor AuthenticationAs previously communicated, multi-factor authentication (MFA) will soon be required to access your Univera Healthcare employer web account. This added layer of security helps protect your data and ensures safe access. MFA is scheduled to launch for employers in October... |
September 25, 2025 |
Virtual Teledermatology – Telemedicine Powered By MDLIVE®We are proud to partner with MDLIVE to offer convenient telemedicine services for Acute Medical and Behavioral Health needs. Starting January 1, 2026, we’re expanding this partnership to include Teledermatology services—bringing even more care options to our members,... |
September 25, 2025 |
Request For Missing Social Security NumbersUnder the Affordable Care Act, the Internal Revenue Service requires health insurers to request missing subscriber and dependent Social Security numbers from their members. In September, we will send Social Security number request letters to individuals who had health... |
September 25, 2025 |
REMINDER For Small Groups: Upcoming Member Webinar – Making The Most Of Your Health Plan!Many Small Group members are not aware of the programs, resources, and tools available through their Univera Healthcare membership. We are right here, for you and want to help close that gap. That’s why we are hosting a live Making the Most of Your Health Plan webinar for... |
September 25, 2025 |
Understanding Your Wellbeing: September - Join Us For Our Upcoming Wellbeing WebinarsDiscover new ways to support a healthier lifestyle through our upcoming wellbeing webinars. Each month, we’ll explore a different topic designed to inspire and empower members on their wellbeing journey. Promotional flyers are available below so that you can easily share... |
September 25, 2025 |
Univera Healthcare Provides 22 Scholarships For Students To Attend Jim Kelly Football CampUnivera Healthcare proudly awarded full scholarships to 22 Western New York students for the 2025 Jim Kelly Football Camp! Selected at random from entries, each student received a custom jersey signed by Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly and a special send-off to camp.... |
September 25, 2025 |
A Message From Medical Governance And Healthcare EngagementAs we progress through 2025 and into 2026, we’re pleased to share our collective efforts to engage members, enhance outcomes, and expand services for all stakeholders. As we navigate a fast-changing health care landscape, our commitment remains rooted in serving our... |
September 25, 2025 |
The Power Of Communication: The Role Of Communication In Workplace Wellbeing ProgramsYou have 2.7 seconds to catch someone’s attention with your message. So, if you want your employees engaged in your workplace wellbeing program, it is critical to have an effective communication strategy. Clear, consistent, and engaging messaging helps build awareness,... |
September 25, 2025 |
October Wellbeing Tip: Menopause & Midlife WellnessMost women experience menopause between ages 45 and 55. Whether you’re approaching menopause, currently experiencing it, or have already gone through it, this stage of life often aligns with other significant life transitions. You may be expecting or raising a new child,... |
September 25, 2025 |
