News Archive
All News
| Title | Issued Date |
|---|---|
Fixing The Family GlitchTo be eligible for subsidized qualified health plans today, employees must not have "affordable coverage" through their own/spouse's employer. For some, if their employer doesn’t contribute to the cost (or only contributes a small amount) toward the family premium, it may... |
November 30, 2022 |
2022 Health Equity Awards Winners Announced!We recently announced the recipients of our Univera Healthcare 2022 Health Equity Awards. More than $120,000 in financial support was given to six nonprofit organizations that address racial and ethnic health disparities across Western New York. "This…Health Equity Award... |
November 30, 2022 |
REMINDER: 2023 Individual Market PlansIf you have an employee who is not eligible for an Employer Group Plan, Medicare, or COBRA, we’re here to help connect them with NY State sponsored Safety Net coverage and Qualified Health Plans (metal level plans). If you would like to review your health care options,... |
November 30, 2022 |
‘Tis The Season For Self-CareWhile the holiday season can be a time of joy, it may bring added stress, anxiety, and depression for some people. Many things contribute to the “holiday blues”: fatigue, money problems, over-commitment, and missing family or friends. That’s why, during the holiday... |
November 30, 2022 |
Achieving Some Of The Highest Medicare Star Ratings In The State And Nation!The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the 2023 quality ratings and Univera Healthcare has again been awarded some of the highest ratings in Western New York and the nation for quality and performance! CMS awarded Univera Healthcare’s Medicare... |
October 31, 2022 |
Univera Healthcare Is The One-Stop Shop For Health Insurance NeedsAs employees move through life and situations change, you can always count on our team at Univera Healthcare to be there for them. Our Group plans are just a part of how we here to care for businesses and people in our community. We also offer a complete range of plans... |
October 31, 2022 |
Annual Rate Notices Are In The MailGroups will receive Annual Rate Notices (ARNs) at the end of October 2022. This includes the following products: Small Group Individual Please note that Medicare Advantage, Simply Prescription, Dental prospective pooled and dental/vision standalone group notices and... |
October 31, 2022 |
2023 Individual Market PlansIf you have an employee who is not eligible for an Employer Group Plan, Medicare, or COBRA, we’re here to help connect them with NY State sponsored Safety Net coverage and Qualified Health Plans (metal level plans). If you would like to review your health care options,... |
October 31, 2022 |
November Is National Diabetes MonthDid you know medical costs for people with diabetes are twice as high as for those who don’t have diabetes? Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. In the last 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes has more... |
October 31, 2022 |
New On-Site Optical Clinics For Groups With Univera Vision PlansIf your group has a Univera Vision plan, you can host convenient, comprehensive pop-up optical clinics at your workplaces, making it easier than ever for employees to use their vision benefits and select eyewear! These on-site optical clinics bring all equipment... |
September 30, 2022 |
October Is Breast Cancer Awareness MonthBreast cancer is the second most common form of cancer found in women in the United States, after skin cancers. About one in eight women will develop breast cancers at some point in their lifetime. The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women who... |
September 30, 2022 |
Reimbursement For Travel And Lodging Expenses – New Coverage For 2023*As a result of the recent decision by the Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) has issued optional reimbursement travel and lodging coverage that may be applied to Small and Large Group... |
September 30, 2022 |
Dental Checkups And A Healthy Smile? You’re Covered!Did you know that adults born between 1946 and 1964 (baby boomers) are the first generation where the majority of people will keep their natural teeth for their entire lifetime? This is largely because of the fluoride in water and in toothpaste. Oral health is essential... |
September 30, 2022 |
Small Group Rates and Plans for 2023 Are Now Available!2023 Plan Highlights: We know that health and wellbeing have taken on new meaning and significance over the past few years. We’ve got exciting changes planned that will help groups and their employees enjoy even better health and wellbeing in 2023. Let’s look at what’s in... |
September 8, 2022 |
HSA Education Made Easy – Introducing My HSA PlannerWe know that the benefits of an HSA vary based on unique lifestyle and financial goals of your employees. This makes it difficult and time consuming for you to explain to employees the benefits of a HSA in a way that resonates to help them *actually* use or sign up for an... |
August 25, 2022 |
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... |
August 25, 2022 |
Univera Healthcare Addresses Health Disparities In Western New York With Available Health Equity Award FundingUnivera Healthcare invites nonprofit organizations to apply for their Health Equity Awards to help fund health and wellness programs that address racial and ethnic health disparities in Western New York. “At Univera Healthcare, the health of our communities is at the... |
August 25, 2022 |
September Wellbeing Tip: Substance Use DisordersAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in 14 Americans reports experiencing a substance use disorder, a disease in which a person overuses or abuses alcohol or drugs. Some people may use drugs to help cope with stress, trauma, or to help... |
August 25, 2022 |
Medicare Supplement – NYS Prior Approval Of Rate ChangesOn August 19, 2022, an application will be submitted requesting 2023 premium rate changes in accordance with New York state prior approval law. This rate application applies to Medicare Supplement products. Employer Group Notifications Initial notification letters will... |
July 28, 2022 |
Pharmacy Reporting Under The Consolidated Appropriations ActTo comply with the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), we will complete the required pharmacy benefit and prescription drug cost reporting for insured businesses and self-funded groups at no charge; however, there will be a charge for a self-funded group that... |
July 28, 2022 |
Univera Named To The Best Places To Work For Disability Inclusion®Univera Healthcare is pleased to be named to the Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion after receiving a top score of 100 percent on the 2022 Disability Equality Index (DEI), a national benchmarking survey by Disability:IN and the American Association of People... |
July 28, 2022 |
Five Things To Know About The Transparency In Coverage RulesTransparency in Coverage rules have been established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and require health plans and self-funded employer groups to post on their public website machine-readable files containing the following pricing information: ... |
July 28, 2022 |
COBRA And The New York State Extension Of Benefits For Dental And VisionFederal COBRA benefits are generally available to employers with 20 or more employees in the prior calendar year. The New York state continuation of coverage (Mini-COBRA) is available for all insured health plans with under 20 employees; however, it does not apply to... |
July 28, 2022 |
August Wellbeing Tip: Vaccines Are Important For Adults, TooVaccinations are not just for children – adults need vaccinations, too. Immunity from some childhood vaccines can wear off over time and adults are more at risk for different diseases (shingles, for example) than children. Vaccination is one of the safest and most... |
July 28, 2022 |
2023 Large Group Product UpdatesWe’ve got exciting changes planned that will help groups and their employees enjoy even better health and wellbeing in 2023.* Here’s What’s New for 2023: Univera Healthy Baby Connection – Univera Healthy Baby Connection is a comprehensive case... |
July 12, 2022 |
2023 Small Group Package UpdateThe following Univera Access packages will no longer be offered directly through Univera Healthcare or on the New York State of Health (SHOP) Marketplace beginning January 1, 2023. Univera On Demand will be updated for package comparisons. The packages that will no... |
June 29, 2022 |
COBRA Terminations For Non-Payment Of Premiums Will Resume July 1, 2022In March 2020, the Department of Labor (DOL), together with the Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) (collectively “Agencies”), issued final rules and, in February 2021 and July 2021 subsequent guidance with respect to the extension of certain... |
June 29, 2022 |
Univera Healthcare Provides Community Health Awards To Area NonprofitsUnivera Healthcare is awarding a total of 65 community health awards to nonprofit organizations across upstate New York, including eight nonprofits in Western New York. The community health award funding will support innovative programs and solutions to advance health... |
June 29, 2022 |
Paul Valley Joins Univera HealthcareWith the recent retirement of Pam Pawenski, Univera Healthcare has hired Paul Valley as Vice President Sales. Paul is a Western New York native and a health insurance veteran with nearly 25 years’ experience in the industry, having held executive positions locally with... |
June 29, 2022 |
Make A Mid-Year Resolution To Be More ActiveAccording to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), physical activity is one of the best things people can do for their health, both physical and mental. Not only does physical activity help people immediately feel better, function better, and sleep... |
June 29, 2022 |
Individual & Small Group – NYS Prior Approval Of Rate ChangesOn May 10, 2022, an application was submitted requesting 2023 premium rate changes in accordance with New York state prior approval law. This rate application applies to Community Rated Individual and Small Group products. The following products are included in this 2023... |
May 31, 2022 |
Calm E-Book For GroupsWe worked with Calm to create a new informational resource to help Groups with some of your most asked questions. It’s a great tool if you’re looking for: Registration Instructions Sample HR Email template Member FAQs Links to additional Calm resources and trainings... |
May 31, 2022 |
Updates To Our Enrollment ToolsWe are always looking for ways to improve our online tools and resources to give our brokers, groups, and members a better user experience. In the coming weeks and months, you will see updates to our online enrollment and support tools. One update you will see soon, is... |
May 31, 2022 |
Sun, Safety & HydrationAs the weather gets warmer and people spend more time outside, it is important to stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun. Drinking plenty of water every day is good for overall health any time of year. Getting enough water every day is even more important when... |
May 31, 2022 |
Making The Most Of Your Health PlanMany members are not aware of the programs, resources, and tools we make available to them. We want to help close that gap. That’s why we created the Making the Most of Your Health Plan video. The video provides a member-level overview of creating an online account, using... |
April 26, 2022 |
Welvie My Surgery Web PageWelvie My Surgery℠ is now available to our Fully Insured commercial group plans, Qualified Health Plan, and Essential Plan members. This self-guided online program leads participants through the decision-making process if they’re considering an elective surgery. If... |
April 26, 2022 |
May Is Mental Health MonthAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 41 percent of adults report struggling with mental health or substance use, which is up 20 percent from pre-pandemic reports. Our own data also reflects this trend with nearly 1/3 of adults now reporting... |
April 26, 2022 |
2022 Best Places To Work In Western New YorkUnivera Healthcare is once again a top honoree in the Business First Best Places to Work, winning the Silver Award among employers with more than 250 employees. Companies were voted the best places to work in Western New York by those who know them best: their employees! ... |
March 29, 2022 |
Behind Every Great Health Care Outcome Is An Informed DecisionIntroducing Welvie My Surgery℠ – We know that one of the keys to better health is better health literacy – the ability to understand health information and services and use that knowledge to make informed decisions. It’s especially important with major decisions like... |
March 29, 2022 |
April 16 Is National Healthcare Decisions DayNational Healthcare Decisions Day was created to emphasize the importance of advance care planning. Advance care planning is the process we use to plan for future medical care, consider what matters most to us, share our values, beliefs, and goals with our loved ones and... |
March 29, 2022 |
Do You Really Need The Emergency Department?There are millions of visits to hospital emergency departments (ED) in New York state each year that don’t result in a hospital stay, according to New York State Department of Health data. And while some health conditions require emergency care, many are better suited for... |
February 22, 2022 |
Univera Healthcare Earns 90 Percent In Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 Corporate Equality IndexUnivera Healthcare received a score of 90 percent out of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index, the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality.... |
February 22, 2022 |
Univera Healthcare Is Now Accepting Community Health Award Applications Until March 17thNonprofit organizations in Western New York can apply for Univera Healthcare’s Community Health Awards that the company is offering to help fund health and wellness programs in the region. The application period opened on Thursday, February 17th and closes Monday, March... |
February 22, 2022 |
New Wellness Videos Available To ShareA new suite of wellness videos is now available for employers and members. The videos cover a variety of topics, including: Avoiding Processed Foods Be Stressed Less Benefits of Meditation Diabetes: Take Control of Your Health Fighting Virtual Work Fatigue ... |
February 22, 2022 |
Univera Healthcare Is Always At Your ServiceWhen you travel and ask the hotel concierge for help making plans, it comes with a certain sense of relief. You know that the person who knows the business the best is going take the pressure off of you when it comes to navigating an unfamiliar environment. That’s... |
February 22, 2022 |
Helpful Resources For Employees Using Our Website Or Mobile AppIt’s early in the new year and a great time for employees to review the benefits and extras that are a part of their health plan. Employees can visit UniveraHealthcare.com 24/7 to: Register and/or log in to their online member account Download our mobile app Easy... |
February 22, 2022 |
March Is National Colorectal Awareness MonthIn the United States, colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths. Men are much more likely than women to get colon cancer, and African Americans are more likely to get it than any other race or ethnicity. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force... |
February 22, 2022 |
Leadership UpdatesWe are excited to share the following changes to our leadership team: Univera Healthcare Cindy Langston Named First Female Chief Information Officer Cindy Langston has been named senior vice president and the company’s first female chief information officer. In her new... |
January 27, 2022 |
Wishing You The Best In 2022As we begin another new year, I want to thank you for your continued partnership as we work together during these unprecedented times. Our local leadership—based right here, in Western New York—remains ready to support you and your business with the familiar names and... |
January 27, 2022 |
Enrollment Inquiry & Support UpdatesUpdates to our Enrollment Inquiry & Support tool are scheduled to go live on February 7. Users who login and contact us by using the Enrollment Inquiry & Support tool will have access to new features that will enhance the support process from start to finish. ... |
January 27, 2022 |
