BUSINESS UPDATE

In this issue

May 2014

2

3

4

The Business Update is published quarterly by

Geisinger Health Plan and serves as an informational

resource for employers and brokers.

Comments are welcomed.Please email:

businessupdate@thehealthplan.com

Geisinger Health Plan and Geisinger Choice are collectively referred to as

“Geisinger Health Plan” or “GHP” unless otherwise

noted.

A publication for businesses and brokers

What’s next for businesses?The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has

significantly impacted millions of businesses and individuals over the past year. There have also been numerous changes to the law that affect businesses of all sizes. Below is a timeline that highlights what’s to come in the next three years for businesses.

<50 employees2014: The Small Business Health Care

Tax Credit is in effect. You may qualify for tax credits if you have fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) making an average of $50,000 a year or less. You must also pay at least 50% of your FTEs’ premium costs.

2015: The Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplace opens for businesses with less than 50 employees.

50-99 employees2016: The Small Business Health Options

Program (SHOP) Marketplace opens. There are also numerous reporting requirements that begin this year, and the employer shared responsibility provisions are in effect.

Keeping our members healthy

Why wellness works

Member Health Alerts

A notice for Geisinger Marketplace groups

Kick the habit

Facebook contest:‘Like’ to WIN!

A health care reform update

Sign up Visit

TheHealthPlan.com/Reform to sign up for employer email updates on health care reform. Simply click on “Employers” and enter your email address in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

Employer shared responsibility

The provision requires employers of certain sizes to offer affordable coverage to their employees or face a penalty. Employers with fewer than 50 FTEs are not subject to the Employer Shared Responsibility Payment in any year.

100+ employees2015: Numerous reporting requirements

begin for groups of 100 or more employees, including the requirement to withhold and report an additional 0.9% for employees who earn more than $200,000.

The employer shared responsibility provisions also takes effect.

To avoid a payment for failing to offer health coverage, employers need to offer coverage to 70% of their FTEs in 2015.

2016: To avoid a payment for failing to offer health coverage, employers need to offer coverage to 95% of their FTEs in 2015.

2017: The Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplace opens to businesses with 100 or more employees.

For additional resources on how the ACA affects businesses, visit TheHealthPlan.com/Reform or contact your GHP sales rep.

This newsletter contains general information about legal and tax matters and is not legal or tax advice. Do not rely on this information as an alternative to legal or tax advice. Please consult with your legal department or tax advisor regarding ACA regulations. This article is based on information from the U.S. Treasury Department (www.treasury.gov), IRS (www.irs.gov), Healthcare.gov and the federal register (www.federalregister.gov).

2 May 2014

TheHealthPlan.comGEISINGER HEALTH PLAN

Keeping our members healthyTo help purchasers compare the quality and service health plans

provide, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) ranks plans annually based on a set of predetermined measures. These include the Health Plan Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) and the Consumer Assessment of Health Plans Survey (CAHPS).

Geisinger Health Plan (GHP) works hard to ensure that the quality of care and service members receive meets the high standards set by NCQA. That includes things like making sure kids get recommended immunizations, women get mammograms, and claims are processed quickly and accurately.

Each year the bar is raised for health plans. We are asking for your support to help us make continued improvements. Throughout the year we will provide information about topics such as flu shots, ways to obtain urgent care and the importance of well visits. Please share these with your employees in break rooms, on bulletin boards, via your company’s intranet or other means. An example of last December’s flu initiative is pictured at left.

Educating employees on these important topics will result in healthier, happier employees and allow us to provide your health coverage most effectively and efficiently. If you have any

questions about these programs, please contact your GHP sales or wellness rep.

Kick the habit

With the ACA enforcing higher costs for Americans that use tobacco, as well as the endless health risks that come with using tobacco, we know how important it is for your employees to kick the habit.

Tobacco users are at a higher risk for heart attacks, strokes, lung diseases and cancer. At GHP, we offer Stop Tobacco Use, our health management program that can help your employees in their journey to a smoke-free life.

The program is free of charge to all members and can be provided by phone, group, web-based or individual counseling. Members work with a health manager and a health care provider to set personal goals and develop action plans to break their addiction, no matter what type of tobacco products they may use.

Because our program is personalized, it improves the chances for success. A study of 2,400 Geisinger patients measured the short- and medium-term health and quit rates. We used the results to develop and maintain Stop Tobacco Use.

For more information call our health management department at 800-883-6355.

Flu shots are free for all GHP members at participating doctor’s offices

and pharmacies including CVS, Giant, Target, Walmart and Weis.

Some employers also offer them free of charge.

Call 866-486-0464 today, or register online @ www.freeholidayspree.com.

Have member ID card handy when you call. Flu shot must be received since

September 1, 2013.

Everyone needs a flu shot!

You’re in the recommended age group. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that

everyone from 6 months of age and older get one.

It’s great protection, even if you’re healthy. Flu can make the healthiest people sick, too.

Can you afford to miss a week or more of work, or time spent taking care of your family?

You can win big. Get your flu shot

and register to win one of ten

$500 Visa gift cards, just in time

for holiday shopping. Entries close

December 16, 2013 at midnight.

HPM50 Flu poster Dev 11-13

At this time, any small groups who enrolled or will enroll in a new Geisinger Marketplace plan will not have access to the Employer Service Center on TheHealthPlan.com. This includes groups who had access with their old benefit plan. This is only temporary, but in the meantime please contact your GHP sales rep to complete tasks like enrolling new employees, adding dependents, etc. Call us at 800-554-4907, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A notice to Geisinger Marketplace groups

iStock/Thinkstock

TheHealthPlan.com

3 May 2014

BUSINESS UPDATE | MAY 2014

One of GHP’s wellness specialists, Shannon Kahl, was awarded the 2013 Outstanding Service Award from North Central Sight Services (NCSS).

The GHP employer group recognized Shannon for her outstanding customer service and commitment to the goals and objectives of NCSS. Her commitment and partnership with the company made a difference in their employees’ lives by promoting the importance of healthy living.

Some of the wellness services that were provided included quarterly on-site health coaching, biometric screenings, flu shots and CPR/first aid certification.

Sean Szmal, GHP regional manager, was also instrumental in the success of their program.

News for you!

Member Health Alerts now available

GHP understands your employees have a hectic lifestyle, and they may need some helpful health reminders. When an employee signs into TheHealthPlan.com as a member, they can see their personalized Health Alerts.

Members will be notified if they’re due for bloodwork, a mammogram, vaccines and more. Remind your employees to log onto TheHealthPlan.com and check their alerts. Tell them to look for this symbol after logging in: .

GHP has also recently made a major upgrade to Health Alerts for providers.

Providers can log in and see their overall quality performance, check individual member needs and create printouts for their members, listing services they need.

We encourage your employees to ask their doctors about these alerts.

Why wellness worksGHP wellness specialist recognized

Left to right: Sean Szmal GHP, regional manager western/north central regions; Andrea Weinhoffer, NCSS human resources; Robert Garrett, NCSS CEO; Shannon Kahl GHP, wellness specialist western region; Sarah Gilmore, NCSS administrative assistant; and Terri Kio, NCSS warehouse logistics supervisor

A newsletter shared by GHP’s wellness team played a role in saving one member’s life. In October 2013 an employee of Highland Associates in Clarks Summit read about the warning signs of a stroke. According to the company, the 44-year old male suffered similar symptoms and recalled the newsletter. He immediately called an ambulance. His doctors told him if he didn’t get to the hospital when he did, his condition could have been much worse. The member is home from the hospital and doing well.

Wellness flier saves member’s life

Over the past few years, Geisinger Health System and GHP have worked together to develop and implement MyHealth Rewards, Geisinger’s employee wellness program.

Geisinger was recognized as one of the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles® in 2013 by the National Business Group on Health. The awards were developed to recognize outstanding workplace well-being programs that achieve strong levels of engagement and improvement among their employees. Geisinger was selected as a Gold winner for MyHealth Rewards’ ability to produce measurable and sustainable changes in employee behavior and health.

GHS wellness program wins award

iStock/Thinkstock

New hours of operationNow that the open enrollment period for individuals is closed, the GHP sales and service team hours have changed:

• Monday through Friday—8 a.m. to 6 p.m.• Saturday—Closed

100 North Academy Avenue Danville, PA 17822-3240

Now through June 15, members who “like” our Facebook page could be entered to win one of 10 $100 prizes! Our Facebook page includes information on topics like health, wellness, member benefits, customer service and health care reform. How can your employees enter? It’s simple. See below. If you’d like a flier that promotes the contest to share at your workplace, please contact your GHP sales rep or wellness representative.

Here’s how: 1. “Like” Geisinger Health Plan on Facebook by June 15. www.facebook.com/GeisingerHealthPlan 2. Email us at GHPSocialMedia@thehealthplan.com confirming your “like.” Include your name and prize pick from one of the three options below.

Camelbak Hydration Pack and a $20 gift card

UP by Jawbone (wrist-band activity tracker)Nutri-Bullet blender

Winners will be chosen at random. Contest is only open to Geisinger Health Plan and Geisinger Choice members. Geisinger Health Options, Geisinger Gold, GHP Family and GHP Kids members are not eligible. Contest ends June 15, 2014, at midnight. Winners will be announced on our Facebook page on June 20, 2014.

Thinkstock

HPM50 ad Business Update May 2014 Dev 4/28/14