By Kelly Fehr
Employee benefits coverage can be confusing, and most employees will have questions. Often it’s HR that gets bogged down in answering those questions or facilitating communication with the insurance provider. Yet most employees already have access to the information, and it’s right at their fingertips – through online service sites.
These interactive self-service platforms give plan members the tools to take ownership of their group benefits plan in a way that is both convenient and easy to use. Plan members create a personal account on their carrier’s website and can immediately view their coverage information and set up faster claim payments through direct deposit. In addition, plan members can use the website as a secure route to contact the carrier about confidential health questions.
But it’s not only plan members who benefit from these platforms – so do plan administrators. By encouraging plan members to utilize their online benefit services, plan administrators reduce the time they spend looking into plan member inquiries or forwarding requests on to the insurance carrier, as well as promoting plan member privacy.
Benefits Websites
Online member service sites are secure and user-friendly. Plan members are typically able to access the following features:
Coverage and Claims Information:
- Access coverage information 24/7
- Sign-up for direct deposit
- Submit claims electronically
- View claims status and reimbursement information
- Look up past claims and payment history
- Access and print the Explanation of Benefits
Other Resources:
- Print a Benefits Card or Certificate
- Access a searchable drug database
- Explore health and wellness resources
Mobile Apps
In addition to online services, many insurance carriers are transforming the success of a personalized online account to the convenience of a mobile app. Plan members can access many of the online services they have come to rely on, including additional benefits such as:
- Downloading a benefit card to their phone for convenient access
- Taking a photo of a receipt to submit along with an online claim
- Accessing coverage information while discussing healthcare with their doctor
- Locating service providers in their area and using GPS to navigate to them
These mobile apps are can be conveniently downloaded from the plan member’s favourite app store.
To take advantage of online benefit services, plan members should visit their insurance carrier’s website and sign up. Plan members should be advised to have their policy and certificate/card number on hand when they create their account.
Hub International’s team of brokers has extensive experience developing online benefits platforms to meet all your HR needs and can help you plan and implement the right combination of products for your organization.