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EMPLOYER NEWSLETTER JUNE 2023

Supporting Mental Health Awareness and Education in the Workplace

As HR benefit managers, you play a key role in promoting mental health initiatives by managing benefits and education on available resources and fostering an inclusive, supportive environment. The most successful organizations are those that take the time to better understand their employees' mental health needs and offer the resources necessary to address them. In addition to our comprehensive behavioral health and wellness programs, we have created this educational material to help you address issues such as burnout, lost productivity, stress, finding the right care and more.

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COVID-19 Coverage Update

As you may know, the federal COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) ended on May 11, 2023, and coverage and policies have changed. To help you better understand these changes, we’ve created state-specific overviews that compare coverage and benefits during the pandemic/PHE and after May 11, 2023. In addition, we’ve also updated the Harvard Pilgrim website to reflect the changes in coverage for COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments effective May 12, 2023. You can view and share the updates here.

Supporting Your Employees

Information to help you keep your workforce happy, healthy and productive.

Integrated Behavioral Health
Model Launch

On July 1, 2023, we had planned to launch our integrated and insourced behavioral health model. However, to focus on system recovery efforts, we have decided to postpone the launch until fall 2023.

What This Means for You and Your Employees
Harvard Pilgrim commercial members will continue to access behavioral health services through our existing partner, Optum Behavioral Health, just as they do today, until our insourced behavioral health model becomes available. As a reminder, these providers are part of the UnitedHealthcare network delivering access to members in New England and nationwide (based on their plan design). Please contact your broker, sales executive or account manager with any specific questions.

Unwinding of the
Public Health Emergency (PHE)

In March 2020, the federal government implemented a ‘continuous coverage’ requirement to prevent people from losing health care coverage during the pandemic. This continuous coverage requirement expired at the end of March 2023 which began a process known as the “unwinding” of the continuous coverage requirement. It is estimated that at least 150,000 to 200,000 Granite Staters and Mainers will be disenrolled from the Medicaid programs in each state. We share this with you as you may get requests to add members, such as dependents of subscribers who are no longer eligible for Medicaid. We appreciate your partnership to help ensure that our communities continue to gain access to top-quality care from Harvard Pilgrim.

New Hampshire

Maine

Bikeshare Rolls into Portland, Maine

In partnership with the City of Portland MaineDOT and Harvard Pilgrim, Tandem Mobility launched Portland Bikeshare for the 2023 season. You may see our Harvard Pilgrim bikes in and around the city. Portland residents and visitors will enjoy convenient access to 150 traditional geared bikes and 50 electric assist bikes staged at over 40 parking hubs throughout the peninsula. This initiative reinforces Harvard Pilgrim’s commitment to the health and well-being of all Maine communities, while offering access to an affordable, convenient, and fun way to get around the city for residents and visitors alike.

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Products and Programs

Helping your employees live well and work well.

Save and Earn With Reduce My Costs

Employees can save on cost sharing and earn cash rewards¹ with our Reduce My Costs concierge program.² An experienced nurse will help them compare costs and locate cost-effective providers for a wide range of outpatient tests and procedures,³ including lab work and diagnostic imaging. Please share this step-by-step video on all the program details with your employees.

¹Cash rewards comes in an e-gift card format that is emailed directly to the member. Rewards are offered on services that meet minimum savings threshold. Rewards are considered taxable income; please consult with your tax advisor. Rewards vary based on plan and state.
²Reduce My Costs program is included with all fully insured plans except Littleton Options HMO and self-insured employer groups that are not enrolled in this program. If you’re not sure that Reduce My Costs is part of your health plan, please ask your employer if your plan includes the Reduce My Costs program.

³Your health plan may require a referral and/or prior authorization before you receive services from a cost-effective provider. To ensure the services will be covered, please refer to your plan documents or contact Harvard Pilgrim at 888-333-4742.

A Seamless Onboarding Experience

Harvard Pilgrim’s educational tools are designed to help employees better understand their new benefits. Decision Doc from MyHealthMath helps new employees choose the plan will save them the most money based on their anticipated health care needs. Once employees choose a plan, they can talk to a dedicated team of experts from SmartStart who can get them enrolled, answer additional questions, offer clinical transition support and more. Contact your account manager for more information.

System Recovery:
Latest Updates

As we continue to restore our systems and tools, we will share periodic updates on processes and functions such as enrollment and renewals, member ID cards, and online tools such as our public website and portals. Please watch for these updates throughout June – delivered through email and/or posted to our website.

View Updates Here ›

HMO Enrollment
Area Changes

As a reminder, the HMO enrollment area will change on January 1, 2024, to include fewer Connecticut zip codes applicable to our HMO plans. Employer groups may need to consider adding a PPO or POS plan design upon 2023 renewal to accommodate their employees residing in Connecticut.