EMPLOYER NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2023

The Employer Secure Account (formerly known as HPHConnect) offers tons of tools and resources to help you easily manage your group, update enrollments and more. Check out this handy step-by-step guide to get started.

Helping your employees live well and work well.

We are proud to announce the expansion of our Wellness Reimbursement program, which begins January 1, 2024. The enhanced Wellness Reimbursement program expands upon the existing fitness reimbursement program to offer rebates on a broad range of wellness activities and expenses, including existing fitness subscriptions and fees. Harvard Pilgrim fully-insured, employer groups (51+ members), and ASO plans that elect this option, will have access to the Wellness Reimbursement program. Small group plans will continue to have access to the existing fitness reimbursement.

All Harvard Pilgrim employer groups now have access to the Noom weight loss program. Noom is an award-winning, app-based weight loss program designed by psychologists and scientifically proven to create real, sustainable results through behavior change. Noom uses a personalized, mind-first approach that combines technology and human coaching to create healthier daily habits that lead to more sustainable weight loss. Employer groups must purchase a Noom license to access the program for their employees. Contact your account manager to get started today. 

Earlier in October, OptumRx, Harvard Pilgrim’s pharmacy benefits manager (PBM), began sending email communications to notify eligible members of prescription medication savings opportunities identified through its Proactive Savings Alert (PSA) program. OptumRx’s PSA program identifies and notifies members of opportunities to reduce the cost of their drug regimens. Savings opportunities may include:

Harvard Pilgrim members with pharmacy benefits can view information on their pharmacy plans through their secure member portal at harvardpilgrim.org. 

As previously shared, as of November 1, 2023, we are integrating our behavioral health services more closely with our internal medical and behavioral health teams of licensed clinicians and professionals. This integrated approach is designed to provide a whole-person care experience while efficiently supporting our members' physical and behavioral health needs. It also reinforces our commitment to reducing health care costs and disparities.

To help ensure a seamless transition for our employer groups and their employees, we have created an informative member flyer to clarify what the behavioral health program enhancements entail, what Harvard Pilgrim members should expect, and how to seek care and support.

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We recently launched a pilot program to offer Freespira, a digital therapeutic treatment for panic attacks and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, to eligible fully-insured Harvard Pilgrim members. Freespira is medication-free and used at home. A Freespira coach guides members through their treatment, which utilizes a breathing sensor and a tablet with a dedicated app, all of which are provided to enrolled members at no additional cost. Participation is entirely voluntary – at the member’s discretion.

Earlier this year, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care launched the Family-centered care program to expand on our commitment to providing whole-person care for our members and their families. We have seen strong member engagement in the Family-centered care program and want to remind you of its offerings for your employees:

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

We offer new and existing employer groups access to specialized tools to simplify plan selection. Decision Doc, a personalized decision-support platform from HYKE (formerly MyHealthMath), helps take the guesswork out of benefits plan selection and maximizes savings for employees and their families. Select employers are eligible for a claims-based analysis. Once employees choose a plan, SmartStart can get them enrolled, answer additional questions, offer clinical transition support and more.

Visit our website for updates and tools, including sample member letter templates. Harvard Pilgrim employers are required to provide these notifications to their employees, per CMS.

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 their 2023 renewal to accommodate employees residing in Connecticut. With this change, the HMO network will no longer include the majority of Connecticut providers starting January 1, 2024. Members impacted by this provider network change will receive a letter in November explaining their options for seeking care.

We’re pleased to share that our commercial health plans continue to rank highly in 2023, according to the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).¹ These national ratings demonstrate a health plan’s ability to ensure high-quality care, provide members with top-notch service, and contribute to rigorous NCQA accreditation standards.

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1. The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA Accredits and Certifies a wide range of health care organizations and recognizes clinicians in key clinical areas. NCQA’s HEDIS® is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQA’s website contains information to help consumers, employers and others make informed health care choices.

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Broker & Employer Services Team

(800) 637-4751

Broker & Employer Services Email

myserviceteam@point32health.org