Assurant Benefit Changes

[dgoldenz]

Just got this email for:

Assurant Affordable Health Access Plan A - New sales will be discontinued in all states

Assurant Affordable Health Access Plans B and C - New sales will be discontinued in CA, CO, DE, KS, MS, NM, SD, WV

RightStart and SaveRight Plans - New sales will be discontinued in CO, DE, KS, KY, MN, MS, ND, NM, NV, OR, SD, UT, WV

RightStart - The $2,500 outpatient maximum with the $50,000 annual maximum will no longer be available in all states

24- and 36-month Rate Guarantees - New sales will be discontinued in all states

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

PDF of all Assurant changes:

Assurant changes.pdf - File Shared from Box.net

Interesting:

Discounted rates for clients with prior coverage
Your clients with previous health insurance coverage can now qualify for better rates. We’re introducing new rates on all currently marketed Individual Medical plans, discounted 20% for applicants with prior coverage.

To qualify for the discount, applicants will attest to having been covered by health insurance for the last six months without an interruption in coverage of more than 60 days. Prior coverage is any type of medical insurance but does not include accident, critical illness, disability or other types of supplemental plans.

Quoting systems have been modified to request this information at the beginning of the quote process. Currently, discounted rates will be available in all states except CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, MN, MS, ND, NH, NM, NV, OH, OR, SD, UT and WV. This new rating approach will be effective for new business starting May 1, 2010.


Maternity discontinued

Except where coverage is state mandated, maternity coverage has been removed as an optional benefit on all currently marketed Individual Medical plans. Maternity has been removed from quoting systems. There are no changes for customers who currently have Maternity coverage. They will continue to receive benefits.

Existing customers can add coverage for a limited time
Existing customers who wish to add maternity still have time to apply. If you have a client who would like to apply for maternity coverage, the application must be submitted on or before April 20, 2010 to ensure it is processed in time to meet the last available effective date. All applications will be subject to the underwriting guidelines for maternity coverage. Applications can be faxed to 414.299.8811.

As an alternative to maternity coverage, tell your clients about the OneDeductible plan. With only one required deductible for all covered members, it’s a good value for families. And customers can add an HSA, use the savings for planned maternity expenses and enjoy the tax benefits of an HSA.

 

[Fisher]

As an alternative to maternity coverage, tell your clients about the OneDeductible plan.

That one was yanked off of the quoting software. Here in the Miz, anyway.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

Well it is Wednesday so Assurant was due to change their plan lineup.

 

[ksigmtsu]

I spoke with the RGA in TN in my area a minute ago about this, they're also cancelling all 2-3 year rate locks that were sold between March 23 and now retroactively.

Also, all the health access plan A-C, rightstart, or saveright plans that anyone already has in place will be stable till Jan, then they're getting a huge price increase because they're going to have to remove the annual cap add 100% preventive care benefits ect.
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The 12 month rate locks are also not going to apply.

 

[HealthGuy]

ksigmtsu: Dont know if you are right, just ran rates online and the rate locks are still there. John, can you confirm: Is the ratelock still there?

 

[ksigmtsu]

The RGA here in Tennessee said this, I've got the email it says the same thing.

[FONT=&quot]24- and 36-month
Rate Guarantees [/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]New sales will be discontinued [FONT=&quot]in all states[/FONT][/FONT]

He also stated they wouldn't be honored on any policy sold post March 23, and the 12 month will not be honored. Reason given was the mandated benefits that have to be added because of the health care bill, including the 100% preventive care benefit. They're going to leave the rate locks there, however, the rates will be increased by the cost of the new benefits that are added.
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I did a double take when he said that, I had been selling policies with the 3 year rate lock on them on basis of upcoming rate changes, and he basically said they're going to increase those people anyway.

 

[HealthGuy]

kimsigmtsu: The Assurant document john posted says the exact opposite regarding rate locks on page three. The document says effective May 1st.

 

[ksigmtsu]

If so the RGA lied to me. I wrote it down when I was talking to him.

 

[HealthGuy]

Look at the document John posted above, page 3. Either he is lying or uninformed.