Pharmacy Network Pricing Change

We’ve re-negotiated our pharmacy network pricing  to get even more savings and better cost transparency.  

MedImpact, our pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), has negotiated aggressive pricing with our pharmacy network. Our price will now be based on the actual amount paid to the pharmacy and not on a fixed discount arrangement.

This change will go into effect on October 1, 2009 for all commercial members. Most members with a coinsurance or health savings account (HSA) will see a decrease in cost. Some members could see a slight increase depending on which pharmacy they use and the rates in place for that pharmacy.

If you have questions, please contact your HealthPartners Sales Executive.

Open Enrollment Campaign Ramps Up

We’re keeping HealthPartners top-of-mind among members and purchasers this fall with our “Healthy should be simple” open enrollment campaign. Watch for  billboards, bus sides and television commercials throughout Minnesota and Western Wisconsin with fun illustrations and “simple” health messages!

One campaign focus is member satisfaction. We’re keeping members satisfied with their health plan by promoting the programs, services and tools we have to offer. Key enhancements for this year’s open enrollment include:

• Improved health care literacy. Because we want to make our materials easy to understand, the average open enrollment flyer is written below an 8th grade reading level.
• New Heath Plan Guide for members. This flyer gives members tips on what to look for in a health plan and explains common health insurance terms.

Employer Flu Kit Coming Soon

This year’s flu season is expected to be harder hitting than normal, especially with the addition of H1N1 (swine flu). That’s why HealthPartners is launching a Flu Toolkit for employers on October 9. The toolkit contains a series of tools your clients can use to promote flu prevention in their workplace. The Toolkit, which will be located in the REC Room at healthpartners.com/employer, contains:

• A poster that can be customized with phone numbers and worksite flu shot clinic information if desired
• Frequently asked questions and flu information for employees in a customizable PDF format
• Table tents that you can use around your workplace to raise awareness

We’re also launching a special flu Web site for members: healthpartners.com/flu.

HealthPartners Employer Academy

Now more than ever, employers are looking for more information to help them best manage their health plan. That’s why we’re introducing a new feature for employers called HealthPartners Employer Academy. Throughout the year, employers will be invited in to learn more about specific health care topics. Our first class, HSAs Made Easy, will be held in October. We are very excited to offer this service to our mutual clients. We will keep you posted on future classes.

Small Group Renewals Going Green

Starting in mid-October – just in time for January 1 renewals – we'll be delivering small group renewals to you via the broker portal. This is a huge accomplishment for us, as you have been asking for this capability for quite some time. Online delivery is a win for you since it's faster than mailing and it's a win for us, because it helps us contain administrative costs and helps keep premiums affordable. 

To access small group renewals, all you have to do is log on to our secure broker portal using your assigned User ID and password. To ensure that your log on is working, please go to healthpartners.com/broker and log on in the upper left-hand corner to test it prior to October 15, 2009.

If you do not have a log on, or can’t remember, please contact: marsha.a.johnston@healthpartners.com or julie.m.mcfarlane@healthpartners.com. For security purposes, log on credentials will only be given to contracted brokers. More details to follow as this date approaches. Go green!

New Small Group Applications

We’ve made some minor adjustments to our Minnesota Small Group Employee Application. The new application is being implemented immediately and must be used on all new groups, late applicants and new hires as of February 1, 2010. Any applications dated prior to 9/09 should be discarded. We are also working on an interactive online form for members to use. View all forms. View new Small Group Employee Application.

Our small group employer application has also been updated to reflect our new plan offerings.

View small group employer application.

New Online Drug List Coming Soon

Later this month, we’re rolling out a redesigned online Preferred Drug List (formulary). This online tool is one of the most used features of healthpartners.com and averages more than 18,000 searches each month.

We’re enhancing this tool so that it’s even easier for our members to use. Additionally, the new format will include an “Ask a pharmacist” link that members can use to securely e-mail a question to a HealthPartners pharmacist.

Watch for the updates at the end of next month at healthpartners.com/formulary.

Medicare Broker Compliance

Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period is quickly approaching and we look forward to working with you again this year to deliver great value to your clients with a HealthPartners Medicare product.

We are very excited about our 2010 Medicare product portfolio and think you will be, too. We’re especially excited to have one of the lowest Part D prices in the market this year – and we think your clients will be excited as well.

Below is the training and compliance information you need to be able to sell HealthPartners Medicare products during this fall’s Annual Enrollment Period and throughout 2010. The Annual Enrollment Period runs from November 15 through December 31, 2009.

All courses listed below will be available beginning on Thursday, October 1, 2009.

To sell HealthPartners Medicare products in 2010, you must:

1. Complete the America’s Health Insurance Plan’s (AHIP) Medicare Marketing Training Online Course and associated test. This will certify you to sell Medicare products for 2010. You will find the course here: www.MedicareOnlineTraining.com/healthpartners.ext. The link will also be available at healthpartners.com/broker.
1. The course fee is $149. You can use the certification with any other carrier who is requiring the same.
2. After you complete the course, there will be an online test. A passing grade is considered 90 percent or higher. The test will consist of 50 randomly selected questions. It must be completed in one two-hour sitting.
3. You can submit proof of your certification by choosing HealthPartners at the end of the online course when it asks, “Who do you want to send your certification to?” You can also provide a copy to HealthPartners Medicare Broker Sales Administration by faxing it to 952-883-8704 or emailing salestrgregistration@healthpartners.com. If you have already completed the course for another carrier, you only have to submit proof of a 90 percent or higher passing grade to us. You do not have to retake the course.
4. If you have successfully completed the CMS 2010 Pilot Agent and Broker Training and Testing Module, HealthPartners will accept this certification in lieu of the AHIP certification. Please provide HealthPartners with your certification or certification number.
2. Complete the online HealthPartners Medicare Product Course and pass the associated test. This training focuses on the information you need to be successful selling HealthPartners Medicare products in 2010. The course and test are available through the Broker portal at healthpartners.com/broker.
1. There is no fee for this course. Follow the instructions in the course to obtain a Broker Compliance Statement that you must read, initial and sign, and return to HealthPartners once you have successfully completed the course and passed the test.
2. The online course and test should take you less than 60 minutes to complete. The learning management system for the course requires the course and test to be completed in one sitting.  
3. HealthPartners is also providing an optional classroom training course and use of a HealthPartners computer lab if you have limited access to a computer. You can sign up for either at healthpartners.com/broker the same way you sign up for Continuing Education courses.
3. Sign the HealthPartners Broker Compliance Statement agreeing to abide by HealthPartners and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)’s policies and procedures when selling HealthPartners products. You can fax the signed and dated compliance form to Medicare Sales at 952-883-8718.

You must complete the above requirements beforeselling any HealthPartners products for 2010. No commissions will be issued for sales conducted prior to completion of the above compliance requirements.

Please contact Medicare Sales at 952-883-5601 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday if you have questions.

Healthy Discounts Update

National Allergy: Non-Drug Allergy Relief: National Allergy offers non-drug products that help to reduce indoor allergens, improve indoor air quality and clean your home with fewer chemicals.

HealthPartners members receive a 15 percent discount on all products, including:

• Pillow and mattress encasings for dust mite allergen protection
• Air filtration products including room air cleaners and furnace filters
• Low chemical, green cleaning products and anti-allergen carpet and furniture treatments
• Products to help minimize exposure to pet allergen
• Safe and effective personal care products for people with sensitive skin
• Compressors/nebulizers and other asthma management tools
• Nasal irrigation devices and saline solutions for sinus relief

Taj Salon & Spa: Taj Salon & Spa is a fashion-forward, environmentally responsible, leading-edge salon and spa. HealthPartners members will receive the following discount:

• 15 percent off any one service per month, Sundays through Thursdays (minimum service of $35)
• Complimentary paraffin hand dip with any Replenishing Pedicure or Replenishing Manicure - Once per month
• One time Complimentary 15 minute seated chair massage with body assessment
• One time Complimentary Skin Consultation

In Every Issue

Frequent Fitness Update

Frequent Fitness Update
Our Frequent Fitness program continues to grow. Members now have even more choices and chances to save money while achieving a healthy lifestyle.  Now, members who enroll or are enrolled in the Frequent Fitness program will have access to more than 875 locations in the HealthPartners service region.

The Frequent Fitness program offers fully insured members (two per household) up to a $20 reimbursement for working out 12 times a month.

New clubs to join Frequent Fitness effective September 1, 2009

1. Bodies in Balance – Two Harbors
2. Downsize Fitness Center – Pierz

Learn more about Frequent Fitness.

Network Updates

As our client base and membership continues to expand, so does our network. In fact, we’ve recently added a large number of providers. We’re committed to providing access to the providers your clients demand – nationwide. No matter where your clients live, work or travel, we’ve got them covered. Additions last month included:

Medical – North Dakota
Tioga Medical Center Clinic – Tioga

Medical – Wisconsin
Willow Creek Woman’s Clinic, SC – Eau Claire

Dental – Minnesota
Benke Dental Care – Inver Grove Heights
Esthetic Family Dentistry, PC – Hector
Excel Dentistry, PLLC – Albertville
Jason L Friesz, DDS, PA – Saint Cloud
Joseph M. Haack, DDS – Alexandria
Mounds View Family Dental, PC – Mounds View
Pro Dental, LLC – Blaine

Dental – Wisconsin
Dental Health Center – Eau Claire

Try out our new search function to see just how easy it is to find a network provider quickly and simply. Provider Search.