Issue 14

So many of us receive communications electronically these days, right? So why not get COBRA and other billing notifications via email as well instead of relying on “snail mail”?

The benefits of electronic communication are many:

• Reduced use of paper
• Improved delivery and receipt of notices by avoiding undeliverable letters or lost mail
• Increased security with no incorrect or double stuffing of letters or theft from a mailbox
• Faster delivery time as participants can view notices immediately online

We are promoting the paperless option to participants with this message in their paper notice:

Participants can now select email as their communication preference by visiting the participant website.

There’s another important benefit to going paperless — participants visit their website more, letting them see their payment history, upcoming payment due, coverages, and the link to online bill pay. That makes it a one-stop site for their COBRA/retiree billing needs.

Participants selecting this communication preference will receive an email alerting them of a notification to view on their participant website. The following communications will be available via email:

• COBRA enrollment confirmation notice
• Retiree/Direct bill enrollment confirmation notice
• COBRA premium coupon book and notice
• Retiree/Direct bill premium coupon book and notice
• 45-day notice (with or without payment)

Note that participants must keep their email address updated. If an email notification fails, a paper notice will be generated, ensuring participants always receive timely COBRA notifications.

To help your participants go green, contact your COBRA analyst to get started. Our service account is cobra@upmc.edu.