Issue 18

Let’s have a functionality refresher: Automated COBRA qualifying event notifications available for Employer OnLine users with all lines of coverage offered by UPMC Health Plan

This feature eliminates the need for you to enter COBRA qualifying events into two separate systems: Employer OnLine (EOL) and COBRAPoint. Opting into this feature means that you will no longer have to enter the event into COBRAPoint nor complete a spreadsheet with the information to be sent to your dedicated analyst. Simply enter the information into EOL and leave the rest up to us!

Review of requirements:

  • Must have all lines of COBRA-eligible benefits with UPMC Health Plan (medical, dental, vision, and FSA)
  • Must utilize the EOL portal for submission of your qualifying events (QE)

If you have any questions or would like to sign-up for this functionality, our team of dedicated COBRA analysts will be more than happy to assist you. Feel free to contact your dedicated account analyst at any time. You can also send an email to our general inquiry line at COBRA@upmc.edu.

New UPMC Health Plan Benefit Management Services (BMS) COBRA clients had the option to sign up for this functionality EOL during the plan set-up process. Below is an excerpt of the set-up document referencing this functionality:

  1. Do you currently utilize the UPMC Employer Online portal (EOL) to submit your employees’ termination of benefits?
  2. If so, do you wish to utilize the automated Qualifying Event Notification process, where your QEs will be reported from EOL to BMS?
    If “Yes”, proceed to question 3.
  3. If you answered NO to question 1a., which method from the options below will be used to notify UPMC BMS of COBRA Qualifying Events?
    1. Client keys data into COBRA system via Employer Portal
    2. Client uploads data via file into COBRA system via Employer Portal
    3. Client sends notification to dedicated BMS Analyst (via Word doc or Excel file template, via Secure email or fax)
    4. Client sends a regularly scheduled .csv file in the specified format via SFTP (recommended for larger-volume clients)

    4. Should you choose options b or d, your dedicated BMS analyst will provide the file format specifications.

  4. Do you want to us to enable the online election functionality available on our participant website? Qualified Beneficiaries will have the opportunity to elect any combination of plans offered as well as downgrade level of coverage.

UPMC BMS relies upon the information provided by you through the above-described Qualifying Event (“QE”) notification methods to perform certain COBRA Administrative services, including but not limited to the issuance of continuation of coverage election notices. As such, it is your responsibility to confirm the accuracy of all QE Notification files prior to their submission to UPMC BMS.

If you did not sign up at the time of your COBRA set-up, it’s not too late! Please contact your dedicated COBRA account analyst.

If you would like to learn more about this functionality, you can watch our recorded presentation - Opens in new tab.