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Health insurance companies face increasing pressure to stay competitive in todays marketplace. Having a competitive stance goes beyond offering affordable health benefits packages it also involves having superior service, such as an efficient
billing and enrollment process, that provides a hassle-free experience for customers.

The majority of billing and enrollment tasks involved in administering your health benefits plan are the responsibility
of your health insurance carrier. However, understanding the role you or your companys benefits administrator plays in maintaining a current enrollment roster is integral to establishing a positive working relationship with your health insurance carrier.

Carefully reviewing your roster, making changes in a timely manner and understanding your carriers retroactive change policy will help ensure accurate billing and that your employees receive access to covered services.

Review your membership/enrollment roster.

Typically, your monthly health insurance invoice will include a membership or enrollment roster that indicates the current number of covered employees and their dependents. Review this roster carefully and communicate any discrepancies.

Notify your carrier of membership changes.

Throughout the year, it may become necessary to make changes to your companys enrollment roster you hired a new employee, an employee had a baby or someone left your company. Whether
you are adding or removing individuals, reporting these changes in a timely manner will help ensure that they are reflected
on your next monthly bill.

Understand the importance of effective dates.

When making a change to your companys membership roster, its important to clearly indicate the date the change should take effect. Furthermore, when adding an employee and/or a dependent,
inform your health benefits company prior to the effective date. This enables your carrier to complete the entire enrollment process and helps ensure that the new member has access to covered health care services by his or her effective date.

Understand retroactive additions and terminations.

Retroactive additions and terminations are membership changes that are communicated after the effective date. Most health benefit companies have restrictions on how long employers have to make a retroactive change and also have policies about the types of documents that must be submitted with the request.

The process of making enrollment changes varies from company to company the above tips should only serve as a guide. Be sure that you or the companys benefits administrator know your
health insurance carriers specific policies. Knowing the process and how to navigate the system will help both companies
yours and your health insurance carrier achieve the mutual goal of providing your employees with a positive and hassle-free health plan experience.

KRIS HAMMOCK is senior director of enrollment and billing for VISTA, a health benefits company headquartered in South Florida with more than 300,000 members. She spearheads the commercial enrollment and billing operations for the company. With 14 years of health insurance experience, Hammock has been involved in various aspects of the industry, including claims, customer service and utilization management. Reach her at http://www.vistahealthplan.com

How much does a Commercial General Liability Policy cost?

Great question but it is too broad to answer unless, we have all your details to quote. However, generally speaking, I have issued insurance polices as low as $700. Again, you need to contact an insurance broker or agent to find out the total cost because every type of business has a different risk associated with it.

What is General Liability?

General Liability provides a company or individual coverage and protection against losses from a lawsuit. The policy covers defense costs for charges brought forth in a lawsuit, including attorney fees, investigation costs, and other legal expenses. General Liability will cover a company or sole proprietor for damages awarded to a third party in the event of injuries or damage's which the company or individual insured becomes legally responsible, including loss of use of property claims.

What is an additional named insured?

In a lot of cases Construction contractors frequently require additional contractors to complete different phases of projects and will add the sub contractor to their general liability policies as additional named insureds. It is a precaution in the event that the subcontractor becomes legally liable with charges alleged for their workmanship or the result of an injury to a third party. One example, is an unsafe work site where a person becomes injured because the area was not safe. Insurance companies need to know about all sub contractors and their experience for a contractual indemnity agreement whether they have their own insurance policy or not.

What do I do if I have a claim?

If a claim occurs, you need to immediately contact your agent, broker or insurance company. You will then need to provide all pertinent details on how the claim happened and provide witness information as well as time date and location. Try to gather as much information as you can to make it easier for you and the insurance adjuster.

What is a hold harmless agreement?

Hold harmless agreement's, promises to reimburse or defend, the other party included on the agreement against legal liability lawsuits or claims brought against by third parties. Hold harmless agreements will transfer the risk of financial loss from one party (the insured) to another party (the defendant). These types of agreements are quite common, however, the underwriter will usually want to see a copy of all hold harmless agreements before they offer a commercial liability quote.

What is Workers Compensation (Workplace Safety Insurance Board) of Ontario?

Workers Compensation (WSIB) insurance provides certain payments to an employee who suffers an on the job injury due to an accident or occupational disease.

Do I need Worker's Compensation (WSIB) if I am the sole proprietor?

This is a good question and asked quite often. You are not required to purchase Worker's Compensation WSIB Insurance if you work alone or if you have no employees. You can exclude yourself from Worker's Compensation by obtaining a waiver of Subrogation.

What happens when an employee injures themself on the job site or work place; does general liability cover them?

Employees are excluded in lawsuits and have no coverage with respect to injuries sustained by the named insured, its partners or members, or to another employee or volunteer. This would be a workers compensation issue.

What is a Certificate of Insurance?

Certificate's of Insurance are issued as proof of insurance to contract a project. Contractors may have many certificate issued to separate projects. The certificate is a document providing the insureds name, the liability limits, the effective dates of the policy, as well as, the brokers name and address.

Dave Melanson is the author of http://www.carandhome.ca and has been working in the insurance industry for more than 14 years as an agent and a broker. Dave's areas of expertise include: auto, home, boat, motorcycle and commercial insurance. Dave has consulted for Canada's top consumer insurance advocate and has been interviewed on insurance related topics with CBC news and the A Channel News.