Horizon BCBSNJ announces enhancements for Horizon MyWay® plans in 2019
August 22, 2018
Applies to: Consumer-Directed Healthcare (CDH) plans in all commercial markets
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is pleased to announce enhancements that will simplify and improve the account management and member experience for our Horizon MyWay® Consumer-Directed Healthcare (CDH) spending and savings account products. These CDH offerings include Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
Starting on January 1, 2019, customers with a CDH product will have access to:
- An integrated online portal and mobile app that supports easy access from any device, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, delivering a seamless, user-friendly experience
- A designated customer service center with representatives trained to provide personalized assistance on our Horizon MyWay products
To bring these improvements to our customers, Horizon BCBSNJ is working with Further℠, a leading CDH spending and savings account administrator.
To transition existing customers to our enhanced services and platform, there will be a blackout period from December 15, through December 31, 2018, during which contributions and payments will be temporarily suspended.
Additional broker, group and member communications will be provided as Horizon BCBSNJ implements these enhancements throughout 2018. Here, we have provided answers to some initial questions you and your clients may have about the enhancements.
If you have additional questions, please contact your Horizon BCBSNJ sales executive or account manager.
General Questions
Why is Horizon BCBSNJ making this change?
Horizon BCBSNJ is making enhancements to its CDH portfolio to improve the functionality we offer to the growing number of group customers who choose Horizon MyWay products, and to improve the level of support we offer to members with Horizon MyWay health spending and savings accounts. Our goal is to provide a consistent and high-quality experience for our group customers and their employees.
What is changing?
Group customers will have:
- Designated CDH Account Managers, Sales Representatives and Client Operation teams to help establish and maintain CDH account selections
- A customer service team that offers spending account knowledge for all account products
- Enhanced group level reporting
- A secure mobile app enabling your clients’ employees to access and manage their account, view real-time balance updates, scan a product's barcode to see if it's a covered expense, photograph and upload receipts or prescriptions for a claim and more
- Streamlined claims process, file transfers and data sharing capabilities for improved receipt substantiation
- A smooth migration and implementation process
- Access to an employer portal to administer and manage employee spending accounts
When is the change effective?
Horizon BCBSNJ will make the enhancements available to its customers on January 1, 2019.
When is the last day BenefitWallet will be the administrator for Horizon MyWay plans?
BenefitWallet will administer the Horizon MyWay spending and savings accounts through December 31, 2018. Further will be the new administrator beginning January 1, 2019.
Group Customer Questions
What administrative changes can I expect?
The administration of HSA accounts will move from BenefitWallet to Further, and Horizon BCBSNJ will absorb the $25 per member transfer fee. In addition, you should know that the majority of communications related to the changes will feature the familiar Horizon MyWay name; however, certain HSA regulatory documents and agreements will list Further as the administrator for the accounts.
What learning tools will be available?
Horizon BCBSNJ will offer a robust Learning Center for you and your employees to use to better understand spending and savings account products. A comprehensive contribution and reporting guide will also be available for your group administrators to reference.
Is the client responsible for notifying employees of the change to their FSAs, HRAs and HSAs?
Horizon BCBSNJ will work closely with employers and members during this transition. Additional communications with more detailed information will be available at a later date. The employer is responsible for notifying employees of changes to their HSA.
Will new FSAs, HRAs and HSAs open during the blackout period?
Enrollment and contributions will be frozen during the blackout period, December 15 through December 31, 2018.
Will a FSA, HRA or HSA claim be processed during a blackout period?
Claims will not be processed during the blackout period. If a claim is received during the blackout period of December 15 through December 31, 2018, the claim will be processed on the new platform as of January 1, 2019. Members will be able to view past claims during the blackout period.
What will employees receive when a new spending or savings account is opened?
- Opt into electronic notifications (including account statements)
- Update direct deposit information
- Update beneficiaries (for HSA only)
Shortly after the welcome package is sent, debit card(s) will be mailed to the employee’s address.
How can employees get more information about FSA, HRA and HSA regulations and guidelines?
Horizon BCBSNJ will make available a Learning Center, which brokers, employers and members can use to learn more about spending and savings accounts. As a reminder, HSA members will see references to Further on certain regulatory documents and agreements.
Until then, the IRS maintains Publication 969, Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans at irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-969.
What if my group’s payroll contribution schedule is set to run during the blackout period?
All existing schedules will be deactivated. Groups will need to re-establish contributions by signing in at HorizonBlue.com/employers when the blackout period ends.
What will happen to contributions already in process at the beginning of the blackout period?
Contributions submitted by midnight on December 14, 2018, will process as usual. However, funds will not be available to the member during the blackout period, which begins on December 15, 2018, and ends December 31, 2018.
Can I run spending account reports during the blackout period?
No. The ability to run spending account reports will be disabled. You will have view-only access during the blackout period.
Member Questions
What will I be able to do with my FSA/HRA/HSA during the blackout period?
During the blackout period, you will not have access to any FSA/HRA/HSA-related activities online for either your old or new FSA/HRA/HSA (or any investment accounts, if applicable). You will be able to view your account online but will not be able to upload receipts, initiate payments or perform other transactions.
In addition, your existing debit card(s) will not work during the blackout period, December 15 through December 31, 2018. You will receive a new debit card by January 1, 2019.
Will claims submitted for reimbursement be processed during the blackout period?
Claims received by midnight on December 14, 2018, will be processed and paid by December 31, 2018. Claims received on and after December 15, 2018, will be held during the blackout period and processed after January 1, 2019.
Do contributions have the same blackout period?
Yes, during the blackout period, December 15 through 31, 2018, contributions cannot be made.
Will I have access to my prior year’s spending or savings account information?
Yes, that information will be available to you by signing in to HorizonBlue.com.
Will I get a new debit card?
Only the primary account holder will receive a new debit card. The primary account holder can order additional cards by signing in to HorizonBlue.com after December 31, 2018. You can also order additional cards by calling the number on the back of your new debit card. There is no charge to request an additional card(s).
When will the card be mailed?
The debit card will be mailed to your address on file by January 1, 2019. You will not be able to use the debit card until the plan year starts, there are funds in the account and you activate the card.
Do I need to notify vendors (doctors, pharmacies, etc.) if I set up automated payments using my debit card?
Yes. Your existing debit card will be deactivated, so if you have automated payments set up, you will need to contact your care provider (doctor, pharmacy, etc.) with the new debit card information on or after January 1, 2019.
If you have recurring payments scheduled with your existing card, you should make alternative payment or scheduling arrangements with your care provider (doctor, pharmacy, etc.) during the blackout period. If you don’t, your existing debit card payment will be declined.
If I go to the doctor during the blackout period, does my existing debit card still work?
No. Your debit card will not work during the blackout period, December 15 through December 31, 2018. You will need to pay your out-of-pocket costs by different means and submit a claim for reimbursement after the blackout period ends.
How long after the blackout period can I submit 2018 claims?
The claim filing limit date associated with your plan remains in effect and unchanged. For example, if your plan has a March 31 claim filing limit date, that is the last day claims can be received and processed for the prior plan year.
What do I do if I make a payment to a doctor or pharmacy during the blackout period with my own credit card or cash?
You will need to retain the itemized receipt and then submit the receipt for reimbursement on or after January 1, 2019 through the Horizon MyWay mobile app or HorizonBlue.com.