Important Billing and Enrollment Information
On September 7, 2010, Freelancers Union is making changes to insurance billing and enrollment processes in order to provide enhanced customer service to members. We're switching vendors to HealthPlan Services (HPS), a company with experience working with insurance companies and unions similar to ours.
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For most members, the biggest changes will be:
Specific details are below. |
Important Considerations
(Click below for more information.)
The next invoice will be available after September 8th. (We'll email you so you know it's ready.)
You will receive your first invoice from our new Billing and Enrollment Office after September 8th. (We'll email you when it's ready.) The bill will be due on September 15th. Because of this transition, we realize that there's a short time frame between getting your bill and the payment deadline. So don't worry—we won't discontinue anyone's coverage for non-payment without fully reviewing all accounts.
After September, you will regularly receive your invoice on the 4th business day of the month before the coverage month.
The billing and enrollment website and customer service will not be available from August 31st at 5 p.m. until September 7th at 9 a.m.
In order to prevent any delays in processing your requests and payments:
- If you have a past due balance and you pay by paper check, please make sure your payment has arrived by August 31st. Payment received after that date may not immediately be applied to your account.
- If you have a past due balance and you pay electronically, please make sure you to make your payment by 5 p.m. on August 31st. After that time, you will not be able to make an electronic payment again until your invoice is ready. We'll email you after September 8th when your invoice is available.
- If you need to make changes to your insurance plan (such as adding a dependent), make sure you've submitted all necessary documents by August 31st.
You may have to make changes if you pay electronically:
If you scheduled an automatic payment from your bank (i.e., you logged into your bank's website to make a payment, not the Freelancers Union's website) prior to September 7th, please cancel it. We will send you new payee information which you will need to provide to your bank.
If you set up automatic monthly payments on our billing and enrollment website, where we automatically deduct from your account, you don't need to take any action. Your information will be transitioned to our new billing and enrollment vendor, and your payment for October coverage will be drafted on September 15th.
Member Services is here to answer your questions.
Specific Changes
Billing Process
What's Changing |
Old Process |
New Process |
When you get your invoice |
15th of the month, 45 days prior to the coverage month |
4th business day of the month prior to the coverage month (starting in October) |
When your bill is due |
1st of the month prior to the coverage month |
15th of the month prior to the coverage month |
When automatic electronic funds transfer (EFT) deductions occur |
2nd of the month prior to the coverage month |
15th of the month or next business day, prior to the coverage month |
Who can pay by paper check |
All insurance subscribers |
Only subscribers that receive paper invoices (there is a $2 monthly fee to receive paper invoices) |
How you pay by paper check |
Send a check with your member ID number |
Send a check with your billing case number and payment coupon from your paper invoice |
Where you mail a paper check |
Address depends on where you live |
One address (will be displayed on paper invoices) |
How you make payments for past-due balances online |
Must pay total amount due, including past-due and any current balance |
Can make payment for just past-due balance |
What happens when you have non-sufficient funds for EFT |
Billing system attempts to deduct payment several times |
Billing system will automatically switch to manual bill pay |
When you receive a late notice |
Emailed on the 10th and 20th of the month of the month payment is due |
Mailed on the 16th of the month payment is due |
How often you can reinstate coverage after termination for nonpayment |
No limit |
Once every 6 months |
How you make a payment to reinstate coverage |
Online EFT or paper check |
Paper check |
Costs
What's Changing |
Old Process |
New Process |
How much new insurance enrollees pay |
Two months of premiums (plus fees) at time of enrollment |
One month of premiums (plus fees) at time of enrollment |
Certain fees |
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Paper enrollment form fee |
$15 |
$5 |
Non-sufficient funds fee |
$25 |
$40 |
Reinstatement fee |
$40 |
$50 |
Discount for purchasing life and disability insurance together |
$1 per month |
No discount |
Notifications
What's Changing |
Old Process |
New Process |
How you can view important billing communications sent to you |
Notices aren't compiled in one place and aren't available online |
Notices will be archived and available online |
How discontinuation of coverage notices are sent |
Via email |
Via paper mail and email |
Coverage
What's Changing |
Old Process |
New Process |
Life insurance for dependent children |
Different benefit levels can be applied to different children |
All children must have the same benefit level |