10/12/2007
Start quoting EmbarkSM and VantageSM today!
We are happy to announce that you can begin quoting and selling Embark and Vantage starting today, Oct. 15, for Nov. 1, 2007, effective dates! This is an exciting day for us and for the small-group clients (2 to 99 employees) who we think will welcome the arrival of these self-managed plans.
A host of hard-copy materials designed to help you sell these plans successfully are available from your Asuris Sales contact. These materials include:
Also, more information about Embark and Vantage can be found on the Broker Web site under Products & Plans, including:
And, we've developed tools and resources that can be found on Agent Center to support you as well:
- Product Comparison Tool, designed to allow you to configure other plan designs, compare against plans, and provide rate relativities
- Training podcasts
New information system supports new products
Today also marks the deployment of an integrated information system designed to support our new products and streamline the processes, with the goal of affecting real efficiencies and change. Below are a few highlights you'll want to make note of when quoting Embark and Vantage.
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Agent Center —
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Embark and Vantage plan designs allow for many combinations of product features, so much that there are more than 800 possible combinations. To keep the number of options to a manageable level for you, we have developed a set of options we're calling "Most Popular." This selection gives you a full range of product options—from high to low—and includes products that are similar to our most popular products today.
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November and December 2007 renewals were previously issued without new product options. If you'd like to receive a quote for your Community-rated (2 to 50) groups, you can generate an Alternative Quote for Embark and Vantage through Agent Center. For groups of 51 to 99 employees, please talk with your Asuris Sales contact for assistance with Embark and Vantage plans.
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The Product Comparison Tool allows you to approximate plans that meet your clients' needs prior to running a quote.
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And, if you haven't yet activated your Agent Center registration, do it today.
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Dual Option will not be available for groups of 2 to 50 employees for Embark and Vantage. In most cases renewals will show suggested sell-over products for each product. These are just to provide guidance on each individual product and are not necessarily valid combinations on the Dual Option Matrix.
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New Forms — including the Group Master Application, Application for Enrollment/Change, and Waiver form—are required when enrolling a new group on an Embark or Vantage plan.
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Timely Group Master Application submission will create the best experience for your clients when the GMA is submitted at least 15 days prior to the effective date.
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New Agent Numbers: Later this week you'll receive a letter with your new agent number to use when selling a new group or renewing an existing group with an Embark or Vantage plan. The new agent number consists of a seven-digit prefix and a four-digit suffix.
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Customer Service Unit: We have a dedicated customer service unit specifically trained on Embark and Vantage plans. They are ready to assist you and your clients and can be reached at 1 (888) 367-2109.
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The Jump Start Sales Program will recognize you for every qualifying new or renewing group that elects an Embark or Vantage plan.
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Regence Life and Health is offering a 10% discount off their Life product when a group purchases an Embark or Vantage plan. Plus, when you sell STD or LTD with a Life package for an Embark or Vantage group, Regence Life and Health will offer an additional discount on their disability products.
“How do you feel?” ads unveiled
With the October launch of our new self-managed plans-Embark and Vantage-we are highlighting our new product features which address specific market issues like wellness, network restrictions and access to tools and resources to help navigate the health care system.
Hopefully you've seen the new "How do you feel?" themed ads for Embark and Vantage advertised in the Spokane Journal of Business and the Inland NW Catalyst. The ads are scheduled to run through the end of the year and the reader is instructed to contact their broker or to call our Customer Marketing department directly.
Direct-mail campaign designed to introduce self-managed plans
Later this month, we'll launch a direct-mail campaign that will target approximately 12,000 non-member groups and organizations from a variety of business segments in our Washington service area. In the letter and accompanying materials, we encourage interested prospects to contact their broker or Asuris. As a result, you may experience an increase in the number of inquiries you receive for information and quote requests for these products. If you have any questions about the direct mail campaign, please talk with your Asuris Sales contact.
Questions or need to contact us?
Coming soon!
The improvements don't end here. Watch for detailed information on upcoming enhancements designed to support your sale of Embark and Vantage:
- New Employer Center features: Online enrollment and online billing will be available for Embark and Vantage!
Thank you for your support and enthusiasm as we introduce Embark and Vantage to the Asuris community. We believe that these products meet the need that small groups have been telling us about, and we're excited about the opportunity that they offer you and your clients.
Sincerely,
Scott Kreiling
Vice President of Sales
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