Horizon Brief Notes: Grandmothering Extended Into 2023 for Pre-ACA Plans

Posted on July 7, 2022

See below Brief Notes from Horizon Regarding Extending Grandmothering into 2023

 

Horizon Brief Notes
Applies to: Small Employer Market (4Q22 renewals)

Grandmothering Extended Into 2023 for Pre-ACA Plans

Horizon will once again enable Small Employer group customers that offer health plans that preceded the Affordable Care Act (“pre-ACA plans”) and renew between October 1 and December 31, 2022, to renew within those pre-ACA plans. Because we receive the highest volume of renewals during the fourth quarter, our decision to grandmother pre-ACA plans will ensure a smooth renewal process for our customers.

If a group leaves its pre-ACA plan and meets eligibility requirements, it may move to an ACA-compliant policy with stand-alone pediatric dental (SAPD) coverage. Popular ACA-compliant options include our OMNIASM Health Plans.

As we near October 1, 2022, Horizon will communicate the details and dates for the renewal process. Until then, here’s what you can expect:

Broker Communications

  • Pre-ACA and ACA renewals for October, November, and December will be available to the Broker of Record via the FTP secure site. An email will be sent when renewals are available.
  • Renewals will be released according to the following schedule:
    • October renewals: by July 31
    • November renewals: by August 31
    • December renewals: by September 30

Group Communication

  • Pre-ACA renewals for October, November, and December will include a renewal for the pre-ACA plan, an offer for a recommended ACA plan, and the required CMS Model Notice.
  • ACA renewals for October, November, and December will include the recommended ACA plan.
  • Renewals will be released according to the following schedule:
    • October renewals: by July 31
    • November renewals: by August 31
    • December renewals: by September 30

Groups with pre-ACA plans will automatically renew as is within the existing pre-ACA plans unless they actively select an ACA plan.

Pre-ACA to ACA Plan Conversions
All groups converting from a pre-ACA plan to an ACA plan are required to send in the conversion form, new certification paperwork, including applicable tax documentation as noted below, and waivers. Please submit the ACA conversion through Broker Online Services.

Groups of six to 44 eligible employees do not need to submit tax documents. Instead, these groups need to submit the Certification with Conversion form and waivers.

If a group accepts its existing pre-ACA or ACA plan renewal, no paperwork is necessary. Conversion paperwork is only required if a group converts to a different ACA plan alternative or if the group moves from a pre-ACA plan to an ACA plan.

The conversion deadline for renewing groups or off-anniversary conversions is five business days prior to the renewal date. Complete paperwork must be submitted in a timely manner. Incomplete paperwork may cause the group to lose their requested conversion date.

Conversion paperwork must be emailed to Conversion@HorizonBlue.com

Certification Paperwork Submission

New certification paperwork, including waivers and tax documents as outlined above, is required with the conversion paperwork for groups of two to five and 45 or more eligible employees when converting from pre-ACA to ACA plans. This helps us ensure that husband/wife, sole proprietor and owner-only enrolled groups are renewing as is in their pre-ACA plans and are not converting to an ACA plan; these groups are not eligible for ACA plans.

Horizon sends certification paperwork at least 120 days prior to a group’s renewal. Groups are instructed to complete and return the paperwork to Horizon within 15 days of receipt. At that time, the group will not have received its renewal to decide to renew into the existing pre-ACA plan or move to an ACA plan.