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New HSA resource package helps employers explain plans and drive enrollment
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. – Sept. 26, 2006 – Great-West Healthcare, a national employee
benefits provider, today unveiled its employer health savings account (HSA) resource package.
Intended to improve employees’ understanding and drive enrollment, the package includes an
employee readiness survey and an HSA employer resource guide CD. The resource package is
useful to employers of all sizes, but ideal for smaller employers who have limited time and
resources to develop their own education and enrollment campaigns.
“HSA implementation is an involved process, but our resource package arms employers with the
tools they need to prepare employees for an account-based plan,” said Julie McCarter, vice
president of product development, Great-West Healthcare. “Communication is key to getting
employees enrolled and up to speed on how to use an HSA, and we believe this resource
package is an industry first.”
When an employer signs up for an HSA plan, Great-West Healthcare provides the employer with
secure access to the online employee readiness survey. Workers begin by answering 21
questions related to consumer-driven health care. The weighted and scored responses tell the
employer how ready its workforce is for an HSA and where there may be gaps in preparedness or
understanding. The survey score suggests the most appropriate of three member communication
plans to guide the company before, during and following enrollment. If workers are far along in
understanding and preparedness, the communications plan is less elaborate; if employees have
a steep learning curve, the plan includes more in-depth information and a longer lead time for
communication. The low, medium and high communication plans are available in a printable
calendar format on the CD. Each plan includes an implementation timeline, recommended
actions and all the necessary materials.
The CD also contains customizable, printable employer and employee resources. HSA materials
for companies include a data sheet, contribution strategy flyer, employer FAQs, implementation
presentation, investment disclosure, and communication plans. An employer brochure and
employer guide prepared by ACS/Mellon, the trustee for Great-West Healthcare’s HSA program,
are also included. For employees, the CD includes a CEO letter, enrollment brochure, employee
FAQs, enrollment presentation, brown-bag lunch presentation, glossary of terms, benefits signup
reminder e-mail (highlighting new HSA option), enrollment form disclosure and HSA contribution
form. All employee resources are available in English and Spanish.
For access to the employee survey and a copy of the HSA resource package CD, please send an e-mail to tracey.budz@gwl.com and include contact name and address.
About Great-West Healthcare
Great-West Healthcare, a division of Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company, is a national employee benefits provider with expertise in self-funding and health care management solutions. Nationally, the division operates a health care network that includes more than 4,250 hospitals and 550,000 providers and provides health care services to 2 million people. Visit www.greatwesthealthcare.com for more information.
Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company, headquartered in metro-Denver, serves its customers through a full range of health care plans, life and disability insurance, annuities, and retirement savings products and services. It is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Great-West Lifeco Inc. and a member of the Power Financial Corporation group of companies. Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company is not licensed to do business in New York. Products are sold in New York by its subsidiary First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company, White Plains, N.Y.
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