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How much COBRA knowledge or
experience must my clients possess to use this
software? |
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Very little. COBRA OnQue guides
employers through each step in the process and keeps them informed of pertinent
issues as they arise. Answers to questions are available through FastFacts
OnQue™, our proprietary context-sensitive help system and
COBRAnswers™, our COBRA reference manual, which is an integrated component
of the software. |
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How do my clients know that your software
administers COBRA correctly? |
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The
first requirement for proper COBRA administration, no matter which system is
used, is the accurate and timely input of the HR event. When employing manual
administration methods or outsourcing, the administrator must first recognize
that a COBRA event has occurred. Then he or she must act by either filling out
forms and logging the completion of key tasks or by accurately communicating
the information to a third party. We believe this first phase of the process
– information processing, event recognition and communication – is
where many systems fail and compliance violations occur.
COBRA OnQue
is superior to other administrative systems, including other software products,
in that it has the unique ability to recognize when a routine HR event, such as
voluntary termination, is actually a COBRA event. Even the more complex event
scenarios, such as those related to Medicare Entitlement and Disability, are
handled automatically by the software. Your client simply does not have to know
the rules – the software recognizes when a COBRA event has occurred,
prompts for additional information as needed, displays warnings when "gray
area" issues apply to the event, calculates all deadlines, generates all
notifications and updates your client's "Things To Do" list with task and
deadline information. |
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How many employees can COBRA OnQue
handle? |
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COBRA OnQue is designed with the small- and
mid-sized employer in mind, but it can handle an unlimited number of employees
and their dependents. |
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How does
the software handle the important task of preparing the right COBRA
notification for each situation? |
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Our staff experts, in concert with one
of the largest employment law firms in the U.S., have prepared COBRA
notifications based on the latest legal requirements. The software
automatically generates the appropriate notifications, as each unique situation
arises, based on the previously entered data. |
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Does OnQue
Technologies provide software updates? |
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Yes. Typically, two or more updates are provided
annually. COBRA OnQue makes periodic checks of our website, and updates
automatically when a new version is available. Users who prefer to update their
software manually may do so by downloading the latest version at their
convenience. |
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Does the software maintain a record of all
notifications delivered and allow reproduction of those
notices? |
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Yes. The historical records of all events,
notifications and premium payments are retained and the date and method of
delivery for each notification is tracked. Viewing or printing notifications
previously sent requires only a click of the mouse. |
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How do employers know if they are meeting the
mandated COBRA deadlines? |
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The
"Things To Do" feature notifies the user of important deadlines as they
approach. |
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Does COBRA OnQue require the employer to enter
every employee's data into the software before use? |
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No. Although entering all employee and dependent
information is the most efficient and accurate way to use the software, an
employer may elect to enter only those employees enrolled in benefits, or
alternatively, choose to use the system only after a qualifying event occurs.
However, when these short-cut methods are used, employers are not taking full
advantage of the software's capabilities. |
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Does COBRA OnQue include information about HIPAA
regulations as they affect COBRA? |
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Yes. The software includes HIPAA notification
language and administrative rule amendments as required by law. It also
produces Certificates of Creditable Coverage when an employee's coverage is
dropped for any reason. |
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Does COBRA OnQue handle the collection of COBRA
premiums? |
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Yes. It tracks premiums and administers all premium
collection rules. Reminders are prominently displayed whenever the
administrator is required to take action. The software automatically generates
notifications tailored to specific premium collection events whenever
necessary. Tasks related to premiums, which are administrated by the software,
include: |
- Calculation
of premium amounts.
- Recording
of all premium payments.
- Tracking of
all grace periods.
- Calculation
of administrative fees and adjustments for each qualified beneficiary as events
occur.
- Aging of
premiums receivable and identification of delinquent
accounts.
- Handling of
partial premium payments and "insignificant" shortfalls.
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Does COBRA
OnQue automatically produce monthly premium billing statements or
coupons? |
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No. The law does not require employers to bill
beneficiaries for COBRA premiums. When plan administrators elect to bill, they
take on an unnecessary expense and burden, which could result in COBRA
violations. We elected not to include this function in the software because we
believe it is not in the best interest of COBRA administrators to provide
billing statements. |
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What if a
client requires additional information or clarification on a COBRA
issue? |
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COBRA OnQue enhances the client/broker relationship
while reducing the broker's potential for liability, which could result from
incorrectly answering a client's COBRA questions. The software includes an
easy-to-use and comprehensive resource, COBRAnswers. It also includes FastFacts
OnQue, a unique context-sensitive help feature. Because the software
automatically handles COBRA situations without requiring the user to know which
rules to apply, most questions never come up. But if administrators do have
questions, the software provides most answers, as well as COBRA background
information. On occasion, advice from the broker or an attorney may also be
helpful. |
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Does COBRA
OnQue permit employers to set their own criteria for administering COBRA within
the guidelines of the law? |
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Yes. Employers can set up the software to
administer COBRA in a variety of ways. Examples of administrative options
include: |
- Choices of
COBRA start date. (COBRA allows employers to select the date on which COBRA
benefits begin - either the date following a qualified event, or the loss of
coverage date, whichever is later.)
- Choice of
COBRA premium due date.
- Choice of
COBRA administrative fees charged.
- Choice of
COBRA grace period for premium collection. (Grace periods can be set for the
30-day legal minimum, or longer. Often, insurance carriers or HMOs allow the
employer longer grace periods, which must be passed on to qualified
beneficiaries.)
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If there is
a technical problem installing or running the software, whom should my client
call? |
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OnQue. Your clients may contact our technical
support personnel and software engineers via our toll-free support line or via
email. |
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Can
employers who currently have employee data in their computer import that
information into the software? |
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Yes. COBRA OnQue can import employee data from
Microsoft Excel. |
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Can I have
my agency's name on the software? |
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Yes. We offer a special software release that
"brands" your agency's name on the software. The name, contact information and
a button that pre-addresses email messages to you are displayed prominently,
and a special icon connects to your web site (if available). Agency branding is
available at no cost when you purchase twenty or more units at a time.
Learn more about this
feature |
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What if my
client changes brokers after receiving the
software? |
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Your agency name remains on the software if
branded. Once you have notified us of the change, your former client will lose
your wholesale pricing advantage for future subscription updates. However,
ownership of the license to use the software remains with your former
client. |
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Do brokers
get special pricing from OnQue? |
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Yes. Brokers are charged at wholesale rates, based
on quantities ordered. |
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Is
satisfaction guaranteed? |
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Absolutely. We offer an unconditional 30-day
money-back guarantee. |
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