You have questions; we have answers. Below are commonly asked questions below to help clarify who we are, what we do, and how we do it. If you can’t find the answer to your question below, contact us by phone or email and we will get back to you as soon as possible!
What is Employer’s Advantage Direct? We are a Third-Party Administrator offering a suite of administrative services designed to strengthen and complement your benefits solution.
What services are provided by EAD? EAD provides Enrollment Processing, Fed-COBRA Administration, Consolidated Billing, Bill Reconciliation, Benefit Administration technology solutions, and ACA Reporting.
I am interested in EAD’s services. How do we get started? Please contact us at info@employersadvantagedirect.com or (714) 210-4166 for more information.
How does the process get started? Please contact us at info@employersadvantagedirect.com or (714) 210-4166 for more information. We will want to discuss client needs, the implementation processes, and to schedule a demo.
When is the best time to start onboarding? It is best practice to onboard new technology well in advance of Open Enrollment, so clients and their employees have ample time to get acquainted with the new system before going through Open Enrollment. Ideally, onboarding should begin six to eight months before Open Enrollment typically occurs. However, we realize this is not always possible.
How will the onboarding process work? Onboarding consists of four main phases: Overview & Discovery, Kickoff, Build & Testing, and Go Live.
How long is the onboarding process? The preferred onboarding timeframe is six to eight weeks.
Can our Payroll system integrate with the benefit administration platform? Yes, our technology platforms do have Payroll Integration capability. Please contact us for details.
Can we integrate our carriers/vendors with the benefit administration platform? Yes, our technology platforms do have carrier/vendor integration capability. Please contact us for details.
How are changes in the technology system transmitted to the carrier(s)?Changes can be transmitted by carrier feed or our team can manage Processing if carrier integration is not available.
Will training be a part of the onboarding process? Yes! Our Technology team will provide training on the system and how to use it prior to going live. We will also be available throughout the year to answer questions and provide additional training, as needed.
How does the process get started? Please contact us at info@employersadvantagedirect.com or (714) 210-4166 for more information. We will want to discuss client needs, the implementation processes, and to schedule a demo.
How will the cost be determined? Pricing is based on group size as well as the estimated number of 1095s filed. For population estimation purposes, it is generally a good practice to use last year’s number and account for any major changes to populations.
What information would need to be provided? For clients already using our technology platforms, all data should be as up-to-date and accurate as possible before beginning the Reporting process. For clients whose employment and benefit data is housed outside of our systems, we provide a data workbook and census templates in order to manage ACA Reporting processes.
When should data be provided? Data can be provided starting in December, and should be sent as soon as it is gathered in order to provide the most time possible for auditing.
Will the client be able to review the 1095C forms before they are submitted? Yes, the filing contact will be required to review and approve prior to filing.
Will the client be notified if the IRS does not accept the filing? Yes, a filing status will be sent out to both the filing contact and broker partner, if applicable.
Will the client receive copies? Yes, the 1094C, 1095Cs, and Error report (if any) would be provided after the filing is complete.
When will the services be billed? We bill for ACA Reporting Services the month following the final IRS filing deadline. Any forms or required corrections submitted after the filing deadline will invoiced accordingly.
Does the invoice have to be paid by ACH? ACH is preferred, but not required.
What if there are corrections after the filing is complete? Any corrections will be processed accordingly, and any additional form charges will be invoiced appropriately.
EMPLOYERS
How does the process get started? For employers who have more than 20 Full Time and Full-Time Equivalent employees, please contact us at info@employersadvantagedirect.com or (714) 210-4166 for more information.
Is there an online portal where I can report my employee’s qualifying events? Yes. For employers who wish to report qualifying events online, we will be happy to provide login credentials and a demo of our COBRA system.
Do I have access to participants and their information? Yes, you can access this through the employer portal to see participant plan elections, payments, and communications. We will be happy to enable online access.
Will I be able to determine who has paid their COBRA premiums? Yes, we provide monthly reports of active COBRA Participants showing their “Paid Thru” dates. You can also access this through the COBRA portal if online access is enabled.
When do you send me the collected premium? We process reimbursement payments on a monthly basis.
Does the participant have access to process elections and payments online? Yes, the Participant has access to our COBRA system’s web portal if online access is enabled.
How can our employees pay their premiums? Participants may pay by check/money order or automatic bank withdrawal.
COBRA QUALIFIERS and COBRA PARTICIPANTS
How does the process get started? Once the employer reports the qualifying event to our office, we process and send COBRA Notification documents. These documents include information about how COBRA works, as well as the plans and pricing to elect continuation coverage. Please contact us at COBRA@employersadvantagedirect.com or (714) 210-4167 for more information.
Is there an online portal where I can review my information? Yes. Personalized login information is provided in the COBRA documents we send.
How do I pay my premiums? You may pay by check/money order or automatic bank withdrawal.
Will I be able to see that my payments have posted? Yes, by logging into your online profile through the COBRA system website. You may also contact us at COBRA@employersadvantagedirect.com or (714) 210-4167 for assistance.
Will you let me know what I owe for each month? The personalized COBRA documents will include the rate information for your records. We will also provide payment coupons once the initial election is processed and paid. We do not bill on a monthly basis.
How does the process get started? Please contact us at info@employersadvantagedirect.com or (714) 210-4166 for more information. We will want to discuss client needs and implementation processes.
What is Consolidated Billing? Consolidated Billing compiles all charges, credits and adjustments from multiple carrier/vendor bills into one spreadsheet-based report. This allows for one point of contact for billing receipt and payment.
What is the difference between Consolidated Billing and Bill Reconciliation? Consolidated Billing compiles all carrier bills line by line into a single bill exactly as represented by the carrier, and includes premium collection and remittance services. Bill Reconciliation identifies discrepancies between the carrier billing and the employer’s system of record.
Are Consolidated Billing and Bill Reconciliation Services available together? Depending on the group’s needs, they may need both services. We are happy to bundle them, if needed.
What kinds of plans can be included in a Consolidated Bill? Most plans with monthly billing can be included in the Consolidated Bill. Typically, if the carrier produces a monthly bill it can be included in the Consolidated Bill. We can also include self-billed plans.
How long does it take to implement a group? It typically takes 1-2 carrier billing cycles to fully implement a group for Consolidated Billing.
How does EAD obtain the carrier bills? After TPA Authorization is processed by the carriers, we are authorized to collect carrier bills via online portal, phone request, email, or postal mail. However, during the implementation process, the client may wish to simply provide them to us for a faster set-up.
Are adjustments accounted for in the Consolidated Bill? The Consolidated Bill mirrors the carrier bills line by line, so it will only show the adjustments that appear on the carrier bill.
When do groups receive their Consolidated bill? After a successful implementation, groups can expect to receive their Consolidated Bill within 7-10 business days after the last carrier bill is released. This typically occurs the last week of the month before the month of coverage, but depends on when carrier bills are released.
When are carrier bills paid? Once we receive the remittance from the group, we will begin disbursing the amounts out to the corresponding carrier(s). This typically takes 3-4 business days upon receipt of payment from the group.
How does the process get started? Please contact us at info@employersadvantagedirect.com or (714) 210-4166 for more information. We will want to discuss client needs and implementation processes.
What is Bill Reconciliation? Bill Reconciliation identifies discrepancies between the carrier billing and the employer’s system of record. This helps the employer resolve any issues quickly to avoid costly billing errors with carriers, such as terminated employees who remain on the plan.
What is the difference between Bill Reconciliation and Consolidated Billing? Bill Reconciliation identifies discrepancies between the carrier billing and the employer’s system of record.
Consolidated Billing compiles all carrier bills line by line into a single bill exactly as represented by the carrier, and includes premium collection and remittance services.
Are Consolidated Billing and Bill Reconciliation Services available together? Depending on the group's needs, they may need both services. We are happy to bundle them, if needed.
If the Reconciliation uncovers discrepancies, who resolves them? If EAD also provides Processing Services, our Processing Team will manage any required corrections with the carriers directly. If Processing Services are not in place, the employer is responsible to make any necessary corrections.
What kinds of plans can be included in a Reconciliation? Most plans with monthly billing can be included in the consolidated bill. Typically, if the carrier produces a monthly bill it can be included in the reconciliation report.
How long does it take to implement a group? It typically takes 1-2 carrier billing cycles to fully implement a group for Reconciliation Services.
How does EAD obtain the carrier bills and Enrollment Report? After TPA Authorization is processed by the carrier, we are authorized to collect carrier bills via online portal, phone request, email, or postal mail. However, during the implementation process, the client may wish to simply provide them to us for a faster set-up.
The Enrollment Report is the employer’s responsibility to provide. This can be a report from a ben admin system or an internally-managed spreadsheet.
Are adjustments accounted for in the Reconciliation Report? Adjustments are included in the Reconciliation Report exactly as they are shown on the carrier bill. However, the Reconciliation Report tracks from month-to-month whether expected charges or credits appear on the bill accurately over time.
When do groups receive their Reconciliation Report? After a successful implementation, groups can expect to receive their Reconciliation Report within 7-10 business days after the last carrier bill is released and the Enrollment Report from the employer is received.
How does the process get started? Please contact us at info@employersadvantagedirect.com or (714) 210-4166 for more information. We will want to discuss client needs and implementation processes.
What is Processing Services? Processing Services includes submitting all enrollments, terminations, and changes for a client's employees, confirming the carriers have completed the request, and notifying the client that it has been processed correctly.
How long does it take to implement Processing? The implementation will be complete within 30 days
What is the turnaround time to terminate or add an employee on coverage? Changes are submitted to the carriers within 48 hours of receipt. (Please note that carrier processing times once the request is received may vary.) Our Processing Team will follow up with the carrier to confirm completion and send a confirmation email to the client, typically within 5-7 business days.
How does the group notify EAD to add an employee to coverage? If the client has our Technology solution in place, the termination will be automatically transmitted internally. Otherwise, the client may send enrollment forms or other materials to our Processing Team’s dedicated inbox, which opens a service ticket in our system.
How does the group notify EAD to terminate an employee? If the client has our Technology solution in place, the termination will be automatically transmitted internally. Otherwise, the client will send a customized EAD Termination/Change Form to our Processing Team’s dedicated inbox, which opens a service ticket in our system.