Important Changes to your 2020 Health Care Plan Options
The health plan you selected for 2020 is changing due to recently mandated changes from Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield. Please be aware that the changes to your company-sponsored health plan will be effective January 1, 2020. If you wish to make a change to your recently made plan selection during open enrollment, based on the new plan updates for 2020, action is required on your part.
Due to the changes in your company-sponsored health plan, enrolled health care participants have the opportunity to review their previous plan selection for 2020, see the new plan options and make a change to another plan, if desired. If you wish to stay within the new UPDATED and COMPARABLE 2020 health plan, no action is required. We have noted some of the changes to your current health care plan highlighted in the enclosed summary.
Why is this change happening?
Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield is requiring Clifford Fuel/Cliff’s Local Market to move from ‘Community-Rated’ plans to ‘Experience-Rated’ plans based on increased participation in company health plans, as required by state law. The New York State Insurance Department sets out guidelines determining what groups have access to Community-Rated plans versus Experiences-Rated plans. A recent review of increased health plan participation resulted in short notice of the Clifford Fuel/Cliff’s Local Markets medical plans being transferred to Experience-rated health care plans effective January 1, 2020.
What does this mean for you?
LOWERED premiums for similar plan designs will be offered to Clifford Fuel/Cliff’s Local Market employees for the 2020 plan year, as a result of becoming Experience-Rated.
The new and updated ‘Experience-Rated’ health care plans are very similar to the previously offered ‘Community-Rated’ plans. We have highlighted some of the differences of the plan you selected during open enrollment on the attached document.
Health plan participants will be enrolled into the UPDATED and COMPARABLE plan effective January 1st 2020. However, Excellus is allowing individuals to make plan changes, with rollover of expenses and charges towards any deductible, into a new plan if a change is desired.
New and updated benefit guides can be requested from your Lavoro Group Account Coordinator:
Olivia Siciliano
P: (585) 427-0054
E: olivia@lavorogroup.com
If you have questions, or would like to make a plan change, please contact Aida Mekic at
(315) 797-2240 BEFORE January 10th 2020 during normal business hours.