Updates 

Review the quarterly pharmacy changes effective April 1, 2012.

Optima Health will be implementing only two benefit changes for new and renewing groups on or after January 1, 2012.

Brokers and general agents may now print ID cards for members of client groups who need a temporary card while waiting for the permanent one to arrive by mail.

As you know, Optima Health began selling Commercial products in the Roanoke and New River Valley regions on October 1, 2011.

We are continuing our Broker Operations Improvement Project for 2011. As part of that initiative, we developed an online capability that will allow employers to pay Optima Health insurance premiums electronically.

At Optima Health, we constantly strive to partner with our brokers in making good business decisions.

As part of the Optima Health expansion into Southwest Virginia, we are pleased to announce an enhanced Broker Appreciation Program for new business in this area with effective dates October 2011 through March 2012.

We are pleased to announce the addition of a new value-added service called Emergency Travel Assistance. Effective October 1st, these services will be offered to all fully insured commercial customers and Individual Plan members.

Beginning October 1, 2011, Optima Health will begin offering health insurance plans to the Greater Roanoke Area.

Optima Health has made a decision to discontinue its Medicare Advantage plans on December 31, 2011.

Effective August 1, Optima Health is offering a new Premium Pass Healthy At Work program.

Effective July 1, Optima Health is offering Phase II of our Healthy At Work pilot program.

Optima Health is pleased to announce new additions to the Optima Design family of products.

A new feature of the eBroker online system now allows brokers to track their new groups' status while it is in Underwriting.

Beginning July 1st, Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) will join the Optima Health commercial network.

A new feature on the optimahealth.com website will now make it easier for employers to obtain temporary member ID cards for their employees.

We have updated our Commercial and Individual Product Broker Guides.

The following tax and health reform information will be sent to all Optima Equity members.

Optima Health has begun issuing new ID cards to members in order to ensure that ID cards contain pharmacy claim processing information for our new Pharmacy Benefits Manager.

As you may know, beginning July 1, Choice Care Card will be renamed Choice Strategies.

As an Optima Health broker, I want you to be among the first to hear some great news.

We are pleased to announce a new feature that will be available to all brokers, which was developed in response to your feedback.

As many of you already know, July 1 marks the effective date for new changes to the benefits offered in our healthcare plans on a roll-in basis.

Optima Health is pleased to begin offering Contract Year deductibles on traditional Optima Vantage (HMO) and Optima Plus (PPO) plans for new business.

In an effort to help our members manage their healthcare costs, Optima Health will be sending two communications pieces late in November and in the first part of December.

Optima Health continues to expand the Consumer Directed Health Plan portfolio to meet market demands.

Employer groups will be receiving a letter this week from Optima Health requesting confirmation of group size.

In an effort to support our members and expand our MyLife MyPlan programs, Optima Health has partnered with Healthyroads to offer members access to online and telephonic health coaching.

Martha Jefferson Hospital and Sentara Healthcare, parent company of Optima Health, have announced their intent to merge.

Members with medical and/or pharmacy benefits administered by Optima Health will be covered for the 2010-2011 influenza season. A list of participating pharmacies is available.

Effective August 1st, health care providers have access to an online tool which will allow them to determine where members are in meeting their deductible.

RMH Healthcare (formerly Rockingham Memorial Hospital) and Sentara Healthcare, parent company of Optima Health, have signed a letter of intent to affiliate.

Recently many of you shared ideas about how we could improve the online process and application for Optima Individual. We heard you and this week, Optima Health released the newest version of the online application software.

Effective July 1, 2010, Virginia Code 38.2-3541 was amended to extend Continuation of Coverage from 90 days to 12 months.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provided a COBRA premium reduction for eligible individuals who were involuntarily terminated from employment through the end of May 2010.

Optima Equity is now available on the Vantage platform. We are also pleased to announce several benefit changes and additional Deductible options on our Optima Design integrated HRA products.

Optima Health is very pleased to announce that Tidewater Physicians Multispecialty Group (TPMG) will join its commercial product network.

Effective January 1, 2010 Optima Health will be the only health insurance carrier in the Greater Hampton Roads area offering HMO products to Federal employees.

Sentara Health Plans, Inc (Optima Health) has revised the current Business Associate Agreement (BAA) and are asking your assistance with getting your new BAA executed.