Here you’ll find helpful information and links about renewal for COBRA, Continuation, and Direct Billing in preparation for Open Enrollment.
If your group plans are being renewed, please complete all information required for open enrollment in the Forms & Resources section below. Once finished, you must email the required documentation to cobra@benefitresource.com. Please include “Renewal” or “Open Enrollment” in your subject line. This will allow BRI to ensure that the COBRA portal is updated and that members are notified of their open enrollment options.
Watch the video to the right to get an overview of the renewal process. Additionally, you can review an overview of a standard timeline and what to expect at each stage below.
Clients should submit all Open Enrollment documents together (rate & carrier sheet, plan description form, SBCs, and summaries) once they are FULLY EXECUTED in our BRI templates.
Portal is updated for ongoing administration in the new plan year.
Provide the same plan names and coverage levels to your EDI file vendor that is sending member data for events. COBRA system and file vendor must match.
Submit the Plan Description & Enrollment Changes form.
BRI creates passive or active enrollment packets for mailing.
Clients/brokers may be asked to preview a sample.
BRI mails all custom packets with corresponding instructions to members.
Review carrier invoice(s) monthly and inform BRI of any discrepancies. Member Status & Remittance reports are available on the employer & broker portals for download.
BRI sends notification to the carrier(s) of all eligibility updates upon receipt of any changes from the members. This is done via secure email to the carrier contacts provided.
BRI sends updated coupons, and the member portal rate tables are updated as needed.
Click the buttons below to access the required forms and documentation you need for renewal. Additional information about each is available below.
This step is critical in ensuring that all account structure details are accurate in the administrative system for the new plan year. This form is also used to customize Open Enrollment packets, which are sent to anyone pending or enrolled in the COBRA platform. All corresponding instructions on how to fill out the required fields can be found on the “Instructions” tab.
Partners must use the BRI Carrier & Rate Information sheet to provide the updated plan year information. Age-banded or ACA rates must be provided separately in Excel format.
Note: scanned copies of PDFs will NOT be accepted.
As a third-party administrator, BRI needs to understand exactly what benefit changes are made so that we can effectively update system functionality for the new plan year.
This form will ensure BRI’s eligibility changes will be processed by the new carrier(s).
Complete for each new benefit carrier and submit directly to your carrier contacts.
This form is only applicable if you are switching to a different insurance carrier for one or more of your plans.
BRI will send open enrollment materials to all COBRA Qualified Beneficiaries (QBs) who are pending election, as well as those who are currently enrolled in COBRA.
Due to increased year-end volume, open enrollment packets may be delayed if this information is not received 30 days prior to the effective date.
Be sure to log in to the COBRA portal to review plan information and continue to reconcile carrier invoices against COBRA Remittance.
If discrepancies are found, BRI must be made aware timely to take corrective action within carrier guidelines.
Members will refer to the BRI election form for specific effective dates, deadlines, and instructions.
Once received by BRI, the election change(s) will be forwarded to the applicable insurance carrier(s) upon receipt, provided the form is completed in its entirety with all pertinent/required information. Members will be issued updated coupons for subsequent payments.
Members should allow 10-14 business days from the date of their signed election form for the carrier(s) to process plan change(s). For questions regarding coverage status within this timeframe, members are instructed to contact the insurance carrier(s) directly using the number on the back of their insurance card. If moving to a new insurance carrier, this process may take longer. Election changes are retroactive to the effective date, and claim forms are to be completed in the interim of active status.
The BRI COBRA/Direct Bill Management Portal makes it easy for employers and brokers to manage their COBRA, Retiree, and Direct Bill continuation services with BRI. Learn more about it below.
245 Kenneth Drive
Rochester NY 14623-4277
EMPLOYEES: (800) 473-9595
EMPLOYERS: (866) 996-5200
Benefit Resource and BRI are tradenames of Benefit Resource, LLC. Benefit Resource, LLC is an affiliate of Inspira Financial Health, Inc. and Inspira Financial Trust, LLC. Benefit Resource, LLC does not provide legal, tax or financial advice. Please contact a professional for advice on eligibility, tax treatment and other restrictions. Inspira and Inspira Financial are trademarks of Inspira Financial Trust, LLC.
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