Skip to main content
Capital Blue Cross Learning Center

Playbook - Employees Pay First Without Auto Payment

Overview

Health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) are a great way for employees to take  charge of their health care costs. As an employer, you play a critical role in providing education and resources so employees can decide if an HRA is the right choice for them. This step-by-step communication “playbook” includes the resources you need to effectively communicate the benefits of HRAs to your employees and help them set aside funds for health expenses.

Start the conversation

Whether you're introducing HRAs to the entire organization, onboarding new hires, or reviewing options before open enrollment, it helps to provide a high-level overview of HRAs prior to discussions. 

TO SEND:

Send an introduction letter 

This email template allows you to send a customized email message from your human resources leader or team. 

 

Cover the basics

Before benefits discussions, it's also helpful to provide material that covers the basics about HRAs. This can make benefits conversations more productive. We recommend posting these materials on your benefits site or company intranet site, or distributing via email or as a physical copy..

TO PROVIDE:

HRA Essential Guide

Product comparison chart 

Use if you are offering multiple health spending account options to employees.

This document designed to help employees understand the different accounts. It is editable so you can add or remove products to fit your communication needs.  

 

Invite discussion

Even if in-person benefits presentations are not possible, it's helpful to connect over the phone or online to review this benefits option. This gives your employees a chance to ask questions and better understand their options.

TO PREP:

Schedule informational meetings

Review our fact sheet

Before meeting, prepare to answer basic questions you may run into.

Provide the HRA worksheet

Whether the meeting is in-person or virtual, be sure to distribute the HRA worksheet. It shows employees how to estimate their potential costs and savings with an HRA. Using their own information, employees can explore how an HRA might work for them.

Support employees during enrollment

Your employees have decided to enroll in an HRA. Now what? Continue to support them during enrollment by helping them make their elections and letting them know what to expect.

TO MANAGE:

Help your employees enroll

Your Capital Blue Cross representative can help you determine the best method for enrolling your members once you have gathered enrollment elections from your employees. You can contact our group services line with questions at 877.293.7041.  

Use the Group Portal

Monitor and manage your group’s Capital Blue Cross benefits.

Need to manage enrollment via mail?

Inform employees about what comes next

Once enrollment has been processed, your employees will start to receive their welcome letters and debit cards. Make sure they're aware that their debit card will come in a plain white envelope. 

 

Help your employees take advantage of their new accounts

In order to take full advantage of their accounts, employees need continuous education and encouragement from you. Further offers a variety of resources that make it easy for you to share and promote.

TO ENCOURAGE:

Provide employees direct access to their new online account 

Post or provide a link to Capital Blue Cross’s mobile-enabled website at CapitalBlueCross.com. The site works well for any screen size—whether it’s a desktop monitor, laptop, tablet, or mobile phone. 

Remind employees where to access educational resources

You can do this with a simple email including the following link to the materials on our learning site.

 HRA educational resources

Promote the customer support phone number

If employees have additional questions about their account, they can call our customer support phone number from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM ET, Monday through Friday - 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET, Saturday and Sunday: 877.293.7041.

Have Questions?

As always, we’re here to help. If you can’t find the answers you’re looking for online, give us a call at 877.293.7041 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET, Monday through Friday. Or, you can contact your account manager.