Aetna Mailing Written Assurance Letters
Aetna will begin mailing the written assurance letter to non-ERISA and non-government plan sponsors on April 13, 2017. Aetna will need a response from these plan sponsors by June 30, 2017. This information is required for the Minimum Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) prior to calculating and distributing potential rebates.
Plan sponsors/policyholders may get premium rebates to give to subscribers
Beginning on April 13, 2017, Aetna will be sending a letter to plan sponsors in plans that are both non-ERISA and non-governmental that may receive an MLR rebate in August/September. The purpose of the written assurance letter is to make sure plan sponsors give the rebates they may receive to subscribers per federal regulations.
The written assurance response will remain in effect for future years
A plan sponsor's response to the written assurance letter will remain in effect for all future years unless rescinded in writing. In the future, Aetna will send letters to new plan sponsors. Aetna will also send letters to any non-responders from prior years.
Aetna will give rebates to subscribers if plan sponsors don't respond
Aetna needs a response from plan sponsors by June 30, 2017. If plan sponsors don't respond to Aetna’s first written assurance letter, Aetna send two more. After June 30, 2017, Aetna is required to give rebates directly to subscribers.
You can find more information on MLR on www.aetna.com. First, click "Health Care Reform" at the very bottom of the page (it's right under "Glossary"). On the Health Care Reform page, find the Individuals and Employers section and click on the "Learn how the ACA affects individuals or employers" links, as appropriate. Scroll to the "Minimum medical loss ratio" section and click on the plus sign to see details.
For questions, please contact a member of your B&P Sales Team - 888.722.3373.