August 11, 2022
For Premera to comply with state and federal regulations, it’s necessary for employer groups to assess their group size each year and alert Premera of any changes.
If the group’s average payroll count changed from the prior year, it means they may need to move from small to large group or alternately large to small group and employers must complete the Group Size Certification form.
Why is this important?
Group sizes, determined by payroll count, can fluctuate annually and employers with around 50 employees on an average, on an annual basis are most likely to be required to complete this form.
The following guidelines define a group’s size:
- Small group employer: Employed an average of at least 1, but no more than 50, common-law employees on business days during the preceding calendar year and employs at least 1 common-law employee on the first day of the current plan year.
- Large group employer: Employed an average of at least 51 common-law employees on business days during the preceding calendar year and employs at least 51 common law employees on the first day of the current contract term.
What’s needed?
To ensure Premera issues a renewal to align with the employer’s group size, a completed Group Size Certification form for January 1, 2023, renewing small and large groups should be sent to the employer’s designated Premera account team no later than August 1, 2022.
Sole proprietors with no common-law employees and self-employed individuals are not eligible to purchase (or renew) small group plans.