Travis Software Official Blog - Home

May’s Tuesday Tips Explains How to Transfer Plans in WebCOBRA, TravisCobra

2012-05-01T15:00:00Z

Hello again, and thanks for joining us for a new edition of Tuesday Tips! May’s Tip discusses transferring plans in both our WebCOBRA and TravisCobra systems.

At certain times, such as Open Enrollment, it may be necessary to transfer benefit assignments and Qualified Beneficiaries to other Carriers. This process involves transferring participants from the “Source Plan” to a “Target Plan.”

Requirements for Transferring Benefit Plans:

Both the Source and Target Benefit Plans must be setup as existing Benefit Plans.

There must be at least one PQB assigned to the Source Benefit Plan.

The Source and Target Benefit Plans must be within the same Employer.

The same number of tiers and tier descriptions of the Source Plan must also be used in the Target Plan.

The Source Plan must be an Active benefit plan in the system and must NOT have an end date set. (Note: Required in WebCOBRA ONLY)

To complete the Benefit Plan Transfer process, please follow the applicable steps:

In WebCOBRA

1. From the WebCOBRA home screen, select “Benefit Plan – View All.”

2. Select the “Edit” link next to the Source Benefit Plan.

3. Select “Transfer All QBs” to start the “Plan Transfer” Wizard.

4. Complete Step 1: Source Benefit Plan. Select the Source Benefit Plan, and click the “Select The Destination Benefit Plan” button.

5. Complete Step 2: Destination Benefit Plan. Select the Destination Benefit Plan, and click the “Next Select The Effective Date” button.

6. Complete Step 3: Effective Plan Date. Enter the Effective Date of the Transfer. Then, click “Review Your Selections And The Number Of QBs.”

7. Complete Step 4: Review. Review your selections and the number of QBs being transferred. When done, click the “Save and Transfer Benefit Plan” button.

8. A confirmation message will appear at the top of the screen stating, “Plan Transfer Wizard saved correctly.”

In TravisCobra

1. From the “File” menu, select “Benefits.”

2. Select the appropriate Sponsor from the Sponsor List.

3. Select the Source Benefit Plan in the list at the bottom of the window.

4. Click the “Transfer” button.

5. A window will appear with a list of eligible Target Plans. Select the Target Benefit Plan, and click “OK.”

6. A message asking you to confirm the transfer will appear. Click “Yes” to begin the plan transfer.

Tuesday Tips in April: Adding Additional Dependents in WebCOBRA, TravisCobra

2012-04-03T16:00:00Z

We here at Travis hope the first quarter of 2012 was a great one for you! We would like to share another Tuesday Tip that we think will be helpful to you in your daily COBRA administration activities.

This month’s tip demonstrates how to add dependents to an existing Qualified Beneficiary (QB) group in both our WebCOBRA and TravisCobra systems. For instance, if a QB has a baby, you will enter the baby as an additional dependent to the existing QB record.

To add a dependent to an existing QB group, please follow the applicable steps:

In WebCOBRA

1. From the home screen, click “Qualified Beneficiary – View All.” Select the QB group name to which you want to add a dependent from the list.

2. You should see the “QB Group Detail Information” screen, which lists all dependents and their basic information. Click the “View/Edit Qualified Beneficiary Group” link.

3. The page will expand to show more detailed information. Click the “Add additional members to this QB group” button. You will be taken to the “Additional QB Add Wizard.”

4. Step 1. Review the information on screen, and click “Continue.”

5. Step 2. Enter basic information for this new dependent, including name, date of birth, SSN, whether this dependent should receive a copy of all correspondence, if the dependent is eligible for a secondary event, and contact information. Click “Save and Continue” when done.

6. Step 3. Review the benefit plan information, and select “Yes” to assign the plan to the dependent. If you select “Yes,” enter the effective date for this benefit, and enter original plan coverage information. Select the coverage level, and click “Save and Continue.”

7. Step 4. Review the “Additional QB Summary” information, and click the “Save and Add New QB to Group” when done. You may then click to view the new QB record.

In TravisCobra

1. From the “File” menu, select “PQB.”

2. Select a PQB Group from the list, and click “Edit PQB.”

3. On the PQB Edit screen, select the “Dependents” button.

4. Click the “Add” button.

Please note – There must be at least one applicable plan with a coverage level higher than PQB only.

5. You will be taken to the “Add Family Member” screen. Enter basic information for the dependent, including name, date of birth, SSN, etc.

6. If the dependent has a different address than the PQB, enter that information on the right-hand side.

7. Select the Benefit Plan for the dependent from the “PQB Coverage” list.

8. Click “OK” when done.

March’s Tuesday Tips: Bill for Each Enrollment Packet You Print Using WebCOBRA

2012-03-06T16:00:00Z

Travis has a new Tuesday Tip for you! This month we want to provide details for a recent enhancement that was added to WebCOBRA.

An enhancement added in February allows for a user to include, for billing purposes, additional documents that are sent to a qualified beneficiary (QB) along with the COBRA Enrollment Form.

The new “Enrollment Packet” billing option is linked to the COBRA Enrollment Form in that individuals that receive COBRA Enrollment Forms will be included in the calculation for those that receive “COBRA Enrollment Packets.” By customer request, the idea behind this enhancement is that certain employers are requiring more and more documentation to be included along with the COBRA Enrollment Form. Documents such as Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs), or even the new Summaries of Benefits and Coverage (SBCs), can now be accounted for within the “Enrollment Packet.” Through the COBRA Enrollment Packet, administrators can account for the increase in paper cost and postage cost related to the additional documents, and do so in an itemized manner.

To set up a line item with the new “Enrollment Packet” billing formula, follow these steps:

1. First, you will need to add the line item with the “Enrollment Packet” billing formula at the Administrator level. Go to “Supervisor Only,” and click “Setup.”

2. Select the “Billing Formulas” tab, and click the “Add a New Line Item Billing Charge” button.

3. Enter the Billing Charge Name. Select the “Enrollment Packet” line item from the Component drop-down list.

4. Enter the charge amount, check the box if the line item is taxable, and determine the billing cycle, and click “Save.”

5. Now, you may go to the Client-level and add this new line item to Clients’ invoices.

The following is an example Client invoice with the new “Enrollment Packet” line item added:

Comments, questions, or Tuesday Tip suggestions? Please leave them below or email us at info@travisoft.com!

New Form W-2 Reporting Requirement for COBRA Premiums

2012-02-23T15:36:00Z

A new burden imposed on certain employers by the Health Care Reform act (PPACA) is the requirement to report the cost of group health coverage on an employee’s IRS Form W-2, including that of former employees who enroll in COBRA continuation coverage. This new disclosure is required only for employers that prepare more than 250 W-2s for the preceding calendar year and is solely for informational purposes to provide employees with useful and comparable consumer information on the cost of their health care coverage. This requirement begins for 2012 Form W-2s, which are to be provided to employees/former employees on or before January 31, 2013.

IRS recently issued new guidance on this requirement (IRS Notice 2012-9), and Travis is currently working through this guidance to create a new report for both TravisCobra and WebCOBRA On Demand to provide employers and administrators with this newly needed group health benefit cost information.

The IRS Notice 2012-9 confirms that the reportable cost must represent both the Employer and Employee share of coverage, regardless of whether that cost was pre-tax or after-tax contributions. Form W-2s need only be provided to individuals that would otherwise need a W-2. For example, a COBRA participant that had a qualifying event during the 2012 calendar year would need a W-2 for the income earned during 2012. However, if his/her COBRA continuation benefits exceed into the 2013 calendar year, a 2013 W-2 would not need to be prepared, because he/she would not have earned income during 2013.

IRS Notice 2012-9 provided additional guidance to determine the aggregate cost of coverage to report on the W-2. Employers have flexibility as to how coverage is calculated and such calculation may vary by benefit plan, but the same method must be used with respect to a plan for every employee receiving coverage under that plan. For COBRA participants, the Notice clarified that an employer may calculate the reportable cost using several different methods, including the COBRA applicable premium method.

Generally, the reportable cost is primarily for insured group medical plans and includes all employer-sponsored coverage. However, dental and vision benefits that are excepted benefits for purposes of HIPAA are not required to be included, along with (i) HSAs, (ii) Health FSAs (wherein the salary reduction elected by employee does not exceed the amount of the FSA for the plan year), (iii) HRAs, and (iv) EAPs and wellness plans when the employer does not charge a premium with respect to coverage.

So that our customers can help employers with this new requirement, we are working to add a new report to both TravisCobra and WebCOBRA that provides the premiums paid by COBRA continuees. The report will provide the cost of coverage related to COBRA continuation for the applicable plans and is specifically designed to help employers accurately report the health plan cost to the IRS.

This new report is a natural addition to our COBRA systems, and one that will be available before W-2s are to be generated for 2012 earned income. We are happy to make changes to the systems such as this, and want to thank you again for being a Travis system user.

February’s Tuesday Tips for WebCOBRA & TravisCobra

2012-02-07T16:11:00Z

Hello again, and welcome back to Tuesday Tips! This month’s edition takes you step-by-step through the process of entering retroactive information in both our WebCOBRA and TravisCobra systems.

Occasionally, you might need to enter Participants into your system that have previously been on COBRA coverage and administered outside of WebCOBRA or TravisCobra. For instance, this could be the case in the event of a “Takeover” where a third-party administrator has gained a new client who was either administering COBRA for themselves or with another administrator previously.

To enter those participants with retroactive information, follow the applicable steps:

In WebCOBRA

1. Complete Steps 1-6 in the “Qualified Beneficiary Add Wizard” as you would when entering a new participant.

2. On Step 7 – Prior Activity, set the applicable radio button(s) to “Yes,” and enter the corresponding date(s) regarding QB Prior Activity:

QB Has Enrolled, and has made payments thru – Enter the last day of the month the QB has paid in full. For example, if the QB is paid through March, enter 3/31/2012. If the QB has made a partial payment for a given month, an adjustment for the partial month will need to be entered on the QB ledger once the QB record has been created.
Eligibility Notice has already been mailed – Enter the date the original Eligibility Notice was mailed. If the QB has not returned an Enrollment Form, the date entered will begin their initial 60-day Enrollment window.
You have already received the enrollment form – Enter the date the Enrollment Form was received. If the QB did not return their initial payment with their completed Enrollment Form, the date entered will begin their 45-day payment window.
You received an incomplete enrollment form – Enter the date an Incomplete Enrollment Form was received. WebCOBRA will create a line item on the QB’s history tab noting the date the Incomplete Enrollment Form was received.
Do you want to print a Takeover Letter for the QB group – Select “Yes” to send the QB group a notice notifying them of the change in their continuation administration. The “Takeover Letter” is customizable and can be edited globally or per Client via the Internet Word Processor in WebCOBRA.

3. When you are done, click the “Save and Continue” button.

4. Review the QB Wizard Summary in Step 8, and click the “Save and Add QB Group” button at the bottom to complete the QB Add process.

In TravisCobra

1. Select the “Add PQB” button from the menu bar.

2. Enter the PQB’s Personal and Event Information, and assign Benefits.

3. Select the “Retroactive” button to enter PQB Retroactivity.

You will be directed to the “PQB Retroactive Add” screen.

PRIOR COMMUNICATION
- Eligibility Notification Sent – Enter the date the original Eligibility Notice was mailed. If the QB has not returned an Enrollment Form, the date entered will begin their initial 60-day Enrollment window.
- Enrollment Form Received – Enter the date the Enrollment Form was received. If the QB did not return their initial payment with their completed Enrollment Form, the date entered will begin their 45-day payment window.

FUTURE COMMUNICATION
- Generate Enrollment Confirmation Letter – Select this option to generate an Enrollment Confirmation Notice the next time Auto-Processing is run.
- Generate Premium Coupons – Select this option to generate Premium Coupons the next time Auto-Processing is run.

PREMIUM ACCOUNT ACTIVITY
- First Premium Paid in Full – Select this option if the PQB has returned their first full premium
- Last Complete Premium Payment Received – If the PQB has paid through a certain month and/or returned their first full payment, enter the date the last payment was received.
- Next Premium Payment Due – Enter the date the next premium payment is due. For example, if the QB is paid through March, enter 04/01/2012.
- Current Account Balance – If the PQB has overpaid or underpaid for a certain month, the account balance can be adjusted with this field. If the PQB has a credit, enter a positive value. If the PQB owes an amount smaller than the premium for the prior month, a negative value should be entered.

4. Click “OK” when you are done entering this information.

5. You will be directed back to the main “PQB Add” screen. Click the “OK” button to complete the PQB Add process.

Upcoming Feature in WebCOBRA – New Qualifying Event of “HCTC / VEBA Eligibility”

2012-01-31T15:56:00Z

Travis is currently working to add a new Qualifying Event entitled “HCTC/VEBA Eligibility.” This Qualifying Event includes a 72.5% subsidy that is automatically applied and expires at the end of 2013.

A court recently approved the creation of an “Auto Retiree VEBA Trust,” which is a Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association designed to provide health benefits to eligible retired auto workers. A VEBA provides a way for employers to make a one-time contribution and satisfy the health liabilities of retirees. This VEBA is unique in that it is not tied to any one employer, but covers regional eligible retirees in the auto industry.

A benefit of the VEBA is that it qualifies for the recently expanded HCTC program. Legislation passed in late 2011 increased the HCTC tax credit to 72.5% of the applicable premium for qualifying coverage. This expanded program is currently scheduled to expire at the end of 2013.

As background, the HCTC program was introduced within the Trade Act of 2002 and provided a 65% tax credit for COBRA coverage for (i) individuals that receive Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), (ii) qualifying Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PGBC) pension payees, and (iii) qualified family members of TAA recipients and PBGC payees. The program was enhanced to a 72.5% tax credit of the applicable premium for qualifying coverage that continues to allow for VEBA-related coverage to qualify for the credit. This VEBA will be welcomed by retirees, because they will be able to purchase coverage through the VEBA as a pass-through, but the federal government will subsidize 72.5% of the cost.

The new “HCTC/VEBA Eligibility” qualifying event will automatically apply a 72.5% federal subsidy and will automatically expire at the end of 2013. Admittedly, the new “HCTC/VEBA Eligibility” is a rare qualifying event, but we strive to provide a wide range of functionality and system options, so that our customers can choose the features that best fit their business.

Welcoming The Year 2012

2012-01-18T16:00:00Z

As Travis welcomes the new year 2012, we wanted to take a moment to briefly discuss the landmark events that occurred during 2011 and let you know of the exciting new things that are planned for 2012!

We hope that each of you are off to a great start in 2012 and are pleased to have another year of annual enrollment period behind you!

Travis had an “interesting” 2011. Organizationally, the most visible change was that Alan Williams, Travis’ Founder, stepped back from the business so that Lauren Williams, his daughter, could take over the day-to-day operations of the company. Alan is certainly still involved in the company, but he is just spending more time away from the office.

One of the important improvements that we as a company have worked on in 2011 was the streamlining of the Support department so that issues are addressed in a more efficient manner with a goal of providing a quicker turnaround. We also worked to professionalize our administration department to make sure that orders are processed efficiently and invoices are provided to customers both in a timely and accurate manner.

We added over 30 new features to TravisCobra, as well as several to TravisFlex and our TBILL system during 2011, and plan to add other new features during 2012 and in the coming years.

Many of you who use WebCOBRA are interested in the upcoming availability of Release 2.0 of that system, which we worked on all during 2011. We are excited about Release 2.0 – it employs a new and even more stable system architecture and offers the features you’ve become accustomed to in the current WebCOBRA system together with several major new features discussed in previous emails.

As a first step in the process of upgrading you to WebCOBRA Release 2.0, we have now begun to schedule training sessions on the new release followed immediately by your having access to a fresh instance of the new release so that you can familiarize yourself and your staff with the system. This “test” instance of Release 2.0 is made available in addition to your being able to continue to use the current WebCOBRA release for production. If you are interested in scheduling your WebCOBRA 2.0 introduction, please contact Travis Whitmeyer, Travis’ Director of Sales and Marketing, at (281) 496-3737, ext 159.

Also during 2012 we will expand our system offerings to include a full Benefit and HR system – TravisBenefits/HR. We’ll be providing you with more information about that system as it comes closer to completion.

2012 has all the makings of an exciting year at Travis. We want to thank you for your support and are looking forward to delivering these new systems to you.

Announcement of Upcoming Enhancement to WebCOBRA On Demand & TravisCobra systems

2012-01-09T16:02:00Z

ObamaCare changed the future landscape of healthcare, but one change that is currently in effect is that a group health plan or health insurance issuer that offers group health insurance coverage must make dependent coverage of children available until a child’s attainment of 26 years of age. Specifically, for plan years beginning on and after January 1, 2011, a group health plan must provide health coverage for employees’ children until the child turns 26.

In 2010, the IRS issued Temporary Regulations regarding the coverage requirement. Travis Software usually does not make changes based upon temporary regulations, however, we received customer suggestions to incorporate this new change and felt it appropriate considering all of the attention ObamaCare is getting.

Next week, both WebCOBRA and TravisCobra systems will be enhanced with a new benefit plan option regarding child dependents and whether the plan seeks to extend coverage through to: the child’s (i) actual birthday, (ii) the end of the month that the child turns age 26, or (iii) the end of the year that the child turns age 26. This new option will work with a current existing option titled “Coverage Termination Method” that determines the first day after loss of coverage. The system will simply review a specific child dependent’s age and, if either such child is 25 or 26, the system will first look to the new option to determine the first day after loss of coverage. If no selection for this new option has been selected, the system will default to the existing option in place.

The temporary regulation permits an Administrator to terminate coverage as of the actual child dependent’s birthday, but the additional alternatives were added for flexibility since there are multiple interpretations that employers/insurance companies may take.

Upon the enhancement’s release, we will issue Release Notes that further detail the enhancement and the instructions on how to change the system default for each benefit plan.

To review the IRS Temporary Regulations, click here: http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=a35eb6b50b3f548d078afc85dc7aebd7&rgn=div8&view=text&node=26:17.0.1.1.5.0.1.76&idno=26.

January's Tuesday Tips for WebCOBRA

2012-01-03T16:00:00Z

Welcome to the first Tuesday Tips blog of 2012! This edition of Tuesday Tips outlines the process for correcting a Site User security role assignment in WebCOBRA On Demand.

The system is designed for Site Users to have just one security role assignment. In certain instances the system permits the assignment of multiple security roles to one Site User, but this is unnecessary when the “Supervisory Administrator” security role is selected.

The “Supervisory Administrator” security role allows the user to complete all of the functions in the system and is intended for such individuals that need unlimited access to the system. If a user is a “Supervisory Administrator,” then the other security roles, such as “Client Administrator” or “Compliance Administrator,” are already incorporated in the “Supervisory Administrator” security role. If multiple security roles are checked in addition to the “Supervisory Administrator,” the system interprets the additional security roles that are selected as an override and may potentially block the Site User from completing other system functions, permitted for a “Supervisory Administrator.”

This Tuesday Tips serves as a “check” so that you can make sure each “Supervisory Administrator” does not have the other security roles checked, as this is unnecessary and could potentially block certain data from being viewed such as Client names in report selections or the ability to search for specific Qualified Beneficiaries.

To modify the security roles for a Site User, perform the following steps:

1. From the WebCOBRA home screen, select “Supervisor Only,” and then “Users.”

2. Scroll down and click “Site Users” from the table.

3. Select the “Edit” link next to the Site User login for which you want to correct a security role assignment.

4. You will be directed to the “Security Roles” tab for the User. Select “Yes” next to the appropriate role, and “No” to the other selections.

5. Click the “Save Security Settings” button when done.

6. A message will appear stating, “Editing User Roles saved correctly.”

Travis Holidays 2012

2011-12-20T15:30:00Z

All of us at Travis hope you had a wonderful holiday season and are looking forward to a great New Year! As we do each year at this time, we want to give you the days in 2012 when Travis’ offices will be closed for holidays.

Monday, January 2nd – New Year’s Day

Monday, January 16th – Martin Luther King Day

Friday, April 6th – Good Friday

Monday, May 28th – Memorial Day

Wednesday, July 4th – Independence Day

Monday, September 3rd – Labor Day

Thursday, November 22nd – Thanksgiving

Friday, November 23rd – Day After Thanksgiving

Tuesday, December 25th – Christmas Day

Thank you again for being a Travis customer and for your support during this past year. We hope you find joy in the New Year!

December's Tuesday Tips for TravisFlex Users

2011-12-06T16:00:00Z

Welcome back to Tuesday Tips, December 2011 edition! The holiday season has begun, which means the new year is just around the corner. We here at Travis know that this time of year is especially busy for our TravisFlex system users, and wanted to give you a review of a couple functions in the system. This month’s Tuesday Tips includes instructions for re-exporting claims and re-importing daily settlements that did not export or import. Also, we have included an overview of Year End Processing in TravisFlex.

Steps to Re-Export Claims

If an incorrect amount was entered for a claim or if a claim was just not included in the original file, a User would need to re-export claims to Evolution in TravisFlex, as outlined in the steps below.

1. Reset to the Admin/Employer for which the manual claims were originally created.

2. Open the specific Employee’s record and click the “Claims” button.

3. Select the claim to be re-exported, and click “Edit.” Click the “Unaccept” button, and then “Yes” to confirm. Click “OK.”

4. The status of the claim will change to “Open.” Select the claim and click “Edit” again. Click the “Accept” button. Click “Yes” to confirm, and then “OK.”

5. Enter the Accepted Amount and click “OK.”

6. From the “File” menu, select “Debit Cards” and then “Evolution.” Click “Create Export File” and continue with the normal export process for claims.

Steps to Re-Import Daily Settlements

If there is a network time-out or there has been some kind of network-related error, daily settlement import files can become corrupted during the import process. In this situation, you would need to re-import daily settlements, as outlined in the steps given below.

1. Locate and open the “EbInbox” folder in your TravisFlex directory.

2. Click the heading to sort by the “Date Modified.” Look for the latest daily settlement file.

3. Rename the file that did not get imported (for instance, you could add the letter “A” to the end of the original file name).

4. Open your TravisFlex system and reset to the Admin level.

5. From the “File” menu, select “Debit Cards” and then “Evolution.”

6. Click “Import Daily Settlements” and continue with the normal import process.

Overview of the Year End Process in TravisFlex

TravisFlex tracks information by years: prior, current, and future. The Year End Process in TravisFlex is used to move current year claims to the prior year, and the future year will become the current year. For example, we are going into 2012, so the current year, 2011, will become the prior year, 2012 will become the current year and 2013 will be the future year.

Please note that the Prior Year Purge Process and the Year End Process require exclusive use of TravisFlex. No other users may be logged into TravisFlex.

1. First, we highly recommend that you make a backup of the system before running these processes.

2. Run reports on the current Prior Year data (2009 data), as this data will be deleted during the Prior Year Purge Process. Recommended reports to run include:

Forfeiture Report: Employer Report C
Pended Claims: Payment Report C
Paid Claims: Payment Report D
Pending Claims: Payment Report E
Account Balance by Category: Payment Report F
Account Balance by Employee: Payment Report G
Benefit Account Listing: Benefit Report A
Medical Expense Overdraft: Benefit Report E

3. In order for the system to move the current year data (2011 data) into the prior year, the records that are currently prior year (2010) must be purged.

To do this, run the “Prior Year Purge Process” from the “Utility” menu. This process will permanently delete all 2010 (Prior Year) data and is done per Employer.

During the process, you will be asked if you would like to archive the data. If you have already created a backup, this information is already saved. If you chose to archive the data, it will be done on a per Employer basis, so you can view each Employer’s information individually.

4. The final step is to move the future year data (2012) into the current year data. This final step is done by executing the “Year End Process” from the “Utility” menu.

If you have the Evolution debit card module, you will be prompted during the Year End Process, “Has employee information for the upcoming plan year been sent, and successfully loaded into Evolution?” IMPORTANT: Only click “Yes” if you have sent over future year debit card information to Evolution before starting the Year End Process. This is usually the case if you have been using Evolution throughout the year and future year benefits were added. Choose “No” if you have not sent over future year debit card information. This is usually the case if you are new to Evolution and will be setting up new employees next year.

For more information on system operation functionality for Year End Processing or any questions regarding TravisFlex, please contact the Travis Support Team either by phone, (281) 496-3737, option 3, or by logging into the Self Service Portal.

Reminder of Office Closures for the Upcoming Holiday Season

2011-11-18T16:23:00Z

As the holiday season approaches, we at Travis wanted to send a quick reminder of the days that the Travis office will be closed. With the exception of the holidays listed below, our office will be open as usual and the Travis Support Team will be available from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm, Central Standard Time, at 281-496-3737 and select Option 3.

Thursday, November 24th – Thanksgiving

Friday, November 25th – Day After Thanksgiving

Monday, December 26th – Day After Christmas

Monday, January 2nd – Day After New Year’s Day

We wish you all a safe and happy holiday season!

Travis Software Presents November's Tuesday Tips for WebCOBRA and TravisCobra

2011-11-01T15:30:00Z

Tuesday Tips is back with helpful hints for WebCOBRA and TravisCobra! In our Tuesday Tips blog posts, we discuss and give step-by-step instructions for common features or recently introduced functionality in our systems.

November’s Tuesday Tip illustrates how to perform rate changes in both our WebCOBRA and TravisCobra systems. Rate changes are generally performed when an Administrator is notified by a Carrier of new premium rates that begin on the Plan Anniversary Date.

A step-by-step list of instructions for performing a rate change in WebCOBRA and in TravisCobra is provided below.

Steps to Perform a Rate Change

WebCOBRA

1. From the WebCOBRA home screen, select “Benefit Plan – View All” from the Benefit Plans section.

2. Select “Edit” next to the Benefit Plan for which you want to make a rate change.

3. From the Benefit Plan’s “Rates” tab, select the “Make a Rate Change” button to begin the “Rate Change Wizard.”

4. Complete Step 1 – Plan Selection. Review the Benefit Plan’s basic information and verify that this is the plan to which you would like to make a rate change. Click “Continue” when done.

5. Complete Step 2 – Current Rates. Review and verify the Current Plan Information for this Benefit Plan, including Current Premium Rates and Current Rate Start Date. Click “Continue.”

6. Complete Step 3 – Effective Date. Enter the “New Rates to Start on” date. Optional fields allow Users to increase or decrease the total number of tiers for tier-based plans, automatically increase rates by a percentage, and/or enter in the rate expiration date and the date for a reminder notification to generate. Select “Choose and Continue.”

7. Complete Step 4 – Edit Rates. Enter the new rates for the Benefit Plan. Click “Choose and Continue.”

8. Complete Step 5 – Print Coupons. Select whether you would like to send the QBs affected by the rate change an updated Premium Coupon set. If you select “Yes,” a Date Range (Start and End date) must be entered. Select “Continue.”

9. Complete Step 6 – Review and Save. Review and verify the Rate Change Wizard Summary information. Select “Conduct Rate Change” when done.

Please note that rate changes may not immediately be visible on QB ledgers or immediately available for disbursement. Please allow a few hours before processing disbursements or accepting Premium Coupons generated in correspondence while QB ledgers are being rebuilt.

TravisCobra

1. Reset to the Employer in which the Benefit Plan you want to make a rate change to resides.

2. Select the “Edit Benefits” icon.

3. Select the appropriate Benefit Plan from the list.

4. Click the “Rates” button.

A pop-up message will appear to remind you that no one should currently be working in the system with PQBs that will be affected by the rate change. Click “OK.”

5. Enter in the new “Rates Take Effect” date and new Premium Rates. Please note that the year format is limited to 2 spaces. For example: If the new rate takes effect January 1, 2012, the “Rates Take Effect” date should be entered as 01/01/12. Select “OK” when done.

6. A pop-up message will appear asking, “You have entered a new Start Date. Will plan rates go into effect on this date?” Confirm the rate change by selecting “Yes.”

Travis Software Announces New President, Lauren M. Williams

2011-10-28T18:15:00Z

Travis Software is pleased to announce that Lauren M. Williams has been promoted to President of the Company effective October 28, 2011. Lauren will continue to fill the role of Chief Operating Officer for the Company, a role she has held since January of this year.

In her new role as President, Lauren will increasingly be the chief spokesperson for the Company, responsible for managing relationships with customers as well as continuing to maintain the Company’s growth and smooth operation.

“Having practiced as an ERISA attorney for several years prior to joining Travis in 2009, Lauren brought a wealth of capability to the Company. She has made a tremendous contribution guiding the Company’s transformation from an adolescent to a mature organization over the past two years,” said Alan Williams, Chairman of Travis. “I’m delighted she has agreed to take on her the responsibilities of President so that she can continue to guide how we serve our current customers as well as realize the growth and new product directions planned for Travis in the next several years.”

Administer COBRA the Way YOU Want to, with WebCOBRA and TravisCobra from Travis Software Corp.

2011-10-27T13:41:00Z

WebCOBRA continues to dominate the COBRA administration software market with over 500 administrator and employer organizations using the system! And TravisCobra, the leading Windows-based system for COBRA administration, continues to have several hundred users as well. Why is that? Our customers consistently tell us it’s because both systems are feature-rich, dependable, and because we listen to and accommodate our customers’ suggestions rather than forcing our own beliefs of how COBRA ought to be done and how the systems ought to work. Both systems are constantly updated to make them extremely flexible. With both systems, YOU get to choose from an array of options allowing you to administer COBRA the way you see fit.

Travis is unique not only because we invented COBRA software in 1986 through the initial release of TravisCobra and reinvented COBRA software in 2005 with WebCOBRA, but also because both systems continue to be the most flexible COBRA systems available today. We view that as part of our obligation in being the market leader, a position we’ve held for 25 years.

While some requirements of COBRA administration are “black letter law” and can only be done one way, there are many, many situations that come up daily in COBRA administration that are subject to varying interpretation by the administrator or employer. We at Travis focus on accommodating a variety of COBRA situations and customer opinions to incorporate the flexibility and functionality into our systems required to meet the varying opinions about how COBRA should be administered. There’s usually not just one way to interpret a COBRA issue, and we want our systems to support you with automated functionality no matter what your interpretation.

By using either WebCOBRA or TravisCobra, you get the benefit of opinions and the experience of hundreds of COBRA administrators who, over the past 25 years, have asked Travis to enhance our systems to accommodate various routines and situations they have encountered. We are aggressive in adding these capabilities when customers provide us with their suggestions and ideas, typically adding new options to allow for the various interpretations rather than try to impose our understanding of how COBRA administration “should be done” by not making those options available.

For more information about WebCOBRA or TravisCobra, feel free to contact Travis’ Sales & Marketing Department at (281) 496-3737, ext. 159.