Employers – Questions & Answers

Common questions about Roaring Fork Valley Community Health Plan

If you cannot find the answers you need on this website, contact Roaring Fork Valley Community Health Plan directly at 970-704-9421 or via email.

What is Roaring Fork Valley Community Health Plan?
Roaring Fork Valley Community Health Plan is a not-for-profit entity formed in 1993 to address the health care issues of employers in the Roaring Fork valley. Roaring Fork Valley Community Health Plan has been focused on large business for several years and now has options for small to medium businesses and individuals.

What makes Roaring Fork Valley Community Health Plan different from other insurance in the valley?
Roaring Fork Valley Community Health Plan is designed as a collaborative effort between all parties involved in healthcare purchasing: Doctors, Hospitals, insurers, businesses, and citizens. Our insurance carrier, Aetna, allows access to financial benchmarking and reporting information that pinpoints the cost of healthcare for the residents of the valley. Other ways that this is different are:

• Chamber-specific health plan solutions offered by Aetna
• Valley-wide network
• Endorsed by the local chambers
• Ben-e-lect custom plan designs
• Robust reporting packages for small businesses

What is the relationship with Aetna?
The relationship is a long-term contract between Aetna and Roaring Fork Valley Community Health Plan. Aetna agrees to make best efforts to summarize and report the financial performance, including health care costs and utilization metrics specific to business sold through this partnership. Aetna has created custom plan designs specific to the residents of the Roaring Fork Valley.

What is the relationship with Ben-e-lect?
An agreement with Ben-e-lect, a consumer-driven health care provider, gives employers the option to select high deductible plans for either the RFVCHP health plans by Aetna, or any other carrier, and administer up to three custom plan designs. The Ben-e-lect plan designs can create tax savings for both the participant employees and for the sponsoring employer, a powerful tool to keep rising health care costs in check.

How does it work with the local Chambers of Commerce?
By being a member of a participating Chamber of Commerce, members are eligible for discounted medical insurance from Aetna. With Chamber plans, Aetna will also offer financial benchmarking and reporting information to promote quality health care coverage at competitive prices.

The chambers participating in the RFVCHP are also endorsing Ben-e-lect, a unique tool for small employers that allows them to save health care costs by using HRAs and HSAs (Health Reimbursement Accounts and Health Savings Accounts). This program offers small employers the chance to offer customized benefit solutions that have proven savings. Another feature is a discounted Section 125 plan for pre-tax savings, plus a comprehensive reporting package that helps small employers understand their plan utilization in new ways. The ability to provide customized wellness programs that can be delivered at the employer level is also unlike any other program on the market. Some employers may choose to offer discounted deductibles or co-payments for employees who complete health risk assessments, blood draws, and other wellness initiatives that help promote a healthy workforce and lifestyle.

Why are the providers interested in the Roaring Fork Valley Community Health Plan?
The provider groups agree to take action to address trends and opportunities to provide efficient health care utilization. They wanted to attract an insurer to the valley to ensure competitive health care and quality delivery for valley residents.

What is Van Gilder's role?
As Development Consultant, Van Gilder has been contracted to find a suitable insurer for the valley. They will continue to oversee the development of programs associated with Roaring Fork Valley Community Health Plan. Van Gilder will also oversee the distribution of the program by working with brokers and providing information as it pertains to legislative changes and how they affect the residents of the valley. Van Gilder will also use their data analysis tools to provide ongoing benchmarks for plan performance.

What does Roaring Fork Valley Community Health Plan do to foster health education?
In addition to providing health fairs and seminars, Roaring Fork Valley Community Health Plan will provide ongoing technical review and oversight to research, analyze valley-wide health data. The information will be used to determine the programs and practices needed to make Roaring Fork Valley Community Health Plan a true advocate for valley-wide wellness.

How can I get more information on Roaring Fork Valley Community Health Plan?
Contact Roaring Fork Valley Community Health Plan directly at 970-704-9421 or via email.