Communication and updates from RAM vendor partners

During these challenging times it can be unnerving to not have a clear picture on how your insurance and other benefits will be impacted. For programs under our Association, we have been pleased with the communication we have gotten from our vendor partners not only to us but to our members. We wanted to give you an update as to how our partners have been communicating to us and our member base.

Cove Risk Services has been our Third-Party Administrator (TPA) for the Workers Compensation Group since its inception in 1991. They have been communicating through their website and email blasts. Deb Smith, VP of Marketing and Laura Gillis, Director of Sales and Marketing have sent updates to the broker community and have been diligent in providing guidance for our Workers Comp program. One area of guidance at this time is that Cove Risk asks that you do not adjust payrolls, but instead consider deferring your April installment and now your May installment and waiting 30 days until we know where things are headed. Information is changing so rapidly and they are simply unable to amend policies as quickly as necessary to immediately impact billing. That's why they prefer to offer payment flexibility, payment extensions, cancellation forgiveness, Pay-Go/EFT options, and credit card payments as the primary solutions. More information will be made available through their website https://www.coverisk.com/customers/coronavirus-updates/.

Both of our health cooperative carriers, BCBSMA and Fallon, have been steady in their communication and RAM conducts weekly calls as well to stay informed of the changing health insurance landscape. At this time, it is a very active renewal period for small businesses and both carriers have been timely and responsive in providing quotes, working with new and existing members and answering any questions. Please visit BCBSMA at www.bcbsma.org or Fallon at www.fallonhealth.org. For additional questions, contact Joe Barnes at [email protected] or at 978-478-7430.

RAM continues to offer our discounted credit card program through our partner, Retailers Processing Network. RPN is a subsidiary of the Michigan Retailers Association and has been a valuable resource for our members to get an honest, thorough evaluation of their current processing situation and insight into whether our solution may be a fit for them. If you’d like more information please email our Business Development Director, Joe Barnes at [email protected].

Lastly, our payroll partner, ConnectPay, has been on the front lines working diligently with their customers and our members navigating the complexities of this pandemic as it pertains to decisions on employee layoffs, furloughs, etc. Please feel free to reach out to their Director of Sales, Matt Venuto, whether you are a client or not, as they will be glad to answer or direct you to the appropriate resources. Matt can be reached at [email protected].