Let us know if you have questions or comments by calling (206) 282-4500 or (800) 225-7620, or by .
What should I do if I do not have my ID card yet?
You should have your Sound Health & Wellness ID within 3 weeks of when you first become eligible for benefits. If you have been eligible for more than 3 weeks and you have not received your ID card in the mail, please call us at (206) 282-4500 or (800) 225-7620.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
Will I receive a debit card to use for my health reimbursement arrangement (HRA)?
Though many HRA programs use a debit card, your LiveWell HRA does not require one. The Trust handles all the paperwork affiliated with your LiveWell HRA. Bank of America will not be sending out debit cards to Sound Health & Wellness participants.
Who do I contact with questions about my HRA?
Bank of America administers the LiveWell HRA. They have recently implemented a new, dedicated toll-free number to more efficiently handle Sound Health & Wellness Trust participant questions. Call 1-888-590-SHWT (7498) Monday – Friday, 5:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time if you have any questions about your HRA.
What is the purpose of the HRA and how does it benefit me?
The LiveWell HRA gives participants extra funds to provide first dollar coverage for the majority of their medical care expenses. Not until you have exhausted your HRA funds will you have to pay your deductible. Having an HRA can help you become more aware of the true cost of health care and empower you with greater control over your own health care spending. Also, any unused funds roll over to the next year.
How does my health reimbursement arrangement work?
Each year, each employee receives a Trust-funded Health Reimbursement Arrangement account—$500 for those with employee-only coverage and $1,000 for those with family coverage. These funds are used to cover the first eligible medical expenses covered by the plan in each calendar year. Now when you receive medical services for which you used to have to pay for part or all of the cost, first the bill will be submitted to your medical plan, then it will go directly to your LiveWell HRA for automatic payment—with no claim forms, bills or hassles for you. You will receive a monthly statement from Bank of America with account activity and your balance.
I receive my monthly HRA statement from Bank of America. How can I tell which provider was paid from the HRA account?
If your statement is not clear, you will need to contact Bank of America and ask them if a specific provider was paid, or logon to the Bank of America website at https://benefits.bankofamerica.com/boa-cdhpweb/memberLogin.do to check on specific claims paid from your HRA.
Does Bank of America receive my medical information? What information do they receive?
Bank of America receives only basic claims data needed to make payments from your HRA on your behalf, including (but not limited to) patient name, subscriber and dependent identifying numbers, date of service, type of service, provider name, and amount eligible for HRA payment.
What is covered under the HRA?
HRA funds are used to cover eligible medical expenses for such things as your doctor office visits, lab tests, x-rays, emergency room co-pays, in-network co-insurance or other eligible, covered medical expenses. For SoundPlus participants, out-of-network benefits are also covered.
What is not covered under the HRA?
The HRA will not be used for prescription, dental or vision benefits. For Sound plan participants, the HRA will not be used for out-of-network benefits. The LiveWell HRA will not be used for in network provider preventive care like wellness visits and mammograms that are already covered in full through LiveWell Prevention @ 100%. The deductible is not covered by the HRA either. However, you will only have to pay the deductible once your HRA is exhausted.
How is the HRA administered?
When you go to a medical care provider, the provider sends a claim to your health plan. Your health plan (either the Sound Health & Wellness Trust if you are a PPO participant, or Group Health if you are a Group Health Options participant) will first apply any payable benefits to the HRA and then automatically send a claim to the HRA for payment. At this point, if you have adequate money in your fund, your LiveWell HRA will pay your doctor for your claim. If the HRA is used up, then the plan will pay its portion of the bill after the deductible is met.
What should I do if I think a mistake was made and something was paid or denied on my HRA account?
Contact Bank of America, the LiveWell HRA administrator. Call 1-888-590-SHWT (7498) Monday – Friday, 5:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
Are non covered benefits eligible to be paid by the HRA?
No, only covered medical benefits can be paid by the HRA.
If I don’t use my HRA this year, does it carry over into next year?
Yes. Unused funds in a calendar year are rolled over into the next year as long as you keep working for a participating employer and maintain your benefit eligibility status. (The amounts rolled over may be lower if you are a participant for less than the full year). So the better you manage your health and cost of health services this year, the more money you’ll have left in your HRA to roll over to next year.
Who funds the HRA account?
Sound Health & Wellness Trust funds each participant’s HRA.
My EOB shows HRA/deductible. How can I tell if it’s deductible or was covered by my HRA?
On your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements from Sound Health & Wellness Trust or Group Health, you will see an “HRA/deductible” amount that includes your deductible plus your HRA amount. Your LiveWell HRA automatically pays for the first $500 (for employee only) or $1,000 (for families) before any covered expenses are applied to your deductible. Here’s an example of what it looks like:
If you have employee only coverage under the Sound Plan, and your medical deductible was $250 before, it now appears on your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) as $750 ($250 deductible + $500 HRA). Your LiveWell HRA will automatically cover the first $500 in covered medical expenses. You are responsible for paying $250
Click here if you are a PPO participant
Click here if you are a Retiree participant
Click here if you are a Group Health Options participant
