The Rochester Business Alliance offers a variety of health, dental and vision products from Preferred Care and BlueCross BlueShield at group rates to verified employees of member firms. We can insure self-employed individuals as well as employer groups of any size. You must be a member in good standing in order to participate in the insurance group.

There are specific enrollment procedures and documents required for each carrier. Once you have decided on the plan you want, contact our insurance department for the plan requirements.

Depending on the plan you select, there may be an employee participation requirement. The Blue Million, Blue EPO Balance, dental and vision programs require a minimum of 75 percent participation of all employees in order to be offered. In addition, in order to enroll in the BlueCross Smile Saver dental and 20/20 vision plans, you must also have BlueCross medical if your company has less than 10 employees. Sole proprietors are not eligible for the Smile Saver dental plan.

The Rochester Business Alliance bills quarterly for all insurance plans. Monthly billing is not available. You will be billed 30 days before your due date. Quarterly payments will be due on March 20, June 20, September 20, and December 20. There are no grace periods for any of the plans. Coverage will be canceled if payment is not received by the due date. If payment is not made, the policy will not be reinstated until the next open enrollment period.

The Rochester Business Alliance's anniversary date is January 1. At this time, a person may switch to another health insurance plan. This is the only time you can change insurance plans.

All plans have a one-year waiting period for any pre-existing conditions. However, if you have been covered by another health insurance plan for at least one year with no more than a 63-day lapse in coverage, the waiting period will be waived.

We can begin contracts on the 1st of each month for new businesses joining the Rochester Business Alliance. The paperwork and payment must be received by the 20th of the previous month. To start a policy, contact our insurance department and indicate the desired plan along with the type of coverage needed. (For example, single, sponsor or family; Blue Choice, Blue Million or Preferred Care). You will then be sent the appropriate forms along with payment information. Applications should be returned to the Rochester Business Alliance, not the insurance carrier. An application will not be processed if payment is not included or if the firm is not a member of the Rochester Business Alliance. Paperwork and payment received after the due date will not be processed until the next available enrollment date.

When enrolling into the Rochester Business Alliance group, you must stay on the insurance for at least one year from when you enroll unless employment is terminated. If a person is dropped during the year, they will not be reinstated for a period of one year.

To delete an individual from the insurance, it must be in writing. BlueCross
BlueShield plans can be canceled on any date with written notice. Preferred Care and Guardian DentalGuard plans are canceled on the 1st of any month and written notice must be received by the 1st of the month the policy is to be canceled. A refund will be issued if there is an overpayment minus administration fees. Cobra coverage is available for terminated employees of a Rochester Business Alliance member firm.

Please note if Rochester Business Alliance membership dues are not current, insurance will be canceled. A refund will be issued if there is an overpayment of premium.

Checks should be made payable to the Rochester Business Alliance, not the insurance carrier. A company check must be submitted unless the check is from the designated Rochester Business Alliance contact person as indicated on the Rochester Business Alliance membership application. Personal checks will not be accepted from employees of member firms. Payments can also be made with Visa or MasterCard.

A $15 fee will be charged each time a check is returned by the bank. A money order or bank check must be provided to cover the original check. Cancellation in coverage will result if the check is not taken care of immediately.