Administrative services ASO plans
PW_M010500
Sometimes larger employers prefer to fund employee benefits for short term disabilities as they occur, rather than buying a traditional insurance plan. But removing the insurer from the picture means the employer becomes responsible for all of the specialized functions involved in administering an STD plan. That may be more than the employer wants to take on. An Administrative Services Only plan from Anthem Life can give employers the best of both worlds.
This section includes:
With an ASO plan, the employer funds the claim payments but pays Anthem Life to process the claims. That relieves the employer of the responsibility for deciding which claims qualify for payment under the benefit plan…and which ones don’t.
Having Anthem Life make the payment determinations gives the employer full access to our experience and resources, ensures the privacy of employee health information, and protects the employer and employees by providing a totally objective claim evaluation process.
Under a standard ASO arrangement Anthem Life investigates and evaluates claims, prepares biweekly benefit payments, and sends the payments to the employer for distribution. We do required withholding for income taxes and for the employee’s portion of Social Security and Medicare taxes. Then we provide detailed monthly and annual paid claim reports, to keep the employer fully informed.
Anthem Life can customize the services to meet special needs:
 | coordinate claim activity and reporting for multiple employer locations |
| pay benefits weekly, or mail benefit checks directly to employees, or send the employer a payment advisory instead of a benefit check so the employer can make payments through their payroll system |
| perform tax withholding beyond what is required, or produce W-2’s and W-2 data filings |
| prepare benefit plan description materials for employees |
Our flexible ASO services let each employer define the ideal balance of control and protection. The employer gains the desired cash flow advantages. Anthem Life provides professional claim evaluation and does as much (or as little) of the benefit administration as the employer chooses.
For additional details, Anthem Life producers should refer to the Producer Toolkit. | 
