How should I communicate with carriers while an integration is pending?

While a carrier integration is in Pending status, you must continue using your existing manual communication methods with the carrier. The integration is not yet transmitting data, so the carrier will not automatically receive enrollment updates from BerniePortal.

Continue Your Current Process

Use whatever process you were using before implementing the Carrier Exchange to notify carriers about enrollment changes. This may include:

• Completing and submitting carrier-specific enrollment forms
• Sending emails to carrier representatives or dedicated enrollment email addresses
• Faxing enrollment change forms
• Calling the carrier's broker services line
• Uploading information through the carrier's broker portal
• Any other method you've established with that specific carrier

What to Communicate

During the pending period, you'll need to manually report all enrollment changes, including:

• New employee enrollments
• Terminations
• Dependent additions or removals
• Coverage level changes (e.g., employee-only to employee + spouse)
• Address or demographic updates
• Life event changes

Timeline Considerations

Since most integrations take up to 60 days to become active, plan for an extended period of manual communication. Don't assume the integration will activate quickly—maintain your manual processes consistently until you see the integration status change to Active in the Configure tab.

Best Practice: Maintain Documentation

During the pending period, keep records of what you communicate to carriers and when. This documentation will be helpful if any discrepancies arise once the integration becomes active.

When Manual Communication Ends

Once the integration moves to Active status, enrollment changes made in BerniePortal will automatically sync to the carrier according to their sync schedule. At that point, you can stop your manual communication processes for that specific carrier integration.