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Your Zorro employee experience overview!

Updated over 5 months ago

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What is ICHRA?

ICHRA stands for Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Instead of a traditional group plan, your employer provides you with a monthly stipend (allowance) that you use to purchase healthcare coverage on the individual market.

Key Benefits of ICHRA

  • More Choice: Access to multiple carriers and provider networks (typically 50-150 different plans)

  • Flexibility: Choose coverage that suits your specific medical needs

  • Individual Ownership: You own your health insurance plan (the "I" in ICHRA stands for individual)

How ICHRA Differs from Traditional Group Plans

With traditional group plans, you're limited to one carrier with perhaps one to three plan options. With ICHRA, you can select from all available carriers in your area, giving you significantly more flexibility.

Important Things to Know

Plan Availability

  • Insurance carriers decide which markets they serve, often down to the county level

  • Plan availability varies by location

  • Neither your employer nor Zorro determines which carriers are available

  • We simply show you all options in your area

HSA Plans

  • HSA plans are available within ICHRA

  • The health plan itself does not include an HSA account

  • You would need to open an HSA account separately (Zorro does not currently maintain HSAs)

Pricing Factors

Individual plan pricing depends primarily on your age:

  • Younger individuals typically have lower premiums

  • Premiums increase with age

  • Your medical history does not affect pricing

  • Carriers cannot charge more for pre-existing conditions

Understanding Metal Tiers

Plans are organized by metal tiers:

  1. Bronze:

    • Lowest monthly premiums

    • Highest deductibles

    • Ideal for young, healthy individuals who rarely need medical care

  2. Silver:

    • Balanced premiums and deductibles

    • Middle-ground coverage

  3. Gold & Platinum:

    • Highest premiums

    • Lowest or no deductibles

    • Minimal out-of-pocket expenses

How Your Allowance Works

Key Points About Your Allowance

  • Your employer provides an allowance to cover premium costs

  • The allowance is for monthly premiums only (not deductibles or copayments)

  • Based on factors including age and location

  • The allowance doesn't limit your plan choices

Using Your Allowance

  • If plan costs more than allowance: The difference is deducted from your paycheck pre-tax

  • If plan costs less than allowance: You can choose the less expensive plan

  • Your monthly allowance amount is displayed when you log into Zorro

  • Check the documents section for the allocation model based on age


Getting Started with Zorro

Account Activation

  1. You'll receive an activation email from Zorro

  2. You'll also receive a welcome email with:

    • Enrollment window dates

    • Helpful links

  3. Important: Activate your account even if you plan to waive coverage (this creates a record of your decision)

Plan Selection Process

Step 1: Log In and View Your Allowance

When you log in, you'll immediately see your monthly allowance amount.

Step 2: Access Support if Needed

  • Click "View instructions" to access enrollment specialist scheduling

  • Schedule 30-minute consultations with licensed insurance specialists

Step 3: Begin Shopping

Click "Get Started" to begin shopping for plans.

Step 4: Complete Your Profile

  • Pre-populated information includes: name, date of birth, and address

  • You'll need to add:

    • Social Security number

    • Citizenship status

    • Marital status

    • Spouse/dependent information (if applicable)

Step 5: Select Your Healthcare Usage Level

Choose your expected healthcare usage to help our AI identify suitable plans:

  • Essential: Annual physical check-up and routine care

  • Moderate: Occasional visits and minor procedures

  • Above Average: Regular specialist visits

  • Extensive: Chronic conditions requiring frequent care

Note: These selections guide recommendations but don't limit your actual healthcare usage.

Step 6: Enter Your Healthcare Preferences

  • Add your current doctors (the system geo-locates based on your address)

  • Enter medications (include both brand names and generics)

  • Select up to three factors most important to you:

    • Keeping current doctors

    • Ensuring medication coverage

    • Specialist access without referrals

    • Low deductible

    • Low out-of-pocket costs

  • Arrange preferences by order of importance


Viewing and Selecting Plans

Plan Information Displayed

Each plan shows:

  • Monthly premium

  • Your cost after employer allowance

  • Deductible

  • Out-of-pocket maximum

  • Doctor/medication coverage status

Viewing Options

  1. Best Match: Highlights the one plan optimized for your priorities

  2. All-In Cost Plans: Sorts all plans by total expected costs

  3. All Plans: Complete list of every available plan

Filtering Options

  • By carrier

  • By metal tier

  • By network type

  • HSA eligible plans

AI Assistant

An AI assistant is available throughout the process to answer questions.

Confirming Your Selection

  1. Select the radio button on your chosen plan

  2. Click "Confirm" to continue

  3. Review your plan summary including:

    • Who is covered

    • Monthly contribution

    • Other plan details

  4. Click "Submit"

  5. Enter your full name and agree to the medical elections consent

Important: Always verify with your doctors that they accept your chosen plan, even if the platform shows they're covered. Call your doctor's office directly rather than the insurance carrier.

After Selection: Enrollment Process

Selecting a plan doesn't automatically enroll you. Here's what happens next:

  1. The enrollment team submits your application to the carrier

  2. In 95% of cases, we handle everything

  3. Occasionally, carriers require additional steps (like e-signatures)

  4. We'll email you if additional action is needed


Understanding Zorro Pay

What is Zorro Pay?

Since carriers expect individuals (not employers) to pay for plans, Zorro creates an electronic debit card in your name.

Key Features

  • No credit check required

  • Will not impact your credit

  • Your employer funds the full premium amount

  • Your portion (if any) is deducted from payroll pre-tax

  • Cards are locked to specific carriers and amounts

  • Cannot be used for other purchases

Important: Use your personal card for medical expenses like copayments, not the Zorro Pay card.

Autopay Setup

  • We typically set up autopay automatically

  • Check your portal for confirmation:

    • Green checkmarks = all set

    • Red X = action needed (check email for next steps)

  • Never use personal credit cards for premium payments

  • If manual setup is needed, use only your Zorro Pay card

Your Responsibilities as Plan Owner

  1. Set up your carrier account to monitor coverage

  2. Verify autopay is working

  3. Review monthly statements

  4. Report any qualifying life events for coverage changes

  5. Pay attention to Zorro emails requiring action


Medicare Information

If You're 65 or Older

  • You must enroll in Medicare

  • You cannot use individual marketplace plans

  • You can use your employer allowance for Medicare premiums through reimbursement

Medicare Payment Process

  1. Medicare carriers do not accept Zorro Pay

  2. Pay out-of-pocket with your personal card

  3. You'll be reimbursed up to your employer's allowance automatically through paycheck

Medicare on Zorro Platform

  • If eligible for Medicare, you'll see a special screen when selecting plans

  • Already have Medicare: Report your plans and upload premium documentation

  • First-time enrollment: Click "I need help selecting a Medicare plan" to connect with specialists

Remember to upload your premium documentation to receive reimbursement through payroll.


Need Help?

Contact Zorro support at: [email protected]

Remember to:

  • Activate your account

  • Verify doctor networks

  • Use Zorro Pay for premiums

We're here to help ensure you find the coverage that best fits your needs!

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