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Washington Small Group Employer Application

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2020 Washington Small Group EMPLOYER APPLICATION

All plans offered and underwritten by Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest, 500 NE Multnomah St, Portland, OR 97232.

1 ABOUT BUSINESS

Legal business name

Doing business as (DBA)

Physical street address (no P.O. boxes) City State ZIP County

Phone Fax

Type of business

In business since Federal tax ID (EIN) number NAICS code Website

Workers' compensation

If Yes or Pending, name of carrier Policy #

Exempt from providing workers' compensation for the following reason:

2 OTHER MEDICAL COVERAGE

Does your company or affiliated company(ies) have or has it ever had group coverage directly through Kaiser Permanente? Group ID Company name

Does your company currently have active group health coverage? Name of carrier Renewal date

Will you be offering another carrier’s small group health plan, alongside Kaiser Permanente, to your employees? Name of carrier Number of employees enrolled

3B EMPLOYEE COUNT

Total employees Authorized company signer’s initials

Group number Requested effective date

3A EMPLOYER ELIGIBILITY

Is your company affiliated with another company and eligible to file a combined tax return?

Company name

Address City State ZIP

Federal tax ID number Phone

3C ELIGIBLE AND ENROLLING EMPLOYEES

Total number of eligible employees Authorized company signer’s initials

Total number of enrolling employees Authorized company signer’s initials

If you’re covering only a certain class of employees, specify the class(es):

Total number of employees eligible for Medicare coverage

Hours per week employees must work to be eligible for coverage

Employee only coverage?

4 DOMESTIC PARTNER COVERAGE

Do you wish to offer Domestic Partner Coverage (non-state-registered)?

5 CONTINUATION COVERAGE

Did your company employ 20 or more employees for at least 50% of the workdays of the preceding calendar year, making it subject to COBRA?

6 ERISA STATUS

Is your company subject to ERISA?

7 MEDICARE SECONDARY PAYOR STATUS

Are you subject to TEFRA?

8 EMPLOYER PREMIUM CONTRIBUTION

Percentage of the premium is based on the following

Employer contribution (50%–100%) % per employee % per dependent (optional)

Employer contribution (fixed $) $ per employee $ per dependent (optional)

9 CONTRACT SIGNER INFORMATION

First name MI Last name Title

Street address (mailing) City State ZIP

Office phone Ext. Fax Cellphone

Email Correspond by

10 BILLING CONTACT INFORMATION

First name MI Last name

Street address City State ZIP

Office phone Ext. Fax Cellphone

Email Correspond by

11 SELECT BENEFIT OFFERINGS

Medical/Vision plan selections:

1st plan

2nd plan (if bundled)

3rd plan (if bundled)

HSA/HRA/FSA selection(s)

Vision

Vision

Vision

Vision

Dental plan selections:

1st plan

2nd plan (if bundled)

Pediatric dental plan

HSA/HRA/FSA selection(s)

12 MEDICAL PLANS

Traditional plans:

Deductible plans:

High deductible health plans:

Added Choice® deductible plans:

PPO Plus® deductible plans:

13A ADULT DENTAL PLAN OPTIONS (AGE 19 AND OLDER)

13B PEDIATRIC DENTAL PLAN OPTIONS (AGE 18 AND YOUNGER)

Dental choice PPO

13C FAMILY DENTAL PLAN OPTIONS

Dental choice (PPO)

14 IMPORTANT INFORMATION – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

This is an application for coverage only. No contract for coverage will exist until Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest (KFHPNW) has completed its review and communicated to the business applicant or the applicant’s broker that the application has been accepted and a group health plan contract/group policy will be issued.

15 AUTHORIZED AGENT/BROKER OF RECORD FOR KAISER PERMANENTE

Agent name License number

Phone Fax Cellphone

Email

Firm name EIN/TIN Kaiser Permanente broker firm ID

Street address City State ZIP

Agent/broker signature

Date

16 AGREEMENT AND SIGNATURE

Authorized company signer (please print name) Title (please print)

Signature required for all Kaiser Permanente Plans Date

KFHP-APP-WA-2020-1
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Overview: What the Washington Small Group Employer Application Is

The Washington Small Group Employer Application is a standardized form employers use to enroll eligible employee groups in a small-employer health plan or to request coverage options under Washington state small-group rules. It collects employer legal name, tax identification, group size, plan selections, employee eligibility criteria, and effective dates. The completed application establishes the group account with the insurer, triggers underwriting or rate-setting where applicable, and generates the group policy and billing setup. Employers should verify eligibility thresholds and submission requirements before applying.

Why this Application Matters for Employers and Brokers

Completing the Washington Small Group Employer Application accurately ensures correct plan placement, proper premium billing, and compliance with state small-group rules; it also documents employer-offered benefits for employees and regulators.

Why this Application Matters for Employers and Brokers

Who Typically Prepares and Submits the Application

This form is most often completed by employers, HR administrators, insurance brokers, or benefits consultants who manage group health coverage for small businesses.

  • Small employers — business owners or HR leads responsible for selecting plans and supplying payroll and census data.
  • Licensed brokers — agents who assemble enrollment information, advise on plan options, and submit on behalf of clients.
  • Third-party administrators — benefits administrators who collect employee elections and transmit enrollment packages.

The submitting party should confirm they have authority to enroll the group and that all attached employee data is current and accurate.

Step-by-Step: Filling Out the Application

Follow this ordered checklist to complete the Washington Small Group Employer Application without omission.

  • 01
    Gather employer data: Collect EIN, legal name, address, and NAICS code.
  • 02
    Compile employee census: List eligible employees, birthdates, and coverage elections.
  • 03
    Select plans: Choose product codes and benefit levels to offer the group.
  • 04
    Sign and submit: Authorized representative signs and sends application with attachments.

How Applications Are Routed and Processed

Typical submission workflows differ by carrier; use this matrix to align internal tasks with carrier steps.

Step Responsibility
Prepare package Employer / Broker
Carrier intake Insurance carrier underwriter
Eligibility review Carrier verification team
Policy issuance Carrier billing and policy admin

Submission Flow from Employer to Policy

A clear flow reduces rework: prepare, submit, review, approve, and activate the group policy.

  • Prepare: Assemble application, census, and attachments.
  • Submit: Send to carrier via portal, email, or paper per carrier instructions.
  • Underwrite: Carrier reviews eligibility and pricing; may request clarifications.
  • Activate: Carrier issues policy and starts premium billing.

Electronic Submission and eSignature Considerations

Many carriers accept electronic submission and signatures; confirm accepted formats and authentication requirements before sending.

  • Accepted formats: PDF, DOCX, and carrier portal forms are commonly accepted.
  • Authentication: Carriers may require email, SMS code, or identity proofing for signers.
  • Attachments: Include payroll reports, census spreadsheets, and any required carrier forms.

Maintain a copy of the signed application and confirmation of carrier receipt for your records and audits.

Key Sections Included on a Professional Application

A complete Washington Small Group Employer Application contains identification, coverage choices, employee census, signature, and carrier-specific acknowledgements.

Employer Identification

Legal name, DBA, EIN, physical and mailing address, primary contact, phone and email for plan administration and billing correspondence.

Group Characteristics

Number of employees, part-time versus full-time status, eligibility rules, effective date, and industry classification or NAICS code.

Plan Options

Selected benefit plans, coverage tiers offered to employees, employer contribution amounts, and any voluntary benefit options available.

Employee Census

Roster of eligible employees with names, dates of birth, social security numbers or TINs, hire dates, and elected coverage tiers or dependents.

Attestations

Employer certifies accuracy of information, agrees to carrier terms, and acknowledges penalties for misinformation or missing taxes.

Signature and Authorization

Authorized representative signs, prints name, provides title, and dates the application; include broker or producer signature where applicable.

Essential Data Elements to Protect

Employer TIN: Protect as PII
Employee SSNs: Mask or encrypt
Medical data: HIPAA sensitivity
Health plan IDs: Access-controlled
Salary data: Confidential
Bank details: Use secure channels

Common Preparation Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Incomplete census records with missing SSNs or dates of birth frequently delay underwriting and cause back-and-forth requests.
  • Using outdated plan codes or incorrect product names leads to enrollment errors and mismatched coverage for employees.
  • Failing to document employer contribution levels or eligibility waiting periods can cause billing disputes and compliance reviews.
  • Submitting unsigned or improperly authorized applications invalidates the submission and may require re-execution with proper signatory proof.

Timing Expectations and Common Deadlines

Be aware of carrier and regulatory timelines: effective dates, open enrollment windows, and carrier processing times vary.

Plan effective date:

Specified by employer; carrier often requires submission 15–30 days prior to effective date.

Open enrollment:

Carrier-defined period for employer and employees to make elections.

Carrier processing:

Underwriting and issuance typically complete within 7–21 business days unless additional info is requested.

Employee enrollment cutoffs:

Employees often must enroll within specified days of hire to avoid late enrollment penalties.

Premium billing start:

Billing usually begins on or immediately after the policy effective date.

Consequences of Incorrect or Incomplete Applications

Coverage denial: Carrier may decline or rescind coverage
Premium adjustments: Retroactive premium changes possible
Enrollment delays: Employees left without coverage
Regulatory fines: State penalties or corrective orders
Tax consequences: Incorrect TINs trigger backup withholding
Legal liability: Misrepresentations risk contract rescission

Supporting Documents Commonly Attached

Applications are typically accompanied by documents that verify eligibility, payroll, and employer authority.

Employer roster

A current payroll report or roster showing employee names, hire dates, hours worked, and compensation used to verify eligibility and calculate premiums.

Proof of EIN

A copy of the IRS EIN confirmation letter or recent tax filing to validate the employer tax identification used on the application.

Plan election forms

Signed employee enrollment or waiver forms indicating chosen coverage tiers and dependent information required for individual enrollments.

Authorization

A corporate resolution or signed letter verifying that the signer is authorized to bind the employer for coverage and premium commitments.

Real-World Use Examples

These anonymized examples illustrate common situations where precise application completion mattered.

Small Retailer

A local retailer submitted an incomplete census with missing birthdates

  • Underwriter requested corrections
  • The delay caused the effective date to move and required retro premium adjustments to reconcile coverage.

Tech Startup

A startup used a broker to aggregate multiple part-time employees

  • Broker confirmed eligibility and employer contribution levels
  • The organized submission enabled the carrier to price accurately and issue the policy within ten business days.

Practical Tips to Minimize Rework and Delays

Adopt these habits to improve accuracy, speed up carrier processing, and reduce exposure to retroactive changes.

Validate census data
Cross-check names, dates of birth, and TINs against payroll records; inconsistencies are a leading cause of corrections and retroactive billing.
Confirm plan codes
Use carrier-supplied product codes and verify metal level and network options to avoid mismatches between enrollment paperwork and issued ID cards.
Document signer authority
Attach a corporate resolution or officer authorization when the signer is not the business owner to prevent questions about signatory authority during carrier review.
Retain submission proof
Keep emailed confirmations, portal receipts, and stamped copies of applications to support appeals, audits, or reconciliation of premium billing.

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Completing and Signing Applications

The table compares common vendor criteria relevant when choosing an eSignature solution to complete and submit the Washington Small Group Employer Application. signNow appears first as specified.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

Below are common questions about completing and submitting the Washington Small Group Employer Application and practical answers to resolve issues quickly.


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