Thank you for your interest in learning more about The EBS Bridge Program™

The EBS Bridge Program is available to employers that have 30 or more employees and provide medical benefits to their employees through a group health insurance policy.

The funds in the escrow account belong to the employer. Most EBS Clients keep the money in their escrow account and let it build up so they will have a reserve to offset future premium increases on their group health insurance policy.

As part of the annual renewal process, EBS will make a recommendation as to how much of the escrow funds can be returned to the employer. At a minimum, EBS will keep a balance in the escrow account sufficient to fund claims. If the employer terminates the Bridge Program, all of the money in the escrow account will be returned to the employer after all run-out claims have been paid.

Aggregate insurance coverage is included in the EBS Bridge Program, which limits the employer’s claims exposure to the amount of the monthly Bridge payment that is set aside in the employer escrow account.

So, in the unlikely event that the employer’s Bridge claims exceed their claim funding, the aggregate insurance coverage will advance the funding needed to pay claims.

Aggregate coverage is provided through an insurance company with an “A” rating by A.M. Best Company. The coverage includes a monthly aggregate feature and includes run-out protection.

A bridge plan is an employer sponsored, employer funded benefit plan.

The plan is established when the employer executes a written plan document.

The plan document contains a description of the benefits, and other provisions governing the plan.

To handle the day to day administrative duties including claims processing functions, the employer contracts with Employee Benefit Services, Inc., (“EBS”) the third party administrator.

First, the medical provider files the claim with the group health carrier (i.e. Blue Cross, United Healthcare, etc.)

Next, the group health carrier processes the claim and furnishes an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) to the medical provider.

Then, the medical provider files the claim and group health carrier EOB to EBS.

EBS processes the claim and makes payment to the medical provider. The covered employee receives an EOB from EBS showing any balance owed after the EBS payment (e.g. the employee bridge deductible and out-of-pocket). The EOB is also available on the EBS web site.

The Bridge pays secondary to the group health carrier based on the group health carrier EOB.