BRI COBRA/Direct Bill Member Portal

The BRI COBRA/Direct Bill Member Portal provides Qualified Beneficiaries (QBs) with an easy way to access their health insurance premium accounts online, or on-the-go with the mobile app.

HOW TO REGISTER AND MAKE AN ELECTION

A Qualified Beneficiary (QB) is sent a New Member Login Notice via the United States Postal Service, typically as a part of the COBRA Specific Rights Notice. Once a QB receives this letter, they should do the following:

  1. Go to the BRI COBRA/Direct Bill Member Portal or BRI COBRA/Direct Bill App on the App Store or Google Play.
  2. Click the “New User Registration” button.
  3. Complete the “New Registration” section using information from your New Member Login Notice and other personal information:
    • Registration code
    • First Name
    • Last Name
    • Social Security Number (SSN)
    • Click on “Submit Registration
  4. Review the user license agreement, select the “I Accept” check box, and then click “Submit” button.
  5. Enter the email address, username, and password you want to use, then click the “Submit & Create Account” button.
  6. Return to sign in page and enter the username and password you just created.
  7. You will be taken to an “Email Validation” page. Enter the email address you used when creating your account. Then select “Send Verification Code.” A code will be sent to the email address provided.
  8. Go to your email and select the “Validate Email” link. Continue through the email validation process.

If you have not already elected coverage, you will be taken to the online election process.

  1. Select the “Continue” button from the “Welcome to the Online Election” page.
  2. Review product information and check the boxes of the coverage you wish to elect. Then, select the “Add Election” button.
  3. Select the “Confirm and Add Election” button from the pop-up.
  4. Review the user agreement, select the “I Accept” check box, and then click the “Add Election”
  5. A confirmation age will appear to show you the products elected with a date and time. We recommend you print this page for your records.
  6. From here, you may set up a payment method by going back to the home screen by clicking on “Member Portal.” See the next section for more details.

On the Sign In window, click the “Forgot your username” link. Enter your email address you used to register, and then click the “Submit” button. A message box will display, informing you that an email containing your username has been sent.  Check your spam folders if you do not receive this email within a few minutes.

On the Sign In window, click the “Forgot your password” link. Enter your Username and Registration Code (unique code included in your New Member Login Notice) and then click the “Submit” button. A message box will display informing you that an email containing password reset steps was sent to you.  Check your spam folders if you do not receive this email within a few minutes.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: The steps to complete the password reset must be completed within 20 minutes of receiving the email. 

BRI COBRA/DIRECT BILL MEMBER PORTAL

The BRI COBRA/Direct Bill Member Portal makes it easy for you to manage your COBRA, Direct Bill, and continuation service benefits. Through the portal, you can:

  • View all communications/documents
  • Update communication preferences
  • Make payments
  • Schedule reoccurring payments
  • View payment history
  • …and more!

Watch the video to learn more, and continue reading to get detailed instructions on using the BRI COBRA/Direct Bill Member Portal.

Click on “Profile” in the sidebar, then select “Personal Info”. Select the pencil next to your name to edit your address, phone number, and email. 

Profile-personalinfo

  • When you’re ready to make a payment, click on the “Make Payment” button toward the top of the portal or go to “Payment Info” in the left sidebar menu and click on “Payment Summary,” then “Make Payment.”
  • Select the option to pay by credit or debit card or to pay directly from your checking or savings account. Please note that if you have a Health Savings Account, you can use your HSA debit card to pay your premium.
  • Once you’ve decided on your payment method, click “Next” and enter the amount you are paying. Then enter in payment details, review what you’ve entered, and submit your payment.

Notes:

  • A $20 convenience fee applies for each online payment.
  • Any custom amount must be less than the amount of their premium.  The system will not process a payment that is greater than the monthly premium transaction.

  • When you’re ready to make a payment, click on the “Make Payment” button toward the top of the portal or go to “Payment Info” in the left sidebar menu and click on “Payment Summary,” then “Make Payment.”
  • Select the option to pay by check or money order. Then click “Next.”
  • Click the “Print” button to print a copy of the paper payment instructions.

Note: if you choose to pay by mail, payments should be remitted to the address stated. Payments must be in the form of a check or money order. DO NOT send cash. To ensure accurate posting of your payment, please include your Member ID in the memo line of your check or money order.

To avoid having to log in every month to submit a payment, you can set up recurring payments. Click on “Payment Info” in the left sidebar and select “Recurring Payments” from the expanded options. Choose your desired method and follow the steps that proceed. A recurring ACH payment is an electronic payment that you set up using your debit card or routing and checking number to pay a specific amount on a schedule (i.e. Monthly COBRA Premiums).

 

Complete the information required on the Payment Info screen. Then, select “Next”. A summary of the recurring payment will display along with the User Agreement. Select the box to agree to the terms of service, then click the “Submit” button.

 

To stop a recurring payment, go to the Payment Info section and select “Recurring Payments”. Click “Stop Recurring Payment” button. Then, click “Yes”.

 

Notes:

  • A $20 convenience fee applies for each online payment.
  • For a member’s first and subsequent recurring payments to be processed, the account must be paid through the current periods at the time the recurring payment is set up. This may require the Member to “True-Up”, mail a one-time payment, or make a one-time payment online. See the “Pay Past Due Premiums (True-Up)” dropdown in this section for more information.
  • It is the responsibility of the enrolled member to notify any third party who may be paying for or contributing to the premium of any changes to the premium.   Bill pay set up through an individual’s bank.

paymentinfo-Recurring-03

The True-Up feature allows the Member to pay past due premium(s) along with their current premium with their initial ACH payment. A member must be paid through the previous coverage month and the next premium due must be for the current month unless the True-Up feature has also been enabled.

  1. Go to “Recurring Payments” screen.
  2. Select “Next Payment Date
  3. Review true-up payments included in the ACH.
  4. Click on “Next”.
  5. Continue following ACH payment screens for recurring ACH setup.

Notes:

  • The True-Up feature applies only to the initial recurring ACH payment for a brand-new ACH setup.
  • Recurring payment date selection functionality will not apply to Members with existing recurring payments. These Members will need to stop their recurring payment and set up a new recurring payment once recurring payment date selection is enabled.

paymentinfo-Recurring-02

To view the past payments that you have submitted, expand “Payment Info” in the left sidebar and click “Payment History.” From here, you can view information on your past payments, including the date submitted, the amount received, the type of payment, and information on if it was voided.

 

The Payment Schedule tool shows past and upcoming payments in a bar chart format. Each bar represents one premium payment month. The amount paid, owed, and due for each month displays under each bar. A green bar indicates a past payment and a gray bar indicates an upcoming payment. Click the orange arrow that displays to the right of the chart to display additional future months in the chart.

 

Click on a bar to display additional payment information about that month. The additional information displays under the chart. It shows how the payment was applied to your plans and account. In the event of an overpayment, the system automatically applies the additional portion to the next premium due.

paymentinfo-Payment-Schedule

 

The “Payment Summary” tool shows detailed information about a Member’s last payment and next payment due.

To update your email or password, expand “Preferences” in the sidebar menu and click on “Login.” Select the pencil icon next to “Login Information,” then click the “Save” button when you’re done.

Preferences-Login

If you’d like to update your Communication Preference to start receiving notices via email instead of mail, expand “Preferences” in the sidebar menu and click on “Communications.” Then select “Via Email” as your preferred communication method.

To view your COBRA Documents, including Payment, Plan Change, Conversion Option, and Termination Notices, Click on “Communication Activity” in the sidebar. From here, you’ll see a list of documents organized by Date. Click “View” on the right side to download any documents you want to view. There, you may find the following:

  • COBRA Specific Rights Notice: A Qualified Beneficiary receives a Specific Rights Notice (“SRN”) when they lose group health plan coverage because of a qualifying event such as termination or retirement, and they have at least one plan. It reviews how the QB can elect COBRA coverage, pay premiums, and terminate coverage; how long the coverage period lasts and under what circumstances the coverage period may be extended; and information about coverage for dependents.
  • Late Payment Reminders: A QB receives a Late Payment Reminder letter when BRI has not received the member’s premium payment by the due date. It notifies the member of the last accepted postmark date and their premium amount due, as well as the address where they should send their payment. You can check to see if your payment was received in the “Payments” tab. If it has been received, you can disregard this notice.
  • Partial Payment Notices: A member receives a Partial Payment letter when they submit a payment (or a reallocation occurs) that does not fully satisfy their current premium due. It reminds the member of their remaining balance. Their remaining premium payment must be postmarked before the end of the grace period to avoid termination. Partial payment notices can be generated for the NEXT month’s balance if they have overpaid the current month.  A coupon is often included.
  • COBRA Open Enrollment Packets: Employers renew their plans and update their rates annually. BRI sends an open enrollment packet to describe their options to elect or change their coverage.  This packet includes all instructions and applicable forms to complete. Open enrollment changes cannot be done on the portal at this time and must be returned by mail to BRI’s PO Box.
  • COBRA Termination Letter: A QB receives a COBRA Termination letter when their status changes to Terminated (TE) on all plans, most typically because of non-payment of the premium. Loss of coverage applies to the member and all of his or her eligible qualified dependents. The termination letter includes basic plan information, the termination reason, and the termination date. Due to federal guidelines, late payments are typically not accepted beyond the 30-day grace period unless the employer group has granted an exception for all QBs.

BRI COBRA & DIRECT BILLING APP

Stay up-to-date and worry-free by using the BRI COBRA & Direct Billing App to manage your plans on the go! Features available through the app include the following:

Mockup-Dashboard

View Plan Details

On the Dashboard, you’ll find information on the plans you’re enrolled in, what you owe, and when your next payment is due.

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MAKE A PAYMENT

The Make a Payment screen allows you to make a full or partial payments with ease. $20 convenience fee applies.

Mockup-Recurring

SCHEDULE PAYMENTS

Use the Recurring Payments screen to ensure you never miss a payment. $20 convenience fee applies.

Mockup - CommActivity

VIEW COMMUNICATIONS

Use the Communication Activity screen to review copies of all letters that have been sent to you.

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VIEW PAYMENT ACTIVITY

The Payment History screen will display a record of past and future payments and dates associated with them.

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SECURE YOUR LOGIN

Upon logging in, you can create a PIN to secure your account and log in with ease. Use Change Pin in the sidebar to change it.  

Download the app using the buttons below.

HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT COBRA?

Find information and resources about COBRA works on our COBRA Benefits page.