Question 1

What is the CHAMP Plan, and what benefits does it include?

Accepted Answer

The CHAMP Plan™ is an employer-sponsored program that supplements major medical insurance. It combines minimum essential coverage with a health population management program. Benefits include covered primary and urgent care visits at participating providers with $0 copays, preventive care, virtual care, personal health assistance, and prescription support. Eligible household members can access specified virtual-care services after registration. Benefits depend on the plan version, so review your plan materials for coverage details.

Question 2

Can an employer add CHAMP while keeping its current major medical plan?

Accepted Answer

Yes. CHAMP can supplement an employer’s existing major medical plan. It is designed to provide additional everyday healthcare benefits while the employer keeps its current medical coverage.

Question 3

Which employees are eligible for CHAMP?

Accepted Answer

Full-time and part-time employees may qualify for CHAMP. Eligibility is determined through a review of the employer’s payroll information. A CHAMP specialist can identify which employees are eligible before enrollment.

Question 4

How many employees must enroll for an employer to offer CHAMP?

Accepted Answer

At least five employees must enroll for an employer to offer CHAMP.

Question 5

How can CHAMP affect my paycheck?

Accepted Answer

Your take-home pay may increase, decrease, or stay about the same after enrolling in CHAMP. The result depends on your earnings, payroll deductions, and applicable taxes. Ask your CHAMP representative for an explanation based on your individual paycheck.

Question 6

How do employees and eligible family members access CHAMP’s app and virtual care?

Accepted Answer

Open the CHAMP app or sign in at https://app.champplan.com using your enrollment instructions. Complete your initial health risk assessment to get started. Register eligible family members for the household virtual-care services available to them. If you need help activating your account or adding family members, contact CHAMP member support.

Question 7

How can I find a provider who accepts CHAMP?

Accepted Answer

Use the First Health provider directory at https://www.firsthealthlbp.com/ to find participating providers. Confirm that the provider accepts your specific CHAMP plan before scheduling care.

Question 8

What do employees need to do to remain active in CHAMP?

Accepted Answer

Complete the required health activity each month through CHAMP’s app or online platform. The activity is intended to help you manage your health. Check your account and program notices for your assigned activity and instructions.

Question 9

When can employees enroll in CHAMP?

Accepted Answer

Employees can choose whether to enroll during the employer’s CHAMP open enrollment period. For new hires, the employer selects a waiting period of up to 90 days from the hire date. Contact HR for your enrollment dates and the waiting period that applies to you.

Question 10

Who answers employees’ questions about CHAMP?

Accepted Answer

Employees can call the dedicated support hotline assigned to their group. They can also use the CHAMP app’s AI assistant for general questions. Use the support details provided with your enrollment materials.

Question 11

How does CHAMP compare with other wellness and payroll tax savings programs?

Accepted Answer

Compare the healthcare services, employee participation requirements, payroll setup, fees, and tax protections. CHAMP separates its pre-tax medical coverage from an employee-funded, post-tax health population management component. Similar savings estimates do not mean programs operate the same way. Legal opinions and tax insurance do not guarantee IRS acceptance. More information is available at https://affordacareinsurance.com/the-champ-plan-too-good-to-be-true.

Question 12

How is CHAMP structured for tax purposes?

Accepted Answer

CHAMP separates its minimum essential coverage (MEC) and Health Population Management Program (HPMP) components. MEC contributions are made pre-tax through a Section 125 cafeteria plan, while employee HPMP contributions are made after tax. The intended tax treatment depends on proper employee elections, separate accounting, accurate payroll processing, and documentation of qualifying medical activities. Read more at https://affordacareinsurance.com/the-champ-plan-too-good-to-be-true.

Question 13

Does CHAMP provide minimum essential coverage, and how does it differ from minimum value?

Accepted Answer

CHAMP includes a minimum essential coverage (MEC) component. MEC identifies a category of health coverage recognized under the Affordable Care Act; it does not describe a full set of major medical benefits. Minimum value is a separate standard that generally requires a plan to cover at least 60% of expected allowed benefit costs and provide substantial inpatient hospital and physician coverage. CHAMP does not provide minimum value, so it should not be treated as a replacement for a major medical plan that meets that standard.

Question 14

What documents support CHAMP’s compliance with tax and benefit laws?

Accepted Answer

Supporting materials include the Section 125 cafeteria plan, MEC and Health Population Management plan documents, benefit summaries, administrative agreements, legal analyses, and payroll and funding procedures. Employers should keep their adopted plan documents, employee elections, and payroll records. These materials help document how the program is designed and administered.

Question 15

How does offering CHAMP affect an employer’s ACA obligations?

Accepted Answer

Offering CHAMP does not remove an employer’s Affordable Care Act (ACA) responsibilities. Employers subject to the employer mandate must still review coverage offers, minimum value, affordability, and reporting requirements. Evaluate CHAMP’s minimum essential coverage component separately from the employer’s major medical plan.

Question 16

What happens if CHAMP enrollment falls below the minimum group size?

Accepted Answer

Coverage continues through the end of the current 12-month contract term. If the group still has fewer than five participating employees at that point, coverage ends.

Question 17

When can I cancel my CHAMP enrollment?

Accepted Answer

CHAMP elections generally remain in place for the plan year because the program uses a Section 125 cafeteria plan. A midyear change may be allowed after a qualifying life event if the change is permitted under the plan’s rules. Contact HR or your CHAMP representative to review your options.

Question 18

Can an employer start CHAMP at any time of year?

Accepted Answer

Yes. An employer can begin CHAMP at any time of year. A CHAMP representative can help coordinate the launch, payroll setup, and employee enrollment.

Question 19

How is CHAMP funded?

Accepted Answer

CHAMP is an employer-sponsored, self-funded arrangement with separate minimum essential coverage and health population management components. MEC contributions are made pre-tax, while employee health population management contributions are made after tax. The components have separate claims funding and accounting. The employer sponsors the claims obligation, and the administrator supports program operations. Optional tax-liability insurance covers specified tax exposure; it does not make the healthcare benefits fully insured.

Question 20

Can I contribute to an HSA while enrolled in CHAMP?

Accepted Answer

The standard CHAMP plan is not compatible with health savings account (HSA) contributions because it covers certain primary and urgent care services before a deductible. CHAMP offers an HSA-compatible version for eligible participants. To contribute to an HSA, you must also have qualifying high-deductible coverage and meet the other HSA eligibility requirements. Ask your agent to coordinate your CHAMP and major medical options.

Question 21

How does CHAMP coordinate with my primary health plan?

Accepted Answer

Use your CHAMP ID card for services covered by CHAMP. CHAMP does not coordinate benefits with your primary health plan, and services processed through CHAMP do not count toward your major medical deductible. Check the applicable plan benefits before receiving care.

Question 22

Who is Champion Health?

Accepted Answer

Champion Health, Inc. is the company behind the CHAMP Plan. It develops healthcare and employee-benefit solutions and provides personalized support to employers and members.

Question 23

How does an employer process CHAMP payroll deductions and benefit payments?

Accepted Answer

CHAMP works with the employer’s payroll provider or HR team to establish the required deduction and benefit-payment codes. Once the setup is complete, the deductions and payments are processed through payroll each month.

Question 24

What benefits are available if I use an out-of-network provider with CHAMP?

Accepted Answer

CHAMP does not provide out-of-network benefits. Before receiving care, check the First Health directory at https://www.firsthealthlbp.com/ and confirm that the provider participates in your CHAMP plan.

Question 25

How could CHAMP affect an employer’s healthcare costs?

Accepted Answer

CHAMP is designed to handle eligible everyday healthcare needs that might otherwise generate claims under a major medical plan. Lower claims may help reduce healthcare costs over time, but premium or renewal savings are not guaranteed. The financial effect depends on the employer’s coverage and claims experience.

Question 26

How does CHAMP affect my annual tax filing?

Accepted Answer

CHAMP’s pre-tax payroll deductions may reduce taxable wages. Your final tax result depends on your income, other benefits, and how contributions and benefit payments are treated. Use the tax documents provided by your employer and ask your tax professional how participation affects your return.

Question 27

What do I need to show a doctor or urgent care clinic to use my CHAMP benefits?

Accepted Answer

Open the CHAMP app and show your digital ID card when you visit a participating doctor or urgent care clinic. Confirm that the visit is covered by your CHAMP plan before receiving care.

Question 28

What CHAMP participation is required with AffordaCare major medical coverage?

Accepted Answer

At least 25% of employees enrolled in the major medical coverage must also enroll in CHAMP. The CHAMP group must have at least five enrolled employees overall. Both requirements apply.

Question 29

Can an employer that already offers CHAMP add AffordaCare major medical coverage?

Accepted Answer

Yes. An employer that already offers CHAMP can add MVP Select PPO™ or Premier PPO™ if the group meets the major medical eligibility and participation requirements. CHAMP participation is required as part of the AffordaCare major medical offering.

The CHAMP Plan FAQ

Explore your questions.

Have questions about
the CHAMP Plan?

The CHAMP Plan FAQ

Explore your questions.

Have questions aboutthe CHAMP Plan?

Have questions about
the CHAMP Plan?