Broker Buzz March 2026
Enroll Today: Multi-Factor Authentication Tool Change
Sentara transitioned Cisco Duo to Microsoft Authenticator as of March 25. All users who access Sentara Health Plans secure web portals must complete enrollment in Microsoft Authenticator to ensure uninterrupted access.
This transition will affect your employer groups as well and their ability to login to their Employer Portal. They should follow the enrollment instructions detailed below. If you need additional information to share with your employer groups, please reach out to your sales representative.
If you do not have a Sentara email address:
- Sign-in and enter your current Sentara username plus "@sentara.com" (e.g., username@sentara.com)
- This step is required only for sign-in and enrollment and does not create an email account or change your existing access.
When you have completed the enrollment process, please continue using Cisco Duo for authentication until March 25.
For Microsoft Authenticator enrollment assistance, contact the support team at 757-857-8190 and select option 6.
Streamlined enrollment for all renewing Small, BusinessEDGE® and Mid-Market groups
Say goodbye to paper forms and manual entry! Starting April 1, 2026, all renewing groups will benefit from a fully electronic enrollment experience.
You have three easy options for 834 electronic enrollment:
- Daily 834 files: Employers and third-party administrators can securely send daily enrollment files to Sentara Health Plans through a secure FTP site. Integration with your HRIS system makes the process seamless and eliminates paperwork.
- e3 Web Enrollment: Our e3 platform offers an intuitive, user-friendly web portal for enrollment. You’ll have access to a variety of enrollment features and helpful reporting tools.
- Employee Navigator: Sentara Health Plans partners with Employee Navigator, giving brokers an all-in-one solution for benefits administration. Effortlessly manage your business and enroll in Sentara plans through this integrated platform.
New process for small group renewal notifications
Starting in the third quarter of 2026, brokers will receive a single notification when fully insured small group renewals for a specific month become available in the portal.
Please check that you can access your portal and contact brokerrelations@sentara.com if you experience any connectivity issues.
Broker Portal username and access for support staff
If members of your team assist with managing your book of business or enrollment through the Sentara Health Plans Broker Portal, they must sign in using their own username and password.
Setting up a profile is quick and simple. Download and complete the External Portal User Form, then email it to brokerrelations@sentara.com. Once received, a unique profile is created and and grants the user access to the same information you can view.
Sell a plan, earn a reward. Enjoy. Repeat. Simple.
Make a wish list and set a goal toward your favorite rewards! Broker Rewards points are earned in addition to the already-competitive commission plan. Start accruing as soon as you complete the opt-in process. There is no limit to what you can earn, and points never expire once enrolled in the rewards program.
Continuing Education Opportunities
Sentara Health Plans is committed to supporting your professional growth and long‑term success. We’ve partnered with Cape School to offer a series of convenient, high‑quality continuing education classes designed to help you earn credit towards your Virginia Resident License.
Upcoming classes:
- Diversity and Racial Bias in Insurance – April 22
- The On-Going Healthcare Struggle – May 27
- Knowing the Fundamental Components of Medicare & Social Security – June 24
- Ethics and Civility – July 22
A Broker Alert with registration information and login details will be sent before each class. When it arrives, simply click the registration link to sign up, it’s quick and easy!
Website reminders
Viewing membership - We have updated key screens on the broker, benefit administrator, and member portals to display group numbers and member IDs for quicker, easier lookup.
Broker support and resources - Have a question but not sure who to contact? A list of resources is available on the broker portal under the Broker Support section, sentarahealthplans.com/en/brokers/broker-support
Broker User Guides - Helpful user guides and training resources for quoting and web enrollment are available on sentarahealthplans.com/needtoknow.
Twice-weekly training and support
The Sentara Health Plans sales operations training team hosts twice-weekly live office hours, which offers real-time support for brokers using Sentara Health Plans’ quoting and enrollment tools.
Want to learn more about the new small group renewal notifications, Broker Rewards, or any other announcement in this newsletter? Join one of our live sessions, every Tuesday and Thursday at 11:30 a.m. EST. Registration isn’t required
Have questions? Contact the sales operations training team at thelearninghub@sentara.com.
Employer Group
Employee Navigator enrollment tips
We’re happy to announce that Sentara Health Plans is now accepting Employee Navigator connection requests!
For groups utilizing the Employee Navigator benefit administration platform to manage their book of business, Sentara Health Plans now offers seamless and integrated enrollment through Employee Navigator connections.
Here are a few tips to help with the enrollment process:
- Groups can only utilize one of the electronic enrollment tools, Employee Navigator, e3 Web Enrollment, or 834.
- If a group is not renewing or cancelling their agreement, please email ensupport@sentara.com as soon as possible so that members have appropriate coverage.
- If a plan has subgroups, brokers must build out the plans in Employee Navigator. The Sentara Health Plans support team can only map to the main plan number on their end.
- If a group has a Sentara HSA plan through HealthEquity, plans must have the carrier designation set to “Unspecified.” You will need to include these plans with the file feed by enabling it through the “Sentara Health Plans Optional Benefits” configuration.
- There is no automated error reporting file that will be sent through Employee Navigator. When a group goes to testing, the support team will notify the broker via email if there is a file error, and indicate the steps needed to correct it.
- All updates and changes must be made through the Employee Navigator portal. Please do not call in or email changes, as they will not match what was in Employee Navigator and will error out the member.
- After you have built out your plans, validation and mapping of the main plan names/numbers are performed by our support team within a couple business days. Testing may take up to several days, depending on the errors and discrepancies.
- All non-Sentara HSA plans must have the carrier designation set to “Unspecified”.
- If a group is set up in Employee Navigator but not currently active, changes will not feed into Sentara Health Plans’ database for automatic updates. Any updates to member enrollment during that time must be made in Employee Navigator and sent to our enrollment department to ensure data accuracy.
Please contact ensupport@sentara.com with any questions or needs you may have about Employee Navigator.
Everyday wellness = rewards: Sentara Well being Rewards
Sentara Health Plans members are turning their wellness journey into meaningful rewards. Sentara Well being Rewards is a voluntary incentive program designed to support and encourage actions that improve and sustain overall wellness. Eligible members can earn up to $250 each year by completing a variety of healthy activities.
The program is available to subscribers enrolled in a Sentara Individual & Family Health Plan, as well as those in fully insured small group, mid market, and large group plans.
Members gain access to the program beginning on their plan effective date, which also establishes their reward year. The program automatically activates at each group’s renewal or enrollment date—no employer action is required.
If you have questions, please refer to the Sentara Well-being Rewards frequently asked questions or connect with your Sentara Health Plans representative.
Learn More
Sentara Individual & Family Health Plans (IFP)
2026 Individual Special Enrollment Period began March 1
Thanks to our trusted broker partners, we had a record number of Individual & Family Health Plan members join Sentara Health Plans during our 2026 open enrollment period. With special enrollment now in full swing, we are ready to double our membership. Sentara Health Plans offers its individual & family plan members competitive rates, a robust provider network, excellent customer service, and the benefits and services they need.
In addition, consider discussing Sentara Unique Off-Exchange Plans. Offered outside the Marketplace, these plans are ideal for those without subsidies and may even be an option for those considering Marketplace Silver plans. Sentara Unique Off-Exchange Plans may carry lower premiums compared to Marketplace Silver plans, as most insurers raise Marketplace Silver premiums to compensate for the loss of federal assistance with out-of-pocket expenses when members receive medical care or fill a prescription (cost-share reductions).
Medicare
D-SNP Alignment Campaign
The Sentara Medicare Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (HMO D-SNP) alignment campaign is ongoing with the rollout of refreshed creative assets designed to connect with prospects who qualify for Medicare and Medicaid, as well as caregivers and unaligned Sentara Health Plans Medicaid members.
Key campaign goals include aligning current unenrolled Medicaid members, winning back past D-SNP members, and driving new enrollment. Messaging emphasizes Sentara Medicare as a trusted local partner, offering members the opportunity to maximize their benefits with providers and facilities they already know.
Highlights include:
- Refreshed audio ads, paid search, paid social and digital display launched in phases beginning in February.
- Getting ready to launch updated online ads and TV/streaming video.
- Direct mail piece will begin dropping to prospects beginning April 14 and extending over the next 11 weeks. The objective of this mailer is to inform prospects about Sentara Health Plan’s 2026 Dual Special Needs Plan (D SNP) and ensure they understand the available benefits, resources, and ways to get support. It shares key information such as how to access the plan, where to find additional details, and how to contact the health plan.
With a consistent call-to-action—connect with a Licensed Plan Advisor or visit sentaramedicare.com/DSNP—this campaign positions Sentara Medicare as Virginia’s trusted local partner in health.