AutoPay is a payment feature in Take Command that automates health insurance premium payments by using employer-funded accounts to pay carriers directly, reducing the need for employees to manually pay premiums or submit reimbursements.
What is AutoPay?
AutoPay is a payment system that:
Automates monthly health insurance premium payments
Uses employer-funded disbursement accounts to pay carriers
Reduces or eliminates employee out-of-pocket premium payments
Creates a group-plan-like payment experience for individual health insurance
Instead of employees paying premiums and seeking reimbursement, AutoPay moves funds directly to insurance carriers (when enabled).
How does AutoPay work?
AutoPay operates in a structured flow:
The employer funds a disbursement account through Take Command’s banking partner
Estimated monthly premiums are calculated based on enrolled employees
Funds are transferred from the employer account into the disbursement account
Insurance carriers pull premium payments from assigned AutoPay accounts
Take Command provides reporting to employers for payroll and reconciliation
This creates a predictable monthly payment system aligned with HRA allowances.
Who can use AutoPay?
AutoPay is available for:
Employers offering an ICHRA with eligible participating employees
Employers who meet minimum participation requirements
Employees enrolled in ACA-compliant individual health plans
AutoPay is not available for QSEHRA plans and may not apply to all plan types or configurations.
What is the difference between AutoPay and reimbursement?
AutoPay model
Employer pays premiums directly through funded accounts
Carrier pulls payment automatically
Employees typically do not pay premiums out of pocket
Minimal reimbursement submission required
Reimbursement model (non-AutoPay)
Employee pays premiums directly to the carrier
Employee submits proof of payment
Employer reimburses employee through payroll after approval
Monthly reporting is used for reimbursement processing
How do employees use AutoPay?
Depending on enrollment type:
Easy Enroll
Take Command enrolls the employee in the plan
Premium payments are set up automatically
Take Command coordinates payment setup with the carrier
Self Enroll
Employee enrolls directly with the insurance carrier
Employee uses AutoPay payment details provided in HRA Hub
Employee may need to confirm enrollment in the portal
In both cases, AutoPay enables premium payment through employer funding.
What happens if I am not using AutoPay?
If AutoPay is not enabled:
Employees must pay premiums directly to their insurance carrier
Employees must upload proof of coverage and payment
Employers reimburse employees through payroll after claim approval
Timing depends on reimbursement reporting cycles
Do employees still need to submit proof of coverage?
It depends on the setup:
AutoPay enabled: Proof of coverage may be automatically validated depending on enrollment type
Non-AutoPay: Employees must submit proof of coverage and payment
In Self Enroll with AutoPay, employees may self-attest instead of uploading documents after purchase.
Does AutoPay cover all health expenses?
No.
AutoPay only covers:
Monthly health insurance premiums for eligible plans
It does NOT cover:
Copays
Deductibles
Dental or vision expenses (unless separately reimbursed under the HRA)
Non-premium medical costs
These must be handled through standard HRA reimbursement processes.
What does NOT happen with AutoPay?
AutoPay does NOT:
Act as a debit card or spending account
Cover non-insurance medical expenses
Eliminate employer responsibility for funding the HRA
Guarantee coverage for non-ACA compliant plans
Replace enrollment or eligibility requirements
Employees must still maintain qualifying coverage.