The AutoPay payment solution is designed to replicate the cash flow experience of a traditional group health plan. Employers fund employee premiums upfront, and any employee portion is collected through payroll deductions as needed.
AutoPay combines the convenience of a group plan with the flexibility and choice of the individual market.
Alternative Workflows for Non-AutoPay Users
For those who opt out of AutoPay:
Employees can keep their existing plans and pay carriers directly
Proof of coverage (e.g., ID card or premium statement) must be uploaded to the Take Command portal
Premium amounts and reimbursement reports can be tracked in the portal, but this does not initiate payment to the carrier.
Who can sign up for Autopay?
AutoPay is available to ICHRA employers on the platform with at least 10 participating employees.
Costs
There are no additional fees for using AutoPay.
The difference between AutoPay and non‑AutoPay setups is how payments are processed—not the cost.
How does AutoPay work?
Account Setup - The employer completes an application and a dedicated bank account is created with our banking partner.
Monthly Funding - Take Command transfers funds from the employer’s external bank account into a disbursement account based on expected monthly premiums.
A minimum reserve is maintained to account for premium changes (e.g., adding dependents).Carrier Payments - Insurance carriers pull premiums from the disbursement account each month.
Take Command does not initiate carrier payments.Payroll Adjustments - If a premium exceeds the employer allowance, the employee portion is withheld through payroll.
Take Command calculates and reports these amounts monthly.
Enrollment Types & Responsibilities
Easy-Enroll Plans
Employees may receive invoices as the policyholder, but no action is required unless expressly stated by Take Command.
Self-Enroll Plans
Employees must:
Set up recurring payments with the carrier using provided account details
Ensure payments are successfully processed each month
Step-by-Step: Setting Up AutoPay with your carrier
Setting up AutoPay is straightforward once you have your payment details ready:
Easy Enroll:
Take Command submits the application
Take Command sets up the recurring payments
Take Command submits the proof of coverage on behalf of the employee.
Self-Enroll:
The employee enters in the provided AutoPay payment details when submitting the application on the carrier's website.
Log in to your insurance carrier’s online portal or contact their member support team.
Use the bank account and routing numbers provided in your Take Command portal. To access these:
Navigate to the Additional Premiums tab from your dashboard > Payment Information.
Click the "eye" icon to reveal and "paper" icon to copy the account and routing numbers.
Update your insurance carrier account with these details and enable recurring payments so that premiums are automatically deducted each month.
The employee is responsible for ensuring the carrier receives the payment each month.
The employee is responsible for uploading their proof of coverage into the Take Command platform.
Employees should also regularly verify their payment setup details in the carrier's portal to avoid any lapses in premium deductions.
Troubleshooting AutoPay Issues
If you encounter issues such as overdue accounts or failed payments, follow these steps:
Verify Enrollment Type: For Self-Enroll plans, payment details must be updated directly with your carrier to ensure AutoPay is active. Delays in payment are often due to incomplete verification. Contact your insurance provider to resolve such issues.
Missing AutoPay Setup: If AutoPay isn’t available because the plan wasn’t purchased using Take Command, you will need to manage payments using the reimbursement model.
Why leverage AutoPay?
Employer:
Simplified Payments: Employee premiums paid from a single account, funded monthly, simulation of a group plan experience.
Increased Transparency: Admin connected directly to our secure banking partner to view and manage payment accounts.
Streamlined Reporting:Take Command provides all necessary reporting and compliance documents through our Admin Portal.
Employee:
No out-of-pocket payments: Employee uses provided payment details to enroll in any ACA-compliant plan, simulating group experience.
Fewer Transaction Issues: Payments are automatically processed by the carrier; Take Command audits payments & can assist with carrier challenges.
Limited Administrative Burden: No need to submit proof of coverage for appointed carriers or remember monthly premium payments.