SIGIS Group General Information and How to Become a Member
As a Merchant, does my store need to accept FSA/HRA cards?
A merchant is not required to accept FSA/HRA cards. If you are a merchant and choose not to accept FSA/HRA cards you need not take additional steps.
If however you would like to accept FSA/HRA cards , the IRS requires Merchants selling health care eligible products to support an Inventory Information Approval System (IIAS). The IIAS system is a combination of inventory management and point of sale systems that can confirm the health care eligibility of items purchased with a FSA or HRA card, generate a payment transaction that contains the required IIAS information, and includes an information archive system that allows the retailer to respond to an IRS audits as required. For Drug Stores / Pharmacies where 90% of the sales on a store by store qualify as FSA eligible, a 90% registration program is an alternative option.
You have the option to not become a Member of SIGIS; you may establish IIAS standards or 90% Rule Exemption on your own working with Third Party Benefits administrator individually.
With the IIAS Certification developed by SIGIS, a NON PROFIT Standards organization , a broad range of participating retailers will be able to implement a solution that is recognized industry-wide, which will enable acceptance of all FSA/HRA payment cards. Likewise, Third Party Administrators will implement a common set of procedures that applies to IIAS transactions at participating retailers.
December 30th 2007 was the mandate date by the IRS for all non Drug Stores / Pharmacies to have an IIAS system in place.
June 30, 2009 was the mandate date by the IRS that all Drugs Store / Pharmacy Merchants to have in place either IIAS standards or be exempt from having the standards via the 90% Rule.
It is a business decision to decide to accept FSA/HRA Cards or not, as there is no law or mandate to accept these cards. The IRS mandates only apply if a business decides to accept FSA/HRA cards.
The basis for the Membership Tiers is to enable different levels of participation in the workings of SIGIS. Progressively the rights and responsibilities to the management increase with each Tier level starting with Tier IV
Regardless of the Tier chosen, you are able to complete either the 90% Self-Registration for the 90% Rule or SIGIS IIAS Certification.
TIER IV: Tier IV Membership is a basic Membership that affords no Membership right to participate in work groups or nominate persons to the Board of Directors. The annual membership dues are $250.00.
TIER III: In addition to Tier IV rights, Tier III Membership grants the ability to name individuals to participate in Working Groups and other committees. The annual membership dues are $2,500.
TIER II: In addition to Tier IV and Tier III rights, Tier II Membership grants the ability to be nominated and elected by Tier II Members to the Board of Directors and to the Management Committee. The annual membership dues are $10,000 plus a onetime initial fee.
TIER I: In addition to Tier IV, Tier III and Tier II rights, Tier I grants the ability to be have a seat on the Board of Directors. The annual membership dues are $12,500 plus a onetime initial fee and capital call.
When completing the SIGIS membership application, you must enter your Primary Organization name as your Membership name. Please verify that the Primary Organization name you have entered is the legal name that is on your Federal Tax Identification documents for your Corporation, LLC, Sub-Chapter S or Sole Proprietorship. Your Certification or Self-Registration will be declined if you do not enter your Legal name as your Primary Organization name.
Please note your Primary Organization name will NOT be displayed to the public either as a 90% Self-Registered or SIGIS IIAS Certified merchant, unless you do business under the name of your Primary Organization name. Only the Primary Organization's Doing Business As (DBA) name(s) will be displayed on the IIAS Merchants List or 90% Rule Merchant List
Example:
The legal name of a company is "John Doe, Inc". John Doe, Inc is doing business as (DBA):
DBA - John's Pharmacy
DBA - Doe's Drugs
DO NOT enter "John Doe, Inc, DBA John's Pharmacy" as your Primary Organization name.
The Primary Organization name in this example is John Doe, Inc. This company would list John's Pharmacy and Doe's Drugs as DBA(s) within the member's portal once the initial online application is complete. Upon Self-Registration or Certification, the DBA(s) will be listed on the SIGIS public website.
If John Doe, Inc also operates stores under John Doe, Inc, it would need to include John Doe, Inc as a DBA. If a company has no DBA(s), then the Primary Organization name will be listed on the SIGIS public website, once certified or self-registered.
What is an Affiliate versus a Primary Organization?
A Primary Organization may have majority ownership in an Affiliate company and may do business under one or more store names (DBA(s)) that differ from that of the Primary Organization name. Below you will see a chart detailing a Primary Organization with one Legal name, one Affiliate and four Doing Business As locations.
A Primary Organization only requires one SIGIS Membership.
In the example below, only one SIGIS Membership is required for Morgan Pharmacy, Inc. which is the Primary Organization.
The Primary Organization is made up of two business entities Morgan Pharmacy, Inc. and an Affiliate company, John Doe, Inc. Each have their own Tax Id Number however since Medical Pharmacy, Inc. has more than a 50% ownership stake in John Doe, Inc. it is known as an Affiliate to Morgan Pharmacy, Inc. and is eligible to be a component of the Primary Organization Membership. Each of these business entities have two DBA(s).
A Legal entity may or may not do business under the name of its Primary Organization. For purpose of Certification and Self-Registration, a Primary Organization must provide its "doing business as" names of the stores to be certified or self registered.
For example:
Morgan Pharmacy, Inc is the Primary Organization, and it does business under the following DBA(s):
Mountain Pharmacy
Ocean Pharmacy
Tom's Drugs
Mary's Pharmacy
Upon Certification or Self-Registration, the DBA(s) will be posted on the SIGIS public website.
When completing the SIGIS online Membership application, a Member can select to pay the SIGIS Membership fee by credit card, check or wire transfer for Tiers I to III. Tier IV members must pay by credit card.
The SIGIS Group accepts Visa, Master Card, American Express and Discover. There is currently no option to provide credit card information over the phone. This information must be entered online when filling out the Membership application.
If a new Member selects in the Membership application to pay by check rather than credit card, the Member will not be able to switch payment to a credit card at a later date.
When submitting payment by check or wire, please follow the instructions on the invoice emailed to the new Member's primary contact. It is important that you reference the invoice number on the check and include a copy of the invoice with remittance. The check should be sent to:
SIGIS - Special Interest Group for IIAS Standards
c/o Global Inventures, Inc.
2400 Camino Ramon, Suite 375
San Ramon, CA 94583 USA
What is SIGIS' collections and reinstatement process?
For new Members to the SIGIS Group:
All Tier 4 members must pay membership fees when completing the membership application. Once complete, your membership is activated. Tier 1, 2 or 3 have the option to pay your Membership by check or wire, SIGIS Group Membership fees are due upon invoicing. A SIGIS Membership is not activated until payment has been received. Activation is required to enable access to the Members Area of the SIGIS public website, access to the Eligible Products List, and ability to initiate either IIAS Certification or 90% Rule Self-Registration. If payment is not received within 180 days of invoicing, the prospective Member will be deleted from our records and will be resigned to begin the Membership process anew, if they decide to rejoin at a later date.
For active Members of the SIGIS Group:
Once a Member has paid their initial dues, resulting in activation of their Membership, the payment date will serve as the annual renewal date for yearly Membership fees. The Member will be notified 60 and 30 days prior to the renewal date that payment is due. It is the Member's responsibility to maintain correct contact information so that SIGIS can properly inform the Member of pending payment.
Members will be sent an invoice for renewal fees and will receive a payment reminder on the due date, and a collections notice at 30 days past day, with Membership termination occurring 60 days past due. It is the Member's responsibility to maintain correct contact information so that SIGIS can properly inform the Member of pending payment.
Membership termination will result in Merchant removal from the IIAS Merchant List or the 90% Self-Registration list, depending upon what SIGIS process the merchant may have implemented. In addition, the Member will no longer have access to the SIGIS Members Area or the Eligible Products List. Visa, MasterCard and Card Issuers will be notified of suspension and the Member will no longer be able to accept FSA/HRA Card with SIGIS IIAS Certification or Self-Registration under the 90 % Rule.
If an active Member is terminated and wishes to become reinstated as a SIGIS Member, a Member must send a check to SIGIS at:
SIGIS - Special Interest Group for IIAS Standards
c/o Global Inventures, Inc.
2400 Camino Ramon, Suite 375
San Ramon, CA 94583 USA
Upon receipt of payment of SIGIS Group Membership dues, the Membership will be reactivated.
Newly reinstated Members must re-certify to the SIGIS IIAS Standard or re-Self register for the 90% Rule, at which time, the Member will be posted as certified or self registered.
The renewal fee date for a reinstated Member will be 10 months from reinstatement.
If Membership dues are not paid within 180 days from the yearly renewal date the Membership will be completely revoked and the Member must complete all phases of Membership, including but not limited to SIGIS IIAS Certification or Self-Registration for the 90% Rule.
In the unfortunate event of a business closing and the need for Membership to no longer exist; please contact the SIGIS Group with the following information.
On corporate letter head please submit a signed letter of instruction, with a request to terminate your Membership in the SIGIS Group. Please include the following in the signed Letter of Instruction:
The Primary Organization name
The Primary Contacts Name
The Primary Contacts Email address
The POS system Provider name
The Acquirer/Processor Name
The effective date of termination
Return the signed Letter of Instruction to terminate Membership to either fax # 925-886-3611 or email to .
Per the SIGIS Group Member Agreement no refunds of Membership dues are given.
What happens to my certification status if my Membership is terminated?
Membership termination will result in Merchant removal from the IIAS Merchant List or the 90% Self-Registration list, depending upon what SIGIS process the merchant may have implemented. In addition, the Member will no longer have access to the SIGIS Members Area or the Eligible Products List. Visa, MasterCard and Card Issuers will be notified of suspension and the Member will no longer be able to accept FSA/HRA Card with SIGIS IIAS Certification or Self-Registration under the 90 % Rule.
If an active Member is terminated and wishes to become reinstated as a SIGIS Member, a Member must send a check with company name and contact information to SIGIS at:
SIGIS - Special Interest Group for IIAS Standards
c/o Global Inventures, Inc.
2400 Camino Ramon, Suite 375
San Ramon, CA 94583 USA
Does SIGIS use Membership Account Numbers to identify my Membership?
SIGIS does NOT utilize Membership account numbers. All Membership identification is name driven, with the name being that of your Primary Organization. It is crucial that you correctly list your Primary Organization name on the Membership application and that you verify that it as the same name that is found on your Federal Tax Identification documents for your Corporation, LLC, Sub-Chapter S and sole Proprietorship. The name on your tax documents is known as your Primary Organization Legal Name.
It is critical that the Primary Organization name listed on your SIGIS Membership application is your legal name. On the Membership enrollment form you will also enter the names of companies that you own that do business (DBA(s)) under your Primary Organization.
To become a Member please visit the www.sig-is.org
Click the "Join" tab located on the top of the SIGIS home page
Click "Membership signup form"
Click "Online Membership application"
Listed below are key sections to focus on when filling out the Online Membership application
Section 1
You must enter your Primary Organization name as your Membership name. Please verify that the Primary Organization name you have entered is the legal name that is on your Federal Tax Identification documents. Your Certification or Self-Registration will be declined if you do not enter your Legal name as your Primary Organization name.
Please note the Primary Organization name will NOT be displayed to the public as a self registered or certified Merchant, unless you do business under the name of your Primary Organization name.
Example:
The legal name of a company is "John Doe, Inc". John Doe does business as (DBAs):
John's Pharmacy
Doe's Drugs
The Primary Organization name in this example is John Doe, Inc.. Upon Self-Registration or Certification, the DBA(s) can be provided to be listed on the SIGIS public website.
If John Doe, Inc, also operates stores under John Doe, Inc, it would need to include John Doe, Inc as a DBA. If a company has no DBA(s), then the Primary Organization name will be listed on the SIGIS public website, once certified or self registered.
For each Member contact that is entered on the form, it is important to note that a unique email address must be entered for each contact. The email address provided will serve as the Member's username for access to the SIGIS Member Area of the SIGIS public website, www.sigis.com. Each email address must be unique per contact and also per Membership.
Section 4
In this section you will select the option that best describes your type of business. Please note the descriptions to the left of the selection box.
For example, if you own a Pharmacy, your type of business would be considered a "Merchant/Retailer".
Section 5
Here is a link further describing the benefits of each Membership Tier. http://www.sig-is.org/imwp/download.asp?ContentID=12542
All Tier Memberships are eligible for completion of SIGIS Certification or Self-Registration of the 90% Rule.
How to contact the SIGIS Group
The most efficient means of contact is to email the help desk with your questions or comments, at . Your request will be processed within two business days.
Our Physical address is:
SIGIS - Special Interest Group for IIAS Standards
c/o Global Inventures, Inc.
2400 Camino Ramon, Suite 375
San Ramon, CA 94583 USA
You can also contact SIGIS Help Desk at (925)275-6605. The SIGIS Group is a NON-Profit standards organization, our live operators are available between 8am to 4pm Monday through Friday to answers calls. If all our operationrs are busy your voice mail will be returned within one business day.
Member notification of amendments to the SIGIS Membership Agreement
SIGIS will notify Members when an amendment has been made to the Membership Agreement. Upon notification of an amendment, the notified Member has the following options.
If the Member agrees with the amendment, no action is required. The Member does not need to send in a new signed copy of the Membership agreement.
If the Member does not agree with the amendment, the Member must withdraw their Membership in the SIGIS Group by the date specified in the amendment notice or be subject to the amendment.
How to change or correct a Primary Organization Name
The Primary Organization name is the same name that appears on the Federal Tax Identification documents for your Corporation, LLC, Sub-Chapter S and Sole Proprietorship. This is known as your Primary Organization Legal name.
The Member name with the SIGIS Group must be your Primary Organization Legal name.
A Primary Organization may "do business as" (DBA) other company names A Member should not enroll each DBA as a separate Membership organization.
To correct or change your Primary Organization name to correctly reflect your legal corporate name, an amendment to your Membership agreement must be made.
Please send a signed letter of instruction on your corporate letter head, detailing the current name listed on your SIGIS Membership and the correct legal corporate name.
Return the signed letter of instruction on your corporate letter head and the signature page (page 6 only) from the Membership agreement to fax number 925-886-3611. You may also scan them and send electronic copies to help@sig-is.org.
If the physical location of your Primary Organization has changed, and you need to update the address within the SIGIS Membership, an email must be sent to detailing the following:
Primary Organization Name
Current Primary Contact's Name
Current Primary Contact's Email Address
Current Physical Address of Primary Organization
New Physical Address of Primary Organization
Requests to change addresses will be processed within 2 business days of receipt of email.
How to change contact information of a Primary Organization
To change existing contact information on a SIGIS Membership, a Member must send an email to with the following information stated in the body of the email:
Primary Organization Name
Current Primary Contact's Name
Current Primary Contact's Email Address
Information that needs to be added or updated
Requests to change contact information will be processed within 2 business days of receipt of email.
To add DBA(s) or affiliates to a Membership, please update your membership information on the SIGIS website by: containing the following:
Go to www.sig-is.org
Click the "Members Area" tab and login in.
In the announcements section, select the "Certification and 90% Registration Forms" link.
A new window will open, select the "Add Affiliate" button on the top of the page.
Complete the required information and hit the "Save" button.
A SIGIS Member may add as many DBA(s) and Affiliates that are associated with the Primary Organization.
Please note that upon Certification only the DBA(s) and Affiliate names associated with a certification will be displayed on the IIAS Merchant list. If you have DBA(s) and also do business under your Primary Organization Name, you must include your Primary Organization Name as a DBA for the Primary Organization to be listed as a SIGIS IIAS Certified or Self-Registered merchant.
Membership can only be transferred as a result of a business being sold from one party to another.
Each party of the business transaction (Seller and Buyer) is responsible for implementing steps to complete the transfer of Membership in SIGIS.
Seller:
The seller must inform SIGIS in writing of the intention to transfer Membership of from one entity to another. The following information must be provided within the letter of intention:
Seller's Primary Organization Name
Seller's Primary Contact Name
Seller's Primary Email Address
Seller's Primary Contact Phone Number
The Effective Date of the Primary Organization Ownership Transfer
Buyer's Primary Contact name
Buyer's Primary Contact Phone number
Buyer's Primary Contact Email Address
Buyer:
The Buyer is required to submit a signed copy of the Membership agreement as of the date of ownership change (page 6 only of the Membership application) along with a letter of instruction containing the following information:
Seller's Primary Organization Name
Seller's Primary Contact Name
Seller's Primary Email Address
Seller's Primary Contact Phone Number
The Effective Date of the Primary Organization Ownership Transfer
Buyer's Primary Contact name
Buyer's Primary Contact Phone number
Buyer's Primary Contact Email Address
Each party, the Buyer and the Seller, must scan and email to help@sig-is.org or fax the above information to 925-886-3611.
To add an additional contact to your Membership, the primary contact for the organization must submit a help ticket to stating the following:
Primary Organization Name (SIGIS Group Member name)
Name (First, Last)
Email address (this must be different than any other currently listed)
Title
Physical address
Telephone Number
Fax Number
Once the contact has been added to the Membership, the new contact may go to www.sigis.com to obtain a SIGIS Member Area login.
Click Contact Us
Click Password Request
Enter in email address
Press Submit
To change your Members Area password please login to www.sigis.com
Click Members Area
Click My Account
Click Update My Contact Info
The SIGIS Members Area login information will be sent via email to the new contact. (Please remember to check your spam filter; the email will come from )
This log in information enables access to the SIGIS Member Area on the SIGIS website, www.sigis.com. This log in information can also be used to access the Eligible Products List, which can be accessed within the SIGIS Member Area.
Obtain a password to access the SIGIS Members Area and the Eligible Products List
Members must obtain a SIGIS Member Area login, which can be used to access information within the Member Area, to include access to the Eligible Product List
The SIGIS Member Area is located on www.sigis.com, and this is where Members can find general information regarding Membership and the SIGIS Group, in addition to access to online Certification and Self-Registration forms
The Eligible Products List can be viewed and downloaded from the SIGIS Member Area
To retrieve your SIGIS Member Area login information, please go to the following link: http://www.sig-is.org/en/contact/passwordreq.asp Enter the email address associated with your Membership contact name. Your login information will be emailed to you. Please note that you must be a registered contact with SIGIS.
If you would like to change your Members Area password, please take the following steps:
Go to www.sig-is.org and click on the Members Area tab
Log in to the Members Area using current username and password
Click "My Account" and then click "Update My Contact Info"
Enter your existing password and your newly selected password
Click on "Save changes" and you will be logged out of the Members Area. You will then be asked to log in using your newly established password.
How Do I Access and Add Products to the Eligible Products List?
Access the Eligible Products List
To access the Eligible Products List, Members must obtain a SIGIS Members Area login.
To retrieve your SIGIS Members Area login information, please go to the following link:
http://www.sig-is.org/en/contact/passwordreq.asp. Enter the email address associated with your Membership contact name. Your login information will be emailed to you. Please note that you must be a registered contact within the SIGIS Group.
Once you have a SIGIS Members Area login, you can download the Eligible Products List from the Members Area
Go to the SIGIS website www.sigis.com
Click on the Members Area tab and enter your Members Area login information
Click on the Eligible Products List link within the "Announcements" box
When adding products to the Eligible Products List, it is recommended that you first read the Eligibility Criteria located on the www.sigis.com website. You can access this information via the following link:
http://www.sig-is.org/imwp/download.asp?ContentID=13799
How Do I Complete or Amend Certification Submissions
What is Certification?
In accordance to IRS requirements, Merchants that accept FSA/HRA cards must demonstrate that their Point of Sale terminal can identify eligible products that may be purchased with these health related card accounts. Certification is the process by which testing is done to ensure that your Point of Sale terminal can distinguish eligible versus non- eligible products and correctly transmit the information for payment authorization at time of sale in accordance to IIAS Standards.
There are two ways for a merchant to complete IIAS Certification
Merchant Certification Self-Assessment
TPS Client Merchant Certification Self-Assessment
To assist you in determining which SIGIS IIAS Certification is right for your Membership please take the following steps
Contact your Point of Sale (POS) provider to determine if they are certified with the SIGIS Group as a Certified Third Party Service (TPS)
If your POS provider is a Certified Third Party Service (TPS) provider, they will instruct you to complete the online TPS Client Merchant Certification Self-Assessment form.
If your POS provider is not a Certified TPS provider please complete a Merchant Self-Assessment Form which can be accessed via the members portal: Please go to:
Go to www.sig-is.org
Click the "Members Area" tab and login in.
In the announcements section, select the "Certification and 90% Registration Forms" link.
A new window will open, select the "IIAS Certification Tab".
You must work with your Processor/Acquirer (the company that you are contracted with to accept credit card payments) to complete the Self-Assessment form. Please note that your Processor/Acquirer and your POS system Provider must be Members of SIGIS.
An email will be sent to you upon completion of Certification. Your store will be listed on the SIGIS website as a SIGIS IIAS Certified Merchant.
If you are a paid member of the SIGIS Group in good standing and a Merchant/Retailer with a Point of Sale System (POS) that utilizes software from a SIGIS certified third party servicer (TPS), you can obtain Certification without technical testing of your POS, if your Processor/Acquirer has been certified by your TPS. To initiate Certification, a member must complete an online TPS Client Merchant Form.
Three prerequisites must be in place in order to certify utilizing a TPS Client Merchant Form.
The member must be using a POS software solution that has been provided by a certified TPS
The member's version of software provided by the TPS must be certified
The member's Processor/Acquirer must be certified by the TPS. A member should contact their POS provider to determine if the TPS software has been certified with the Members'
Processor/Acquirer
If one or more of the prerequisites are not in place, a member must complete Certification using the Merchant Certification Self-Assessment form.
To access the online TPS Client Merchant Form, a member must have a SIGIS Member Area login. If you are a paid member and have not yet obtained a login please follow these steps:
Go to the SIGIS website at www.sigis.com
Click CONTACT US
Click Password Request.
Enter your mail address and your Member Area username and password will be emailed to you.
Once you have a SIGIS Member Area login, follow these steps to access the TPS Client Merchant Form:
Click on the Member Area tab on the SIGIS website home page at www.sigis.com
You will be prompted for your Member Area login
Enter your login info, which will enable you to access the Certification and 90% Registration Forms link within the Announcements section of this page.
Click the link, select the TPS Certification Tab to open the online form, and complete the form. You may need assistance from your POS provider in answering some of the questions.
Once you have completed the TPS Client Merchant Form you will click submit.
The Form will be submitted for review and approval by your TPS and your Acquirer/Processor. You will receive an email confirmation of the submission. If in reviewing the form, your TPS finds any errors or omissions, an email will be sent to the member requesting that the member correct the TPS Client Merchant Form online, and resubmit the form for review/approval.
If the TPS Client Merchant from is declined for any reason by the TPS or the Acquirer/Processor an email will be sent to the member to correct errors and omissions. The member will need to make corrections and resubmit the TPS Client Merchant Form. Please allow up to two business days for review by each of these parties.
Once the TPS Client Merchant form is approved by the TPS and Acquirer/Processor, a member will receive an email Certification notification, and within two business days, the member's DBAs will be posted on the IIAS Merchant List as Certified.
If a member has submitted a TPS Client Merchant Form that contains incorrect data, the member will be notified in an email that the form has been declined by the member's POS software provider (TPS) or the member's Acquirer/Processor. The email will state the reason for decline, and the member should address these issues with the TPS or Acquirer/Processor prior to resubmitting the form to ensure that all data fields contain the correct information.
Once the member has the correct information, the member must login to the Member Area of the SIGIS website www.sigis.com, to select, update and resubmit the TPS Client Merchant Form. The Certification review and approval process implemented by the TPS and the Acquirer/Processor will be reinitiated.
How to complete the Merchant Certification Self-Assessment Form
If you are a:
Paid Member of the SIGIS Group in good standing and a Merchant/Retailer with a Point of Sale System (POS) utilizing a Computer Software service that is not currently a certified third party servicer (TPS) or if you have a certified TPS and they have not yet certified your Processor/Acquirer with their system, then you must complete the Merchant Certification Self-Assessment form if you wish to be certified.
The Merchant Certification Self Assessment or SA must be completed by the merchant's Processor/Acquirer (the company that you are contracted with to accept credit card payments).
Below are the steps to obtaining, completing and submitting a Merchant Certification Self- Assessment form.
Click the "Members Area" tab and login in.
In the announcements section, select the "Certification and 90% Registration Forms" link.
A new window will open, select the "IIAS Certification Tab".
Complete the form and submit.
When SIGIS receives the completed Merchant Self Assessment Form it will be processed within SIGIS. Here is a summary of the steps taken by SIGIS:
The SA form will be reviewed for errors or omissions, and if any are found, the SA will be sent back to the member and Processor/Acquirer for correction, with an email detailing the error or omission. A revised SA must be submitted to SIGIS to reinitiate the Certification process. Once the REVISED SA is resubmitted it will be reviewed again to ensure that all errors or omissions have been addressed.
Once the SA has been approved by the SIGIS review committee, the member's Processor/Acquirer must perform technical testing of the member's Point of Sale system, and notify SIGIS when technical testing has been completed.
Once SIGIS has received notification from the Processor/Acquirer that technical testing is complete, SIGIS will notify the member (merchant), Processor/Acquirer and the major credit card companies that the merchant is now IIAS Certified.
The member's status on the IIAS Merchant List will be posted on the SIGIS website as "Certified
Upon receipt of the Certification email the member MUST notify SIGIS of their planned implementation date.
The Certification process is now complete with SIGIS.
**Please note that your acquirer must completed the steps of obtaining MVV and MCID values from the card networks. **
Amend a Merchant Certification Self-Assessment Form
When a correction is needed on a Merchant Certification Self-Assessment, the member must work with their Processor/Acquirer to make the make the necessary corrections to the original SA.
The member must resubmit the corrected or amended Merchant Certification Self Assessment or (SA) to SIGIS to include the following:
Click the "Members Area" tab and login in.
In the announcements section, select the "Certification and 90% Registration Forms" link.
A new window will open, select the "IIAS Certification Tab".
Select the appropriate certification to update, complete the information and hit save.
A Member who is currently certified may change their Acquirer/Processor at any time. However, to avoid a lapse in Certification, the Member is encouraged to submit all documentation and complete Certification under the new Acquirer/Processor before discontinuing the relationship with their existing certified Acquirer/Processor.
If Member is a Certified TPS Client Merchant who completed the Online TPS Client Merchant Form:
If the Member is using the same TPS solution, and the new Acquirer is certified under this TPS, the Member may update their existing online TPS Client Merchant application by selecting the new acquirer from the application drop down menu, and resubmitting the application for Certification
If the new Acquirer/Processor is not listed as certified with the POS provider, the TPS Client form can not be used to change your Acquirer/Processor. The Member must complete the Merchant Certification Self-Assessment Form. (See instructions for completing the Merchant Self-Assessment)
If a Member is not a Certified TPS Client Merchant the Member must recertify using a Merchant Certification Self-Assessment Form (See instructions for completing the Merchant Self-Assessment process)
Upon notification of completion of the SIGIS IIAS Certification Process please follow up with your Acquirer/Processor to obtain your MVV and ICA numbers. The Acquirer/Processor is the only entity able to retrieve these numbers. You must obtain this before your transactions will go through.
As a paid Member of SIGIS in good standing you are able to confirm the status of your SIGIS IIAS Certification by going to www.sigis.com and Clicking on IIAS Merchant List.
A Members DBA Name (doing business as name) will be posted on the IIAS Merchant List under the following parameters.
If your Membership is listed as "Certified", you have completed the IIAS Certification process
If the Primary Organization has Self-registered for the 90% Rule Exemption from IIAS standards and would like to convert to SIGIS IIAS Certification, a member must first determine appropriate IIAS Certification option
Contact your POS solution provider to determine if your POS software is SIGIS Certified by a Third Party Servicer (TPS). If so, apply for SIGIS IIAS Certification by completing an online TPS Client Merchant Form that can be accessed in the SIGIS Members Area of www.sigis.com
If your POS software is not certified by a TPS, apply for SIGIS IIAS Certification by completing the Merchant Certification Self-Assessment online form which can be accessed in the members area of www.sigis.com
As the Primary Organization is waiting completion of the SIGIS IIAS Certification process, all Self Registered DBA(s) currently listed on the 90% Rule Merchant List will remain.
Upon completion of the SIGIS IIAS Certification process, the Member should withdraw their 90% Self-Registered form, which will then be removed from the 90% Rule Merchant List.
IIAS Certified Merchants experiencing declines of FSA-HRA transactions
While being SIGIS IIAS Certified enables a merchant to be in compliance with IRS guidelines in accepting FSA and HRA cards, SIGIS IIAS Certification does not guarantee 100% acceptance of cards.
SIGIS Group Member Issuer/Processors and the majority of their clients who provide employee FSA and HRA cards have enabled SIGIS IIAS processing to authorize and auto-substantiate transactions.
However some employer benefit plans may require a level of transaction detail that is not accounted for with the SIGIS Group IIAS solution, thereby preventing acceptance even at Merchants with a fully SIGIS certified IIAS solution.
Merchants who have implemented IIAS systems continue to see declines on healthcare benefit cards. While there have been some isolated issues, both at merchants and at issuer processors, in the initial implementation of IIAS, the
vast majority of transactions are working as intended. That is to say, if the card transaction declines, it is most likely that the decline is valid.
Listed below are the main reasons why properly formatted IIAS transactions at an IIAS merchant can validly decline against cards that are IIAS enabled. This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list, but represents the most common reasons that together account for most declines.
MOST FREQUENT VALID DECLINE REASONS
The card has not been activated or has been suspended
The card has no funds remaining, or the card has insufficient funds and the merchant does not support partial authorization
The cardholder is attempting to purchase only non-healthcare eligible items with a card that has only an FSA and/or HRA purse
The participant's plan only reimburses the prescription drug amount and (a) The merchant does not send the Rx amount in the auth message, or (b) The plan requires a match to claim(s) from a pharmacy benefit manager (the cardholder's prescription
drug plan) and the transaction failed to match, or (c) The merchant sends the Rx amount but does not support partial auth and there are non-Rx items being purchased
The participant's card has not been loaded with funds for the new plan year because of delays by the employer or TPA in getting the enrollment file to the issuer processor
The merchant sent an expiration date that does not match the date in the issuer processor's system - this can happen when there is an error key entering the expiration date
The merchant manually keys in a card number that does not match a valid card on file with the issuer
The cardholder was issued a new card, either because his/her employer changed TPAs or she/he changed employers, but is continuing to use the old card that has been closed
How Do I Complete or Amend 90% Rule Self-Registration Submissions
What is the 90% Rule Self-Registration?
Completing the 90% Rule Self-Registration will not make you IIAS compliant. If you register to be 90% rule exemption you are stating that you are exempt from the IRS requirement to have IIAS standards in place.
Contact your Processor/Acquirer (the company that you have engaged to accept credit card payments) to complete appendix B located on pages 5-6 of SIGIS 90% Rule Program Implementation Procedures guide.
Return to the SIGIS home page at www.sigis.com and click the SIGIS Members Register for 90% Rule link to complete the online registration form. A member is able to enter multiple DBA(s) under one Primary Organization (SIGIS Membership)
An email will be sent to you confirming completion of Self-Registration.
Your store will then be listed on the SIGIS website as a 90% Rule Merchant which has self registered to comply with the IRS 90% Rule.
PLEASE NOTE If you do not Self-Register for the 90% Rule Exemption or have not implemented the SIGIS IIAS solution, the Merchant/Retailer will not be able to accept FSA/HRA cards in compliance with IRS regulations under the SIGIS standard.
Change or amend a submitted 90% Rule Self-Registration Form
If a member needs to change or correct any information on a 90% Self-Registration Form that has already been submitted, the member must implement the following steps:
Select the Member Area tab on the SIGIS website www.sigis.com, and enter Member Area login
Click on the 90% Rule Merchant Form
Complete or amend desired fields on the form and click submit. Please note: The check box "Show Merchant and Acquirer Details" must be checked in order to display the acquirer information.
You will receive an email confirmation upon completion and acceptance of the revised form.
After the form has been accepted, any DBA updates made will be posted on the 90 % Rule Merchant List located on the SIGIS website www.sigis.com
As a paid Member of the SIGIS Group in good standing you are able to confirm the status of your SIGIS Group Self-Registration for the 90% Rule Exemption by going to www.sigis.com and Clicking on 90% Rule Merchant List. If your organization is not on the list you will need to complete the online form to complete Self-Registration for the 90 % Rule.
If the Primary Organization has Self-registered for the 90% Rule Exemption from IIAS standards and would like to convert to SIGIS IIAS Certification, a member must first determine appropriate IIAS Certification option
Contact your POS solution provider to determine if your POS software is SIGIS Certified by a Third Party Servicer (TPS). If so, apply for SIGIS IIAS Certification by completing an online TPS Client Merchant Form that can be accessed in the SIGIS Members Area of www.sigis.com
If your POS software is not certified by a TPS, apply for SIGIS IIAS Certification by completing the Merchant Certification Self-Assessment Form which can be accessed and downloaded from www.sigis.com
As the Primary Organization is waiting completion of the SIGIS IIAS Certification process, all Self Registered DBA(s) currently listed on the 90% Rule Merchant List will remain.
Upon completion of the SIGIS IIAS Certification process, the Member should withdraw their 90%from for the DBA(s) are no longer 90% Self-Registered, which will then be removed from the 90% Rule Merchant List.
90% Rule Self-Registering Merchants experiencing declines of FSA-HRA transactions
Self-Registering for the 90% Rule through SIGIS allows a merchant to accept FSA and HRA cards under the IRS guidelines however, SIGIS can not guarantee 100% acceptance of cards at these merchant locations.
Third Party Administrators(TPA) of employer benefit plans have the right to either accept or decline transactions from Merchants who self certified under the 90% Rule based on the plan rules set up by the TPA and the employer sponsoring the program. The TPA may require auto-substantiated transactions available through SIGIS IIAS Certification. In this case, 90% Rule Self-Registration Merchants may experience declines of card processing by the TPA. If a merchant experiences a high percent of declines from TPA(s), and has a POS system, the merchant may want to consider obtaining SIGIS IIAS Certification.
