Prepare for Open Enrollment: This week, we begin delivering Hot Topics for the individual ACA market. Expect product information, enrollment tips, regulatory updates, and other critical and time-sensitive news to help you get ready for the hottest time of the year.
News from the Blues
Selling "Sizzle" for Plan Year 2022: Benefits of Buying Blue
New for 2022: Here's this year’s producer “sizzle” brochure for the ACA market, which provides at-a-glance features and benefits of enrolling in a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois qualified health plan.
How it works: It gives the main talking points you can use with your clients as they make decisions about their 2022 health care. This brochure is for producer use only; it shouldn’t be distributed to beneficiaries, members or prospects.
News from the Blues
New ACA Final Rules from CMS
What’s new: On Sept. 17, CMS announced new final rules that affect the individual ACA market. The two most notable changes include an extended open enrollment (OE) season and a new special enrollment period (SEP).
Longer OE period: ACA open enrollment will extend through Jan. 15, 2022. Consumers who enroll in a qualified health plan on or before Dec. 15 will have a Jan. 1 effective date. Those who enroll between Dec. 16 and Jan. 15 will have a Feb. 1 effective date. The beginning of OE remains Nov. 1.
New SEP: A new monthly SEP will allow consumers with a projected annual household income no greater than 150% of the federal poverty level to enroll in Marketplace coverage with low or no premiums after tax credits are applied.
Reminder: Producers must register annually with the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) prior to helping clients enroll or renew in Marketplace polices.
“Returning” producers: Plan year 2022 Marketplace registration and training for returning producers – those who registered with the Marketplace for 2021 – is now open. Here’s what you need to know .
“New” producers: Last week, CMS announced in a call with producers that training and registration for “new” producers – those who did not register with the Marketplace for 2021 – is slightly delayed and is scheduled to launch in early-to-mid-October.
News from the Blues
Small Group (1-50)
News from the Blues
Last Call for Producer Webinar: 2022 ACA Small Group Standard Product Portfolio Updates Get ready for 2022 sales and renewals. Attend the Oct. 6 webinar to learn about:
The newest product offerings
Small Group standard product updates effective Jan. 1, 2022
Calling All Brokers: Request for 2021 MSP EAF Information
Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) information for 2021 is needed by end of day Dec. 31, 2021, for groups with 1-150 employees, both fully insured and ASO groups.
Please help: This week we will begin sending emails to brokers of renewing groups that haven’t yet submitted an MSP Employer Acknowledgement Form (EAF). We are asking you to contact these clients and encourage them to complete the form. Review more details and FAQs.
News from the Blues
Group and Retail
News from the Blues
*October Promotion: Special Discount Offered to New Fitness Program Members
New members can take advantage of a promotion when they join the Well onTarget® Fitness Program from Oct. 1 through Oct. 31.
The offer. New members get $30 off the first month of membership. Here’s how to enroll.
News from the Blues
Retail and Medicare
News from the Blues
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Creditable/Non-creditable Notification Mailing
Applies to:
Retail Legacy Plans
Retail U65 ACA Plans
Medicare Supplement Plans with Prescription Drug Coverage
The annual mailing to Retail subscribers and Medicare Supplement members informing them whether their plans’ prescription drug coverage is "creditable" or "non-creditable" begins this week.
Important: Members should keep this notification for their records. If a member is or becomes eligible for Medicare, the notice includes information that can help them decide whether to switch plans.
Background: Creditable coverage is defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as "prescription drug coverage (e.g., from an employer or union) that's expected to pay, on average, at least as much as Medicare's standard prescription drug coverage."
News from the Blues
Medicare
News from the Blues
Medicare Advantage Members Reminded to Get Annual Flu Shots
Group and individual MAPD members received an email and a postcard during the last few days reminding them to get their flu shot.
Members can get their flu shot at their doctors’ offices or at any network pharmacy. The annual vaccine helps protect people from complications that can result, such as pneumonia.
News from the Blues
All Markets
News from the Blues
Ancillary Products: Online Evidence of Insurability (EOI) Makes Annual Enrollment Easier
With annual enrollment right around the corner, our online tool streamlines the EOI process. It replaces paper forms with secure online records and speeds the time to a decision. Employers and employees can submit EOI applications easily and securely.
Recent enhancements to the EOI Census Upload process improved the census submission and made it more user friendly for employer groups. To view a step-by-step video of the process, log in to Benefits Manager.
Questions? Contact your Ancillary account executive.
Are You Ready for Retail, Medicare Enrollment?
Take advantage of training and complete any required registration/certification.
Retail: ACA Open Enrollment starts Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 15, 2022.
You must register annually with the Marketplace prior to helping clients enroll in or renew Marketplace polices.
PY 2022 Marketplace registration is available for producers who completed registration and training for plan year 2021. Log in to the CMS Enterprise Portal and update your profile before taking the training. We’ll check your registration status against the
registration completion list.
Medicare: The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) opens Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7, 2021.
Marketing begins Oct. 1.
You must complete both the AHIP certification and our annual training to begin marketing/selling our Medicare Advantage/PDP products.
News from the Blues
*This article, or a similar version, is being shared with employer groups in the BlueVISION newsletter or news alert.
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