Here’s the critical and time-sensitive information Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) producers need today.
News from the Blues
Customizable Marketing Fliers You Can Send to Clients New open enrollment fliers. Our “Let me help you sign up for health care” fliers allow you to add your own contact information before sending to prospects and existing clients. They come in the form of digital PDF files.
Here’s how. Simply download the files, fill in the open fields with your contact information and save. Print versions come with crop marks and instructions for your local print shop, while email versions don’t. English-only versions are available now, but we’ll have bilingual versions soon.
2022 Retail Product Training: Now Available on Blue Access for ProducersSM Get up to speed. The producer training includes an overview of major medical products available in the under 65 individual market. It also covers network information, pharmacy benefits, resources for you and your clients, and much more.
All Individual Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) Are Renewing
BCBSIL will offer individuals and families a variety of qualified health plan (QHP) options on- and off-exchange for plan year 2022.
All 2021 ACA QHPs will renew for 2022.
Also, all grandfathered and transitional individual plans will renew.
Member renewal packets will arrive by Nov. 1.
News from the Blues
Marketplace Registration News and Training
Resources for you. CMS and the Federally Facilitated Marketplace have a host of resources for producers who plan to help consumers enroll in or renew Marketplace QHPs.
Just in. Plan year 2022 training and registration is now open for new producers. See the steps new producers will need to take to register. (“New” producers are those who didn’t register for the Marketplace for plan year 2021.)
Deadline for “returning” producers. Agents and brokers who registered with the Marketplace for plan year 2021 must complete plan year 2022 registration and training before Oct. 22 to avoid their system access being revoked. (“Returning” producers are those who registered with the Marketplace for plan year 2021.)
Find answers via FAQ site. Check out the Agents and Brokers Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) site from CMS. Note that you can enter search words or phrases as well as search by FAQ Categories from the dropdown menu in the gray bar just under the Search field box.
Reminder: Are You Certified to Sell Medicare Advantage/PDP?
The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) for 2022 Medicare plans opens Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7, 2021.
Time is running out: You must complete both the AHIP Certification and our annual training to begin marketing/selling our Medicare Advantage/PDP products. This training site includes both AHIP and our training modules – plus you can receive a $50 discount via the AHIP/CMP platform. Refer to the Certification FAQs for more information or contact your sales representative.
News from the Blues
The Medicare Supplement Bonus Program Returns for 2022 Sales
Help the growing population of adults who need Medicare coverage and earn a bonus for your efforts. You could make up to $100 per new policy sold through our Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan 2022 Bonus Program.
The details: The program began on Oct. 1 and runs until March 31, 2022.
Sell just 5 to 20 new policies: your bonus is $50 per policy
Sell 21 to 30 new policies: your bonus jumps to $75 per policy
Reach 31 or more new policies: your bonus hits $100 per policy. For example, if you sell 31 policies, your bonus will be $3,100. The total payout maximum is $75,000.
These must be new policies, as rewrites will not be counted.
*Update on Our Negotiation with Springfield Clinic
We are continuing to work with Springfield Clinic on new agreements and hope it will stay in network. However, if an agreement cannot be reached, Springfield Clinic will leave our PPO and Blue Choice networks on Nov. 17, 2021.
If that happens: Members will still have choices for their care. More than 3,000 doctors and health care professionals are part of our robust networks in Springfield and the surrounding counties. How we will help members and more details.
News from the Blues
*Federal Government Releases Interim Final Rules for Independent Dispute Resolution, Surprise Billing
Released last week, it implements portions of the No Surprises Act, which is generally effective for plan or policy years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2022.
Impact: We are evaluating the interim final rule to determine how it may affect our implementation work if finalized as currently written.
News from the Blues
*Update: Transparency in Coverage and Consolidated Appropriations Act
Several government departments issued guidance in the form of Frequently Asked Questions to address the implementation of the Transparency in Coverage Final Rule, as well as certain provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA).
*Oct. 27 Webinar: How Employers Can Benefit from Blue DirectionsSM
Clients – with 51 or more employees – can access a streamlined enrollment and benefits management experience with Blue Directions.
Join the webinar: Find out more about the advantages it offers at the Oct. 27 webinar.
News from the Blues
Health and Wellness
News from the Blues
*Help Beat Breast Cancer with Early Detection
Regular mammogram screenings can help catch breast cancer early when it’s easier to treat. But the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown many women off course.
Why it matters. Encourage your clients to get their mammogram because:
Breast cancer doesn’t have to run in your family for you to get it. Family history isn’t the only risk factor that matters.
Most breast cancers are found in women 50 years old and over.
Being overweight, not active, taking hormones or drinking alcohol can raise your risk. Know all your risk factors and change what you can.
For women ages 50 to 74, mammograms are recommended at least every two years. And women ages 40 to 49 are advised to discuss the risks and benefits of screening with their health care provider.
Are You Ready for Retail Open Enrollment?
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.
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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