Webinar – Group Review Preparing for Q4

Register for Resource Brokerage’s BCBSIL 2019 Group Rollout webinar! You cannot afford to miss these webinars. We will share all you need to know to finish strong in 2018 and start 2019 off on your best foot.

Tuesday, October 2, 2018     1:00pm to 2:00pm

Thursday, October 4, 2018     10:00am to 11:00am

Topics:

• Review of key dates that are important to both your existing and new groups. Know the key dates—avoid the headaches!
• What are the portfolio updates for 2019 for both Metallic and Middle Market groups?
• Things you can do to expedite your case through Underwriting and get ID cards before the holidays!
• Online enrollment technologies available to simplify and expedite broker enrollments through Resource Brokerage!
• Zero Employer Contribution and Zero Participation requirements.  How does it work?  What is required to enroll them? How to determine if this is an option for your group prospects!
• Review of one-life groups. What are the requirements for writing one-life groups?
• 51+ Middle Markets— Attractive New Business rating Incentives and renewal guarantees for 1/1/19 specific effective dates!

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BCBSIL Individual Update Webinar

Join Blair Farwell and Linda Medrano for our 2019 BCBSIL Individual Products annual producer training webinar series! Each year, we share what you need to know in order to maximize your BCBSIL Individual business. Please join us!

Tuesday, September 25, 2018     1:00pm to 2:00pm

Wednesday, September 26, 2018     10:00am to 11:00am

Overview on BCBSIL Individual products:

• Individual Health Product Updates for 2019
• 2019 Qualified Health Plan Product Offering
• Pharmacy/Prescription Changes
• Dental & Vision Updates
• New Fully Insured Vision program

Learn BCBSIL strategy in:

• Product Stabilization
• Transitions and Renewals
• Marketing and Advertising Focus
• Revamped Strategic Alliance

Plus, see details on our education and outreach efforts:

• Producer Training Campaign, Tools and Resources
• Regulatory and Compliance Reminders
• Prospect and Member Materials

 

 

New: Same Day Termination of Consumer Marketplace Coverage Available

We are excited to see the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Marketplace Announcement that will relieve the historically burdensome 14 day FUTURE terminate date protocols.  Prior to the referenced rule change, when an insured called in to terminate their individual policy on the marketplace the termination would not be effective until 14 days in to the future.  CMS’ updated policy now reflects the typical process most carriers follow that an insured can request a “date of call” termination. 

See below for Fridays official Marketplace announcement. 

 

Travel Season Brings Sales Opportunities

We have entered travel season.  Most insureds are not aware of the medical insurance pitfalls that come with international travel.  Medicare is even a bigger pitfall in that there is NO overseas coverage.  Some Medicare Supplements will carry minimal riders providing a small level of coverage but may not be very comprehensive.  When traveling internationally, it is always a good idea to get an International Policy that provides multi lingual support.  In many cases, an International Policy can eliminate the need to prepay upfront and submit for reimbursement after you get home—after having all the bills translated and converted (at your cost).  Take a look at the enclosed link.  We can offer our brokers a similar personalized link that your potential clients can “self-serve” quote, enroll, and fulfill their policy all over the internet while you receive the full broker commission.  Call our office for details!

Personalized Link

BCBSIL MSP Season Now Open for groups of 1-150.

BCBS requires all renewing groups to update their Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) data via Blue Access for Employers (BAE).  The link in groups’ BAE accounts became active on June 5^th, 2018 and will be live until September 4^th, 2018. 

Please see News from the Blues article for more details.

 

BCBSIL Extends Small Group (1-50) Transitional Policy Through 2019

BCBSIL will extend existing transitional policy plans for an additional year, through the end of groups’ 2019 plan years.

Following the recent announcements by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois will be extending existing transitional policy plans for an additional year, through the end of groups’ 2019 plan years, including:

• Non-grandfathered (non-metallic) small group (1-50) plans with policy years beginning on or before Oct. 1, 2013.
  • Non-grandfathered plans are considered those issued after March 23, 2010, but before Jan. 1, 2014.

 

IRS recently announced the increase to the affordability threshold for ACA employer mandate pay or play

The IRS recently announced the increase to the affordability threshold for ACA employer mandate pay or play purposes to 9.86% for plan years beginning in 2019.  This is increased from 9.56% for 2018 plan years.

For a copy of Revenue Procedure 2018-34 please click on the link below:  

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-18-34.pdf