News
Dickerson brings you the latest weekly industry, legislative and carrier updates.
Independence Day Holiday Hours, Q3 Hot Topics, Blue Shield BOR Self Service Tool, Health Net Elite Partners Program, Humana Extended Holiday Deadine, Updates, News & More
Wednesday, July 03 2024
Carrier Updates
Anthem and Cottage Health have finalized a multi-year renewal agreement effective January 1, 2025 . Anthem has rescinded its notice of termination with Cottage Health and the current contract remains in full force and effect. Cottage Health comprises the below-referenced entities and provides services to members in Santa Barbara County: Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital (050357) Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital (050396) Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital (051331) Cottage Urgent Care (PPO) Pacific Diagnostic Laboratories (PPO & Medicare) For More Information or Help Quoting Anthem, Please Contact Your Dickerson Sales Rep.
Carrier Updates
Blue Shield has announced their new online Broker of Record self-service tools are now Live on Broker Connection. These new self-service tools will streamline the BOR change request process for Small Group Off Exchange, Medicare Supplement, and IFP Off Exchange lines of business. These enhancements are designed to simplify and improve broker workflows and help ensure prompt commission processing. Here are some key highlights: Online Requests: You can now submit BOR change requests online for Small Group Off Exchange lines, Medicare Supplement, and IFP Off Exchange lines of business. Status Tracking: Track your request status effortlessly through our Online Client List feature. Real-time status tracking helps to ensure there are no returned requests for additional information, making sure your submissions are processed promptly. Easy Access: Access the most updated forms and submit requests digitally through our platform for a smoother, more efficient experience. Guided Tours: Our Guided Tours, User Guides and Quick Links help you navigate the submission process and the requirements for submitting a BOR change, reducing manual errors and ensuring a seamless experience. Click the Site help link at the top of any authenticated landing page on Broker Connection for more information. Help ensure your commissions are processed promptly with these tools designed to simplify and enhance your workflow. For more information, please review our FAQs or log in to your Broker Connection account. For More Information or Help Quoting Blue Shield, Please Contact Your Dickerson Sales Rep.
Carrier Updates
Health Net has unvieled its new Elite Partners Program (EPP) contest, which gives you the chance to put your selling talents to the test. Be one of Health Net’s top 8 selling brokers in IFP, Large Group or Small Group, and you and a guest can pack your bags for paradise. Celebrate your success and carve a new future as you spend time with Health Net's senior leadership. Plus, get expert insight on emerging industry trends and future growth strategies and network with colleagues. Then relax with a Mai Tai in hand and your toes in the sand! Surf’s up for big sales To qualify: SBG: The top 8 Brokers will secure a spot. Minimum 250 members to qualify. (Contest runs from June 2024–January 20251 effective dates). LG: The top 8 Brokers will secure a spot. Minimum 300 members to qualify. (Contest runs from June 2024–January 20251 effective dates). IFP: The top 8 Brokers will secure a spot. Minimum 250 members to qualify. (Contest runs for the entire month of January 20252). For More Information or Help Quoting Health Net, Please Contact Your Dickerson Sales Rep.
Carrier Updates
Humana released their most recent group updates highlighting extended group deadline dates due to the holiday and longer lead times for new business quoting, see below. Holiday Deadline Extension for 7/1 New Business Submissions: Launch My Group (LMG) – For 7/1/24 effective date, the user must click submit in LMG by 7/10/24 and electronic documents must be signed as soon as possible after submission. Small Group Sales – 7/1/24 effective date cases must be submitted by 7/10/24. Please note – cases submitted to sbsales@humana.com will see significantly longer timeframes from submission to group number. Existing Business Submissions: Launch My Group – For 7/1/24 effective date, the user must click submit in LMG by 7/10/24 and electronic documents must be signed as soon as possible after submission. Paper Plan Add/Changes (submitted through beclericals@humana.com) – 7/1/24 effective date cases must be submitted by the EOD 7/10/24. Longer Lead Time for Small Group (2-99) New Business Quoting Historically, we allowed quoting approximately 75 days out, but we are now extending that an additional 60 days. By extending the effective date options for new business, we will better meet the needs of our customers and limit rework for sales and quoting. What does it look like? With this change, currently, you will be able to select an effective date of 7/1, 8/1, 9/1, 10/1, or 11/1. Previously you would have only seen 7/1, 8/1, and 9/1. On the 12th of each month (or the business day following the 12th should it fall on a weekend or holiday), we will extend the next available effective date for quoting. For More Information or Help Quoting Humana, Please Contact Your Dickerson Sales Rep.
Carrier Updates
Kaiser Permanente is providing a fast and easy enrollment process that supports you and your groups as you transition C+O business. You can earn a Total Replacement reward for every new, qualified, transitioned small group. Offering simplified underwriting processes Kaiser Permanente offers a dedicated team, simplified underwriting processes, and same-day approvals for California small group businesses affected by the C+O market exit. At anytime, you may submit your new Kaiser Permanente group online at business.kp.org. Self-service capabilities that make it easy to enroll, submit new group applications and view the real-time status of submitted applications. Providing the following documents: • Small Group Employer Application • Employee Enrollment o Spreadsheet enrollments o Electronic signature forms • Cigna + Oscar billing statement • First month’s payment Get rewarded You can earn a Total Replacement reward for every new, qualified, transitioned small group. For more details on the Total Replacement reward and other bonus programs, please visit kp.org/cabrokercomp. Kaiser Permanente’s value-based care • The award-winning app makes navigating care and coverage simple. • Health and Wellness tools are part of Kaiser Permanente integrated care. • Virtual Care with $0 copay. • Mental health support is embedded in the overall care experience. • Additional benefits like vision care are part of our small business plans. • Superior specialty care drives exceptional results. Kaiser wants to help you navigate this transition and ensure you have all the information you need to transition your groups. For More Information or Help Quoting Kaiser Permanente, Please Contact Your Dickerson Sales Rep.
Carrier Updates
OAKLAND, Calif. (June 26, 2024) – Blue Shield of California is launching its new Member Health Record, which will improve the way users access and interact with their health information — all within the Blue Shield member app and website. The new health record feature will combine all of a member’s health data from their medical history and allow them to view and use it electronically. “Simply put, this is health care the way it should be,” said Paul Markovich, president and chief executive officer at Blue Shield of California. “Our new Member Health Record is a huge step in our journey to empower members to make informed decisions, more easily manage their health care and ultimately live healthier lives without having to ask permission, navigate multiple physician and hospital portals, or rely on antiquated technology like fax machines.” An initial version of the Member Health Record will be released to a select group of Blue Shield Medicare Advantage members. By the end of the year, all Blue Shield of California members will have access, which will be enhanced with additional features and data from more healthcare providers throughout 2025. Upon release to all Blue Shield members in 2024, the Member Health Record will include: Access to health records available to Blue Shield, including lab results, immunizations, diagnoses, conditions and more. Access to historical health data shared with Blue Shield, even prior to Blue Shield membership. Connections between clinical data and resulting claims. Personalized health reminders for important tasks such as preventive care, well-being tips and more — and the ability to seamlessly add to calendar. Downloadable health record that can be shared, printed and emailed. Planned enhancements for 2025 include: Dependent health record visibility to support children or elder care. Personalized benefit recommendations, such as a no-additional-cost diabetes treatment program. Access to care management plans for members with acute or chronic health conditions. By compiling these features into a single experience, Blue Shield eliminates the often-frustrating need for multiple health apps and, more importantly, improves members’ visibility into the “big picture” of their health. The Member Health Record’s breadth of features and data partners will offer patients one of the best health app experiences available in the market today. To Read More Click Here