In the Know - eNews for Producers
In the Know
 


Contents:

 ALL MARKETS
  • NEWS TO USE: A.M. Best Affirms HCSC’s “A+” Rating Again
  • NEWS TO USE: H1N1 (Swine) Flu Spread Anticipated; What You Can Do
  • NEWS TO USE: Measuring Hospital Performance to Improve Quality and Provide Transparency
  • WELLNESS: BlueExtrasSM Program Saves Members Money, Supports Healthy Lifestyles
  • WHAT'S NEW ONLINE: New Online Tool Provides Cost Information for Medical Procedures
GROUP MARKETS
INDIVIDUAL MARKETS
  • NEWS TO USE: Sell More, Earn More Bonus Program Returns! 
  • NETWORK UPDATE: Updated PPO Hospital Network Listing Now Available
  • PRODUCT FOCUS: SelecTEMP®' Refund Policy 
  • PRODUCT FOCUS: Coming Soon: BlueCare® Dental PPO Plan for Individual Markets
  • REMINDER: Increase Your Medicare Supplement Business with Issue More,
    Earn More
  • REMINDER: Use the Current BCBSIL Medicare Supplement Form
  • REMINDER: Blue Healthcare Bank Announcement



 ALL MARKETS
 


* A.M. Best Affirms HCSC’s “A+” Rating Again *
A.M. Best Company continues to rate Health Care Service Corporation's (HCSC) financial strength as one of the strongest in the health insurance industry. In July, A.M. Best reaffirmed its financial strength ratings on Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, and its health insurance subsidiaries as “A+” (Superior).
Continued…read more.

* H1N1 (Swine) Flu Spread Anticipated; What You Can Do *
Given the predictions for this year’s seasonal and H1N1 flu spread, it’s not too early to begin planning your response plan. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois continues to closely monitor the situation and, as needed, will provide updates about any potential impact the H1N1 flu will have on the services we provide to employers and members. We encourage you and your employer clients to take similar measures now and throughout the flu season to help protect the health of employees. See recommendations suggested by the Centers for Disease Control.
Continued…read more.

* Measuring Hospital Performance to Improve Quality and Provide Transparency *
   2009 Blue StarSM Hospital Report Now Available
At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, we are committed to helping members make informed health care choices and decisions with reliable information. One resource that provides members with hospital performance information is the annual Blue Star Hospital Report. The report summarizes a number of quality and safety performance measures in an easy-to-follow chart.
Continued…read more.

* BlueExtrasSM Program Saves Members Money, Supports Healthy Lifestyles *
Through the BlueExtras discount program, members are eligible to save money on value-added health care products and services that help support healthy lifestyles and enhance well-being.
Continued…read more.

* New Online Tool Provides Cost Information for Most Common Medical Procedures *
Because Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois believes an educated consumer will make better health care decisions, we’re excited to announce an enhancement to our Hospital Comparison Tool. Named Care Comparison, this new component of the hospital transparency tool allows members to make informed decisions when choosing a hospital or facility for common medical procedures and related services.
Continued…read more.

 

 
 GROUP MARKETS
 


* Now Available: Online Enrollment for Small Groups! *
Now producers, small employer groups (2-150) and members can complete their initial Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois enrollment online via a secure Web site. Membership, reporting and administrative transactions are quick and easy with Blue Access® for Employers. With Small Group Online Enrollment, enrolling new business has never been easier! 
Continued…read more.

* Employer Health Benefits Survey Asks about Wellness Programs *
Do your employer groups ask about the purpose or value of wellness programs? Then you might find the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Employer Health Benefits Annual Survey results of interest.
Continued…read more.

* 2010 Prescription Drug Program Changes *
To encourage safe, cost-effective medication use and help control pharmacy trends, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is making some prescription drug benefit program changes effective for new groups or upon renewal on or after January 1, 2010. These include prior authorization, step therapy and mandatory mail service programs, as well as dispensing limit changes.
Continued…read more.

* Blue StarSM, HEDIS® Reports Measure Medical Group Performance;
Help HMO Members Choose Providers *
Annually Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois assesses medical group performance based upon national clinical practice and preventive care guidelines. The 2009 Blue Star Medical Group/IPA Report recognizes HMO contracting medical groups/Independent Practice Associations that have documented high levels of performance in providing patient care. Also, HEDIS® and CAHPS® Reports measure HMO care and service.
Continued…read more.

* HMO Network Update *
In the August issue of In the Know, it was reported that the Independent Practice Association Ravenswood Medical (062) and satellite, Ravenswood Medical Group at Cicero (153), will no longer participate in the HMO Illinois and Blue AdvantageSM HMO networks, effective Dec. 31, 2009. The contract has since been renegotiated and will continue through Dec. 31, 2010.

* Blue Access Tip: How to Begin Using Online Bill Payment *
Your employer clients can pay their Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois bill online in Blue Access® for Employers. Encourage them to use online bill payment and experience the many advantages.
Continued…read more.

 

 
 INDIVIDUAL MARKETS
 


* Sell More, Earn More Bonus Program Returns!  *
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is pleased to offer the successful Sell More, Earn More bonus program for producers again. This promotion applies to BCBSIL Under 65 individual health insurance policies sold between October 1, 2009 and January 31, 2010. 
Continued…read more.

* Updated PPO Hospital Network Listing Now Available *
View BCBSIL’s recently updated PPO Hospital Network Listing. The list includes the contracting PPO hospitals located in Illinois and Indiana.

* SelecTEMP®' Refund Policy *
Effective June 1, 2009, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois amended the administrative procedures to support cancellations of the SelecTEMP plan during a benefit period. The cancellation is effective in the upcoming month based on the date the cancellation request is received.
Continued…read more.

* Coming Soon: BlueCare® Dental PPO Plan for Individual Markets *
Pending Illinois Department of Insurance approval, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is planning to introduce the BlueCare Dental PPO plan to members with individual and family health plans. The BlueCare Dental PPO product will be offered as a rider to members that have a major medical individual health insurance plan. It will not be offered with the SelecTEMP®' product. Look for more information and marketing materials soon.

Reminders:

 

In the Know - eNews for Producers

In the Know is an electronic publication for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois producers. In the Know is published by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois for informational purposes only. Editor: Shelley Fox - producer_news@bcbsil.com

A Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company,
an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

300 East Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60601

© Copyright 2009. Health Care Service Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
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