Contents:

• WELLNESS: New eCards for Health^SM Encourage Healthy Changes
• NEWS TO USE: BCBSIL Begins Medical Home Pilot Programs in Chicago Area
• COMMUNITY UPDATE: BCBSIL Announces Campaign Promoting Healthy Lifestyles for Kids

GROUP MARKETS

• ADMINISTRATIVE TIP: Blue Access Tip – How to Cancel a Member’s Health Insurance Coverage

INDIVIDUAL MARKETS

• PRODUCT FOCUS: Introducing BlueCare^® Dental PPO Rider for Individual and Family Products
• NEWS TO USE: Issue More, Earn More Campaign Extended!
• NEWS TO USE: Announcing the Sell More, Earn More Campaign
• NEWS TO USE: Improved Billing Process for Policy Downgrades
• FORMS: NEW! Under 65 Combined Application for Individual and Family Plans
• FORMS: NEW! Under 65 SelecTEMP^® PPO Application for Individual and Family Plans
• PRODUCT FOCUS: BCBSIL Medicare Supplement Product Offering Changes Expected June 1, 2010
• WHAT’S NEW ONLINE: Change to Online Sales Quoting Engine
• NEWS TO USE: September-October Issue of LifeTimes Now Available
• REMINDER: Use the Current BCBSIL Medicare Supplement Form

* New eCards for Health^SM Encourage Healthy Changes *
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois’ new, free online greeting card Web site – eCards for Health^SM – goes beyond wellness education and awareness to help people take the next step in their journey to a healthier lifestyle: committing to action.
Learn more here.

* BCBSIL Begins Medical Home Pilot Programs in Chicago Area *
This month Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is announcing that it has launched patient-centered medical home pilots with Pronger Smith Medical Care and Elmhurst Clinic, both of which serve patients in Chicago and its suburbs. The goal of patient-centered medical homes is to enhance quality and reduce growth in medical costs by improving the coordination of care.
Read the press release.

* BCBSIL Announces Campaign Promoting Healthy Lifestyles for Kids *
To promote healthy lifestyles among kids and their families, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is sponsoring the Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children's citywide advertising and community outreach campaign, "5-4-3-2-1 Go!"
Read more.

* Blue Access Tip: How to Cancel a Member’s Health Insurance Coverage *
You and your fully insured groups have the ability to cancel an employee or dependent’s health insurance coverage directly online in Blue Access^® for Employers.
Learn how here.

* Introducing BlueCare^® Dental PPO Rider for Individual and Family Products *
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is pleased to announce the new BlueCare Dental PPO rider for our Individual and Family product plans. Available beginning on Oct. 26, 2009, the rider is an option being offered to existing and new members with major medical Under 65 plans.
Get the details.

* Issue More, Earn More Campaign Extended! *
The Issue More, Earn More promotional offer currently running through October 31, 2009 has been extended until November 30, 2009. That gives you an additional 30 days to earn more!
Learn more here.

* Announcing the Sell More, Earn More Campaign *
The Under 65 Sell More, Earn More bonus program is being offered again this year, effective for policies issued and paid from October 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010.
See how to qualify.

* Improved Billing Process for Policy Downgrades *
Effective October 1, 2009, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois has improved the process for backdating downgraded policies. This change gives existing members greater flexibility to lower their premiums.  
Read more.

* NEW! Under 65 Combined Application for Individual and Family Plans *
After the Oct. 26, 2009 launch of the BlueCare^® Dental PPO rider, we recommend that producers use the new Under 65 Combined Application (Form #31315.0609), which includes the dental plan, for all new prospect sales.
Get the details.

* NEW! Under 65 SelecTEMP® PPO Application for Individual and Family Plans *
A new SelecTEMP^® PPO Application will be available on Nov. 2, 2009. Blue Access^® for Producers and the Online Sales Channel will be updated. Beginning on Jan. 29, 2010, the paper SelecTEMP^® PPO Application Form #30272 will no longer be accepted.

* BCBSIL Medicare Supplement Product Offering Changes Expected June 1, 2010
On June 1, 2010 the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) will introduce two new standard Medicare Supplement plans: Plans M and N. Also at that time, Plans E, H, I and J will be eliminated.
Review BCBSIL’s plans.

* Change to Online Sales Quoting Engine *
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois has updated the online direct sales quoting engine. Applicants using the online tool to obtain a quote for the Under 65 product plans are now asked to provide their height and weight in addition to other required information. If you have any questions, contact your general agent or marketing consultant.

* September-October Issue of LifeTimes Now Available *
The September-October issue of LifeTimes, the bi-monthly health and wellness newsletter mailed to Medicare Supplement and Part D prescription drug members, is available. In addition to articles on health and wellness, the newsletter features a crossword puzzle, book reviews and news briefs about medical research.