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October Edition-Individual Markets |
There is a great deal going on right now with regards to the BlueCross BlueShield Individual Health Products, so we thought we would recap many of the changes based on the repetitive questions we are getting from brokers. We have summarized the top 6 things that are going on in the BlueCross BlueShield Individual area with the goal that they can be read in 60 seconds or less! Read on for more information! |
| BlueCross Part D Certification is now online: |
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Restoring Individual Health Grandfathered Status (for plans that changed benefits between 3/23/10- 6/14/10) |
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| Introduction of Body/Build Field Weight Tables |
Effective 10/1/10, BCBSIL Consumer Markets (the individual products) have introduced weight tables in the Producer Guide. The new weight tables go from preferred, 25% to decline, and the tables are divided up by age (children to 19) and gender. Click here for more details. Top |
Prior to 10/1/10, families were only charged for up to 2 children so whether you had 2 kids or 5 kids, the dependent child rate would be the same. Starting 10/1/10, BCBSIL has changed their rating structure to a per child calculation for new business and renewal when plan changes are requested. Resource has observed that when larger families downgrade benefits, the Primary and Spousal savings may be wiped out by the additional dependent child premiums because of the new rating structure. Top |
| Auto Kits in widespread use with Hallmark |
If an applicant puts an email address on the application and ends up receiving either a a rider, amendment or outstanding premium, chances are they will be sent an "Auto Kit" from BCBSIL. Once an applicant goes online and verifies their identity, they will able to "e-sign" the rider language, pay outstanding balances (using a credit card) and print temp ID cards. It is important to note, although the Producer Portal will reflect an "Auto Kit" has been released to the client, electronic copies of the contents of the "auto kit" are not sent to the broker or GA. Full paper copies of the riders/contracts will follow (usually within a week), but this is just one way that BCBSIL can speed up the course of doing business for those that do not mind doing business over the internet and do not want to wait for normal rider/policy generation/mail time frames. Top |
New Software Available for Download BCBSIL has revived the old desktop version of software. The most currently marketed software version is 6.1. Using older versions may cause inconvenience and inaccurate quoting. The software requires both the quoting version and Microsoft Access. Note: BCBSIL uses an outside vendor (V and B Consulting) for both programming and tech support so don't be alarmed when you see their names in the file downloads below. BCBSIL has provided both programs for you. Please click on the following links in order to download the most current versions of the BCBSIL Illustration Software. Link to install Illustration Software version 6.1-setup.exe Link to install Microsoft Access 2007 - Run-Time Note: Once you have installed version 6.1, you can use the "Import Database" feature under the "Tech Support" option to import your existing contacts database. TECHNICAL SUPPORT: If you require technical assistance or have questions about upgrading/installing the Illustration Software, please email a detailed description of your question to support@vandbconsulting.com or call (219) 979-2625. |
If you have policies written or modified between 3/23/10- 9/23/10, they presently are in a state of conversion. All newly issued plans will be updated on 1/1/11 to have the newly compliant ACA plan designs. Click here to see the benefit change summary. Thus, new or modified policies between the above time frames have been migrated to a "pending status" within the Producer Portal while they are in transition to the new plans/policy kits with the home office. This policy status within the Producer Portal is the result of internal systems work that BCBSIL is doing and has no bearing on your policy holders besides systematically noting to you (as putting them in a Pending status) that they are moving to the ACA platform effective 1/1/11. |
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