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Group Benefits

Back Row (left to right): Ines Vunic, Craig Thomas, Jesse Rawley and Blair Farwell
Middle Row (left to right): Judy Wrigley, Susan Niziolek and Katie Streff
Front Row (left to right): Jamie McCullum, Jane Kopecky, Valentina Alic, Susan Garcia and Mary Dynes

Value Added Services- The one you can’t afford to miss
By Blair Farwell, RHU - VP of Health Division

Normally I leave these type topics up to the service area to promote, discuss, and educate, but as of late this topic has even reached the point that it has caught my attention on a widespread basis. As I evaluated the types of questions/service calls we received in our service area, I noticed that a great deal of the questions/problems could have been avoided if the broker on the case had only persuaded the customer to enroll in BlueAccess for Employers and then set up the broker as a “delegated user”. What that allows the broker to do is go online and view account information that any group administrator would have access to. You can see paid to date information, pull current bills, terminate employees, update employee mailing information, order new ID cards/print Temp ID cards all with a few clicks of a button.

Once this program is activated, you no longer need to worry about lost faxes to the Full Service Unit or processing delays of faxes. You can do it all, instantaneously, in real time, in less time than it takes to write out a fax cover, walk to the fax machine, and print confirmation at that moment, to show that the request has been processed. Many brokers are taking this approach and using the portal to provide “back office support” to their clients and printing/faxing, or E-mailing confirmations immediately after they complete the transaction on their client’s behalf. What I can guarantee you is that the brokers who have convinced their clients to activate BlueAccess for Employers (even if they do not use it themselves, but allow the broker access) report the “user experience” has been dramatically improved with BCBSIL and the administrative complications have virtually been eliminated. Additionally, those brokers that have been given access by an employer are far more effective and able to proactively manage the account. They can instantaneously answer many of the questions that pop up and provide additional value added services to their clients at no monetary cost to either party!

Want to learn more about this feature? Contact our office for an online tutorial; you cannot afford not to at least be aware of this great technology offering from BCBSIL!

BCBSIL Form Updates
By Ines Vunic, Existing Case Management

BCBSIL will no longer accept BPS form version dated 04/07 and the BPS form revised in October, 2007 will have to be submitted for March, 2008 and later effective dates. There are also new employee applications using a new form number of 20084.0906. The only real difference here is the spacing of HMO IPA information. Both forms are required to be used immediately.

Be assured you have the most current forms, eliminate paper stockpiles, by using our website for all forms necessary to write or administer your BCBSIL plans!

BCBSIL Announces Expansion of the $10/$40/$60
Three-Tier Formulary Rx Drug Card!
By Jane Kopecky, RHU, REBC, CSA, CMS

For the first time in many years, BlueAdvantage Entrepreneur (BAE) and BluePrint PPO plan options that currently have a 100/80 (in-network/out-of-network) and 90/70 (in network/out-of-network) coinsurance plan design will have a new drug card pairing option!

The $10/$40/$60 drug card that was introduced in July, 2007 (which was originally only paired with the 80/60 plans) has only recently been expanded for pairing with the 100/80 and 90/70 plans. This expansion makes available 51 plan buy-down options for your new or renewing groups!

If you have groups looking to decrease their monthly premium, consider reviewing one of these options with them. The plans are found in the Small Group Proposal included with the renewal letter. The $10/$40/$60 drug card option can help employers maintain the current level of major medical benefits offered to their employees at a lower cost by simply changing drug copays. These new drug pairings are currently available to new business prospects as well.

Benefit Enhancements to BlueEdge Plans
By Jane Kopecky, RHU, REBC, CSA, CMS

Two benefit enhancements became available January 1st to new and renewing BlueEdge HSA and BlueEdge Select HSA plans that have a 100% in-network coinsurance, $2500 in-network deductible plan design. The coinsurance for the Emergency Room benefit is being increased from 90% to 100% after the deductible has been met and the coinsurance for outpatient prescription drugs is being increased from 80% to 100% after the deductible has been met. To implement a plan change to an existing group, a new Benefit Plan Selection form is needed. The form is available on our website or feel free to call our office for assistance. For new prospects, you will see the changes on the Small Group Proposal. Contact anyone in the Group Division for details!

New Dental PPO Plans
By Jesse Rawley, Retention & Marketing Specialist

Have you noticed a change in your renewals or your new business quotes? The change started with 1/1/2008 effective dates on both renewals and quotes. Based on consumer demand, BCBSIL has added 10 new PPO dental plan designs and revised their rating structure. The 4 PPO dental plans that were marketed in 2007 are now considered “closed” accounts, but they can be retained by existing accounts that currently have them. Review your groups’ current dental rates and compare them to the newly offered PPO plans. Sometimes the premium savings can be upwards of 20% for an identical plan design; and if the group has a product that was marketed in 2007, there is an equivalent plan design within the new offerings that will offer the same benefits but (hopefully) at a lower price. This could be a great way to pick up some premium savings for groups or another way for you to secure your relationship with your client. Another nice feature of BCBSIL’s Dental plans is the lack of waiting periods which many other carriers have in place. Be mindful that you can always find the plan descriptions and the legend key on our website. Please give me a call to discuss any and all questions regarding these plans.

BCBSIL New Hire Procedure
By Susan Niziolek, New Business

For those of you who write BCBSIL group coverage, you know that the carrier does both medical and “financial underwriting”— reviewing a select few of the employers tax documents. The purpose of the “financial underwriting” is to both verify the status of all people completing employee applications and/or waivers that they are indeed eligible, full time employees, and that the business is a viable business entity.

For newly hired employees, BCBSIL now requires a copy of the new employee’s W-4 form. This verifies that the individual is eligible for coverage, is a W-2 employee (versus 1099) and working for the applying company. BCBSIL is trying to make it easier on the agents because sometimes getting a copy of the W-4 form is difficult.

They will now accept the new hire’s name handwritten on the Wage & Tax Statement as long as it also details their employment status (full time), hire date and initials of the Group Administrator.