BCBS IL Market Segment 51+

Determine Market Segment Determine Market Segment by averaging the total number of employees including full time, part time, seasonal and union in the year prior to the effective date. If the group has any affiliate or subsidiary companies that are required to be aggregated by the IRS, then all employees, seasonal and union from all aggregated companies will need to be added together. A middle market group can have less than 51 employees enrolled. 1.1.19 -12.15.19 effective dates will use the average number of employees in 2018. If the average in 2018 is 50 or less, than they would stay in the small group market for all of 2019. If the average number of employees is over 51 in 2019, then they would be the middle market in 2020. Major Differences between Small Group and Middle Market The middle market: is underwritten using the GRX database while the small group market is not has different plan options (non ACA) than the small group market. has composite only rates quotes start with a base quote and then firm rates are determined after submitting additional information and underwriting uses different [...]

2019-08-21T15:44:28-05:00Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Medical|
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Tips to Utilize BCBS IL MSP Data Collection

Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL’s MSP Data Collection Opened on May 29 Beginning May 29, 2019, BCBS will begin collecting this data from renewing groups via Blue Access for Employers and the deadline to submit this information is Sept. 30, 2019. New groups complete this information in their submission paperwork. Starting May 29th, employers can log into Blue Access for Employers and enter the required information. Producers who have access to the group’s BAE account, may complete the MSP information on behalf of their group. Agents can log into their BAP, click on the BAE icon at the top, and see all of their groups. Click on the group name to open their BAE site. BCBS will be emailing groups with notification that this requirement is now open to be completed on their Blue Access for Employers website.  If the group doesn’t have a valid email on file, BCBS will be sending a post card/letter or making a phone call to the group. A Great Opportunity for Agents to Continue Marketing! Marketing is the business process of creating relationships with and satisfying customers. Therefore, marketing does not stop after [...]

2019-07-09T12:26:21-05:00Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Marketing & Sales Ideas, Patty's Perspective|
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Streamline your BCBS IL group enrollment with DocuSign

BCBS IL and DocuSign   Imagine a world where all you need is your portable electronic device and you can complete the enrollment paperwork for a business to apply for a BCBS IL small group health plan.     Recently, BCBS IL presented the DocuSign enrollment tool to the staff at MIBS.   We were all impressed and played at being agents, sending out enrollment paperwork and filling it out too.  I was excited to see how easy and fast it actually was.   Each step of the process is designed to save time, increase accuracy of entered data and provide legible electronically signed documents to the group, the agent, and your MIBS CSR without printing forms, hand writing information, scanning or faxing. Ok, I know some of you will jump on this like, “Patty, tell me how!”   And there are those of my friends who will groan and sigh and say, “I can’t do that technology thing.”   Well, it really is not that hard. In an effort to make this as easy as possible, MIBS created a guide with step by step instructions on how to use Docusign.   You [...]

2018-10-30T14:14:32-05:00Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Medical, Patty's Perspective, Uncategorized|
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Travel with Confidence with GeoBlue

GeoBlue Travel Insurance is Now Available MIBS agents can now offer GeoBlue International Medical Coverage to your clients traveling outside of the U.S. With GeoBlue, expatriates, business and leisure travelers can trust that care is available to them no matter the town, country or time zone.  Through an elite network of providers, innovative mobile and online tools, and a high touch approach to customer service, GeoBlue provides peace of mind to members anywhere in the world. Why do you need GeoBlue? The U.S. is one of the few countries that does not require payment before receiving medical care. Travelers needing medical care outside of the US could be subject to Full cost of medical care which is required to be paid prior to service Full cost of emergency medical transportation Insurance coverage from US has very limited coverage out of the country. Repatriation – In the event of death in a foreign country Difficulty getting through the red tape of moving the body back home Customs negotiations Costs associated with transportation of the body In the event of illness or accident, dealing with language barriers and procedures Difficulty [...]

2018-10-30T14:05:07-05:00Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Medical, Patty's Perspective|
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Don’t Lose Your Commissions

2018 Certification Reminder It’s that time of year again when you need to complete your annual certifications.  There are two certifications for Health agents: 2018 FFM (Federally Facilitated Marketplace) registration and/or certification must be done by: Independent agent If commissions are paid to an agency, writing sub-agents and principal of agency 2018 Medicare PDP/Medicare Advantage certification must be done by: Independent agent If commissions are paid to an agency, writing sub-agents and principal of agency   In order to place new business effective 1/1/2018 and/or receive renewal commissions in 2018, agents must complete the appropriate certification before the end of the year.  2018 FFM (Federally Facilitated Marketplace) Certification Before starting any certification curriculum, check to make sure your computer is compatible with the MLMS website.   I advise using the MLMS Check Your System configuration link which quickly shows if you need to do anything.  Log into the CMS portal, enter the MLMS Training website and click on MLMS Check your System link at the top of the page under How to Get Started.  This will check your computer to see if there is any action you need to [...]

2018-10-29T21:20:08-05:00Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Patty's Perspective|
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Why Didn’t You Ask for That in the Beginning? Writing a Group Part 1

Part 1   Placing a Group Health Policy is like renovating an old bathroom.   The initial quote to replace the vanity, toilet and bath tub is well below the budget allocated.  The contractor comes in and removes the items but discovers that the pipes behind the wall are leaking and all of the dry wall needs to be replaced.  Now that the wall is open, you have to repair the leak and replace the drywall which brings the cost up to the maximum for your budget.  The truck delivers the new vanity, toilet and tub but the vanity is the wrong size.  You have to decide if you want to send the vanity back and wait for the correct one or try to make the delivered vanity fit by moving the toilet and pipes.  Looking into your bathroom with its exposed pipes, unpainted walls and damaged floor tiles, you have to make some decision or go without a bathroom.  Yikes!  If you only knew beforehand what was going to happen. Understanding the process of quoting and enrolling a group and learning some simple underwriting rules can help the [...]

2018-10-29T21:12:50-05:00Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Medical, Patty's Perspective|
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