Tips: Marketing Medicare

With baby boomers continuing to become Medicare eligible, agents should consider marketing to this consumer base. Remember, you cannot talk about the Medicare Advantage or Part D unless you have completed the appropriate certifications. Research indicates that Baby Boomers are using social media: 84% of Baby Boomers have a Facebook account 58% visit a company’s website after encountering the brand on social media 41% have Pinterest accounts  Social media is a low cost way to reach those consumers and make any additional marketing projects more impactful. Providing informational posts could drive consumers searching for information to you and your website.   Make sure your website is up to date and ready for consumers.   Make sure all of your communications include all of your contact information, social media links and your website address. Post short informational articles with references to contact you as a qualified agent on your social media websites. Ask your contacts to like your articles. Coordinate matching informational newsletters out to your contact list and ask for referrals. To make this easy, I have created 12 small articles you can use to post or create newsletters. Be sure [...]

2019-09-10T14:06:58-05:00Marketing & Sales Ideas, Medical, Patty's Perspective|
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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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BCBS IL Medicare Supplement Changes Effective 5/1/2019

Effective 5/1/2019, BCBS IL made some changes regarding their Medicare Supplement Products. The plans are staying the same and are guaranteed to issue, but there are some changes in: New rate determiners (gender and tobacco use) New rates New paper application The BCBS IL Plan Change Form will not be accepted Changes in the online submission process via Retail Shopping Cart Household Discounts (3% off premium) Billing changes New membership system Producer access to member communications Missing Information Process Some applicant information will not be available in the Retail Producer Portal Commission clarification with changes New contact information for support of the new plans New Rate Determiners Gender and tobacco use now affect rates. It appears that women’s rates are lower while men’s rates are higher and tobacco use for either gender will increase rates as well. The new rate charts will look like this: 2019 Medicare Rate Guide Plans sold with an effective date prior to 5.1.19 will continue and these plans are called legacy plans. When selling plans with an effective date of 5.1.19 and after, be sure to use the correct application. New [...]

2019-05-28T17:50:20-05:00Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Medical, MIBS Updates|
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Coming July 1, 2019 for BCBS Mid-Market Groups (51-150)…

The 2019 BCBS Mid-Market Portfolio will launch July 1, 2019 for effective dates starting July 1, 2019 and going forward and there are a few changes. There are 10 new plans and six of the 2018 plans will be removed. Any group that chose a 2018 benefit plan that is being removed, will be mapped to a 2019 plan most similar to their 2018 plan upon their renewal. Included in the new plans is an H.S.A. Blue Options plan. Plans being closed are listed below: For your new 51+ groups effective 7.1.19 or groups renewing 7.1.19 and after, be sure to use the new BPS form for any plan changes. Click Here for 2019 BPS BCBS has changed the plan name for their HSA plans to include A for aggregate and E for embedded into the plan name in the 5th position. Example: Aggregate plans will look as follows: MIEEA### Embedded plans will look as follows: MIEEE### Blue Choice Options HSA compliant plans are both Embedded in 2019 BCBS’s level funded product, Blue Balance Funded for the 51+ market will be ending 7/1/2019. It will still be [...]

2019-04-26T00:45:32-05:00Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Medical|
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2019 BCBS Blue Options Looks Great!

For the Small Group Market (1-50) With the release of the 2019 renewals and 2019 new group quotes, I continued to notice that the Blue Options plan was a great alternative providing premium cost savings as well as richer benefits for some groups. Blue Options is the plan that offers two levels of benefits with Tier 1 having the richest benefits but a smaller network and Tier 2 has less rich benefits but a much larger network. This plan is not available in all counties in Illinois.  If the plan does not show on the renewal or quote, this group is in an area that does not have access to the Blue Options/Blue Choice Options network. I noticed the following benefits with Blue Options: Access to both networks with premium savings Deductibles and Out of Pocket Maximums for both tiers cross accumulate The Deductible and Out of Pocket in Tier 1 was lower than their current plan The deductible and Out of Pocket in Tier 2 was lower or comparable to their current plan. The prescription coverage is applied to the Tier 1 deductible and out-of-pocket. Once the Tier [...]

2021-06-15T21:45:56-05:00Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Patty's Perspective|
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Tips: Adding Value to Group Enrollment and Renewal Meetings

Agents can add value to the group health plan that their clients are enrolled in by educating the insureds on how to maximize their benefits.   This also will increase the agent’s value in the employer’s mind.  With many families paying a monthly health premium that is higher than their mortgage, it is even more important to use the plan correctly.  Listed below are some topics and brochures to enhance your enrollment and renewal meetings. Stay in Network – insureds will receive more benefits by staying in network. Both BCBS IL and Humana offer insureds the opportunity to register for their carrier’s member website where they can view accrued deductibles and out of pockets, claims in process, provider searches and more. They also offer members a mobile app, making it very easy to search for an in-network provider while on the go. Since the mobile app is linked to the plan they are enrolled in, the provider search option already has their network, making the search easier and more accurate. Going out of network could result in very high expenses for the insured as those providers can balance [...]

2018-12-04T15:20:24-06:00Marketing & Sales Ideas, Medical, Patty's Perspective|
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National General’s Self-Funded Plans

Health benefit programs designed for small to medium sized business. A realistic approach to employee health benefits: Now, you can help business owners gain control of their health care expenses while providing quality benefits to their employees. By combining the cost savings of self-funding with the stability of more traditional plans, the National General Self-Funded Program gives them the simplicity and cost savings that they are looking for without the hassle of administering the program themselves. A national leader in the self-funded space, National General is able to provide business owners with: • Group market expertise • Immediate access to support • Quick resolution of issues • Hands-on help at time of reissue Self funding used to be a concept only available to large employers. Not anymore. Business owners enjoy the advantages of self funding without taking on added risk. It’s an easy way for your clients to lower their costs while providing quality health care benefits to their employees. Key Advantages of Self-Funded Programs: One predictable monthly payment- determined upfront and guaranteed not to increase for a full year as long as there are no changes [...]

2018-10-18T19:50:16-05:00Marketing & Sales Ideas, Medical|
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Group Special Enrollment For 1/1/2019 Effective Date

Group Special Enrollment This is the period when groups who do not meet employer contribution or employee participation requirements can enroll in a group plan. Group submission paperwork can be submitted to MIBS starting Thursday November 1, 2018. The last date for submission to MIBS is 12p.m. on Friday December, 14, 2018. Note- Later submissions (those closer to December 14) need to be complete without any missing information or they will not make the deadline. Group must still be a business eligible for group coverage Only available for the small group market (1-50) Employer does not need to pay any portion of the employee premium Employee participation requirement is waived Perfect for that group that is still on Individual policies Group premiums are usually lower and offer richer benefits than comparable individual plans Businesses on individual policies can have access to a large PPO network with a group plan All carriers must participate with the group SEP Sales Ideas Collect all the names of groups that you have quoted but who did not purchase a group plan Contact them again in October to see if they would be [...]

2018-10-18T19:47:12-05:00Marketing & Sales Ideas, Medical, MIBS Updates|
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TASC Update for Small Group Compliance

TASC recently hosted a Webinar discussing Small Group Business Compliance Requirements and their new solution. Craig Sayers from TASC led the Webinar and first off, simplified the Compliance requirements for small group based on total employees. 1-19 employees POP (when employer-sponsored premium payments are paid by the employee on a pre-tax basis) ERISA Annual ERISA and ACA Notices Annual Medicare Part D Notices ACA Employer Reporting (self-insured) 20-49 employees POP (when employer-sponsored premium payments are paid by the employee on a pre-tax basis) ERISA Annual ERISA and ACA Notices Annual Medicare Part D Notices ACA Employer Reporting (self-insured) COBRA Statistics indicate that 90-95% of employers have at least one violation of ERISA regulations.   Many businesses have no idea that there are even Compliance requirements.   They find out about it after they receive an audit or an employee files a compliant or lawsuit.  This is really too late to set up these documents. Space What Employers are subject to ERISA? Corporations Partnerships Sole Proprietorships Non-Profit Organizations (Unless exempt under 501a) Governmental and church plans are exempt from application of ERISA Title 1 (includes Indian Tribal Governments) Sound familiar?  [...]

2022-03-09T21:59:28-06:00Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Marketing & Sales Ideas, Medical, Patty's Perspective|
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