Blue Shield Small Business News for Q4 and 2017

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To ensure success through the end of the year and get a head start on 2017, below are important updates and promotions Blue Shield has announced for the small business market (1-100 employees).

Q4-2016 Promotions

• Relaxed participation has been extended through December 31, 2016. Download the latest flyer for details.
• The specialty product participation requirement has been reduced to 25% and requires Blue Shield be the sole carrier for dental, vision and life insurance plans.
• Early group submissions are encouraged for Q4.
  – Applications will be good for three months from the date of signature for effective dates of October 1 through December 15th 2016.
  – During Q4, only 25% of the first month’s premium is due with the application. The balance will be due upon the group’s first month’s billing date.
• DE9C’s are no longer required for groups of 10+ enrolling employees. Please note: there are requirements to participate. Download the Attestation Form.
  – DE9C’s are still required for groups of 1-9 , however Blue Shield will allow groups to submit the most recent DE9C available at the time of submission.

Updates

• Blue Shield will accept another carrier’s bill in lieu of Refusal of Coverage forms for employees that are opting for the other carrier’s coverage.
  – If the other carrier has not issued a bill yet, Blue Shield will accept copies of the employee applications to the other carrier.
• The Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is coming soon. Applications for new groups must be received by Blue Shield between November 15 and December 15, 2016 for a January 1, 2017 effective date. Groups are eligible for coverage without meeting the minimum participation and contribution requirements. Please note:
  – Groups must still meet all other small group eligibility requirements, and
  – Groups must meet the minimum participation requirements upon renewal to continue coverage.
• Blue Shield has revised their Master Group Application (MGA) for groups effective October 1, 2016. More Blue Shield forms are available here.

Employer Connection Plus

• Groups can manage their account online and set up automatic payments to avoid late payment notices.
• For groups available on Employer Connection Plus, new hire enrollments and other changes can be made online.

Please note: online changes do not take effect immediately, typically 5-7 business days to be completed. Once an online enrollment has been submitted, edits or correction cannot be done online. You must submit a Subscriber Change Request form.

Additional Resources

• Understand how SB125 revises the definition of small group.
• 2016 Packages for Small Business (1-100 employees).
• Transition of groups with 51-100 employees to the small group market.
• Embedded pediatric dental and vision benefits FAQs.
• Relaxed Participation Promotion.

Questions?
Contact the small group experts at 800.696.4543 or info@claremontcompanies.com.