BCBSAZ 0% Comm SEP Update

SamIam

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SEP COMMISSION UPDATE

An important change to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona’s commission structure is coming. To help you plan accordingly, we wanted to get the details to you as soon as possible.

What is changing?

Beginning on May 1, 2016, BCBSAZ will no longer pay commissions on Special Enrollment Period (SEP) enrollments. A 0% commission rate will be applied to all Individual Under 65 (IU65) SEP policies with a 5/1/2016 or later effective date.

Are other carriers doing this?

Yes. As you may have seen, these types of adjustments are being done by other carriers as well, in Arizona and across the nation.

Will BCBSAZ still offer SEP enrollments?

Yes. However, in an effort to reduce expenses and tighten SEP loopholes, the enrollment process changed as of February 1, 2016. To enroll in a BCBSAZ IU65 health plan outside of open enrollment, Individual brokered and direct prospects must call BCBSAZ’s call center at 1-855-725-8329, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST. This number should also be used to receive updates on submitted applications.

Brokers should contact the call center on behalf of a customer and complete the application over the phone. Customers should be aware that they will need to submit proof of the qualifying event before BCBSAZ can process their IU65 SEP application.

Any paper applications that were received prior to this notice will be returned to the member unless the application was accompanied with supporting qualifying event documentation.

We thank you for your understanding and continued support of BCBSAZ.
 
BCBSAZ is no longer listed on Healthcare.gov for SEP enrollments??? That's how most people (especially the cheaters) will enroll.
 
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BCBSAZ is no longer listed on Healthcare.gov for SEP enrollments??? That's how most people (especially the cheaters) will enroll.

Just curious, can a carrier decide mid year to pull their plans from the exchange? If so that would be the easiest way to limit enrollment outside of open enrollment.
 
Just curious, can a carrier decide mid year to pull their plans from the exchange? If so that would be the easiest way to limit enrollment outside of open enrollment.

They can't legally "pull" the plans. But they can tell HC.gov not to show them. After a couple of days, they stop showing up at the Web Broker sites too.

Our 2nd most popular carrier in Illinois did that on 12/28/2015.

This common sense method for reducing enrollment is 1,000% more effective than the bullsh$t carriers are feeding us, in order to eliminate our compensation. It's too bad that we (agents-brokers) don't have an advocate organization with any meaningful influence.
 
It is possible to cease enrollment, during OEP and I presume SEP, for certain reasons such as financial strain from new business. I don't think it is possible to simply request to not be shown on HC.gov but who knows.

BCBS-AZ is still showing on HC.gov. I don't know what happens if you try to apply from there, but my assumption is that it would work.
 
Only on this forum, can we take an email that only talks about ceasing commissions on SEP business, and requiring off exchange apps be done over the phone..................into........."they're removing all plans from HC.gov !!"

And........here is your quote of the day from AIS.

"Insurers don't know what they are going to do [with regard to agent/broker commissions] until they see the losses from the prior year, which puts us right at open enrollment. If they have to cut agent commissions to zero, they will....The individual on/off exchange products are not a market that the independent agency can count on any longer."

— Rick Bailey, president of Rick Bailey & Company, Inc., told AIS's Health Plan Week.

Health Plan Week | AIS Health
 
Only on this forum, can we take an email that only talks about ceasing commissions on SEP business, and requiring off exchange apps be done over the phone..................into........."they're removing all plans from HC.gov !!

I'm pretty sure it was a question and not a statement.
 
Just enrolled one yesterday a lady not Medicare eligible age 67. The broker has to call it in to Blue Cross Blue Shield AZ. Off exchange
 
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