Anthem Will Issue MLR Rebates in August

In an effort to ease the financial burden of the COVID-19 pandemic, Anthem will fast-track the annual medical loss ratio (MLR) rebates that groups and individual members typically receive in late September to August.

The medical loss ratio provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) encourages health plans to spend most of the premium dollars they collect on health care costs rather than overhead. It’s a ratio of insurance claims costs to insurance premiums, and is expressed as a percentage.

In the fully insured small group and individual markets, the MLR provision requires plans to spend at least 80 percent of premium income on health care claims and quality improvement. In the fully insured large group market, it requires at least 85 percent. In markets where Anthem doesn’t meet the minimum ratio, they are required to issue rebates to employer groups and individual members. ASO plans and stop-loss insurance are excluded from the rebates.

Anthem groups and individuals in 8 states will receive rebates this year.

Anthem will send rebate checks to employer groups and individual members along with a federally mandated notice that explains MLR and how it is calculated. They are also mandated to notify employees of the groups that receive rebate checks.

ACA rules require that employers either distribute the rebate among their employees covered by the rebated plan or use it to lower premiums in the next plan year. Rebate distributions must be made within three months of the policyholder’s receipt of the rebate. Group plans that are subject to Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) laws may also use the rebate funds to pay current plan premiums.

View this FAQ for more details on the rebates.

Contact your Cornerstone representative with any questions.