Updated MMO COSE MEWA Commissions for January 1 Effective Dates Only

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Medical Mutual recently announced an increase to the health commission rates on new COSE MEWA accounts with an effective date of January 1, 2022.

The new sale commissions are as follows:

Account Size

New Sale Commission Rate

2 to 9

$40.00 per employee per month

10 to 50

$50.00 per employee per month

Please note:

  • This new sale commission amount is payable for the first 12 months and will revert to standard Schedule A renewal commission after these 12 months are complete
  • Sole Proprietors are not eligible for the increased commission and remains at $25.00 PEPM.
  • Existing Medical Mutual groups that transfer to a COSE MEWA plan from grandmothered/grandfathered plans, another MEWA or an ACA plan are not

These new sale commission rates will be included in the Ohio Standard Commission Schedule for Health and Life Accounts (Schedule A) which will be released prior to December 1, 2021.

Contact your Cornerstone representative with any questions.

Anthem Announces 2022 Ohio Farm Bureau MEWA Updates

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The Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefit Plan (MEWA) has expanded its plan portfolio for 2022 and made many updates to plan designs that brokers with OFB clients will want to understand. The Ohio Farm Bureau MEWA is an SIC-code specific offering for businesses engaged in ‘agribusiness’ such as restaurants, farms, florists, landscapers, etc.

Remember, too, that Anthem became the administrator for the Ohio Farm Bureau plan in July 2021. If you haven’t looked at a quote in a while, we believe now would be a good time to take a second look. The MEWA accepts paper as well as FormFire applications for medical underwriting. Base rates are also available upon request.

Brokers with existing OFB MEWA business will receive a slide deck from a recent presentation Anthem did for GAs along with a link to the video from their Cornerstone representative.

Please contact your Cornerstone Broker Advisor if you’d like to learn more about quoting the Ohio Farm Bureau MEWA or would like to receive a broker kit. Here are some items we have available:

  • Producer Guide
  • List of eligible SIC codes
  • Recent webinar with 2022 updates
  • 2022 webinar slide deck with plan changes outlined and a plan grid

Humana Adds State Exhibit to Producer Contract

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Effective starting August 18, 2021, all licensed producers will receive a new exhibit to their contract, Exhibit 4: Product Authorization. This exhibit will list the states where the producer is considered to be contracted to sell with Humana.

As stated above, Exhibit 4 will list the states where a producer is considered contracted, including any non-appointment state and any state for which an active appointment exists. Renewal commissions are not impacted, they will continue to pay in accordance with applicable laws.

A new exhibit will be triggered when a producer:

  • No longer has any active appointments in a state (the state will be removed)
  • Has a state license that term (the state will be removed)
  • Has a new non-appointment state that is added to their record (the state will be added)
  • Is first appointed in a state (Note – subsequent appointments in a specific state do not generate a new exhibit)

This exhibit does not impact a producer’s ability to sell in any state where they are properly licensed. As long as they are properly licensed in the state where they are selling and maintain an active producer contract, Humana will automatically re-appoint the producer for the specific legal entity that is necessary.

Contact your Cornerstone representative with any questions.

Humana’s Dental Waiting Periods to Change November 1 for 5+ Enrolled

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Effective November 1, 2021, dental waiting periods are being eliminated on all new and existing employer-sponsored Humana groups with 5+ enrolled who meet certain criteria (below). This change in policy will position Humana more competitively and promote improved retention on existing business.

No waiting periods criteria:

  • Employer-sponsored
  • Group size is 5+ enrolled
  • Groups currently enrolled (still in their waiting periods) and new business (in the process of enrolling) in a 2019 generation dental plan
  • New business with an effective date of November 1, 2021, and beyond who are enrolling in a 2019 generation dental plan

This change does NOT apply to:

  • Late applicants waiting periods
  • Voluntary groups
  • Groups with 2 to 4 enrolled
  • Groups currently enrolled or enrolling in any dental plan except generation 2019

Benefit summaries, plan materials, marketing materials, and Mentor are in the process of being updated by the November 1, 2021, effective date. Due to the short timeframe of the change in waiting periods, some resources may not be ready in time.

Contact your Cornerstone representative with any questions.

October Updates from The Dental Care Plus Group

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DentaQuest Announces Plans to Combine With Sun Life

DentaQuest has entered into a definitive agreement to combine with Sun Life U.S. in a transaction that will further the company’s mission to improve the oral health of all. This combination will create one of the largest dental benefits providers and administrators in the U.S.

As part of Sun Life U.S., DentaQuest will have a broader provider network and greater strategic and financial flexibility to accelerate growth of its differentiated approach to oral health. DentaQuest’s combination with Sun Life U.S. marks the next logical step in their long-term transformation and will further enhance its many existing capabilities. In recent years, DentaQuest has made a series of strategic decisions (including the acquisition of Dental Care Plus Group) that have accelerated growth and innovation.

Read the full press release here.

2022 Shelf Rates Now Available

Click here to access the 2022 Shelf Rate documents. DCPG now offers a new enhanced plan option based on your feedback – AND – please note that all their shelf rates include:

  • Rate holds or rate decreases for all markets
  • Two-year rate guarantees
  • Bundled discount – 2% off dental if you sell vision

Q4 Broker Bonus – For a Limited Time

DCPG is giving you the opportunity to earn a onetime $15 bonus override per enrolled employee subscriber on ANY fully-insured sold case with 2-49 enrolled employees. This offer is valid for dental sold cases with effective dates of October 1, 2021, through January 1, 2022.

How It Works

  1. Recommend our dental benefits plans to your clients.
  2. Implement a new dental plan (2-49 enrolled employees) with an effective date of October 1 – January 1, 2022.
  3. Earn a one-time $15 bonus override per enrolled employee subscriber. This bonus is on top of your regular bonus and any other applicable sales incentive program.

Remember, every DCPG plan includes:

  • Annual open-enrollment period
  • No benefit waiting periods
  • Fourth-quarter deductible carryover

Terms and Conditions

  • This Broker Bonus Program does not constitute a contract
  • The Broker Bonus Program applies to new business sold with effective dates between October 1, 2021 and January 1, 2022
  • Eligibility is limited to dental groups that are new to DCPG (i.e., not enrolled between July 1 and September 30, 2021) and have 2-49 enrolled employee subscribers
  • All Broker Bonuses will be considered income and fully taxable and subject to applicable withholdings
  • The Broker Bonus Program is offered at the sole discretion of DCPG and can be terminated or modified at any time without notice
  • Bonuses will be paid directly to the writing agent
  • Bonuses equaling $50 or less will be paid through a Visa/AMEX gift card
    Application of programs and determinations of eligibility and payment amounts, if any, will be made by DCPG at our sole discretion, with decisions made by DCPG as final
  • Limited Time Bonuses will be paid as a lump sum within 2 months following the termination of bonus plan.
  • Participation in the Broker Bonus Program constitutes your agreement to the above Broker Bonus Rules

The Dental Care Plus Group Contract Eligibility Adjustments

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Plan Enhancement – Dependent Age – 26

As of January 1st, 2022, the Dental Care Plus Group will roll out a new plan enhancement that will allow all dependents to stay enrolled on their policies without requiring student status verification to age 26. This coverage will be active through the end of the birth month in which the dependent turns age 26.

This enhancement does not impact your current rates and will automatically be applied to your clients’ benefit offering as of January 1, 2022.

DCPG is implementing this enhancement in an effort to:

  • Simplify the administration of plans by aligning with most medical plans,
  • Making it easier for employees by removing the requirement for verifying student status, and
  • Extending coverage for dependents at no additional expense.

What you need to do next:

  • Dependents currently active on the plan will remain on the plan.
    • Any dependents not currently active on the plan need to be re-enrolled via the channels listed below.
  • Distribute this addendum to all eligible employees.

For EDI Groups:

  • Please communicate this change to your third-party administrator. If you or your vendor have any questions, please contact Kaylyn Kaeding at kaylyn.kaeding@greatdentalplans.com
  • Additionally, if your third-party vendor continues to populate the student flag in the EDI file, DCPG will continue to cover those dependents through the end of the birth month in which the dependent turns age 26.

For Standard Enrollment Groups:

  • Changes can be submitted with an enrollment form/change order form for an effective date of 1/1/2022, OR
  • Enroll new dependents via the employer portal with an effective date of 1/1/2022.

For All Groups:

  • DCPG recommends employers speak with their HR consultants and other experts regarding offering a special enrollment period to ensure employees are aware of this enhanced benefit.

Please note, DCPG will continue to enroll dependents on the effective date provided by you.

Contact your Cornerstone representative with any questions.

Anthem Kentucky ChamberAdvantage MEWA Employee Application Update

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Anthem KY has recently updated the Chamber Advantage employee application/health questionnaire to include a question related to COVID treatment.  See below for the updated documents:

ChamberAdvantage Employee Health Questionaire

ChamberAdvantage Enrollment Application

Please discard any Chamber Advantage employee applications you may have saved and begin using the updated version immediately. Anthem has stated that underwriting will not be accepting outdated versions of these forms.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your Cornerstone Broker Advisor.

Changes in Humana’s COVID-19 Testing Policy Effective October 1, 2021

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Humana has updated their current COVID testing policy effective October 1, 2021. They have released a comprehensive FAQ document for your reference.

Humana continues to cover COVID-19 testing at $0 member cost-share for all members as required by the Public Health Emergency (PHE) regulations established by the federal government. This means that Humana members may be eligible for COVID-19 viral (antigen or molecular) testing when:

  • The test has been ordered by a physician or other licensed healthcare professional and is FDA-approved or authorized under the EUA, which includes any of the following:
  • The member has symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, difficulty breathing, fatigue, fever, headache, nasal congestion, new loss of sense of taste or smell, sore throat); or
  • The member is asymptomatic with a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and has not tested positive within the past three months; or
  • The member requires pre-admission or pre-procedural testing in an asymptomatic individual.

Humana members may not be eligible for COVID-19 viral (antigen or molecular) testing to be covered for any indications other than those listed above including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Employment (e.g. pre-employment, return to work) or school purposes (e.g. return to school); or
  • Entertainment purposes (e.g. prior to a concert or sporting event); or
  • General population or public health screening; or
  • Physicals (executive or routine); or
  • Screening in a congregate setting; or
  • Sports participation; or
  • Travel purposes

Contact your Cornerstone broker advisor with any questions.

Anthem’s Virtual Care is Now Available 24/7 for No or Low Cost

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Anthem is now offering virtual care options through their Sydney Health app:

  • Access: Members can have a video visit, chat with a doctor, or use the symptom checker anywhere, at any time, from their mobile device. No appointment needed.
  • Affordability: Virtual care doctors are available 24/7. Video visits and chats are no or low cost, depending on the health plan.
  • Whole-health support: A full suite of services is included through Sydney Health. Doctors can diagnose hundreds of conditions, make referrals, and attend to everyday wellness needs such as refilling prescriptions.

Contact your Cornerstone broker advisor with any questions.

Important Updates from The Dental Care Plus Group Regarding 2022 Plans

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Expanded PPO Network

DCPG’s PPO network has expanded to include the DenteMax Plus network. Their DentaSelect PPO now offers over 800,000 access points nationwide.

Click here to search for specific provider information.

PPO Available in Cincinnati

Reminder that DCPG can sell their DentaSelect PPO in all markets, including Cincinnati to offer seamless coverage for your clients.

Important Deadline for 1/1 Business

In order to ensure member ID cards for January 1, 2020, groups are in the mail by January 1, DCPG must be in receipt of the group’s complete sold case submission, including employee enrollment forms or enrollment spreadsheet, by:

  • For Groups with 100+ subscribers, Friday, October 15, 2021
  • For all other sized Groups, Thursday, November 11, 2021

Shelf Rates Coming SOON

The 2022 shelf rates for all markets will be released in the next few weeks. Please note:

  • 2022 Shelf Rates will feature:
    • A new enhanced plan option based on your feedback!
    • Two-year rate guarantees!
    • Competitive rates with rate holds in many markets!

Contact your Cornerstone representative with any questions.

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