Anthem Members Will be Reimbursed for Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests

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A recent announcement from the federal government intends to increase access to COVID-19 testing. As of January 15, 2022, members can get reimbursed by their health plan without cost share for the costs of over-the-counter diagnostic COVID-19 tests until the end of the Coronavirus Public Health Emergency. Diagnostic tests are performed if members are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have been recently exposed.

When should an employee take a test?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides guidelines for who should get a diagnostic test and when based on their current health vaccination status and history of infection.

Where can employees find a test?

  • Visit COVIDtests.gov for information on free tests that may be available through government programs.
  • For fully insured, non-refunding plans, Anthem has a limited number of at-home diagnostic test kits available that employees can order online using the Sydney℠ Health mobile app or at anthem.com. Employees can use our COVID-19 Test Site Finder to determine their eligibility. If they are eligible, they’ll be able to place an order. If not, they can use the test site finder for available options.
  • Employees can still use in-person diagnostic COVID-19 testing sites. These may include their doctor’s office, a pharmacy or health clinic, or an urgent care center. They can use our  COVID-19 Test Site Finder to find a testing location close to them.
  • Over-the-counter diagnostic tests can be purchased online, at a local pharmacy, or from a big-box store.

Can employees visit the emergency room for a test?
As hospitals and emergency departments are overwhelmed, employees should avoid going to the emergency room (ER) to be tested. They should only visit the ER or call 911 if they’re experiencing life-threatening symptoms.

How are the over-the-counter tests covered?
From January 15, 2022, until the end of the Coronavirus Public Health Emergency, each member on a group plan can get up to eight over-the-counter tests each month. If they purchase a test kit that includes two rapid tests, that will count as two of their eight covered tests. The federal requirement covers their cost for diagnostic tests.

How will employees be reimbursed?
Anthem is finalizing the reimbursement requirements and process now and will share an update soon.

Contact your Cornerstone representative with any questions.

UPDATE: Anthem Suspends Offer for At-Home COVID-19 Testing Options

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In the November 29, 2021, issue of the Cornerstone Monday Minute it was announced that Anthem was offering at-home diagnostic COVID-19 testing kits through anthem.com or the Sydney Health mobile app. Anthem just announced that due to a supply issue with the vendor providing the test kits, this offer has been suspended. As updates are provided by Anthem, we will post those in the Cornerstone Monday Minutes.

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

Anthem Indiana Offers Engagement Incentives for ACA and CHA MEWA Groups

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Anthem Indiana’s 2022 Engagement Package is available for ACA and CHA MEWA groups. Engagement Package 200 rewards employees up to$200 for taking part in a wide variety of condition management, preventive care, and wellness activities that offer employees options to best meet their goals.

Employees can follow their progress and rewards1 earned through Anthem.com or Sydney Health. Sydney Health serves as Anthem’s fully integrated digital platform, fostering the most personalized, optimal experience possible.

Click here to review the flyer

Visit Anthem’s Broker Hub for marketing materials on this package: www.anthembrokerhub.com

Anthem Indiana Releases Small Group Benefits Package

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For 2022, Anthem Indiana plans beginning with January 1, 2022, new cases and renewals, the benefits package below is included in ACA and MEWA Small Group offerings.

Click here to review Anthem Indiana’s Engagement Package

Anthem Indiana CHA MEWA Modified Underwriting Process

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From Anthem Indiana: If you have any prospects with 20 or more total members (including dependents), you can use the form below in lieu of questionnaires IF the group has current group medical coverage. They don’t need to sign anything on this form, just upload it in place of the questionnaire(s).

Click here to access the questionnaire.

Contact your Cornerstone representative with any questions.

Anthem’s Bonus Program Rewards Sales Written for January and February 2022

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Anthem’s Ohio Individual ACA broker bonus plan enables brokers to earn more for their ACA sales.

Here’s how you can take advantage of this bonus program:

Volume (member sales)

Bonus amount per member

First 9 members

$0

Next 10 to 49 members

$25

Next 50 to 99 members

$50

Next 100+ members

$100

Important bonus program details

  • For Ohio Individual ACA products only.
  • Bonus member sales volume is based on the total new members written during the 2022 open enrollment period, with effective dates of January 1, 2022, and February 1, 2022.
  • Bonus will be paid based on the writing agency.
  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield reserves the right to make all rules and payout determinations concerning this bonus program and may modify or eliminate the program at any time without notice.
  • National brokers are not eligible for this bonus program

Anthem Offers No-Cost, At-Home COVID-19 Testing Options

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Anthem has shared information about additional testing options for employees with symptoms of COVID-19 or who have been exposed to someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19:

  • At-home diagnostic COVID-19 testing kit. This test is available at no charge for diagnostic testing only and now available through anthem.com or the Sydney Health mobile app. A doctor’s order, while normally required for testing to be covered, is not required when ordering through this limited program. The test typically arrives in two business days or less and provides results in 10 minutes. This test is for employees who have symptoms of COVID-19 or who have been exposed to someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. This rapid diagnostic test for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigen is an over-the-counter (OTC) home test for use under an FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for in vitro diagnostic use only. It is not being made available under FDA authorization for screening purposes. While Anthem does not normally cover at-home diagnostic COVID-19 testing kits unless ordered by a clinician, they have purchased a limited number of at-home testing kits for this temporary program.*
  • OTC diagnostic COVID-19 tests. If employees can’t wait for a kit to come in the mail, they can check their local pharmacies and grocery stores for over-the-counter COVID-19 tests at their own expense.

Proactively educating members about these testing options helps them feel supported and confident in their care. Inform your employees about the new at-home COVID-19 diagnostic testing kit option and that they can order it through the Sydney Health app on their smartphone or online at anthem.com. Members can also go to Anthem’s COVID-19 Resource Center and select Find a Testing Center to see local testing options, order an at-home COVID-19 testing kit, and check state guidance for the latest local COVID-19 recommendations.

Contact your Cornerstone representative with any questions.

Digital Offerings from Anthem and More

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  • Help your clients confidently connect to affordable healthcare during open enrollment. The open enrollment period has been extended. It starts November 1, 2021, and now ends January 15, 2022.  Your clients must submit applications by December 15, 2021, to have benefits effective on January 1, 2022. Reminder: Visit the Anthem Broker Hub to find key Individual materials in one place. Click on the 2022 Individual Open Enrollment guides link at the top of the page to quickly access 2022 sales kits.
  • The complete Sydney Coffee House series is now available online. The series explored a different aspect of the Sydney Health app each month, culminating in a complete, end-to-end demonstration. Sydney is one way we invest in technology to improve our members’ healthcare experience.
  • A more comprehensive set of digital tools to improve your client’s emotional well-being arrives January 1, 2022. These digital resources use proven Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques to expand access to support and eliminate social stigma barriers.
  • Anthem has expanded their clinical site-of-care reviews to include musculoskeletal services. The AIM Musculoskeletal Services site-of-care program reviews certain joint surgeries and pain management services to determine whether the site of care is medically necessary. This program starts January 1, 2022, for your fully insured clients. It does not require any changes to member benefits.

Contact your Cornerstone representative with any questions.

Anthem to Return to Indiana ACA Individual Market

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After many years removed from the Indiana ACA individual market, Anthem is reentering the market beginning January 2022.  Anthem and Indiana’s largest provider network, Indiana University (IU) Health Network, have combined to offer the new Individual ACA plans. There is a map provided to show the details of the reach of this HMO network that is called Pathway Essentials Network, which is available in 45 counties across Indiana.

This new offering brings the trust and security of offering Anthem to your individual clients once again. Commissions will be competitive with a bonus included to reward producers for their productivity.

Click me

Contact your Cornerstone representative for more information.

Big Updates for the ChamberCare Health Alliance MEWA Plan

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Starting January 1, 2022, the ChamberCare Health Alliance MEWA plan will begin partnering with mewa.io and myCobraPlan to offer COBRA services for COBRA-eligible groups. The change will apply to existing MEWA groups and new sales and will be offered at no additional cost.

For the past three weeks, you should have received a weekly email from mewa.io. The communications included many details about the upcoming change. Each weekly email also contained links to the previous communications, in case you missed any. For your convenience, all three communications are below:

So you can be on the lookout for the remaining emails, below is the COBRA communication schedule.

  • 10/11/21: Broker Mailing 1: Introducing Mewa.io and myCobraPlan for COBRA
  • 10/18/21: Broker Mailing 2: Demo Videos
  • 10/25/21: Broker Mailing 3: FAQ
  • 11/1/21: Email to MEWA employers
  • 11/8/21: Broker Portal email – This will detail what actions brokers can take on behalf of employer groups in mewa.io
  • 1/3/22: Broker Mailing 4: Program is Live

Contact your Cornerstone representative with any questions.

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