Anthem Archives - Cornerstone Broker Insurance Services Agency

Earn More with Anthem Ohio’s Individual SEP Bonus Program!

May 20, 2022/in Anthem, Bonus Programs, Carrier, Individual, Marketplace/by Cornerstone

Anthem Ohio recently announced a new Individual special enrollment period (SEP) broker bonus program beginning with June 1, 2022, effective dates and running through December 1, 2022, effective dates.

Anthem will pay $30 for each member (four-member maximum) enrolled in an on- or off-exchange product within these effective dates. There must be at least 10 members sold and they must remain enrolled with Anthem for at least 90 days for the enrollment to qualify for bonus payout.

Click here to learn more about the bonus program.

Contact your Cornerstone representative with any questions.

Anthem KY ChamberAdvantage MEWA June 1, 2022 Renewal

March 25, 2022/in Anthem, Carrier, Employee Benefits, MEWA/by Cornerstone

Anthem has announced that the June 1, 2022, KY ChamberAdvantage MEWA renewals do include some renewal alternatives that are incorrect and not available to be sold for 2022. Any alternatives that have a contract code beginning with the number “5” are not available plan options in 2022.

If a group chooses to make a plan change at renewal, they will need to choose a plan that has a contract code beginning with the number “6”.

The renewal packets which are being mailed to MEWA groups directly will include the correct plan options.

Click here to review the current 2022 Anthem KY ChamberAdvantage MEWA plan grid.

If you need to see an available renewal option that is not already included in your renewal packet, please contract your Cornerstone broker advisor.

CORRECTION: Anthem Kentucky Chamber Advantage Product Dues Update

March 18, 2022/in Anthem, Carrier, Employee Benefits, MEWA/by Cornerstone

Currently, the Kentucky Chamber directly bills each participating Chamber Advantage group for their product dues on an annual basis.

Effective June 1, 2022, the collection method of product dues will be changing for some Chamber Advantage groups.

Groups written with effective dates of January 1, 2022, through May 1, 2022, will follow the existing annual payment process until their June 1, 2023, renewal date.

Effective June 1, 2022, Anthem will begin billing/collecting the product dues monthly on behalf of the Kentucky Chamber, for the following groups:

Groups with a 6/1/22 renewal date
New business written with an effective date of 6/1/22 and after

The product dues ($4 PEPM) will be billed monthly along with the premium equivalent, and collected with a single electronic fund transfer (EFT).

Click here to review the new product dues acknowledgement outlining the change.

Please direct any questions you may have to your Cornerstone Broker Advisor.

IMPORTANT: Anthem Cornerstone Vision Open Enrollment

March 10, 2022/in Anthem, Carrier, Cornerstone Updates, Employee Benefits/by Cornerstone

Great news! As you know, Cornerstone has a multi-year rate hold for the Anthem Cornerstone Vision Plan with rates now expiring on March 31, 2024. Any group currently enrolled with the Anthem Cornerstone Vision Plan is approaching the open enrollment period. Enrollees added between March 15, 2022, and April 15, 2022, will become effective on the vision plan April 1, 2022.

Some important updates for this year’s open enrollment:

Members within your client group may have received new ID cards in late January. Anthem has selected a new vendor for ID cards and it is believed that some groups may have been a part of a pilot project.
Please be reminded that any adds, deletes, or changes for open enrollment will have an effective date of April 1, 2022.

Two ways to enroll employees into the vision plan:

Online Employer Access is available. Please contact your broker advisor.
Benefit administration changes may only be made on the Anthem Employer Portal. Please contact your broker advisor for more information to access.

Below is the updated summary of benefits, an additional flyer for online glasses and contact lenses, and more.

Should you have any additional questions, please contact your Broker Advisor. Thank you for supporting the Anthem Cornerstone Vision product!

Blue View Vision Summary of Benefits

Blue View Vision Glasses and Contacts

Blue View Vision Employer Paid Renewal Information

Blue View Vision Voluntary Renewal Information

Blue View Vision Enrollment Form

Blue View Vision New Group Rates

1094/1095 Updates for Anthem SOCA MEWA and Chamber Advantage MEWA Clients

February 11, 2022/in Anthem, Carrier, Cornerstone Updates, Employee Benefits, MEWA/by Cornerstone

Over the past few weeks, Cornerstone has included information regarding the 1094/1095 reporting requirements and carrier guidelines in the Monday Minute.

We were recently notified by Anthem about updates to the original set of 1094-B/1095-B forms loaded for both SOCA MEWA and Chamber Advantage MEWA plans. Updated forms were loaded onto the Anthem Employer Portal on February 9, 2022.

Any group that pulled and distributed these forms prior to February 9, will need to pull and re-distribute the corrected form to their employees.

Anthem will be mailing the 1094-B/1095-B forms to any groups that cancelled their SOCA MEWA benefit plan in 2021.

For groups who canceled their Anthem Chamber Advantage plan in 2021, please reach out to your Cornerstone Broker Advisor. We will work with the Anthem Account Manager to obtain those forms for your clients.

Below you will find an FAQ for both Anthem SOCA MEWA and Chamber Advantage MEWA addressing the 1094-B/1095-B filing requirements:

As a reminder, all Anthem SOCA MEWA groups are required to complete the Annual Rate and Census Reconciliation (ARC) report. This information is needed in order for the SOCA Benefit Plan to complete the plan’s IRS 5500 filing.

MEWA.io will be emailing this request to your SOCA MEWA clients directly.

The collection period for this information will run from February 1, 2022 until March 11, 2022.

If you have questions on completing the Annual Rate and Census Reconciliation report please join us on February 17 for the Group Corner webinar to address these questions. If you did not receive the invite, please contact your Cornerstone Broker Advisor.

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

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

January 17, 2022/in Anthem, Carrier, COVID Tests (January 2022), Employee Benefits, Legislation/by Cornerstone

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.
Anthem has a limited number of at-home diagnostic test kits available for certain members to order online. Log in using the Sydney Health mobile app (see attached flyer for details) or at anthem.com. If the member is eligible to order an at-home test, they will see an option to place an order.
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.

How will employees be reimbursed?

Members will be reimbursed for over-the-counter COVID-19 diagnostic tests purchased on or after January 15, 2022. The member may have to pay out of pocket at the time of purchase but should keep their receipt and submit a claim online. The member will log in to anthem.com and following the steps in the attached document titled How Members File for At-Home COVID Test Reimbursement.

Click this link to find Anthem’s COVID-19 resource site with more information on the over-the-counter kits.

Contact your Cornerstone representative with any questions.

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

January 7, 2022/in Anthem, Carrier, Employee Benefits, Individual/by Cornerstone

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

December 17, 2021/in Anthem, Carrier, Employee Benefits, MEWA/by Cornerstone

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

December 10, 2021/in Anthem, Carrier, Employee Benefits/by Cornerstone

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

November 19, 2021/in Anthem, Carrier, Employee Benefits, MEWA/by Cornerstone

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.