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Earn Cash with Anthem’s New SOCA MEWA Broker Bonus Programs!

March 19, 2021/in Anthem, Carrier, Employee Benefits/by Cornerstone

Anthem has announced two new SOCA MEWA bonus programs:

Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance Benefit Plan Broker Renewal Bonus

The SOCA Benefit Plan Broker Renewal Bonus is for agents who renew their SOCA Benefit Plan groups effective May 1, 2021.

Click here to learn more.

Anthem’s Dash for Dough Ohio Broker Bonus

New Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance Benefit Plan groups sold with an effective date of May 1, 2021, to July 1, 2021, are eligible.

Click here to learn more.

Contact your Cornerstone representative with any questions.

https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Anthem-New-Broker-Bonus-Programs-2021.jpg 480 640 Cornerstone /wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.png Cornerstone2021-03-19 13:16:012021-03-19 13:16:01Earn Cash with Anthem’s New SOCA MEWA Broker Bonus Programs!

Anthem Suspends Key Health Plan Timeframes

February 26, 2021/in Anthem, Carrier, Employee Benefits/by Cornerstone

Starting March 1, 2020, Anthem suspended key health plan timeframes to give your employees more time to take advantage of HIPAA special enrollment periods, file and appeal claims, elect COBRA continuation coverage, and pay COBRA premiums.

The timeframes are scheduled to be reinstated on March 1, 2021. This means that members’ COBRA premiums will be due on the date listed on their bill. Other key timeframes will return to normal based on their plan details. Members can access their plan documents on anthem.com to find their plan details, including timeframes. They can access the COVID-19 Resource Center at anthem.com/coronavirus for information on their COVID-19 benefits.

Please make sure any updated eligibility information, claims, or appeals are submitted as soon as possible.

This applies to fully insured and self-funded ERISA employer-sponsored plans only.

Here is a letter for you to share with your employees to explain the end of the timeframe suspension.

Please contact your Cornerstone representative for more information.

https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Anthem-Suspends-Key-Health-Plan-Timeframes-1.jpg 480 640 Cornerstone /wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.png Cornerstone2021-02-26 18:14:432021-03-05 16:30:27Anthem Suspends Key Health Plan Timeframes

Don’t Forget to Remind Your Clients About Anthem’s ARC Form!

February 16, 2021/in Anthem, Carrier, Employee Benefits/by Cornerstone

Each year at this time SOCA BP needs information from participating groups in order to complete the filing of their 5500 with the IRS. The Account Rate and Census Reconciliation form should look familiar as it is completed annually for SOCA groups for this purpose. Please take a moment to reach out to your clients to ensure that they received the Mewa.io message with the form and, if they need it, they can simply request your assistance online within the form. They have 30 days to complete the form. Please let your Broker Advisor know if you have any questions.

Employer email launch will begin February 17, 2021, and continue through February 20, 2021.

A reminder will be sent out on March 1, 2021, with the final due date being March 19, 2021.

Click here to access the ARC FAQ document for brokers.

Click here to access the ARC FAQ document for employees.

Click here to access the ARC form walkthrough.

Click here to access the Producer Guide updates.

Click here to access the ARC form fields and help text.

https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Anthem-SOCA-ARC-Form.jpg 480 640 Cornerstone /wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.png Cornerstone2021-02-16 20:39:132021-02-16 20:53:50Don’t Forget to Remind Your Clients About Anthem’s ARC Form!

Exciting Updates to Anthem Cornerstone Vision Plan!

February 9, 2021/in Anthem, Carrier, Cornerstone Updates, Employee Benefits/by Cornerstone

Anthem Cornerstone Vision Plan is Renewing for the Eighth Year with No Rate Increase

March 15, 2021, through April 15, 2021

Great news! As you know we have 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, 2021, and April 15, 2021, will become effective on the vision plan April 1, 2021.

Some important updates for this year’s open enrollment:

  • Please be reminded that any adds, deletes, or changes for open enrollment will have an effective date of April 1, 2021.

Two ways to enroll employees into the vision plan:

  • Employer Access Website
  • Online Employer Access is available. Please contact your broker advisor.
  • Changes may also be sent via Fax to: 877-628-4604. **Make sure to include the group number and the 4 digit sub group identifier (Ex: W42060-V001).

You will also find the updated summary of benefits and an additional flyer for Online Glasses and Contact Lens. Should you have any additional questions, please contact your Broker Advisor. Thank you for supporting the Anthem Cornerstone Vision product!

Resources

Cornerstone Anthem Vision Plan 2021–2024

Blue View Vision Flyer

Online Glasses and Contacts

Cornerstone Vision SOB 2021

Anthem Vision Employee Application

https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2021-Cornerstone-Anthem-Vision-Plan-Updates.jpg 480 640 Cornerstone /wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.png Cornerstone2021-02-09 16:23:182021-02-09 19:40:47Exciting Updates to Anthem Cornerstone Vision Plan!

WealthCare Saver is Anthem’s New HSA Custodian

January 8, 2021/in Anthem, Carrier, Employee Benefits/by Cornerstone

On March 13, 2021, WealthCare Saver will replace PNC Bank as the custodian of the HSAs for:

  • Current Anthem members who are actively enrolled in an HSA-compatible health plan.
  • Current Anthem members who left their HSA-compatible health plan.
  • Anthem members who have left their employer.

No action is needed
There will be no change to debit cards, mobile apps, online portals, or account history. How your Group clients enroll, fund, and manage employees’ HSA programs will also stay the same. The only change account holders are likely to notice is that HSA communications will come from WealthCare Saver instead of PNC Bank after March 13.

Employees who have left their employer and active employees who left their HSA plan are being moved to a new administrative experience.
When an employee with an HSA leaves their employer, or an active employee leaves their HSA-compatible health plan, their HSA is no longer administered by Anthem. It is considered a stand-alone account. These account holders began transitioning to a new administrator, WealthCare, on July 1, 2020. The administrative and custodial transition will be complete for all stand-alone account holders by March 13, 2021.

Transition notifications will be sent to employers and employees
WealthCare Saver will send a letter to employees about the custodial change, as well as their new WealthCare Saver account holder agreement, 30 days prior to the transition.

Contact your Cornerstone representative for more information.

https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/WealthCare-is-Anthem-New-HSA-Custodian.jpg 480 640 Cornerstone /wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.png Cornerstone2021-01-08 18:46:582021-01-08 20:22:30WealthCare Saver is Anthem’s New HSA Custodian

Anthem Releases Multiple Updates Regarding COVID-19

January 8, 2021/in Anthem, Carrier, Employee Benefits/by Cornerstone

Anthem recently released the following information regarding COVID-19…

Who Should Be Tested for COVID-19?

The Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) advises that only certain people should be tested for COVID-19. They recommend viral testing for a current infection when:

  • A healthcare professional or local or state health department recommends testing.
  • COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, or new loss of taste or smell are present.
  • Someone has close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone confirmed to have COVID-19.

Any Anthem member considering COVID-19 testing should notify their doctor or telehealth program first. Their doctor can help evaluate their risk and decide if testing is needed. Remember, members will have no out-of-pocket costs to worry about when their doctor evaluates their symptoms and orders COVID-19 testing.

If their doctor recommends testing, the member can use Anthem’s COVID-19 Test Site Finder tool to find nearby testing locations.

Register for Anthem’s Vaccines Webinar on January 12

Anthem is offering another opportunity to learn about important topics for your business.

Please join leaders from across Anthem at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, as they share the latest information on COVID-19, including clinical updates with a focus on vaccines.

Register here and save the event to your calendar.

This is a streamed event only. There will be no dial-in option.

Anthem Extends Health Plan Timeframes During COVID-19 Emergency

In response to the national COVID-19 emergency, Anthem is giving your clients more time to enroll in a health plan, file and appeal claims, elect COBRA continuation coverage, and pay COBRA premiums.

U.S. Department of Labor guidance effective March 1, 2020, remains in effect, suspending key timeframes until 60 days after the federal government declares the end of the national emergency or outbreak period in your area, whichever is later.

This applies to Fully Insured and self-funded ERISA employer-sponsored plans only.

Anthem is extending timeframes to make it easier for employees to:

  • Take advantage of special enrollment if they previously declined employer-sponsored coverage but would now like to enroll.
  • Elect COBRA continuation coverage if they lose their job or their work hours are reduced.
  • Pay COBRA premiums.
  • File or appeal claims.
  • Notify their plan of qualifying life events such as marriage, divorce, birth of a baby or adoption, or disability determination related to COBRA coverage.

Anthem developed a letter you can share with your clients to explain the extended timeframes.

 

Contact your Cornerstone representative with any questions you may have.

https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Anthem-Releases-Multiple-Updates-Regarding-COVID-19.jpg 427 640 Cornerstone /wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.png Cornerstone2021-01-08 18:38:512021-01-08 18:38:51Anthem Releases Multiple Updates Regarding COVID-19

ER Doctors at OhioHealth are Staying with Anthem

January 8, 2021/in Anthem, Carrier, Employee Benefits/by Cornerstone

Anthem reached an agreement with Mid-Ohio Emergency Services to keep them in your clients’ health plans. Your clients’ employees will remain covered for care they receive from this group, which provides emergency services at OhioHealth’s hospitals (Grant Medical Center, Riverside Methodist Hospital, and Dublin Methodist Hospital) and OhioHealth’s freestanding emergency rooms (ERs) in Westerville, Pickerington, Hilliard, Reynoldsburg, Obetz, Powell, and New Albany.

Contact your Cornerstone representative for more information.

https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ER-Doctors-at-OhioHealth-are-Staying-with-Anthem.jpg 480 640 Cornerstone /wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.png Cornerstone2021-01-08 14:04:452021-01-08 14:04:45ER Doctors at OhioHealth are Staying with Anthem

December Anthem Updates to Know About

December 3, 2020/in Anthem, Carrier, Employee Benefits, Individual/by Cornerstone

Anthem Reaches Agreement with Two Physician Groups

As of December 1, 2020, Anthem reached an agreement to keep Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio and Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Richland County (Sound Physicians) in their clients’ plans. Clients’ employees will remain covered for care with both physician groups.

Site of Care Expansion

Anthem has expanded our Site of Care review program to determine whether it’s medically necessary for members to have various surgical procedures, such as hernia repair, biopsy, and hysteroscopy, in addition to upper endoscopy and colonoscopy, in a hospital outpatient facility.

Click here to learn more.

Remember to Use EDE Technology to Simplify Individual ACA Enrollment

Enhanced Direct Enrollment (EDE) technology makes it easier for customers to compare plans and apply, renew and enroll in health coverage with Anthem. It’s available for on-exchange ACA plans in federally facilitated marketplace (FFM) states. EDE technology lets you and your Individual clients complete the eligibility and enrollment process on a single website instead of healthcare.gov.

Click here to learn more.

https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Anthem-Reaches-Agreement-with-Two-Physician-Groups.jpg 480 640 Cornerstone /wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.png Cornerstone2020-12-03 15:31:372020-12-04 15:50:44December Anthem Updates to Know About

September Anthem News Updates

September 18, 2020/in Anthem, Carrier, Employee Benefits/by Cornerstone

Helping Employees Protect Themselves and Their Loved Ones

Life insurance is a key part of an employee’s overall financial wellness. This September is Life Insurance Awareness Month—and a good time for your clients to remind their employees of the importance of protecting their family members if they, unfortunately, face a loss.

You can guide your clients by reminding them of the life insurance provisions that can help their employees receive the coverage they need, even if they were to lose their job or have their hours reduced:

  • Continuation of coverage: If an employee is not working due to a layoff, leave of absence, or disability, their employer can continue to pay their premiums for a period of time — usually 1 to 3 months.
  • Conversion: If an employee leaves or loses their job, they can convert their group life coverage to an individual life policy and pay the premiums directly to Anthem.
  • Portability: If an employee leaves or loses their job, they may be able to keep their voluntary or supplemental life plan by paying the premiums directly to Anthem.

Click here to learn more.

Cancer Care Navigator Program

Anthem’s new Cancer Care Navigator program helps fully insured and ASO members understand their cancer diagnosis and treatment plans, make sense of benefit options, and connect to helpful resources in their community.

Cancer Care Navigators serve as the central point of contact at Anthem for members and their cancer care teams across the care experience. They work to reduce the burdens facing many members with cancer by:

  • Supporting member and caregiver needs.
  • Connecting the member to critical Anthem and community resources.
  • Reinforcing treatment plans and medications, and providing education about possible side effects.

Click here to learn more.

Updates to ACA Preventive Care Drug List

Anthem is removing Annovera, Balcoltra, Falessa Kit, Lo Loestrin FE, Natazia, Slynd, Taytulla, and Twirla from the ACA Preventive Care Drug List January 1, 2021, for fully insured and ASO members with women’s contraceptive benefits. Members will pay their plan’s cost share for these branded drugs. Anthem will continue to cover generic contraceptives at no cost to members.

Anthem is sending letters to affected members and their prescribing doctors on October 1, 2020, to allow time to explore options and provide new prescriptions for their patients. Letters to health care professionals will include some generic contraceptive alternatives that our plans cover at no cost to members.

Click here to learn more.

Mental Health Trends Webinar

Anthem is offering another opportunity to learn about important topics for your business.

Please join Anthem leaders at 2 p.m. (ET) on Monday, September 21, 2020, as they share the latest information on COVID-19, including legislative and clinical updates. They’ll focus on regulatory and mental health trends and resources.

REGISTER NOW and save the event to your calendar.

Click here to learn more.

GM/Legacy Renewals for January 1, 2021

The average rate increase for the entire Renewal Block is 6 percent. Anthem also has about 80 percent of the block coming in at less than a 10 percent rate increase!  There will obviously be some outliers, but they believe this will give your groups’ some relief during these uncertain times.  Also, the GM/Legacy renewals will be released in mid-September.

Dental PPE Reimbursement Extension to October 31, 2020

Many dental providers are charging an additional $10 per visit to help them cover the cost of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for their staff. Anthem will reimburse members for this additional charge up to $10 per patient per visit to in-network PPO providers through October 31, 2020.

Telehealth Cost Share Changes

As of September 30, 2020, Anthem member cost share waivers for video only telehealth visits will expire.

Starting October 1, 2020, Anthem members will pay their usual cost shares for visual telehealth visits with in-network providers. Anthem will continue to cover in-network telephone only visits at no cost share through December 31, 2020.  Starting October 1, 2020, LiveHealth Online visits will require member cost shares.

Eligibility Requirements Continue to Be Relaxed to the End of the Year

Anthem’s requirement for employees to be actively working in order to be eligible for coverage will be relaxed through December 31, 2020, as long as the monthly premium payment is received.

Anthem will allow employees that have a reduction in hours (work less than 30 hours per week) to continue coverage through December 31, 2020, as long as the monthly premium payment is received.

SBC Template Updated for 2021

CMS released an updated 2021 SBC Template, Instructions, Uniform Glossary and Guide, Narratives (Maternity, Diabetes and Foot Fracture) and Calculator for coverage examples. The AI/AN zero cost sharing template is now also available for use.

As a reminder, group health plans and health insurance issuers will be required to use the 2021 SBC template and associated materials beginning on the first day of the first open enrollment period for any plan years (or, in the individual market, policy years) that begin on or after January 1, 2021, with respect to coverage for plan or policy years beginning on or after that date.

Contact your Cornerstone representative to learn more.

https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Recent-Anthem-Updates_September.jpg 480 640 Cornerstone /wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.png Cornerstone2020-09-18 18:53:062020-09-18 18:53:35September Anthem News Updates

Important September Anthem Updates

September 4, 2020/in Anthem, Carrier, Employee Benefits/by Cornerstone

Plasma Donations to Fight COVID-19

Members who have fully recovered from a positive COVID-19 diagnosis can support research that might save lives by donating their blood plasma. It may contain antibodies that can help researchers understand how the immune system fights the virus and how to more effectively treat patients. Help Anthem spread the word by sharing this information with your clients.
Plasma donation is safe, quick, and similar to donating blood. Visit the Anthem coronavirus website to learn more about the donation process and eligibility requirements.

Dental PPE Reimbursement Extension

To protect the health of their members and minimize unexpected fees, Anthem began paying dentists a personal protective equipment (PPE) reimbursement as of June 15, 2020. They pay $10 per dental patient, per visit, on dental PPO network claims for PPE. Anthem will be extending the reimbursement from August 31 through October 31, 2020.

Phishing Scams Target Brokers

Email-based malware has targeted health care professionals and brokers recently. Anthem has identified information-security practices that you should consider adopting to protect your business and clients.
  • Microsoft Office macros often deliver email-based malware. You can disable macros if you do not need them for day-to-day work.
  • Consider blocking access to websites that have no category or no reputation in the network security product you use.
  • Reject email messages that contain attachments with software scripts, executable files, or zip files containing scripts (such as .vbs or .js) or executables.
  • Call a trusted contact number for the payee to verify before authorizing a change to electronic payment details when the payee requests the change in an email message. Report suspicious email messages to the payee immediately.
  • Require two-factor authentication for remote access to work-related applications, including web based email. This is like having two locks with different keys.
  • Train your employees and users to recognize their login pages and to be suspicious when they’re asked to login to a system or page that they do not recognize.
You can learn more at the DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) STOP.THINK.CONNECT website.
https://www.crnstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Important-September-Anthem-Updates.jpg 480 640 Cornerstone /wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornerstone_Logo.png Cornerstone2020-09-04 13:58:362020-09-04 13:58:37Important September Anthem Updates
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