IMC Weekly NewsletterMarch 3, 2015
IMC University
Aetna Logo

Register Now: 
2015 Aetna ACA Group Training

Date & Time: Tues., March 17th - 10 AM to 12 PM 
Location: IMC Conference Center 

This training will review 2015 products, participation requirements, stand-alone vision, the smoker surcharge, top-selling plans, embedded dental and vision coverage, and much more!
Carrier & Industry Updates
aetna logo
  
Off-Exchange Qualifying Events

If your individual clients didn't enroll in 2015 coverage during Open Enrollment, they will need to qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to obtain health insurance coverage. 

A special enrollment period is a window which allows an individual to enroll in an individual health insurance plan outside the annual open enrollment period.

Please read the Aetna Producer Update & supporting flyer for more details.

In This Issue
Aetna's Reporting Tool Makes It Easier to Manage Your Business

Aetna's individual Book of Business section makes it easier to manage your business. The reporting tool contains three reports: 

1. Broker Book of Business: Includes all active subscribers and terminations within the past six months. It also provides details on the member(s) plan, premium payments, demographics and the broker relationship. 

2. Broker Pre-Dunning: Includes all subscribers that are in a "past due" status for their premium payment. 

3. Broker Rate Increase: Includes all subscribers who have been sent a rate action letter and provides up to three alternate plan options.

Please read the Aetna Producer Update for more details.
Anthem Logo
Website Enhancements: New "Find a Doctor" Search Option and More!

New updates make Anthem's Find a Doctor tool easier than ever for its members to use. Enhancements include:

 - Provider search via member's ID number

- Narrowing search results with filter options, including 'Accepting New Patients' and 'Ability to serve as a Primary Care Physician' 

- Cost and quality designations

Please read the Producer Online update for more information.
CareFirst logo3


IMPORTANT: Second Quarter 2015 Pricing Update for Small Group ACA Products

CareFirst has released pricing actions filed and approved for April 1, 2015. Rate changes are incremental from January 1, 2015 rates unless otherwise noted. 

Please read the CareFirst Sales Flash for rating details.
Contract Addendums for Group Market Bonus Programs

CareFirst has updated the persistency goal percentages included in the Payout Scale tables on the group contract. The update reflects CareFirst's standard rounding practices for broker compensation. 

IMPORTANT: CareFirst has not made any changes to the compensation amounts or qualifying levels.

Please contact Julie Needelman at IMC for group sales support: Julie@imctr.com or (240) 207-2711

Please read the Sales Flash and adjoining group contract addendums for more information.
 Save the Date - 2015 Broker Forums

CareFirst is pleased to announce the dates for the annual Broker Forums. Please mark your calendars for: 

- Tuesday, May 12, 2015 - Turf Valley Country Club (Ellicott City, MD) 

- Wednesday, May 13, 2015 - Martin's Crosswinds (Greenbelt, MD) 

Each Forum will be held from 9 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Please stay tuned for registration details.



IMPORTANT: Group Size Client Survey Due March 30th

Starting Monday, March 2nd, Kaiser began sending out electronic surveys to current Kaiser groups who have previously reported that they have 10-150 eligible employees. Please encourage your clients to respond to the survey by March 30th.

Please read the Kaiser Broker Blast for more details.
Lock in Rates for Groups with 51-100 Employees

With Kaiser Permanente, your clients' costs can be under control and stay that way - whether they switch to one of Kaiser's small group health plans in 2016 or take advantage of a limited-time opportunity for new sales that allows clients to lock in their rates and mid-size health plans for up to two years. 

Please contact Julie Needelman at IMC for support: 
Julie@imctr.com or (240) 207-2711.


IMPORTANT: Special Enrollment Period to Avoid 2015 Penalty
Maryland Health Connection is allowing consumers who owe a tax penalty for not having health coverage in 2014 to still enroll for 2015 coverage. The special enrollment period will run from March 15th through April 30th.

Please read the MHBE press release for more details.
United Healthcare Logo

Special Enrollment Period for HealthCare.gov Begins March 15th
CMS has announced an individual Health Insurance Marketplace special enrollment period beginning March 15 through April 30. 

This enrollment period is for individuals and families who did not have health coverage in 2014 and are subject to the fee or "shared responsibility payment" when they file their 2014 taxes. This only applies to states which use the Federally-facilitated Marketplaces (FFM).

Please read the following UHC Broker Connection article and CMS press release for enrollment requirements.
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