IN THIS ISSUE
1. 2017 ACA Individual Renewal Process
2. So what can I sell?
3. BlueSimplicity Tools & Forms
4. 2017 Individual & Family Materials
5. Customer Service Updates
6. Individual & Family Plan Process Changes
7. PHI Resources Page
2017 ACA INDIVIDUAL RENEWAL PROCESS
Following the Renewal and Exchange Webinar on October 20, Wellmark received several questions regarding the renewal process. They are in the process of updating the webinar with additional details and will be posting it soon in the IFP Learning Center on Producer Connection.   
Click here   to for instructions on locating these tools.

In the meantime, Wellmark has provided key points to help you understand the renewal process.
 
For members whose plans are being terminated and are not mapping to a new plan, you must:
  • Shop and enroll the member using our new IFP Quoting & Enrollment system. You'll process it like you would for a new member.
 
For members whose plans are being mapped, they have the option to:
  • Renew on their current/mapped or recommended alternate
    • Here's the process:
        • In the IFP Agent Portal, select View All on the Up for Renewal tab
        • On the next screen, you'll see a Renew Now button next to these members' names (Not available until November 17)
        • Click Renew Now then press the Select button next to the desired plan option available on the screen
        • Click Submit to complete the renewal. At the top of the screen you'll see a Print Screen button that you can select to print a copy for your record keeping
  • Select an alternate option, not the current/mapped or recommended plan
    • Here's the process:
        • Shop and enroll the member using our new IFP Quoting & Enrollment system. You'll process it like you would for a new member.
        • After enrolling in the new plan, the agent/member will need to call Customer Service to cancel their current policy and provide EFT information, as this information will not carry over. Setting up the EFT and cancellation can be completed at the same time, as long as the member has already enrolled into the new policy online
 
When canceling a policy and not renewing:
A policy can only be canceled after the payment for that month has been satisfied. For example, if canceling with a January 31 effective date , the member cannot cancel until the January draw has been debited on January  5 .
 
SO WHAT CAN I SELL!?
ACA, pre-ACA, Grandmothered, Grandfathered....yikes!  It can be confusing on what to do depending on the policy type your member has.  

Please review the September 27 - Blue Briefings News Alert to help understand the new plans available for sale, what plans have been discontinued & terminated, and what plans your ACA members will be mapped to.

Here are the plans available for NEW SALE (off-Marketplace ONLY):
BlueSimplicity Bronze HMO
BlueSimplicty HSA Bronze HMO
BlueSimplicty Silver HMO
BlueSimplicity HSA Silver HMO
**PPO options will be available - however, agent must call customer service for rates as they are NOT actively marketed and NOT on the new IFP Quoting & Enrollment System

Here are the plans available for NEW SALE (on & off Marketplace):
Value Health Plans - not available in all counties 
Synergy Health Plans - not available in all counties 

IMPORTANT:  If you want to sell either the Value Health Plan or Synergy Plans - you must complete the agent certification located on the Blue Learning Center.  If you wish to also sell these plans through the exchange (Marketplace) you must also take the FFM Certification.
BLUE SIMPLICITY TOOLS
Wellmark has created a BlueSimplicity resources hub on the Producer Connection page.


Other BlueSimplicity Documents Available in the Wellmark Sales Toolkit:

BlueSimplicity Product Brochure - not available yet for download, but can be ordered on the Wellmark Marketing Toolkit.


2017 INDIVIDUAL & FAMILY PLAN MATERIALS
2017 Individual ACA Product Brochure
Available on the Wellmark Marketing Toolkit.  At this time it is only available to order.  Wellmark is working on getting a downloadable version available as soon as possible.  
Blue Simplicity Plan Comparison Guide M-53951 AN-T

2017 Rate Sheets
Rate sheets WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE.   You must quote online or use the 2017 Quick Quote Tool.  

2017 Quick Quote Tool
For 2017 ACA Blue Simplicity HMO Plans & Wellmark Joint Venture Plans (Synergy & Value Health).  Because Wellmark will no longer Market PPO plan options - these rates are not included on the tool.  A REMINDER - THE PPO OPTION FOR ACA INDIVIDUAL PLANS WILL GO AWAY IN 2018.  

Click here for job aid on how to locate the Quick Quote Tool.

PPO Rates
They will be available November 14 - you must call to customer service to get these rates.
CUSTOMER SERVICE CONTACT UPDATES - ACA, GF, GM, MED SUPP
Effective immediately, please start using the updated customer service producer support lines.

ACA Individual, Medicare Supplement, and Small Group:  866-430-9778
Grandfathered/Grandmothered Individual:  800-819-0892
MedicareBlueRx (PDP): 888-832-0075 (unchanged)

Click here for a job aid on where to call and what prompts to use for specific situations.

ACA INDIVIDUAL UPDATES TO NEW PROCESS
In late August, Wellmark launched a new enrollment system for Individual & Family (IFP) plans for members under 65 (currently on ACA Individual). Since the launch, we have continued to refine our processes. Through this review and feedback received by you, we have identified several items we would like to clarify.

Listed below are additional FAQ and job aids to assist you in working with Wellmark.  These job aids are currently only for ACA Individual.
  1. Collecting banking information (ACH) for a new application.
  2. Request a different effective date for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) than what the system allows.
  3. Making changes (includes cancellation instructions) to an existing contract.
Processing change request for ACA business
You will no longer submit change forms if you need to make any updates or changes to a plan.
Instead, you (the agent) will need to dial 866-430-9778 and make changes over the phone. The current  change forms have been discontinued.  

Submitting Applications
  -Submit electronically via the new IFP enrollment system (Agent Portal)
  -FAX 844-820-0939
  -MAIL:   Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
PO Box 30150
Tampa, FL 33630-0150

IMPORTANT:  SUBMITTING ONLINE IS THE PREFERRED METHOD.  STARTING JANUARY 1, ALL APPLICATIONS NOT SUBMITTED ONLINE WILL RECEIVE A $3/MONTH REDUCTION IN COMMISSION.

Customer Service Updates
The new Producer Support Line for ACA Individual:  866-430-9778

Click here for a job aid on where to call and what prompts to use for specific situations.

RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO HELP YOU GAIN AN ADVANTAGE
Agent Resources
You can access Wellmark BCBS of Iowa forms on our website.   Click Here
http://partnershealthinsurance.com/resources-2/
Coop Advertising
Did you know you could be eligible for 50% reimbursement on eligible Wellmark BCBS advertising?  Login in to your Wellmark.com Producer Connection page - locate the Sales Tookit - N ew ads are now available! Contact Tonya to find out more information about this program.
tonya@mtcnet.net           712-722-3333
Contacts:

Ben Van Engelenhoven

122 Central Ave SW
Orange City, IA 51041
800-856-6001
712-737-6000

 

Kelly Snieder
906 S Main Ave
Sioux Center, IA 51250
800-722-2578
712-722-3333  

 
Our Advantages:

Partners Heath Insurance is an AUTHORIZED WELLMARK GENERAL AGENCY located in Western Iowa. We invite you to review our website, consider our advantages, and give us a call today!





Our Locations:

906 S Main Ave
Sioux Center, IA 51250

122 Central Ave SW 
Orange City, IA 51041



Copyright © 2016. All Rights Reserved.