IN THIS ISSUE
1. Wellmark Announces 2018 Individual Market Update
2. Spring Meeting
3. Medicare Compliance Monitoring
WELLMARK ANNOUNCES 2018 INDIVIDUAL MARKET DECISION
Wellmark released yesterday their Market decision for 2018 Individual ACA.

Please review Wellmark's News Alert issued on Monday April 3, so you can help your clients understand if this change will impact them.

Review the sample letter that will be sent out to your pre-ACA Individual clients.

IMPORTANT:  This affects Individual ACA policies only.

As always we will keep monitoring this situation and will pass along any important information that comes our way.
SPRING MEETING - APRIL 27
Our Spring Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 27.  2 CEs have been applied for and lunch will be provided.
 
Agenda topics:
Individual Market Update
Disease Trends and Health Care Costs (1 CE)
Medicare and Group Coverage (1 CE)
 
Location:
The Ridge Golf Course
2595 Ridge Road
Sioux Center, IA 51250
(directions below)
 
Time:   9:30 AM - 12:00 PM - lunch to follow
 
Please RSVP to jamie@veinsurance.com by 
Thursday April 20.

for map & directions.

MEDICARE COMPLIANCE MONITORING
April 2017 monitoring

During the course of 2017, the Sales Compliance team at Wellmark will monitor a random sample of agents for compliance with these requirements. April,  Wellmark will monitor a random sample of agent FDRs for:

*Provide information to the agent FDR's employees and downstream and related entities about how to report potential compliance issues or fraud, waste or abuse (FWA) to Wellmark and/or RAS as well as have a non-retaliation policy for those that make a valid report.

To find out more about Medicare Compliance, please review the January 5 Blue Briefings.

What is required?
Each agent FDRs must provide their employees and downstream and related entities with information about how to report FWA and other non-compliance to Wellmark and/or to the Northern Plains Alliance (NPA).

What are the reporting options?
Reports can be made to NPA's hotline (1-866-311-4216), and these reports can be made anonymously. Additionally, reports may also be made directly to the Wellmark Compliance Office (515-376-4949) or ethics&compliance@wellmark.com.

What resources are provided?
View a sample poster that can be displayed or communicated by agent FDRs to their employees.  More information on his poster and Medicare Compliance can be found on the Medicare Compliance (you will be required to login before viewing the link) resource page in the Producer Connection portal located on Wellmark.com.

How will Wellmark monitor?
Wellmark will monitor a random sample of agent FDRs in April and request evidence that mechanisms for reporting non-compliance and FWA have been provided to employees. Evidence that exhibits compliance with this requirement include providing a poster or communication to employees with reporting information, including reporting information in policy manuals or training materials, and internet links. Agent FDRs selected for monitoring will be contacted by an email from Wellmark Sales Compliance.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT IF YOU GET AN EMAIL FROM THE SALES COMPLIANCE DEPARTMENT DURING THIS AUDIT PROCESS THAT YOU RESPOND.
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



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