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AGENCY ACTION ALERT FOR SEPT. 10, 2015
This week's Agency Action Alert covers the following topics:
- Discontinuation of some Highmark plans
- Change of address to submit Underwriting Approval & Premium (UAP) Notices
- Keystone Health Plan West, Inc. to get new name
- Expanded telemedicine network coming in 2016
Please share this information with your sub-agents by forwarding this email, posting this content to your internal website, or copying and pasting the text into another format.
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SMALL GROUP UPDATE
Discontinuation of Some Highmark Plans
As of Jan. 1, 2016, Highmark will no longer offer any plans through the Highmark Blue Shield entity. Clients currently with Highmark Blue Shield products will receive a letter advising them of their options, and encouraging them to look for another Highmark plan (either through Highmark Health Insurance Company [on-SHOP] or Highmark Benefits Group [off-SHOP]). The letters will be mailed 90 days prior to renewal and again 60 days prior to renewal. Members will be informed as well, 90 days prior to their renewal, and will be advised that there is no action for them to take at that time.
On-SHOP Plans
The following Highmark Blue Shield plans will no longer be offered on-SHOP:
- Flex PPO $0/$500 a Community Blue Plan - Platinum level plan
- Flex PPO $500/$1,500 a Community Blue Plan - Gold level plan
- Flex EPO $500/$1,000 a Community Blue Plan - Gold level plan
- Flex EPO $1,650 Silver a Community Blue Plan - Silver level plan
- Flex PPO $2,000/$4,000 a Community Blue Plan - Silver level plan
- Health Savings Flex PPO Q $4,000 a Community Blue Plan - Bronze level plan
Preview the 90-day client letter for on-SHOP plans
Preview the 60-day client letter for on-SHOP plans
Preview the 90-day member letter for on-SHOP plans
Off-SHOP Plans
The following Highmark Blue Shield plans will no longer be offered off-SHOP:
- Flex PPO $0/$500 a Community Blue Plan - Platinum level plan
- Flex PPO $500/$1,500 a Community Blue Plan - Gold level plan
- Flex EPO $500/1,000 a Community Blue Plan - Gold level plan
- Flex EPO $1,650 Silver a Community Blue Plan - Silver level plan
- Flex PPO $2,000/$4,000 a Community Blue Plan - Silver level plan
- Health Savings Flex PPO Q $4,000 a Community Blue Plan - Bronze level plan
Please reassure your clients that they will have many choices for Highmark plans for 2016.
If you have any questions, please contact your Highmark small group client manager.
Change of address to submit Underwriting Approval & Premium (UAP) Notices
Effective Oct. 1, 2015, hard copies of new group UAP notices and binder checks should be sent to the following address (instead of the Center Street, Camp Hill address):
Highmark
PO Box 382049
Pittsburgh PA 15251-8049
Please submit these notices and binder checks to the new mailbox to ensure proper processing of payment. A copy of the signed UAP notice should still be emailed to underwriting, as indicated on the UAP, in order to begin implementation. |
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HIGHMARK CHOICE COMPANY
Keystone Health Plan West, Inc. to get new name
In order to serve new members and regions, the name of Keystone Health Plan West, Inc., is changing.
In the commercial (individual, small and large groups) and senior markets, Keystone Health Plan West, Inc. will become Highmark Choice Company, effective Tuesday, Sept. 15.
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Commercial Markets
This change affects only the name of the company, not the products, network or service area. It will not affect the use of the term "Keystone" in product or network names in western Pennsylvania.
As required, Highmark will send new ID cards* with the new Highmark Choice Company name to members of those impacted plans (Keystone Blue, Community Blue HMO and others), the week of Sept. 14, 2015.
Sample ID Card
Note: Members' identification numbers and group numbers will not change.
*CHIP HMO and Individual Market ID Card mailing is contingent upon approval by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department.
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Senior Markets
The company name change will affect the use of the term "Keystone" in the product logo and network names. For Security Blue HMO and Community Blue Medicare HMO, the Highmark Choice Company name will be used in the product logo and network names.
Highmark will not send new ID cards with the new logo to members of the impacted senior markets plans (Security Blue HMO and Community Blue Medicare HMO) until after Jan. 1, 2016, in case new plan selections are made during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP).
Important Notice: Pursuant to CMS Guidelines, details regarding 2016 senior markets plans and benefits may not be released for customer dissemination prior to Oct. 1, 2015.
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The Highmark Choice Company logo will begin to appear on applicable materials, booklets, contracts and subscriber agreements, as we transition to the new corporate name.
Please contact your Highmark client manager if you have any questions.
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TELEMEDICINE SERVICES
Expanded telemedicine network coming in 2016
Beginning Jan. 1, 2016, Highmark commercial group and individual members will have access to telemedicine services through our partnership with two new vendors - American Well™ (AmWell™) and Doctor on Demand®.
These vendors will expand our network by providing our members with virtual options for acute care and minor illnesses, as well as behavioral health. And, members will continue to have access to DermatologistOnCall for any issues related to skin, hair or nails.
With the addition of these two new telemedicine options, our current contract with Teladoc will end on Dec. 31, 2015. However, Teladoc will still service some of our self-insured clients that have purchased Teledoc services throughout 2016.
Small group clients will receive this letter next week to notify them of the change. Large group clients will be notified by their client manager and in the Group Bulletin.
Please note: Senior Markets products are excluded.
Additional information, along with samples of upcoming member communications, will be shared in the next edition of Channel Insights. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact your Highmark client manager.
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