AGENCY ACTION ALERT FOR DEC. 9, 2015

This week's Agency Action Alert covers the following topics: 

• Updated identity protection talking points
• Communications for individual members with 2016 effective dates

HIGHMARK UPDATE

Updated identity protection talking points

Earlier this year, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) announced that identity protection services would be available for all Blue members at no cost to the member.

Updated talking points are now available to address some common questions from our clients. Please review this information and use it in discussions with your customers.

If you have any additional questions, please contact your Highmark client manager.

INDIVIDUAL MARKET UPDATE

Communications for individual members with 2016 effective dates

Individual members enrolled in direct pay for 2016 will begin to receive communications as outlined in the  2016 Member Communications. Those members who actively purchased new plans for 2016 on-Marketplace should have received the 2-day billing letter, which is generated and mailed within two days of their enrollment being processed. Off-Marketplace members have received no communication to date. 

Bills for all members enrolled thus far are targeted to generate and mail on Wednesday, Dec. 9, with a due date of Dec. 31, 2015. Enrollment confirmation letters are also targeted to mail Dec. 9 for members who have paid 2016 premiums. Additional communications such as ID cards and benefit booklets will be mailed later in the month, as indicated in the 2016 Member Communications.

Reminder of the following deadlines for enrollment changes without a Special Enrollment Period (SEP):

• Enroll now through Dec. 15, 2015 -- Effective date Jan. 1, 2016
• Enroll Dec. 16, 2015 through Jan. 15, 2016 -- Effective date Feb. 1, 2016
• Enroll  Jan. 16, 2016 through Jan. 31, 2016 -- Effective date March 1, 2016

Members who were auto-enrolled to a new 2016 plan do not have a Special Enrollment Period (SEP), as they are not losing access to Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC). Those members who were discontinued without auto-enrollment will be provided an opportunity for an off-Marketplace SEP with Highmark. Highmark cannot, with certainty, provide guidelines for SEP enrollment on the Health Insurance Marketplace or with another carrier.

If you have any questions, please contact your Highmark individual sales channel consultant.