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| Title | Issued Date |
|---|---|
We’re With You As You Get Ready To ReopenWe’ve been by your side as our schools, favorite restaurants and places of employment closed to slow the spread of the coronavirus . And now, we’ll be with you as our communities begin to reopen as New York State’s PAUSE initiative sets to expire by region. Ready To... | June 2, 2020 |
Special Enrollment Period Extended to June 15The Special Enrollment Period for enrolling in Qualified Health Plans has been extended through June 15, 2020. Individuals can enroll between May 16 and June 15, and their coverage will begin June 1, or July 1. Our customer care advocates can assist with any questions... | June 2, 2020 |
Individual & Small Group – NYS Prior Approval of Rate ChangesWe know the focus for everyone the past two months has been the coronavirus pandemic. And now, our attention is turning to efforts to reopen businesses in accordance with state and local guidelines. While all of this is happening, there are still mandates set by New... | June 2, 2020 |
Celebrate Wealth of Health...VirtuallyEach year in the Rochester market, we partner with the Rochester Business Journal to honor area employers who promote health and wellness in the workplace. This year, finalists will be celebrated through a new virtual format using multimedia storytelling. The event is... | June 2, 2020 |
COVID-19 Pharmacy UpdateOur pharmacy team has been closely monitoring the supply of medications that are available during the COVID-19 outbreak. We’re taking several actions to ensure our members have access to clinically appropriate medications. Providing early refill overrides.... | April 27, 2020 |
Don’t Fall For Fraud During COVID-19 FightPlease remind your employees to be aware that there are various scams and fraudulent activities that can occur during this difficult time. As is often the case, a national and global emergency brings out people who prey upon the fears and vulnerabilities of... | April 27, 2020 |
Telemedicine Visits Covered At No Cost To MembersA reminder for your employees; telemedicine visits are being covered at no cost to members for 90 days beginning with NYS’s State of Emergency issued on March 13, 2020. The purpose is to help alleviate the burden on provider offices, urgent care centers and hospitals... | April 27, 2020 |
Small Group Extended Grace PeriodIn these uncertain times, we’re doing everything we can to fulfill our corporate mission: to provide the people in the communities we serve with access to high quality, affordable health care. One way we can help is by providing some financial relief for those small... | April 20, 2020 |
Finding Coverage During Job LossFinding Coverage During Job Loss We’re all facing an uncertain future, but for many employer groups this is a particularly anxious time. We have resources for groups and members, including those members who may be facing job loss and the loss of their... | April 15, 2020 |
Cost Relief Available With Mid-Year Plan Changes For GroupsExcellus BCBS wants to ensure as many of our group members as possible can maintain their health insurance benefits. Through June 1, 2020, we are allowing mid-year plan changes to allow for lower cost employer and employee plans to accommodate the COVID-19 impacts on... | April 10, 2020 |
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Waives COVID-19 Cost SharingExcellus BCBS will waive out of pocket costs for COVID-19 medical testing, diagnosis and treatment for its fully insured employer groups, individual market qualified health plans and Medicare Advantage members for the next 60 days. This waives the member’s... | April 10, 2020 |
Can the CARES Act Help Your Business?We’re all continuing to navigate these unchartered waters while striving to find our new normal. Last week, the Federal government signed a stimulus package to help businesses with 500 or fewer employees to stay afloat as the country continues to battle the COVID-19... | April 6, 2020 |
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Small Business Guidance & Loan ResourcesDuring these uncertain and challenging times, our Excellus BCBS team is here to provide access to resources to help your business and employees. The Small Business Administration (SBA) has programs and initiatives in place as a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and... | March 31, 2020 |
Protecting the Health of Our CommunitiesThe coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting life for everyone as our communities battle this deadly virus. Those being hit hardest include many small businesses around the country and in our own communities, and many we insure. We have options for those employers who... | March 25, 2020 |
We're All In This TogetherTo Our Valued Employer Groups: These are anxious and unsettling times. We’re bombarded by wall-to-wall news and around-the-clock social media about coronavirus (COVID-19) – and the impact on the economy. I want you to know that the Health Plan is well prepared... | March 24, 2020 |
Pending Federal Regulations on COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Member Cost ShareThe coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting life for everyone as our communities battle this deadly virus. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to grow in New York state and across the country. New York state is requiring all insured health... | March 18, 2020 |
Update On COVID-19 (Coronavirus)We know there are many ongoing questions regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and how it impacts everything from your businesses, your employees and even your own families. Please know that we have an internal team dedicated to researching and vetting the most... | March 13, 2020 |
Wealth of Health 2020 - Nomination Deadline is March 13Each year, Excellus BCBS and the Rochester Business Journal (RBJ) honor Rochester area employers who promote health and wellness in the workplace. Visit the RBJ’s website for more information. And save the date for the event: Wednesday, June 10 7:30... | February 25, 2020 |
Committed to Lowering the Cost of Select Generic DrugsThe Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), 18 independent and locally-operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies—including Excellus BCBS—and Civica recently announced their partnership to create a new subsidiary dedicated to lowering the cost of select... | February 25, 2020 |
Finding a Doctor and Comparing Costs Just Got EasierEmpower employees with an easier way to connect with care and understand costs. Our new-and-improved online search tool makes it easy for your employees to estimate medical costs and find local and national providers. They can view estimated out-of-pocket costs... | February 24, 2020 |
New Year, New MandatesThe beginning of a new year also means state mandated changes to some of our plans. The Healthy NY wage level for small employers is now in line with federal poverty guidelines. Read more about the increase and eligibility criteria. NYS now requires insurers to... | January 29, 2020 |
Update on 1095-B Form for Tax SeasonBeginning this year, health insurers—including Excellus BCBS—will no longer be mailing tax form 1095-B to members. Because taxpayers are not required to include the form when filing their taxes, the IRS no longer requires us to mail the form. Members can still... | January 29, 2020 |
Q2 Small Group Rates & Brochures Available on Blue on DemandUse Blue on Demand to view our SimplyBlue Plus medical plan options, rates and enrollment forms for small businesses of 100 or fewer full-time equivalent employees: Access Blue on Demand Print versions of the 2020 Excellus SimplyBlue Plus Designs... | January 29, 2020 |
Flu Season Going StrongFlu season runs through May—so there's still time for employees to get the flu vaccine. As of November 30, 2019, New York state logged 3,158 confirmed cases of the flu, compared to 1,462 confirmed cases at this time last year. There is still time to get your flu shot.... | January 29, 2020 |
Member Webinars - "Making the Most of Your Health Plan"Do you have members that need a refresh on the wellness tools and resources available to them within their health plan coverage? Our Workplace Wellness & Telemedicine team will host live monthly webinars for members in 2020. "Making the Most of Your Health... | December 18, 2019 |
Important Reminders for HealthyRewardsThe end of the calendar year also means the end of the plan year for many members. Please have them keep in mind these important deadlines about HealthyRewards if this is the end of their plan year. For members renewing their HealthyRewards plan (subscriber ID not... | December 18, 2019 |
Underwriting Guideline Changes Filed With The Department Of Financial ServicesChanges to our underwriting guidelines were recently filed for reference with the Department of Financial Services. There are changes in several areas including group and subscriber eligibility. Please contact your broker or account consultant with any... | November 22, 2019 |
Our Wellframe® Toolkit Helps Provide Members With Continuous Care—Right At Their FingertipsAvailable to most Excellus BCBS members, the Wellframe ® App provides instant access to a dedicated care manager, dieticians, nurses, and other health care professionals to help members meet their health and wellness goals. And with our Wellframe ® Toolkit,... | October 29, 2019 |
New Feature for HealthyRewards Members - Rally Marketplace™Starting January 1, members with HealthyRewards will have an additional option for using the coins they earn from completing tasks through the Rally platform. Previously, members only had the option of donating their coins to a charity of their choice. With the... | October 29, 2019 |
Annual Rate Notices Being MailedGroups will receive their Annual Rate Notices (ARNs) at the end of October. Also, at the end of October, groups will be able to access the Monthly Rate Summary report through Information Connection with their January 2020 renewals. This includes: ... | October 29, 2019 |
Employer-Based Waiting Periods for Medical and DentalPlease remember, when an online request is submitted to add a new hire for medical and dental, you need to be aware of your company's employer-based waiting period. If your company's waiting period for medical is different than the waiting period for dental, the... | October 29, 2019 |
2020 Community Rated, Small Group Medicare Advantage plans are now available on Blue on DemandYou can now view 2020 Community Rated, Small Group Medicare Advantage Plans on Blue on Demand. Blue on Demand allows you to compare plans and access 2020 benefit summaries and rate sheets. Please contact your broker or Group Medicare Sales Consultant with any... | October 29, 2019 |
Compliance With New York State Insurance Law and Small Group EligibilityAs part of our ongoing commitment to maintain compliance with New York State Insurance Law 4317(a)(1), we will continue to verify that our small groups are receiving community rates. As has been our practice, this process will include our request for confirmation... | September 26, 2019 |
Get Your Employees Ready For Open EnrollmentWe have received great feedback about our member portal and the personalized information members can access when they register for an online account. This is a great way to educate your employees about their health insurance and to prepare them for this year’s open... | September 26, 2019 |
Small Group Rates And Plans For 2020 Now Available!Small Group plans and rates for 2020 and stand alone small group dental plans are now available on Blue on Demand. Updated Open Enrollment tools, including At-A-Glance Brochures and Product Guides are also available. Now available: SimplyBlue Plus Small... | September 26, 2019 |
Have Your Employees Changed Their Password Yet?On August 3, we made enhancements to our website including our member portal. At that time, members were asked to reset their password when they visited the site to login. If they HAVE NOT accessed their online account since August 3, they will be prompted to... | September 26, 2019 |
Small Group Plans, Rates and Product Updates for 2020Small Group plans and rates for 2020 will be available on Blue on Demand in early September, tentatively the week of the 9th. Updated Open Enrollment tools, including At-A-Glance Brochures and Product Guides will also be available. Good news—no discontinuances for 2020! ... | August 26, 2019 |
Care That’s Always In Your CornerWe believe that health insurance isn’t something to be used once in a while. That’s why we want to give you everything you need to help employees take control of their health each and every day. Introducing Wellframe®, a free and convenient way for your employees and... | August 26, 2019 |
Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) LettersComing soon, group benefit administrators with Medicare Blue Choice (HMO-POS) or Medicare Blue PPO (PPO) plans will be mailed an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). The ANOC provides details on 2020 benefit changes. Your members will receive their 2020 ANOC, along... | August 26, 2019 |
Site Changes Coming The Weekend Of August 3This includes a password change, so have yours ready! Updates to our Employer web portals, which include a new look and menu options, will be going live on Saturday, August 3. The new look includes a simplified layout giving you easy access to the... | July 30, 2019 |
Our Commitment: Providing Access to High Quality, Affordable CareOur mission is to help people in our communities live healthier and more secure lives through access to high quality, affordable care. Late spring is when we propose to state regulators the individual and small group rates we need to charge for our products, effective... | June 7, 2019 |
Blue Cross Blue Shield National Medicare Awareness CampaignFor the first time ever, we have been working with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and all the Blues plans nationally to launch a National Medicare Awareness Campaign. Embarking on a collaborative national campaign strengthens our brand recognition... | June 6, 2019 |
Q4 Small Group Rates Available July 1Compare Plans & Rates Use Blue on Demand to view our SimplyBlue Plus medical plan options, rates and enrollment forms for small businesses of 100 or fewer full time equivalent employees: Click Here to Begin (Login Required) Click Here to Begin | June 5, 2019 |
Congratulations 2019 Wealth Of Health WinnersThe Rochester Business Journal announced the winners of the 2019 Wealth of Health Awards during a breakfast ceremony Tuesday at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center. | June 4, 2019 |
Request for Missing Social Security NumbersUnder the Affordable Care Act, the Internal Revenue Service requires health insurers to request missing subscriber and dependent Social Security numbers from their members. In August, we will send Social Security number request letters to individuals who had health... | June 3, 2019 |
Annual Group Information Form (AGIF) Non-CompliancePlease be advised that employer groups who have not submitted an Annual Group Information Form (AGIF) in the past 2 or more consecutive years will be non‐renewed beginning January 2020. We ask for your assistance in ensuring the completion and submission of the AGIF... | June 3, 2019 |
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Now Offers Medicaid Managed Care Products in Onondaga CountyExcellus BlueCross BlueShield is pleased to announce that it has received approval from the New York State Department of Health to offer its HMOBlue Option and Blue Option Plus Medicaid managed care products to residents of Onondaga County. HMOBlue Option provides... | June 2, 2019 |
How Well Do Your Employees Know Their Benefits?Do they need a refresh on our telemedicine programs or what tools and resources are available within their health plan coverage? Our Workplace Wellness & Telemedicine team can help as we continue to host live monthly webinars for members. These member level... | May 6, 2019 |
Individual & Small Group – NYS Prior Approval of Rate ChangesOn May 13, 2019, an application was submitted requesting 2020 premium rate changes in accordance with New York state prior approval law. This rate application applies to Community Rated Individual and Small Group products. The following products are included in... | May 5, 2019 |
Members Can Still Hit the Gym for $200 RewardAll Small Business plans include our ExerciseRewards program in which members receive $200 per 6-month period of their plan year for going to the gym 50 times. It is not too late to start going to the gym in order to qualify! Find Out More | May 4, 2019 |
