News Archive
All News
| Title | Issued Date |
|---|---|
We Want To Hear From You!In the coming weeks, you’ll receive an email inviting you to complete a brief Excellus BCBS satisfaction survey. This survey is an opportunity to provide feedback on your interactions and experiences with the health plan. Your responses are confidential, and your... |
August 30, 2023 |
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... |
August 30, 2023 |
Coming Soon! Enrollment Inquiry & Support UpdatesWe’re excited to announce that updates to our Enrollment Inquiry & Support tool are coming soon. You’ll access an enhanced submission form that better supports the enrollment process from start to finish with features like: An option allowing the form to be... |
August 30, 2023 |
Check Out Our Community Check-In Podcast! Episode: Menthol Cigarettes - Targeting Youth and Exploiting CommunitiesEpisode: Menthol Cigarettes - Targeting Youth and Exploiting Communities In a new episode of the Community Check-In podcast, Dr. Lisa Harris, senior vice president and corporate medical director for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield sheds light on the controversy surrounding... |
August 30, 2023 |
The Importance Of Taking Medications As DirectedDid you know that not taking medications the way they were prescribed leads to 125,000 deaths in the US every year? In addition to death, not taking medications as directed costs nearly $300 billion per year in additional doctors’ visits, trips to the emergency room, and... |
August 30, 2023 |
Accurate Effective Dates Help Ensure Your Employees Are CoveredAny employers who use the online Enroll & Update tool on the Excellus BlueCross BlueShield website to enroll a new employee in medical or dental plans must select the correct effective date in the online tool — a date that is in alignment with the new employee’s... |
July 31, 2023 |
Making It Easier To Reinstate & UpdateWith the click of a button, we’re making it easier for you to track and view requests to reinstate health plan policies for your members. Today on ExcellusBCBS.com, employers can go to the View/Update Policy tool to view or reinstate their members’ cancelled policies... |
July 31, 2023 |
Wellbeing For All, All In One PlaceNew for 2024: Introducing ThriveWell℠ Powered by Virgin Pulse We’re excited to announce our new digital home base dedicated to engaging teams in health and wellbeing, called ThriveWell! This tool will be embedded for our fully insured group plans and will be available as... |
July 31, 2023 |
Looking For Something?Ever found yourself looking for a certain employer news article or announcement? You know you read it and filed it away but now you can’t locate it! Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We archive all our employer news articles and announcements chronologically on the... |
July 31, 2023 |
Preparing A Child For Peak Asthma SeasonIf you have a child with asthma, now is the time to revisit their asthma action plan so you are prepared for the annual increase in asthma attacks that occurs each year as kids return to the classroom. A dramatic rise in the number of asthma flare-ups occurs each year... |
July 31, 2023 |
Vaccines Are Important For Adults, TooVaccinations are not just for children – adults need vaccinations, too. Immunity from some childhood vaccines can wear off over time and adults are at risk for different diseases (shingles, for example) than children. Vaccines are important during pregnancy too. According... |
July 31, 2023 |
2024 Large Group Product UpdatesWith a new year comes exciting new changes to bring groups and members even better coverage. Take a look at what’s in store for 2024.* Here’s What’s New for 2024: ThriveWell℠ ** Introducing ThriveWell, a digital homebase dedicated to engaging teams in health and... |
July 5, 2023 |
Prescription Drug Data Collection (RxDC) Report SubmittedOn June 1, 2023, we submitted the Prescription Drug Data Collection (RxDC) report as required under Section 204 of Division BB, Title II of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), 2021. The submission included information for fully insured policies issued and for... |
June 27, 2023 |
Breaking Down The Barriers To Better HealthAdvancing health equity is central to our mission and is woven throughout the work we do day in and day out. It’s good for your group, your members, and your community. With this, it’s important to recognize the diversity of employees and how their different backgrounds,... |
June 27, 2023 |
Healthy NY Group Recertification FormsExcellus BCBS was set to begin requiring the Healthy NY (HNY) Recertification form and Supplemental form from all HNY groups upon renewal starting July 1, 2023. We are postponing the requirement of the HNY Supplemental form at this time; however, all HNY groups will... |
June 27, 2023 |
Check Out Our Community Check-In Podcast! Episode: The Power Of Early DetectionEpisode: The Power Of Early Detection In a new episode of the Community Check-In podcast, Dr. Angel Kerney, board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) and medical director at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield dives into the significance of preventive screenings,... |
June 27, 2023 |
The Benefits Of Getting OutdoorsAccording to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans spend 90% of their time indoors. But going outside actually has lots of benefits to our mental and physical wellbeing. Summer is a wonderful time to enjoy the benefits of getting outdoors in nature, whether... |
June 27, 2023 |
Offering Members Added Convenience And Accessibility To CareSite of Care is an Excellus BlueCross BlueShield program that provides valuable options to group members who are currently receiving infusion drugs at high-cost facilities. Our program provides cost savings by transitioning members from receiving their treatment at a... |
June 27, 2023 |
Individual & Small Group – NYS Prior Approval Of Rate ChangesOn May 10, 2023, an application was submitted requesting 2024 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 this 2024... |
June 2, 2023 |
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Recognized By Forbes As One Of The Nation’s Best Employers For DiversityExcellus BCBS was one of 500 companies on the Forbes Best Employers for Diversity 2023 list. Excellus BCBS ranked 135th overall on the nationwide list Excellus BCBS ranked 17th overall in the insurance industry This was Excellus BCBS’s first time on the Forbes Best... |
May 30, 2023 |
What Happens With Claims, COBRA And Special Enrollments Once The National Emergency Ends?As you may recall, due to the COVID-19 National Emergency, the Department of Labor provided relief via extensions for filing and appealing claims, electing and paying for COBRA, and notifying administrators of disability notices and special enrollments. The extensions... |
May 30, 2023 |
How Safety Net Plan Renewals Impact Your Business And MembersAs we’ve been sharing for the past few months, Safety Net recertifications resumed in April, with the first of our members receiving notifications in May. We understand that not all groups typically engage with our Safety Net population, but it’s important to understand... |
May 30, 2023 |
Well-Child Visits Over Summer Break: Book Them NowIt’s not too early to arrange the medical and dental visits your kids will need over the summer break from school. “Don’t wait too long to make your child’s summertime medical and dental appointments because your doctor may not have openings when you want them,” says... |
May 30, 2023 |
Check Out Our Community Check-In Podcast!We’re kicking off another season of Community Check-In, our podcast series that features conversations with local experts about all things health, sharing the latest information and tips to support our groups and their employees in managing your health and wellness. ... |
May 30, 2023 |
June Is Men’s Health MonthMen's health is a critical issue. Unfortunately, many men tend to neglect their health until they experience a severe illness or injury. This leads to a higher risk of chronic diseases, disability, and premature death. Additionally, men also tend to engage in riskier... |
May 30, 2023 |
COVID-19 National Emergency And Federal Public Health Emergency To End May 11, 2023The federal government announced the COVID-19 National Emergency and Federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) will end on May 11, 2023. Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has been reviewing the guidelines surrounding COVID-19 related vaccines, testing and telehealth services and... |
April 27, 2023 |
MDLIVE Claims Cost IncreaseEffective April 1, 2023, the MDLIVE claim cost for medical consults increased from $40.00 to $50.00 per MDLIVE visit. This is still 39% below the non-MDLIVE member price and also significantly below a telehealth visit with a local primary care physician. Who Is Impacted?... |
April 27, 2023 |
Check Out Our Community Check-In Podcast!We’re kicking off another season of Community Check-In, our podcast series that features conversations with local experts about all things health, sharing the latest info and tips to support your employees in managing their health and wellness. New Episode: Ways to... |
April 27, 2023 |
May Is Mental Health Awareness MonthAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mental health is an important part of overall health and wellbeing. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel and act. It also helps determine... |
April 27, 2023 |
What You Need To Know About Safety Net RecertificationsDuring the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), NY State has not required most Safety Net members to renew their Medicaid Managed Care, Essential Plan or Child Health Plus eligibility. For most group members, coverage has been auto renewed during the PHE. ... |
March 27, 2023 |
NEW! Primary Care Provider Toolkit Now AvailableA new Primary Care Provider (PCP) toolkit is now live and can be found on ExcellusforBusiness.com. With a ready-to-send email, PCP checklist, find a doctor tool fact sheet and e-book, you can encourage your members to find a provider and stay ahead of illnesses. Get The... |
March 27, 2023 |
2022 Pharmacy Reporting Under The Consolidated Appropriations Act (RxDC)To comply with the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), we will complete all required pharmacy benefit and prescription drug cost reporting on behalf of fully insured groups (small and large) and self-funded groups with medical and pharmacy coverage with Excellus... |
March 27, 2023 |
Healthy Vision Is Important To Overall HealthHave you ever heard of “tear film”? Every time you blink, a thin layer of tears called “tear film” spreads across your eyes. Tear film has three layers: an oily outer layer, a watery middle layer, and an inner mucous layer. All three of these layers work together to help... |
March 27, 2023 |
Free Resources To Support A Healthy Team And BusinessTo help protect employees’ physical, emotional, and financial health, we offer ExcellusForBusiness.com—a library of resources that can help businesses and employees enjoy better outcomes, lower costs, and more peace of mind. At ExcellusForBusiness.com, you’ll find... |
February 20, 2023 |
Focus On Fiber For Colon Cancer Awareness MonthMarch is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colon cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths. An estimated 153,020 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2023. Colon cancer, however, is largely preventable through... |
February 20, 2023 |
Mona Chitre, PharmD, Chief Pharmacy Officer, President Pharmacy SolutionsMona Chitre, PharmD has been named President of Pharmacy Solutions, in addition to her role as Chief Pharmacy Officer. In her expanded role, Dr. Chitre will focus on delivering clinically sound pharmacy solutions to enable growth and diversification and bolster... |
February 20, 2023 |
Newly Updated Telemedicine Toolkit Is Now LiveWe've updated our Excellus BCBS Telemedicine Toolkit, which can be found on ExcellusforBusiness.com. With this collection of informational flyers, FAQs and ready-to-send emails, you can encourage your employees to activate their telemedicine accounts and stay ahead of... |
January 30, 2023 |
Tax Form 1095-BHealth insurers—including Excellus BCBS—are no longer 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 download the form or request it by... |
January 30, 2023 |
Submission Of Prescription Drug Data Collection ReportOn December 23, 2022, we submitted the Prescription Drug Data Collection (RxDC) report as required under Section 204 of Division BB, Title II of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), 2021. The submission included information for fully insured policies issued and for... |
January 30, 2023 |
Here’s To Heart HealthDid you know your heart is about the size of your fist? Your heart is the engine that runs your circulatory system, which carries blood to and from all areas of your body. Your blood carries oxygen and nutrients to your organs and carbon dioxide to your lungs. If your... |
January 30, 2023 |
When We All Share The Joy, Everybody BenefitsIn the spirit of the holidays, we’d like to thank you for trusting in us this past year to bring high quality, affordable health care and peace of mind to your employees. Here's to continuing to offer exceptional employee experiences in 2023! Wishing you happy holidays... |
December 21, 2022 |
How To Manage Stress During The Holiday Season – Excellus BCBS Community Check-InHave you checked out our Community Check-In podcasts? Each week, we feature conversations with local experts about all things health, sharing the latest info and tips to support you in managing your health and wellness. This month, since we’re in the midst of the... |
December 21, 2022 |
Healthy Living Is Just A Deal AwayAre your employees aware of Blue365, an online discount program for health and wellness related products and services? One of the most utilized options is Fitness Your Way, a passport gym membership that members can sign up for to access over 10,000+ fitness centers... |
December 21, 2022 |
Add Preventive Care To Your List Of New Year’s ResolutionsA new year is around the corner and for many, that means evaluating their health status and lifestyle habits. This year, we encourage you and your employees to add preventive care to your list of new year resolutions. Regular preventive care can help reduce the risk or... |
December 21, 2022 |
Fixing The Family GlitchTo be eligible for subsidized qualified health plans today, employees must not have "affordable coverage" through their own/spouse's employer. For some, if their employer doesn’t contribute to the cost (or only contributes a small amount) toward the family premium, it may... |
November 30, 2022 |
2022 Health Equity Awards Winners Announced!We recently announced the recipients of our Excellus BlueCross BlueShield 2022 Health Equity Awards. The awards represent more than $560,000 in financial support for community programs that address racial and ethnic health disparities across its upstate New York service... |
November 30, 2022 |
REMINDER: 2023 Individual Market PlansIf you have an employee who is not eligible for an Employer Group Plan, Medicare, or COBRA, we’re here to help connect them with NY State sponsored Safety Net coverage and Qualified Health Plans (metal level plans). If you would like to review your health care options,... |
November 30, 2022 |
‘Tis The Season For Self-CareWhile the holiday season can be a time of joy, it may bring added stress, anxiety, and depression for some people. Many things contribute to the “holiday blues”: fatigue, money problems, over-commitment, and missing family or friends. That’s why, during the holiday... |
November 30, 2022 |
November Is National Diabetes MonthDid you know medical costs for people with diabetes are twice as high as for those who don’t have diabetes? Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. In the last 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes has more... |
October 31, 2022 |
Achieving Some Of The Highest Medicare Star Ratings In The State And Nation!The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the 2023 quality ratings and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has once again been awarded some of the highest ratings in the state and nation for quality and performance! For 2023, Medicare has awarded us with... |
October 28, 2022 |
