Major Pharmacy Benefits Revamp

Blue Shield of California has announced a major revamp in its approach to pharmacy benefits. By 2025, Blue Shield will significantly reduce its ties with CVS Health's PBM services. Instead, it will partner with Amazon Pharmacy, Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drug Company, and other firms to bring about potential massive savings and enhanced services for its customers

While there’s no immediate impact to your Blue Shield clients, this is big industry news, and you will want to stay ahead of it. Read our high-level summary to learn what it means for you and get links to additional resources.

Instant Digital ID Cards

You can now conveniently access and download digital member ID cards directly through the Blue Shield Broker Connection. 

To Access Digital ID Cards:

• Log into Broker Connection.
• Click "Get ID Card" at the top of the page.
• Select your line of business.
• Search for your client’s name.
• Click "Get ID Card."  
• Select coverage type: Medical, Dental, Vision.
• Choose a delivery method: download, email, or Member Portal.

The ID cards are provided as downloadable PDFs for immediate use. Learn more and contact us today for a Blue Shield of CA quote.

Enhanced Orthodontia Coverage

Beam Benefits’ dental plans are even more competitive with two new enhancements to Orthodontia coverage:

Orthodontia Lifetime Benefit Maximum

The Orthodontia lifetime benefit maximum is now up to $5,000 (the previous maximum was $2,500). The benefit amount can be selected in $50 increments, starting with $2,550 up to a maximum of $5,000

Orthodontia Benefit Group Size Requirement

Previously at least 10 employees were required to enroll in order for Adult & Child Orthodontia benefits to be available. Now Adult & Child Orthodontia benefits are available to groups with as few as two employees enrolling.

Contact us today for a Beam Benefits quote.

Employee Navigator Broker Training

Employee Navigator (EN) is now available for Ease brokers interested in using the platform this fall before the full migration in 2024. Though most brokers will continue adding customers to Ease and migrate existing ones next summer, EN wants to accommodate those who would like early access to their platform for open enrollment this year.

Key Points for Early Adopters

• No additional licensing fee to access the EN platform.
• Multiple users are welcome to attend the training.
• Each broker will be required to sign a new EN license agreement for no license fee.
• Early adoption is recommended for new groups until key Ease features are added.

Training
All users will be required to attend an online or in-person training and complete the independent, self-paced lessons prior to these trainings. Remote training will take approximately 10 hours.

• Online Training: September 7-8.
• In-Person 2-day Training: August 28-29 in Frederick, Maryland. ($25 processing fee.)

Get the details and contact us for help transitioning from Ease to Employee Navigator.

Small Group Broker Bonus Program

Earn a Kaiser Permanente $100 bonus, per enrolled member when you enroll at least 10 members from a qualified, new small group through CaliforniaChoice, Covered California or Kaiser Small Business. October 1, 2023 - January 31, 2024 effective dates.

Example: Earn a $2,100 bonus when you sell a new group with 30 full-time employees and enroll 21 new members with Kaiser Permanente.

This bonus is on top of your regular commission and standard broker reward programs. Get the details and contact us today for a quote.

2023 Fall Incentive Program

Offer your clients huge savings on pre-tax or COBRA services for effective dates through January 1, 2024. To qualify, a service agreement must be signed and submitted by September 29, 2023.

• All pre-tax and COBRA implementation fees are waived.
• No file feed integration fees for both pre-tax and COBRA plans.
• One month of administration fees will be waived.
• No renewal fees and a 3-year rate guarantee.

Contact us for assistance when you're ready to enroll a group in a BRI Specialty Account.