News Archive
All News
| Title | Issued Date |
|---|---|
Managed Care Organization TaxBroker News | February 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 2 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently approved New York's Managed Care Organization tax (MCO), effective 1/1/2025. This tax, authorized by the 2024-2025 State Budget, will apply different tax rates to Medicaid and non-Medicaid plans. The tax rates... |
February 12, 2025 |
Enrollment Portal Reminder – Accuracy Is ImportantBroker News | February 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 2 There has been an increase in keying errors submitted from the web and requests submitted through the enrollment portal. This has resulted in ID cards being mailed to incorrect recipients, members being enrolled in incorrect groups and information being sent to groups... |
February 12, 2025 |
Voted #1 In NY For Customer Service – Again!Broker News | February 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 2 For the second consecutive year, J.D. Power has ranked Excellus BlueCross BlueShield #1 in New York for Medicare Advantage Plan Customer Satisfaction and Most Trusted. This wouldn’t be possible without our local employees who are committed to providing excellent service,... |
February 12, 2025 |
Tax Form 1095-BBroker News | February 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 2 Health insurers—including Excellus BlueCross BlueShield—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... |
February 12, 2025 |
Excel Your Well: 2025 Wellbeing Webinar SeriesBroker News | February 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 2 We are excited to host a new wellbeing webinar series in 2025, geared towards helping our members learn about various health topics that can support and improve their wellbeing from our own internal experts. Promotional flyers will be available for each month’s upcoming... |
February 12, 2025 |
The Importance Of A Primary Care Provider (PCP)Broker News | February 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 2 Individuals with a PCP may receive higher value healthcare. PCPs provide preventive care such as cancer screenings, identify and treat common medical conditions and provide referrals for specialists as needed. Preventive care can help identify health concerns and chronic... |
February 12, 2025 |
New Year, New Start: Get Proactive with Preventive HealthBroker News | February 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 2 Preventive care can help catch potential issues early before they develop into more serious health conditions. Things like routine checkups, screenings, and immunizations can fall under preventive care. Preventive services are covered in full by Excellus BlueCross... |
February 12, 2025 |
March Wellbeing Tip: Healthy Eating On A BudgetBroker News | February 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 2 According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), good nutrition is essential for well-being across all stages of life. A nutritious diet consists of primarily whole foods which include unprocessed fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, beans... |
February 12, 2025 |
Rx News - Introducing Our Automatic Prescription Discount ProgramBroker News | February 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 2 Members who currently pay 100% out-of-pocket for certain medications outside of their pharmacy benefit now have access to automatic prescription discounts. The automatic prescription discount program provides discounts on medications outside a member’s pharmacy benefit... |
February 12, 2025 |
Rx News - Updated Integrated Pharmacy Program Flyers Now AvailableBroker News | February 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 2 We have updated our integrated pharmacy program flyers to reflect new offerings and remove discontinued programs. These flyers detail all value-added and optional pharmacy programs available to groups with our integrated medical and pharmacy coverage. Each flyer is... |
February 12, 2025 |
Gag Clause Certificate Of Attestation Now AvailableBroker News | January 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 1 On December 30, 2024, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield completed the Gag Clause Attestation on behalf of our fully insured and minimum premium groups who have our Rx. A Gag Clause Certificate of Attestation is available to groups, upon request. Please reach out to your... |
January 15, 2025 |
Excel Your Well: 2025 Wellbeing Webinar SeriesBroker News | January 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 1 We are excited to launch a new wellbeing webinar series in 2025, geared toward helping our members learn about various health topics that can support and improve their wellbeing from our own internal experts. Promotional flyers will be available for each month’s upcoming... |
January 15, 2025 |
Starting The Year Off RightBroker News | January 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 1 January is a great time of year for employer group members to review their online account information or register for an account if they don’t already have one. Members can check their personal information, plan details and gain access to additional resources such as: ... |
January 15, 2025 |
February Wellbeing Tip: Heart HealthBroker News | January 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 1 February is American Heart Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States. The term “heart disease” includes several... |
January 15, 2025 |
Rx News - Pharmacy Affordability Toolkit AvailableBroker News | January 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 1 Health care costs are continuing to rise, impacting both groups and members alike. To address these challenges and support employee wellbeing, employers can now download our pharmacy savings toolkit. This toolkit offers ready-to-use educational resources and prewritten... |
January 15, 2025 |
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and St. Joseph’s Health Announce A Contract AgreementBroker News | January 2025 | Vol. 20 No. 1 - Special Issue Excellus BCBS and St. Joseph’s Health have reached a multi-year contract agreement effective Jan. 1, 2025, that will keep St. Joseph’s Health in the Excellus BCBS provider network. St. Joseph’s Health and Excellus BCBS are glad to reach an agreement that allows St.... |
January 7, 2025 |
An Update On St. Joseph’s HealthBroker News | December 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 12 - Special Issue Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and St. Joseph’s Health have entered into an agreement to extend our in-network contract for both the hospital and physician practices through February 28, 2025, while we continue to meet regularly to work towards a mutually agreed upon... |
December 18, 2024 |
Season’s Greetings From All Of Us At Excellus BlueCross BlueShieldBroker News | December 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 12 As the year comes to a close, we extend our warmest appreciation and gratitude for your partnership and loyalty. We wish you and yours a joyous holiday season and look forward to working together in the New Year! Have a safe and happy holiday season! |
December 12, 2024 |
Automatic Payment Error ImpactBroker News | December 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 12 Some members may have received an email from us via our vendor, Instamed, saying that their automatic payment agreement has been terminated. If members received a letter in regard to their automatic payments, please refer to the banner on our Member Bill Pay Options page... |
December 12, 2024 |
2025 Broker Guide Is HereBroker News | December 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 12 The 2025 Broker Guide is now available to help you better service our clients and grow your brokerage business. The guide is available on the broker tools page. If you have any questions about the 2025 Broker Guide, contact your account consultant or:... |
December 12, 2024 |
Upcoming Member Webinar For Small GroupsBroker News | December 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 12 Many members are not aware of the programs, resources, and tools available to them through their Excellus BlueCross BlueShield membership. We want to help close that gap. That’s why we are hosting a live “Making the Most of Your Health Plan,” webinar for our Small Group,... |
December 12, 2024 |
2025 Workplace Wellbeing ResourcesBroker News | December 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 12 The new year brings new resources to help employers support the wellbeing of their employees. They can engage, educate and empower their workforce with these helpful resources: Employee Wellbeing Webinars: Looking to have your employees learn about health topics such as... |
December 12, 2024 |
January Wellbeing Tip: New Year, Well YouBroker News | December 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 12 The new year is a great time to reflect and set intentions for the upcoming year. Many resolutions center on health and wellness, highlighting the importance of physical and mental wellbeing. Despite resolutions having several benefits, sticking to them can be difficult. ... |
December 12, 2024 |
Updates: 2025 Qualified Health Plans And The Essential PlanBroker News | December 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 12 Changes to Special Enrollment Period Coverage Effective Dates: Beginning January 1, 2025, NY State of Health must make the coverage effective date for special enrollment periods with no other specific effective date the first of the month following plan selection, with an... |
December 12, 2024 |
FamilyCare Medical Group Remains In NetworkBroker News | November 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 11 - Special Issue Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and FamilyCare Medical Group (FCMG) have announced a new contract agreement effective Jan. 1, 2025, that will keep FCMG in the Excellus BCBS provider network. Read More Member Resources During contract discussions with doctors and... |
November 21, 2024 |
Incorrect ID Card Mailing ImpactBroker News | November 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 11 Excellus BCBS has identified that incorrect ID cards were recently mailed out to some small groups. Since ID cards are mailed in batches, not all small group members would have received an incorrect ID card. We are working promptly to reissue ID cards for... |
November 15, 2024 |
REMINDER: Gag Clause Prohibition Attestation Under the Consolidated Appropriation ActBroker News | November 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 11 As a reminder, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (Excellus BCBS) will be completing the attestation on behalf of our fully insured and minimum premium groups for the time they had Excellus BCBS coverage in 2024. If any additional information is required to submit the... |
November 15, 2024 |
Healthy New York - New Group Application and Recertification FormBroker News | November 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 11 The new Healthy New York – New Group Application and Recertification Form is now available for brokers and small groups. The New Group Application should only be used when a small group is applying for a standalone Healthy New York plan, or when applying for... |
November 15, 2024 |
Health Status QuestionnaireBroker News | November 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 11 We encourage all plan members to complete a health status questionnaire upon enrollment and annually thereafter. We use this information to identify our members who may need care right away and are eligible for health care services that may be beneficial to them. Our case... |
November 15, 2024 |
December Wellbeing Tip: Self Care & Seasonal BluesBroker News | November 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 11 While the holiday season can be a time of joy, it may bring added stress, anxiety, and depression for some people. According to the American Psychological Association, nearly 9 in 10 (89%) of U.S. adults say that concerns such as financial pressure, family conflict, and... |
November 15, 2024 |
Rx News - Smart RxAssist is Now HelpScript!Broker News | November 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 11 In July, we announced our partnership with Smart RxAssist to help maximize savings available from drug manufacturer assistance programs. This program provides financial relief to self-funded employer groups and decreases out-of-pocket costs for medical specialty drugs.... |
November 15, 2024 |
Rx News - Improving the Affordability of Pharmacy Care Webinar Now AvailableBroker News | November 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 11 We know the upward trend of health care costs is expected to continue, impacting both employers and individuals. High prescription drug prices, increases in outpatient procedures, and more members needing high-cost hospital care are challenging health plans, employers,... |
November 15, 2024 |
Rx News - Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Humira and Biosimilar Formulary Updates for 2025Broker News | November 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 11 Biosimilars represent one of the biggest opportunities to improve access and affordability for our community. Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (Excellus BCBS) has advocated for the use of biosimilars since 2018 when we were the first standalone health plan to prefer a... |
November 15, 2024 |
Gag Clause Prohibition Attestation Under the Consolidated Appropriation ActBroker News • Vol. 19 No. 11 • Special Issue The gag clause prohibition under the Consolidate Appropriations Act (CAA) prohibits health plans from entering into contracts that restrict specific data and information that a plan can make available to another party. Plans must annually submit an attestation that they... |
November 12, 2024 |
Medicare Recognizes Excellus BlueCross BlueShield For QualityBroker News • Vol. 19 No. 10 • October 2024 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced its 2025 quality ratings, and again this year recognized Excellus BlueCross BlueShield for its Medicare Advantage plans. This is the 12th consecutive year the health plan has ranked above average or higher for... |
October 28, 2024 |
New Resources For Open Enrollment In Sales HubBroker News • Vol. 19 No. 10 • October 2024 New resources have been added to the Sales Hub to support brokers during the upcoming open enrollment season. Available resources include: 2024-2025 Community Rated Broker OE Presentation - video 2025 Small Group Product Updates – brochure 2025... |
October 28, 2024 |
New: Affordability PagesBroker News • Vol. 19 No. 10 • October 2024 Increasing costs and growing demands for medical care are leading to premium rate increases and higher out-of-pocket expenses for members and employers nationwide. It’s important for us to find solutions that prioritize the wellbeing of our groups while also addressing... |
October 28, 2024 |
November is Diabetes Awareness MonthBroker News • Vol. 19 No. 10 • October 2024 Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects how your body turns food into blood sugar to use for energy. There are three types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form, accounting for 90-95% of cases. According to the... |
October 28, 2024 |
Annual Renewal Request SubmissionsBroker News • Vol. 19 No. 10 • October 2024 For brokers that are submitting their annual renewal requests through the Annual Group Information Form (AGIF) Webtool, please ensure you are selecting the correct renewal year for your group’s submissions. The Webtool will auto populate with the 2025 renewal... |
October 28, 2024 |
Support for Rising Healthcare Costs: Medical Cost Saving ProgramsBroker News • Vol. 19 No. 10 • October 2024 We know the upward trend of health care costs is expected to continue, impacting employers and individuals alike. High prescription drug prices, increases in outpatient procedures, and more members needing high-cost hospital care are challenging the entire health care... |
October 28, 2024 |
Member Mailing NotificationBroker News • Vol. 19 No. 10 • October 2024 Due to new requirements of Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, we are required to send an annual Notice of Nondiscrimination and Notice of Availability of Language Assistance Services to all members no later than 11/2/2024. This mailing is currently underway,... |
October 28, 2024 |
Individual Metal Plans And Rates For 2025 Now Available!Broker News | October 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 10 - Special Issue Individual plans, rates, placemats, tip sheets and product brochures for 2025* are now available on Blue on Demand. Now available: Individual & Family Qualified Health Plans Blue Select Stand-Alone Dental Plans *Subject to DFS approval 2025 Plan Highlights:... |
October 1, 2024 |
Provider Contract UpdatesBroker News | September 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 9 - Special Issue As you may have noticed, there has been an increase in discussions surrounding contract negotiations, both locally and nationally. Providers and hospitals are more frequently going public about these discussions, which may create uncertainty. It’s essential that we... |
September 26, 2024 |
Upcoming Member Webinar For Small Group Plans*Broker News | September 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 9 Many Small Group members are not aware of the programs, resources, and tools available to them through their benefit plan. We want to help close that gap. That’s why we are hosting a live “Making the Most of Your Health Plan,” webinar. Thursday, September 26 12:00 P.M. -... |
September 18, 2024 |
October Is Breast Cancer Awareness MonthBroker News | September 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 9 Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States among people who were born female, after skin cancers. About one in eight women will have breast cancer at some point in their lifetime. While white women are more likely to develop breast cancer, Black... |
September 18, 2024 |
REMINDER: Medicare Part D Creditable CoverageBroker News | September 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 9 As part of the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA), employers and union groups offering prescription drug coverage must disclose to Medicare eligible individuals with prescription drug coverage under their plan, whether the coverage is creditable. Employers must provide... |
September 18, 2024 |
REMINDER: Virtual Training For 2025 Open EnrollmentBroker News | September 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 9 2025 open enrollment (OE) training is virtual again this year and available at ExcellusForBusiness.com/SalesHub. Everything has been designed to meet all your training needs for 2025 open enrollment and beyond. Materials include: Large Group: Product updates, large... |
September 18, 2024 |
Rx News - New Integrated Medical & Pharmacy Diabetes Programs BrochureBroker News | September 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 9 We have a new brochure available to learn more about our integrated medical and pharmacy solutions for diabetes management. This piece offers information on each program, as well as group savings opportunities. This piece is now available to download on... |
September 18, 2024 |
Rx News - Support For Rising Health Care Costs: Pharmacy ProgramsBroker News | September 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 9 We know the upward trend of health care costs is expected to continue, impacting employers and individuals alike. High prescription drug prices, increases in outpatient procedures, and more members needing high-cost hospital care are challenging health plans, employers,... |
September 18, 2024 |
Small Group Rates And Plans For 2025 Are Now Available!Broker News | September 2024 | Vol. 19 No. 9 - Special Issue Explore Blue on Demand for the latest Small Group rates, plan updates, and all your open enrollment tools, including At-A-Glance brochures and product guides. Summary Benefits and Coverage (SBCs) are coming soon and will be available by October 1. Learn more and order... |
September 12, 2024 |
