From: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas <noreply@bcbstx.com>
Date:
September 16, 2010 2:01:53 PM CDT
Subject:
SPECIAL EDITION: Important Message from HCSC President of Plan Operations
Reply-To:
noreply@bcbstx.com” <noreply@bcbstx.com>

 
 

Sept. 16, 2010Dear Producer,

While provisions of the Affordable Care Act will be implemented over several years, a number of changes to group health plans and health insurance coverage are scheduled to take effect for plan/policy years beginning on or after Sept. 23, 2010.

As you know, regulations and guidance have been issued since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act on March 23, 2010. To ensure that our customers have the most up-to-date and accurate information, we are updating our materials to clarify information about plan or customer-initiated benefit changes and those changes specified by state or federal legislation.

We are working to complete this update by no later than Oct. 1. Until that time, we will not be releasing any marketing communications that include information about the Affordable Care Act to accounts or members. This includes all renewals. Please do not release any marketing communications or renewals, pending the update of our materials.

We will provide you with additional updates as they become available, including updated materials once they have been completed.

We appreciate your assistance in this important matter.

Sincerely,

Marty Foster
Executive Vice President and President of Plan Operations
Health Care Service Corporation

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News from the Blues for Producers is an e-newsletter containing updates on product and Web site enhancements, as well as sales information, legislative updates and BCBSTX/HCSC corporate news.

 

Editor’s Note: Translation – “We are having some difficulty with HHS and until we resolve this problem we will not be quoting new business nor offering renewals until further notice. “

Here Comes The ObamaCare Rate Increases!

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut, by far the largest insurer of Connecticut residents, said in a letter that it expects the federal health reform law to increase rates by as much as 22.9 percent for just a single provision — removing annual spending caps. The mandate to provide benefits to children regardless of pre-existing conditions will raise premiums by 4.8 percent, Anthem said in the letter. Mandated preventive care with no deductibles would raise rates by as much as 8.5 percent, Anthem said

http://www.ctnow.com/health/hc-health-insurance-rate-hike-0914-20100914,0,5611833.story

Editor’s Note: Not to worry……………if the rate increase is too high, and the loss ratio is less than 85%, Blue Cross will have to rebate the difference back to the insureds – Minimum Loss Ratio Requirement to kick in January 1, 2011.

Chantix Commercial Seizes ObamaCare Opportunity

Bill, I saw two Chantix commercials on Bill Oreiley Show last night.  My guess is that since non-grandfathered plans must cover smoke cessation therapy at 100 percent with no copays or deductibles, Chantix will be “free” for insureds who try to quit.

Manufacturer of Chantix must have figured this out.

Molly Mulebriar

Editor’s Note: Chantix does have potential side effects: suicidal tendencies, depression. The good news is that the Mental Parity Act covers these. We expect enterprising entrepenurs everywhere to open up Smoking Cessation Clinics all over America. Under ObamaCare, non-grandfathered health plans must cover smoking cessation 100% without deductibles or copays. Employers who are affected will be paying for these clinics – costs will be enormous. Could this be a good business opportunity for soon to be unemployed health insurance agents?