April 2010
BlueCross Commissions Paid by Direct Deposit Beginning in July
 Beginning in July, all BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee broker commissions and bonuses will be paid by direct deposit. Many brokers have already taken advantage of this approach because it’s a faster and more secure method for receiving their payments.
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New Sales & Customer Support Team for all Ancillary Products
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has combined the marketing and operations of all Blue-branded ancillary and other ancillary products into a single unit. The new unit can better serve our brokers because you now have a single resource when you market DentalBlue, VisionBlue and other ancillary products to your clients.
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ValuePak Plans to be Phased Out
BlueCross is in the process of phasing out ValuePak plans and will no longer issue prospect or renewal quotes for these specific plan designs. The increasing popularity of other group products and low enrollment in the ValuePak plans led to the decision.
Your groups that currently have ValuePak plans may renew with their current plan, but may not switch to a different ValuePak plan. Please contact your BlueCross sales or account executive if your groups are interested in other BlueCross benefit plans.
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Update on COBRA Premium Subsidy Extension of 2010
 On March 2, 2010, President Barack Obama signed legislation for a second extension of the federal government’s COBRA premium subsidy program, through The Temporary Extension Act of 2010. In that law, there were also changes related to reduction in hours as a qualifying event. Read More »
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Earn Great Bonuses; Add Ancillary Products to BlueCross Medical Coverage
You have multiple opportunities to earn bonuses and incentives when you combine the sale of medical and ancillary products. The highlights of these programs have been compiled into a one-page flier that makes it easy to see why selling BlueCross products with ancillary products can yield great bonuses. For more information about how you can pair ancillary products with medical coverage for your groups, please contact your BlueCross sales or account executive.
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New Federal Rules for Behavioral Health Go Into Effect July 1
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has made changes to its behavioral health options to comply with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) in October 2009. In February 2010, the federal rules enforcing the MHPAEA were issued. Health plans, working with legal counsel and industry groups, are studying the rules, and three federal agencies (IRS, DOL and HHS) are accepting comments until May 3, 2010.
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BlueAdvantage Plus Employer Group Retiree Coverage
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is here to help you deliver creative, simple and cost-effective solutions for your clients that preserve health and enhance life in its silver stages. We offer a variety of plans to choose from that include Medicare Part D benefits.
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More Electronic Communication Options On the Way for Members
 BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is introducing several new electronic communication options to members who have already elected to receive their explanation of benefits (EOB) notices via e-mail. These members will be the first to receive new e-mail notifications as they become available.
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Maximum Allowed Multi-Option Differential Increased for Network Combinations Effective July 1
The maximum allowed dual differential will increase to 43 percent for plan options with different networks for groups with five or more members beginning with July 1, 2010, effective dates. The differential for dual or triple options with the same network will remain at 35 percent. Read More »
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New BlueElite Medicare Supplements Plans
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is introducing a new, modernized line of Medicare Supplement plans called BlueElite that will replace BlueCross65 plans beginning with June 1, 2010, effective dates. BlueElite will include plans A, D and F, but new M and N plans will not be offered at this time. BlueElite members will be required to complete a new application and answer underwriting questions to upgrade or downgrade benefits except within their Initial Coverage Election Period surrounding their 65th birthday. Read More »
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