IFP Broker Update

Your 2025 Open Enrollment resources are now available

We're pleased to share that the Plans at a Glance, Broker Sales Guide, Summary of Benefits, and Rate Books for Open Enrollment 2025 are live on Broker Connection. These essential tools are crafted to support you in expanding your business and providing top-notch service to your clients throughout the upcoming enrollment period.

Open enrollment for 2025 kicks off November 1, 2024, and continues until January 31, 2025. With the latest resources at your fingertips, you'll be fully equipped to assist your clients in making informed health-plan choices.

What's new for 2025?

Pharmacy Care Model: Revolutionizing prescription care with a transparent and fair approach.
Expanded Networks: A new provider joins the IFP Trio HMO network for the upcoming year.
Flexible Care Options: Virtual and in-person PCPs are accessible across PPO and HMO plans.
Improved Self-Service Tools: Enhanced features like streamlined auto-pay, PCP selection, and upsell options, all accessible via your Client List on Broker Connection.
Upgraded Digital Experience: Members will benefit from improved portal access, including their health records.

Key Dates to Remember:

October 1: Broker and member renewal tools go live online
November 1: Open enrollment officially begins
December 31: Deadline for January 1, 2025, coverage applications
January 31, 2025: Last day of open enrollment, and the deadline for February 1, 2025, coverage applications

We're here to support you throughout this open enrollment period. Let's make 2025 a standout year together!

Register for our upcoming 2025 Open Enrollment webinars

We invite you to join our Individual and Family Plans (IFP) 2025 Open Enrollment Period (OEP) Webinars! This series is designed to provide you with key insights and strategies to help you navigate the ever-evolving IFP market.

The 2025 open enrollment season brings important updates, including changes impacting over 260,000 members at Covered California and modifications to the Bronze 60 plan benefit design. Attending one of these sessions will give you valuable tools and information to keep ahead of these developments.

Webinar Highlights:

2025 plan updates for Covered California (On-Exchange)
Key changes to direct-to-Blue Shield plans (Off-Exchange)
Enhanced self-service capabilities: AutoPay at the point of sale, quote sharing, and PCP selection at Covered California
New features to add dental and vision coverage with just three clicks
2025 dental and vision plan details
Live Q&A with a Blue Shield IFP Broker Sales representative

Why attend?

These webinars offer an opportunity to stay informed about the latest trends, tools, and techniques to help you grow your business and better serve your clients. You'll also have the chance to ask questions and engage directly with our IFP experts.

Join us to ensure you're prepared for the 2025 enrollment season!

New pharmacy home delivery service

We're thrilled to announce new pharmacy updates for our members with pharmacy benefits, starting January 1, 2025.

Amazon Pharmacy is here

Amazon Pharmacy will replace CVS Caremark Mail Service Pharmacy as our new prescription home delivery service. This change means a smoother, digital-first experience for your clients.

New ID Cards are on the way

Blue Shield members will receive new ID cards with updated pharmacy details. Members in our Individual and Family Plans (IFP) and Medicare plans will receive new ID cards with updated pharmacy information for their annual renewal in January 2025. These cards will arrive before the start of the new plan year, accompanied by an insert with additional information and instructions for members to bring their new ID card to the pharmacy at their next visit. Updated ID cards can be accessed through the member's online myblueshield account and via the Blue Shield mobile app.

Pharmacy digital enhancements

Here are some of our planned digital enhancements:

Price Check My Rx for cost comparisons
Notifications for lower-cost alternatives
Spending Tracker to monitor expenses
Pharmacy Locator for easy access to nearby pharmacies

For more information and to see how these changes will benefit your clients, visit our 2025 Pharmacy Care Model page on Broker Connection.

Build your book with Share a Quote

Looking to streamline your Off-Exchange quoting process? Share a Quote is the tool you need. Available through Broker Connection, Share a Quote allows you to share and compare real-time quotes for up to four medical and four dental and/or vision plans simultaneously.

Key Features:

Real-Time Quotes: Share quotes with clients via email directly from the quoting tool. Clients receive a customized quote link where they can select their plan and complete their application.
Comprehensive Self-Service Tool: Access a robust quote-tracking and reporting system. Easily track the status and progression of your outstanding quotes and applications.
Strategic Follow-Ups: View how many shared quotes have converted into submitted applications, enabling you to plan strategic follow-ups and close more sales.

Maximize your efficiency and boost your sales with Share a Quote. Start enhancing your client interactions and grow your book of business.

Introducing the new Specialty Upsell feature on Broker Connection

We're pleased to introduce a new enhancement to your Broker Connection Client List—the Specialty Upsell feature! This new functionality makes adding dental and vision coverage for your clients easier than ever, streamlining the process to just three steps.

What does this mean for you?

You can now add dental and vision plans on behalf of members directly through your Online Client List, and your clients keep the same subscriber ID, simplifying their experience.

Key Features:

A new "Add a plan" link is now available in the Online Client List.
You can filter members who are eligible for dental or vision coverage.
The enrollment process is simple and quick—choose the plan, review it, and submit.
You and your client will receive an email confirmation and a PDF of the application.
Enrollment is processed in real-time, with the application status viewable in IFP Off-Exchange App Status.

How does this benefit you and your clients?

Boost your specialty sales volumes with this easy upsell option.
Reduce delinquency rates by keeping the same subscriber ID for dental and vision coverage, minimizing administrative hurdles.
Integrated Premiums: Clients with an existing medical plan can now seamlessly add dental and vision coverage, with all premiums combined into a single monthly payment.
Enjoy a seamless experience—no need to fill out a full application.

Take advantage of this new feature today and offer your clients more coverage with minimal effort. Visit Broker Connection now to explore the Specialty Upsell feature and make the most of this enhancement.

Encourage your IFP PPO clients to schedule their FREE virtual wellness exam before year-end

As the year wraps up, it’s a great time to remind your IFP PPO clients that they have access to a free annual wellness exam – virtually or in-person through their Blue Shield IFP PPO plans. These preventive exams help identify or manage any health conditions they might have been putting off.

Virtual care through Accolade Care is a convenient, easy way for clients to take care of their annual wellness exam from the comfort of their homes. With same- and next-day appointments available, now is the perfect time for your clients to take advantage of this benefit!

How to schedule an annual wellness exam:

Log in to their Blue Shield member portal (or create an account if they haven’t already).
Select the “Schedule Your Annual Checkup” card on their dashboard.
From there, they can choose either a virtual or in-person visit.

For virtual visits, they will be directed to Accolade’s Advanced Primary Care services, where they can register and schedule the appointment. Plus, they will receive a free Vitals Kit, including a scale and blood pressure monitor, delivered right to their door!

Make sure your IFP PPO clients know about these enhanced benefits and encourage them to schedule their wellness exams today!

Your IFP PPO clients can enjoy increased access to care by choosing virtual options that include

24/7/365 care team support
Doctor's appointments available 7 days a week, often within a few hours of scheduling
Specialists from more than 20 areas such as dermatology, cardiology, and urology, with appointments typically available within three days
Behavioral health professionals such as therapists, psychiatrists, and psychologists, with same-day appointments typically available

AltaMed is available in the Trio network

As a reminder, AltaMed was recently included in the Trio network for Orange and Los Angeles counties. This valuable resource offers additional options for your clients.

Members can use our online Find a Doctor tool to get more information and locate AltaMed providers.

For further details or assistance, please reach out to your Broker Service team.

New virtual care option for Trio HMO members

We’re expanding our Trio HMO network with the addition of Accolade Care, a virtual primary care medical group, offering your clients more convenient and flexible healthcare options. Members can now select a virtual provider as their primary care physician, with integrated access to in-person care and specialist referrals.

Key Highlights:

24/7 Virtual Access: Connect with healthcare professionals anytime.
Specialist Care: Referrals to specialists in 20 specialties through virtual PCPs.
Dedicated Care Team: Including PCPs, behavioral health providers, and Health Coaches.
Soft Launch: Available in select regions (South Coast and Inland Empire), with statewide rollout expected by January 1, 2025.

For more details, check out our Did you Know flyer to learn how Trio HMO can benefit your clients.

New endorsement updates now available

We’ve posted the latest endorsement updates on our dedicated Endorsement Updates page. As new updates become available, we will continue to add them there, ensuring you have access to the most current information to support your business.

Be sure to check back regularly to stay informed.