Blue Shield of California
  • AEP Update- Medicare Application Status
    •
  • Medicare Supplement Cycle Changes Effective January 1, 2023
    •
  • Come learn about AAA coverage in your Northern California area
  • Tools at Your Fingertips ~ Broker Verification
    •
  • Medicare Supplement Underwriting Holiday through December
    •
  • Real-Time Pharmacy Benefit Tool
    •
  • New FAQs from CMS- Medicare Advantage Marketing Policies: Call Recording
    •
  • The 2023 HMO D-SNP plan transition and tools we offer
    •
  • Maximize your book of business: register for upcoming broker training

MEDICARE BROKER UPDATE

AEP Update- Medicare Application Status

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) for 2023 runs through December 7th, 2022, with an effective date of January 1st, 2023. We have comprehensive product offerings (MA-PD, Medicare Supplement and PDP plans) designed to fit the needs and budgets of all your clients.

You can check the status of your current applications on Broker Connection.

2023 Highlights:

New 2023 Medicare Toolbox:
Our updated 2023 Medicare Toolbox details our comprehensive product offerings and provides a blueprint for your success this AEP season.

  • Product Portfolio
  • Coverage Area
  • Commissions and Bonuses
  • Marketing Support
  • Contacts and Resources
Shield on Demand:
Shield on Demand is our user-friendly digital platform for all of Blue Shield of California's sales and marketing collateral. Select the language you need, customize and download benefit highlight flyers, event flyers, and sales presentations. It's easy to access and use through Single-Sign-On, with your Broker Connection ID and password. Our 2023 materials are available now.
  • Medicare Decision Guide
  • Plan Benefit Highlight Sheets
  • Plan Benefit Comparison Charts
  • Medicare Sales Presentations
There's still time! Get certified before the AEP season ends to guarantee you are named the agent of record. If you haven't already, complete your 2023 product certification ASAP!

For more information, please visit the Broker Connection MA-PD and PDP training and certification page.

Together, we can help grow your book of business. Contact your Medicare Broker Sales Manager if you have any questions.

Medicare Supplement Cycle Changes Effective January 1, 2023

Hearing loss affects a growing portion of adults in the United States. It can be hard to hear alarms and doorbells, understand doctor instructions, and even have everyday conversations. Hearing aids can boost the clarity and volume of what you hear.

We now offer a hearing aid benefit with up to two hearing aids per year delivered in-person through a network hearing aid provider or directly to the member’s home, depending on the hearing aid type and care delivery method selected, with no waiting period. Please review our Hearing Aid Benefit FAQs for a complete list of impacted plans and benefit details.

With our new hearing aid benefit, we hope to maintain the momentum that made us #1 by market share for Individual Medicare Supplement plans in California.

Don’t forget, our Medicare Supplement Plan Underwriting Holiday and Bonus Program has been extended!

  • New to Medicare and/or new to Blue Shield members can enroll in Blue Shield of California Medicare Supplement Plan G, Plan G Extra, and Plan G Inspire1 through December 31, 2022, for a January 1, 2023, effective date, without answering health questions or obtaining underwriting approval during our Underwriting Holiday.
  • Find out how you can earn a $250 bonus for every approved new to Medicare and/or new to Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Plan G, Plan G Extra, and Plan G Inspire1 application with an effective date of July 1 through December 31, 2022, with our Medicare Supplement plan bonus.
  • Blue Shield is excited to introduce an additional $50 bonus for every approved dental plan sold in conjunction with Medicare Supplement Plan G, Plan G Extra, and Plan G Inspire1 with an effective date of October 1, 2022, November 1, 2022, December 1, 2022, and January 1, 2023.
1Available in select counties in Northern California.

Come learn about AAA coverage in your Northern California area

Blue Shield of California and AAA have teamed up to offer an innovative benefit1 available in select plans and counties. With these select plans, eligible members receive a one-year new or renewal Classic AAA Membership1, annually upon enrollment. Enroll your clients in a Medicare plan with the Independence and Safe Mobility with AAA benefit2, and help them lead vibrant and independent lives. Please review our benefit FAQ for more information.

We offer four plans with Independence and Safe Mobility with the AAA benefit depending on your client's needs.

  • Blue Shield Plan G Inspire2 (Medicare Supplement)
  • Blue Shield Inspire (HMO)2
  • Blue Shield Inspire (HMO D-SNP)2
  • Blue Shield Select (PPO)2
Log on to Shield on Demand for customizable client-facing materials.

1One-year new or renewal Classic AAA Membership, included with your plan, annually upon enrollment. The value of the Classic AAA Membership is subject to change. AAA Membership provided by AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah.
AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah is independent of Blue Shield of California.
© 2022 AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah. All rights reserved.
2Available in select plans and counties in northern California. For Medicare Advantage Plans, the benefits mentioned are part of special supplemental benefits available in select plans in northern California. Not all plan members will qualify. For Medicare Supplement Plan G Inspire, members do not have to qualify to receive the benefit.

Tools at Your Fingertips ~ Broker Verification

New broker verification process
When calling Producer Services, our agents will ask for the last four digits of your Broker Tax ID number instead of the assigned Broker ID to identify you and locate your account.

This change is being implemented to better align you with your clients as the Broker of Record. If the tax ID number is unavailable, we can take other steps to find your account, but it may take slightly longer to process. Please try to have this information available when calling Producer Service for assistance.

The Producer Services team can be reached at (800) 559-5905 Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 6:30 pm.

New law from the California Insurance Commissioner
Starting January 1, 2023, a new law will require most types of insurance producers, as well as independent insurance adjusters, public insurance adjusters, and analysts, to include their license number on emails. (California Insurance Code section 1725.5, as amended by Senate Bill 1242 [Committee on Insurance, Chapter 424, Statutes of 2022]) This Notice answers some of the most common questions about the new law.

We want to provide you with all the resources you need to succeed. Here are some other tools to help you be an expert guide for your clients when discussing Blue Shield of California plans:

  • 2022 Commission payout calendar
  • Order enrollment kits online
  • Access Shield on Demand to help you grow your business.
  • Find archived Medicare newsletters
  • Member resources and support during wildfires
Stay current on the latest health news from Blue Shield of California by visiting our News Center, or receive updates in your inbox by subscribing today.

Medicare Supplement Underwriting Holiday through December

Good news! We’re happy to announce that our Underwriting Holiday has been extended through December 31, 2022. This offer allows your clients that are new to Medicare and/or new to Blue Shield of California to enroll in a Blue Shield of California Plan G, Plan G Extra, or Plan G Inspire* Medicare Supplement plan without answering any health questions or underwriting approval.

  • Plan G, Plan G Extra, and Plan G Inspire* Medicare Supplement plans are eligible for the Underwriting Holiday for an effective date of October 1, 2022, November 1, 2022, December 1, 2022, and January 1, 2023. Applications must be received with signature dates between September 1, 2022, at 12:00 a.m. through December 31, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. Please use GA code 99 when submitting applications.
  • Competing health plan members are welcome to enroll in Blue Shield's Medicare Supplement Plans G, Plan G Extra, and Plan G Inspire* without answering any health questions or underwriting approval.
  • Underwriting Holiday is available for those new to Blue Shield and new to Medicare/Age-ins. Blue Shield IFP and Commercial Age-Ins are also eligible for this Underwriting Holiday. Current Blue Shield Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement members are not eligible for this Underwriting Holiday.
  • Must be a California resident to apply.
Applications may be completed online, emailed to MSInstall@blueshieldca.com or faxed to (844) 266-1850.

Our fall extension is also a time when you can EARN BIG. Help your clients get more with Blue Shield of California by enrolling them in one of our benefit-rich, competitively priced Medicare Supplement plans.

Earn $250 for every approved new to Medicare and/or new to Blue Shield Medicare Supplement plan application for an effective date of October 1, 2022, November 1, 2022, and December 1, 2022. The bonus program starts on September 1, 2022, at 12:00 a.m. and goes through December 31, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. This bonus program is limited to Plan G, Plan G Extra, and Plan G Inspire* new enrollments only.

Blue Shield is excited to introduce an additional $50 bonus for every approved dental plan sold in conjunction with Medicare Supplement Plan G, Plan G Extra, and Plan G Inspire* with an effective date of October 1, 2022, November 1, 2022, December 1, 2022, and January 1, 2023.

Please reference our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) or contact your Blue Shield Broker Sales Manager for additional information.

*Plan G Inspire is available in select Northern California counties.

Real-Time Pharmacy Benefit Tool

Medicare members will soon be able to better manage their medication costs through an online tool that creates a personalized experience using real-time information from the member’s formulary and benefits usage.

After January 1, 2023, members will be able to:

  • View their active prescriptions and see their current costs.
  • See lower-cost alternative options and potential savings specific to the member (if available).
  • Be better positioned to stay on their medications through the coverage gap.
  • See how much they would pay if they filled their prescription at a different network pharmacy.
  • Search for any drug and the cost of its brand or generic formulation (if available).
This online tool will be accessible to your clients when they log in to their Blue Shield accounts. More information to come as we get close to launch.

New FAQs from CMS- Medicare Advantage Marketing Policies: Call Recording

Last month we shared with you clarification from CMS for coverage year 2023 regarding the updated marketing requirements for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans in the - Technical Final Rule (CMS-4192-F). Specifically, guidance on the beneficiary call recording requirements.

CMS confirmed that the regulations at §§ 422.2274(g)(2)(iii) and 423.2274(g)(2)(iii) are for coverage year 2023 enrollment, beginning Oct. 1, 2022, and require all calls be recorded, including the calls regarding the enrollment process, setting appointments, educational and casual conversations with beneficiaries via personal cell phones. If a prospect does not wish to be recorded, the transaction must end.

As the 2023 Annual Open Enrollment begins, CMS has received questions regarding these changes, including the requirement related to recording calls between beneficiaries and Third Party Marketing Organizations (TPMO) and the requirements related to the TPMO disclaimer. CMS has issued the following FAQs: Contract Year 2023 Medicare Advantage Marketing Policies.

Please refer to the 2022/2023 Amendment to the Producer Agreement (Medicare), as modifications are included to reflect CMS-4192F final rule required changes and clarifications in the following sections: Business Integrity, Maintenance of records - audits, Delegation and Compensation.

The 2023 HMO D-SNP plan transition and tools we offer

Blue Shield Promise Cal MediConnect (CMC) is ending December 31, 2022, and the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is requiring CMC plans to move members to Exclusively Aligned Enrollment Dual Special Needs Plans (EAE D-SNPs) and a matching or aligned Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan, effective January 1, 2023.

  • CMC members will move to Blue Shield TotalDual Plan (HMO D-SNP) and have matching Blue Shield Promise Medi-Cal coverage.
  • Blue Shield and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will enroll members into their new plans automatically without an enrollment choice form or application.

Blue Shield Coordinated Choice Plan (HMO) is ending December 31, 2022, and CMS wants Blue Shield to move as many dual-eligibles as possible to a Dual Special Needs Plan effective January 1, 2023.

  • Blue Shield Coordinated Choice Plan (HMO) members will move into existing Blue Shield HMO D-SNPs and Blue Shield Medicare Advantage Plans
  • Blue Shield and CMS will enroll members into their new plan automatically without an enrollment choice form or application
  • Blue Shield will assign Blue Shield Coordinated Choice Plan (HMO) members to the best plan available to them
  • Eligible counties include: San Clara, Fresno, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego.
Recently we hosted a series of Broker Town Hall/Roundtable meetings where we took a deep dive and answered questions about these changes based on all the information available today. Recordings are available to review if you missed any of those sessions.

Broker Town Hall/Roundtable – Southern California Recorded August 3, 2022 (Passcode: &rrPYf6=)
Broker Town Hall/Roundtable – Northern California Recorded August 3, 2022 (Passcode: #vV3YF#f)

Please review our latest FAQs or join one of our 2023 D-SNP broker training for more information.

Maximize your book of business: register for upcoming broker training

We’re committed to providing you with the tools and resources to help our members navigate the complicated and evolving healthcare space. Broker training events are your opportunity to interact and ask questions with our Blue Shield team of subject matter experts.

Topics Include:

  • 2023 Certifications-Get Ready to Sell
  • Medicare Supplement plan underwriting holiday & bonus program
  • Digital Online Enrollment Tools
  • Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) & Low Income Client (LIC) Special Enrollment

Broker Training Webinar Schedule

Also, please remember to bookmark the News and Announcement page on Broker Connection for helpful information and FAQs.


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© Blue Shield of California 1999-2022. All rights reserved. Blue Shield of California is an independent member of the Blue Shield Association. Health insurance products are offered by Blue Shield of California Life & Health Insurance Company. Health plans are offered by Blue Shield of California.