Q1 2024 rates now available through your preferred quoting engine

We are pleased to announce the Q1 2024 rate book is now available and that our first-quarter 2024 rate action is a statewide average of 3.0%. Closed rate books and more information about our rates can be found on Broker Connection’s Small Business Rates page.

January, February, and March 2024 renewals

Groups renewing in January 2024 will be available through Shield Renewals on Friday October 13,* while group-level changes can be made with the Small Group Online Renewal (SGOR) beginning Wednesday October 18.* February and March groups will be available on Thursday November 9,* and group-level changes can be made with the SGOR starting Tuesday November 14.*

To review exact renewal and enrollment dates for Q1, plus enrollment materials and updated rates books, visit our Renewal Center page on Broker Connection.

Group renewal information is available as a microsite for each group and these can be accessed through Shield Renewals. No download is required; you can open the site, find the information you need, and send the link or selected components to your clients. You can also access the medical choice chart option which provides information about your clients’ current and new plan rate, options to buy up or buy down, and check if Trio or Tandem is available. The choice chart includes the rate differential if you choose to move your client.

* Dates subject to change.

Medical updates in 2024

Virtual Blue plans

Providing your clients with more options to receive high-quality health care with Virtual Blue^SM. Blue Shield’s virtual-first plan delivers anytime virtual care, $0 virtual visits, and in-person care when they want it – adding value to every healthcare dollar spent.

New Virtual Blue plans:

Virtual Blue Platinum Tandem PPO 250/20
Virtual Blue Silver Tandem PPO 2700/75

Minimal portfolio and plan design changes

Impacted PPO Plans with cost share and/or name changes:

PPO Plans
Off-Exchange PPO	Off-Exchange PSP	Mirror PPO
Platinum PPO 0/0	Gold PPO Savings 1750/15%	Mirror Platinum 90 PPO 0/15
Platinum PPO 0/10	Silver PPO Savings 2300/30%	Mirror Platinum 80 PPO 250/35
Platinum PPO 250/15	Silver PPO Savings 2600/35%	Mirror Silver 70 PPO 2500/55
Platinum PPO 0/30	Bonze PPO Savings 5700/40%	Mirror Bronze 60 PPO 6300/60
Bronze PPO 5500/65	Bronze PPO Savings 7500
Bronze PPO 6500/70
Bronze PPO 7500/65

Impacted HMO Plans with cost share and/or name changes:

HMO Plans
Off-Exchange HMO	Mirror HMO
Platinum PPO 0/0	Mirror Platinum 90 HMO 0/20
Platinum PPO 0/10	Mirror Gold 80 HMO 250/35
Platinum PPO 250/15	Mirror Silver 70 HMO 2500/55
Platinum PPO 0/30
Bronze PPO 5500/65
Bronze PPO 6500/70
Bronze PPO 7500/65

You can visit the Changes To section of Broker Connection for more details.

Added valuable benefits for your clients:

Vasectomies are available at no charge in compliance with previously passed SB523 mandate. PPO Savings plans have vasectomies at no charge but only after the deductible is met.
Travel reimbursement for transplant services for members and a companion (if deemed medically necessary) to undergo their procedure. The reimbursement is subject to certain conditions.

Complete benefits for all of our Small Business plans can be found on Broker Connection. For exact terms and conditions of coverage for all 2024 plan offerings, refer to the Evidence of Coverage and the plan contract or contact your dedicated account executive for support.

You can compare the benefits of current plan selections with these new plan options by using our Plan Comparison Tool.

A list of small business medical plans that changed names for 2024 can be found here.

Learn more about our plan offerings for 2024 with these helpful resources

We have you covered with the links and documents you need.

Q1 2024 Medical Sales Guide
A sales guide that provides you with comprehensive information about selling Blue Shield of California products and value proposition. Topics include:

Why Blue Shield of California?
Understanding our plans
Small Business group eligibility

2024 Plans at a Glance
A comprehensive list of all our Small Business plan offerings for 2024 that include plan family descriptions, value-add, and select benefit cost shares.

2024 Plan Cheat Sheet
A three-page list of all our Small Business plan offerings for 2024 in one condensed, streamlined, and easy to share document.

Updates to dental and vision products in 2024

Dental plans to be withdrawn

Thirteen DPPO plans and one DINO plan (listed here) are to be withdrawn from our specialty (dental, vision and life) portfolio beginning January 1, 2024, as part of our product transformation and portfolio simplification efforts. Prior to the anniversary date, your group’s renewal information will be available and include recommended plans and rates. You can refer to the plan mapping grid and choose any of the other available options.

To learn more about our dental and vision plan offerings for 2024 check out the Q1 Specialty Sales Guide.

Vision plan highlights and updates for 2024

Our 2024 new vision vendor is EyeMed
- EyeMed is taking over the administration of MES Vision benefits for your employees.
- For more than a year, EyeMed and MES have been working together to ensure a smooth transition.
Portfolio vision changes
- Optometric out-of-network visits now match ophthalmologic cost share.
- Eyeglass frame out-of-network allowance increased.
- Plano (non-prescription sunglasses) new benefit cost share for out-of-network.
- All vision plans include both Standard and Progressive Lenses (no-line bifocals) benefits.
- Contact lens benefit updates
  - Electives – reduce out-of-network allowance to match out-of-network frame allowance.
  - Non-elective (medically necessary) – same cost share for hard and soft contacts.

The many ways to earn more with Blue Shield

Renewal Rewards program

The Renewal Rewards program will earn you points for every new Tandem and Virtual Blue PPO membership.

Multiple Small Business bonus programs

Blue Shield of California includes multiple bonus programs so you can earn more. Brokers can be eligible for all programs at the same time, maximizing your new group sales.

Small Business Incentive Program
Sell more, earn more. We’re making it easier for you to earn more when you enroll in membership.
Direct Elite Rewards
Boost your earnings with this program that benefits direct-selling small business brokers.

For more rewards program information, you can go to our Broker Connection Rewards and Commissions page (authentication required) or contact your Blue Shield representative.

Enhanced digital tools for trusted advisors

Plan Comparison Tool

The Plan Comparison Tool allows you to compare benefits from our standard portfolio plans and we can start working together to find a solution for you. We introduced new capabilities that will allow you maximize the capabilities of this tool for you and your clients.

PPTX compatibility: Added capability to download selected plan comparison as market-ready slides.
Featured benefits: Rearranged presentation of benefits to align with our SOBs and added benefit categories for easy utilization.
Compare more plans: Compare up to six plans at a time (previously four).
Added Dental Withdrawn Plans: Compare year-over-year for dental plans and the tool can compare a withdrawn plan with an auto-selected recommended plan, or a plan of your choice.
Flexibility: Ability to expand / collapse different benefit categories for a more succinct view.
Branding: Now featuring an updated digital interphase and print components with the new Blue Shield brand style.

New resource page to help you do business seamlessly

You can access the new resource page on Broker Connection for:

Tips on how to effectively work with our Producer Services team.
Eligibility and member enrollment submissions.
Broker of Record Requests.

Your 2024 Broker Roadshow resources

Thank you to everyone who joined our 2024 Broker Roadshow – we had a great turnout, unveiled new plans, and had an excellent Q&A session. If you missed the event, check out below links to the presentation slides, recording and Q&A sheet.

Employer Enrollment Tool (EET)

The enrollment tool recently underwent some key enhancements. Listed below are just a few of the updates, so be sure to check out the full list of changes – and our numerous training resources – here.

The employer homepage is getting a refresh for easier navigation and to streamline employer access to company management tools. View the homepage tutorial video.
The member ID card download function will be available for Small and Large Groups! Watch the ID card tutorial video.
For Small Group users, the “Edit Group” section will include eligibility options so users can easily update waiting periods and full- or part-time coverage. Watch the tutorial video here.
Continuous improvements to data accuracy as part of our continuous effort to provide the best enrollment experience.

Small business plan documents (SOB, SBC, EOC) for medical plans, pharmacy plans, dental plans, and life insurance plans are available in one location for each line of business.

Your Blue Shield support team is available to support you throughout the year. Broker Services: (800) 559-5905.