The hybrid Virtual Blue℠ model is much more than a telehealth offering
We built our new virtual-first plan Virtual Blue℠ to meet the higher expectations of your clients and their employees during a new era of healthcare delivery. Virtual Blue is redefining virtual care, extending and expanding the features of a typical telehealth offering.
Basic telehealth can be a good short-term resource, but telehealth options are limited in delivery (virtual only) and capabilities (reactive engagement, no recurring relationships, limited specialist care).
Virtual Blue offers flexibility, integration, and convenience by combining in-person and virtual care delivery in a single plan. Virtual Blue members receive integrated physical and mental health across their care journey instead of single points instances of provider contact. Convenience is a key attribute of Virtual Blue, with members receiving short appointment lead times and online booking for virtual services – all under our state-wide and national in-person networks.
Visit our Virtual Blue page for a deeper look at the ways a virtual plan can benefit your clients and their employees. Virtual Blue is available for enrollments beginning January 2023.
New benefits administration capabilities on the Employer Enrollment Tool
At the end of March, we will begin the transition from the current Benefits Manager tool over to the Employer Enrollment Tool.
The transition of tools is organized into phases to better support you during the change. Phases are grouped by agency tax ID, meaning your entire book of business moves with you without toggling between tools to maintain group records. All phases will complete the tool transition by mid-April.
Your agency's transition timeframe and training will be sent to the email associated with the agency tax ID – so take a moment to ensure we have an up-to-date email address on file for your agency.
As a reminder, here are a few tips to prepare for March’s transition to the new Employer Enrollment Tool:
-
Review your book of business
Get ahead of any last-minute changes prior to the EET transient by submitting important contact and ownership information – including brokerage Broker Connection accounts and group primary contact email addresses. -
Attend an informational webinar
Learn what is changing, when, and why we are excited to introduce benefits management on the Employer Enrollment Tool. -
Familiarize yourself with the broker resource page
User guides, tutorials, timelines, and more! Bookmark your dedicated resource page for the EET so you always know where to look for information.
Stay tuned for more communications and tasks to prepare you for the market launch of benefits administration for the EET!
The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency is ending
On January 31, 2023, the Biden Administration announced that the federal public health emergency (PHE) will officially end May 11, 2023. We are committed to supporting our members, and your clients, as we navigate the end of the PHE. We are reaching out to group plan sponsors about potential impacts the emergency’s ending may have on their plans and members.
Refer to the recent broker alert for information about what will change once the PHE ends.
1099 documents with updated demographic information
Our broker and consultant partners should have already received 1099 documents for 2022 / 2023. Please visit our “Update Your Profile” page to verify that your contact information is up to date, confirming your 1099 documents are being sent to the right address. Maintaining updated demographic information is the best way to ensure you are getting the essential information you need – and it will save you time at the end of the year!
Reminder: Pharmacy Drug Cost Reporting
Blue Shield of California has successfully submitted 2020 and 2021 data reports, as required by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, Section 204 – Pharmacy Drug Cost Reporting. Reports were submitted according to the reporting responsibilities previously communicated to group plan sponsors here. We are reaching out to group plan sponsors, confirming the submission of reports and reminding them to prepare for reports due by June 1, 2023.
View our recent alert on the topic alert on the topic here for additional information.
Article: An employer’s guide to a psychologically healthy workplace!
Our own Dr. Nicole Stelter, PhD, LMFT, and Director of Behavioral Health at Blue Shield of California, recently wrote an article about how employers can support mental health within their employee populations.
Below is an excerpt from the piece, and click here to read the full article.
“If you’re providing behavioral health benefits to your workforce but not creating a psychologically healthy workplace, you may be undermining your efforts to improve the well-being of your employees and the business performance and health of your company.
To help foster a psychologically healthy workplace, business leaders must first understand the difference between the psychological health of their workforce and the psychological health of their workplace.”
Tools for the trusted advisor: Be sure to visit the Small Business Sales and Support Contact page!
Being a subject matter expert for your clients is fundamental to your work and, when the subject is Blue Shield of California, we want to ensure you are always prepared.
Small Business plan documents and Large Group 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. Producer Services: (800) 559-5905.
The Blue Shield News Center is your go-to source for the latest news and services from Blue Shield of California. Stay up to date by following us on LinkedIn and subscribe here to have News Center alerts delivered directly to your inbox.
