Agent News
Recent Articles
TES access issues resolved
On Monday, agent/brokers began reporting issues accessing Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s Total Enrollment Solutions (TES) system. We wanted to let you know that TES access issues appear to have been resolved. - Read More
2021 Medi-Pak® Medicare supplement rates
The proposed 2021 Medi-Pak® Medicare supplement rates that were shared in trainings earlier this year now have been approved by the Arkansas Insurance Department. The new rates will take effect on January 1, 2021. - Read More
Step up to the Ascend enrollment platform
This year, individual enrollment for most of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s Medicare products has a new face – the Ascend platform. On Tuesday, October 13, 2020, we will begin uploading agents to our new Ascend enrollment platform for Arkansas Blue Medicare (Medicare Advantage) and Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) policies. - Read More
Virtual open enrollment meetings
The annual open enrollment period for Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Health Advantage groups is just around the corner (November 1 – December 15). However, like most things, the 2020 version is going to look and feel a little different. - Read More
2021 standard plan grids: more options, flexibility
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Health Advantage have new standard plan grids for large and small groups for 2021. Each year, we assess our plan options with a renewed commitment to offer your clients flexible plan options that match their needs … and budgets. - Read More
Arkansas Blue Medicare marketing kits
The marketing kits for our new Arkansas Blue Medicare product line soon will be shipped to your doorstep. - Read More
New plan comparison and drug cost calculator tools
As the Medicare annual enrollment period grows ever closer, some new tools will make it easier than ever for you to compare our best-in-class product offerings to help your clients choose the one that is the best fit for them. - Read More
UPDATE: Ascend training pivots
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield has altered its plans for training on Ascend, the new enrollment platform for Medicare Advantage health plans, prescription drug plans and Medi-Pak® Medicare supplement policies. In lieu of the “live” online trainings we had planned, we will provide you with a detailed user guide. Be on the lookout for that. - Read More
Individual product training dates -- updated with Zoom links
Join us online in September for our live individual product trainings via Zoom. We will take a deep dive into our 2021 product offerings. - Read More
All individual agent training for plan year 2021 now available
It’s training time again! PinPoint again will be the system used to track both under-65 (U-65) and over-65 (O-65) annual training requirements. The Federally-facilitated Marketplace (FFM) training for individual products is now accessible. The training was released on August 19, 2020. After completing the required FFM training, agents can access PinPoint to track FFM completion and complete required product training. - Read More
Pandemic-associated premium relief payments for fully insured groups
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Health Advantage are voluntarily extending our efforts to provide relief to fully insured group health plans in response to the economic pressures and healthcare utilization changes that have resulted from the COVID-19 public health crisis. - Read More
Individual agent training for plan year 2021
It’s training time again! PinPoint again will be the system used to track both under-65 (U-65) and over-65 (O-65) annual training requirements. - Read More
MoneyGram payment option ending
We want to let you know of an upcoming change that may affect how your clients and prospects pay their premiums. Arkansas Blue Cross is discontinuing MoneyGram as a payment option on September 1, 2020, but there are still plenty of ways to pay premiums - Read More
Are all COVID-19 tests covered?
Over the past few weeks, we have been receiving an increasing number of questions about the various types of COVID-19 tests that are currently available and how they will be covered going forward, particularly as organizations formalize return-to-work plans. We hope the following information clarify this issue for you and serve as a handy reference if you should receive questions from your clients and prospects. - Read More
COVID-19 benefits extended to Oct. 23, 2020
The voluntary, expanded COVID-19-related benefits announced for certain Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Health Advantage fully insured health plans and individual policies will be extended to align with federally mandated COVID-19 coverage provisions. - Read More
Coronavirus coverage extended to at least Aug. 17
The voluntary, expanded COVID-19-related benefits announced for certain Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Health Advantage fully insured health plans and individual policies were set to expire on July 25, 2020 to align with the federally mandated COVID-19 coverage provision in the FFCRA and the CARES Act. Because the federal deadline has not yet been extended, Arkansas Blue Cross and Health Advantage are extending temporary COVID-19 benefits until at least August 17 (the deadline put into place by the State of Arkansas). If the federal emergency is extended past July 25, benefits will be extended to the federal emergency period. - Read More
Annual agent training coming soon
Training season for Plan Year 2021 is just around the corner. The required step-by-step requirements will be sent in the middle of August, and the same training schedule and tracking system (Pinpoint) will be used as last year. The tentative schedule is listed below, and an email blast will be sent when each item is available. - Read More