Agent News
Recent Articles
A COVID-19 vaccine is on the way
The race to develop a safe vaccine against COVID-19 has led to the development of more than 50 clinical trials of vaccines in people around the world, with many offering real hope for long-term protection in the near future. While it may take time for a vaccine to be available to everyone, our chief medical officer offers a few points to keep in mind. - Read More
Blueprint for Employers – new and improved!
Blueprint for Employers is new and improved! Blueprint for Employers is a secure, self-service website that gives employers the tools and resources they need to oversee their health plans. All at no cost. - Read More
Workplace ventilation during COVID-19
In case you missed it: A webinar series on the role of proper ventilation in protecting employees, customers and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic is now available online on the COVID-19 ventilation webinar page on the UAMS website. - 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
Webinar series: COVID-19 and business/workplace ventilation
A three-webinar series (“COVID-19 and the Built Environment”) on the role of proper ventilation in protecting employees, customers and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic will be presented November 9, 10 and 12, 2020, by the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). - Read More
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
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