Agent News
Recent Articles
Free mobile data for your Blue clients
Looking for a perk for your clients who are Arkansas Blue Cross health insurance policyholders? - Read More
State of the Union for Individual Agent Marketing
David Dundee from Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield's Consumer and Retail Markets division takes a year-in-review look at the tremendous work from external agents in 2016, and discusses some improvements we're making to help agents. - Read More
What's next for healthcare reform?
The effort to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act (ACA) supported by President Donald Trump fell short in the U.S House of Representatives. The ACA remains in effect until something changes, which could still occur during the next few months and years. Learn more about what's next from Cal Kellogg. - Read More
What to do when a Marketplace enrollee becomes eligible for Medicare
What are the proper steps to take when a client cancels a Marketplace plan for Medicare? Read step-by-step instructions on how to make a seamless move. - Read More
Trump Administration hints about healthcare changes
The Trump administration has begun to issue new rules and to clarify its stance on aspects of the ACA. In the meantime, the House and Senate are both working on repeal and replace legislation. Cal Kellogg details some of these issues. - Read More
System change affects Arkansas Blue Cross member numbers, ID cards
Arkansas Blue Cross will transition membership, benefits and claims adjudication for groups and members to a new platform. This transition will allow us to be more efficient and make plan adjustments more easily, but some groups will receive new member numbers and ID cards. - Read More
Pinnacle Insurance Associates improves online sales process
Pinnacle Insurance Associates made an enhancement to the digital store this month. Now agents can choose to finalize the entire sales process with your individual clients on the spot. It's simple. - Read More
Step-by-Step: Help your clients set up AutoPay
Payment has never been easier. One way your clients can pay their bill on a recurring basis is online with AutoPay, a convenient, secure way for Arkansas Blue Cross members to pay their premiums. We'll walk you through the process of setting up AutoPay. - Read More
Commissions on Individual Metallic products paid through a different system
Starting February 2017, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield will begin paying on- and off-exchange Individual Metallic and Arkansas Works (previously called the private option) commissions to agents and agencies using a different commission system — the Insurance Compensation Management (ICM) system. - Read More
Reporting 1095 Tax Forms in 2017
The IRS extended the date for contract holders to distribute their 1095B forms for the 2016 reporting year. Get up to speed on our 1095 news, deadlines and projected dates. - Read More
2015 Anthem Cyberattack Follow-ups
Arkansas Blue Cross will be sending a letter to your group administrator clients regarding employees who have minor dependents who may have been affected by the 2015 Anthem cyberattack. Read more to learn more about who will receive a letter. - Read More
Important application changes that affect 1095 reporting
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Health Advantage recently made changes to a handful of group and employee applications, and change request forms. Some of these changes are related to your ability to accurately produce 1095 reports. - Read More
Time-sensitive Form 1099 information for groups
In 2016, some of your clients began paying you or your agency a service fee instead of commission. The Billing and Collection Agreement states the service fee is considered “non-employee compensation” and requires employer groups to complete two copies of the Form 1099-Misc — sending one copy to you, and the other to the IRS. - Read More
The Future of the Affordable Care Act
With the results of the presidential election, the elections in the House and Senate completed and the inauguration just days away, many are asking what are the implications for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and how health insurance might change under a Trump administration. - Read More
Life insurance policy changes for Arkansas Blue Cross transition plans
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s transition plans are moving to Metallic plan types beginning with February 1 groups this year. Arkansas Blue Cross will no longer bill the $15,000 life insurance that currently accompanies transition plans. Your employer groups can continue this coverage through their current carrier and will have additional plan options to choose from. - Read More
Arkansas Blue Cross makes changes to Short-Term Blue and Essential Blue Freedom plans
New rules for limited-duration health insurance policies means changes are on the way for Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield — including the phase out of Essential Blue Freedom (EBF). The federal government has significantly altered how health insurers can offer limited-duration insurance policies, and issued its final rules and guidance for how to proceed. - Read More