Agent News
Recent Articles
Training Time Update! Annual Individual Under-65 and Medicare Advantage Training Update (8/13/2017)
It’s that time of year again … training season! This year we’re excited to announce a much different and improved process that we believe will be a welcome change: all required training will be available online. - Read More
Training time! Annual Individual Under-65 and Medicare Advantage training update
It's training time for plan year 2018! Learn what you need to do for Individual Medicare Advantage and Individual Under-65 product training. Also, we'll walk you through renewing your Exchange Producer License. - Read More
System upgrade for new Arkansas Blue Cross large groups
All new Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield large groups will begin moving to a new benefits and claims adjudication system. Learn more about these changes. - Read More
Repeal and Replace Legislative Update
Will the U.S. Senate's Better Care Reconciliation Act be the answer to President Trump's call to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act? Cal Kellogg digs into this latest legislative attempt. - Read More
Sales Reporting Tool Coming to Blueprint for Agents
A new sales reporting tool will be available for your agency's designated chief administrator and will offer a quick snapshot of the products you’ve been selling, and the new business you’ve sold. - Read More
Marketplace special enrollment verification update
Our most pressing Marketplace Stabilization questions are focused on the new special enrollment period (SEP) verification process. After reviewing a new document released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, we wanted to bring a couple of key updates to your attention. - Read More
Help with prescription costs for your clients who are storm victims
As a result of the storm system that moved through the state April 29 and 30, many Arkansans have been affected by wind damage and flooding. Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield is offering a waiver to affected members to replace medications that were lost due to the weather and subsequent flooding. - Read More
Group Metallic Commissions Paid From a New System
Starting with May 2017 commission statements, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield will begin paying some employer group commissions to agents and agencies using a new commission system — the Insurance Compensation Management (ICM) system. - Read More
Meet Matthew Vannatta
A new director takes the helm of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield's Consumer and Retail Markets division. Read about the change — and who is replacing the outgoing director. - Read More
Marketplace Stabilization Rule Update
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued the final Market Stabilization rule to help stabilize individual markets. Our Consumer and Retail Markets team breaks down some of what you can expect in the months to come. - Read More
Dental Xtra Helps Your Clients' Dental and Medical Health
Dental Xtra is included in all group plans and offers outreach, education and enhanced benefits for members with targeted medical conditions. By integrating medical and dental, your clients can improve their overall health by focusing on dental health. - Read More
May is Mental Health Month
Our vendor, New Directions, has created a free toolkit for your clients to use. Read more about empowering your clients and their employees, and find resources you can share. - Read More
New Small Group Due Dates for Benefits Changes
Make sure your small group clients submit any benefit changes in time! Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield has a new timeline for small groups that make benefits changes after our internal auto renewal process has begun. - Read More
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