Agent News
Compete and Complete Plus are changing
Meeting our members’ needs is a core part of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s mission. And the COVID-19 public health emergency has highlighted a need for greater flexibility on limited-duration coverage, in particular.
So, effective April 1, 2020, the pre-existing condition clause has been removed from all Complete and Complete Plus limited-duration individual health plans.
Claims with dates of service of April 1, 2020, or later will no longer be excluded due to a pre-existing condition. Here are a couple of key things to remember about this change:
- It will not impact rates.
- It does not apply to our short-term individual health plans.
The brochure for our limited-duration plans has been updated and can be found here: http://news.arkansasbluecross.com/docs/librariesprovider4/agent-news-posts/9382-2020-limited-duration-bro-ag.pdf
You can use this listed of anticipated questions and responses when visiting with clients/prospects about this change:
- What changes have been made to Complete and Complete Plus plans?
Pre-existing condition exclusions will be removed from all Complete and Complete Plus plans – both for existing and new members. This means we will not deny claims for services received for a pre-existing condition.
- When does the change take place?
The change is effective April 1, 2020. (Any services on or after this date will not be excluded due to a pre-existing condition.)
- Why are the changes to pre-existing conditions happening in April?
As our Complete and Complete Plus plans have increased in popularity, we wanted to improve the benefits both for our existing and new members.
- Will claims previously denied due to pre-existing conditions be reversed?
No. Services for pre-existing conditions will only be covered beginning April 1, 2020. We will not reverse previously denied claims due to pre-existing conditions if the date of service was before April 1, 2020.
- Why won’t previously denied claims related to pre-existing conditions be covered?
All benefit changes must be accomplished through policy amendments that are filed with Arkansas Insurance Department. Any changes, generally speaking, must be made for a future date.
Questions? Please contact your Individual Products representative.