Agent News
Recent Articles
Group dental, vision moving to a different system
Your group dental and vision members are being migrated to a different membership system at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Read our FAQs to learn more about the migration and how it'll affect your clients and members. - Read More
2019 Small Group Health Plan Grids are Here
The 2019 small group health plan grids are here! Download them today. - Read More
Generate a benefit summary in seconds
Generate a benefit summary for group size 51-500 quickly and easily with our new tool in Blueprint for Agents. - Read More
Rate and onboard large groups faster
Arkansas Blue Cross is launching standard plans for groups 51-500 that will improve the rating process and simplify our overall product offering for these segments. Learn more about the plans and what benefits can be changed. - Read More
Arkansas Blue Cross launches online quoting and enrollment for small group
Arkansas Blue Cross goes paperless with TES, the new online small group quoting and enrollment platform. - Read More
New! $100 Incentive for Renewals and Updated Timelines
A new incentive program rewards agents for the timely submission of small group renewals with a December 1 or January 1 effective date. - 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
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
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
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
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
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
