We know that we have an extraordinary number of clients who are waiting for approvals from Independence Blue Cross for their new health insurance plans that are effective on January 1st 2014. Please rest assured that we have been following up on your enrollments each and every day. The following was provided to us this week from IBC:
Broker Care Center and Individual Coverage – Primary and Producing Agents
The Broker Care Center is currently experiencing high call volume due to peak season and inquiries regarding individual coverage. Please be assured that we are leveraging all resources to reduce your wait time and provide prompt service. Producers are encouraged to email the Broker Care Center with a list of current inquiries to facilitate processing and response time. Please include the following information for inquiries regarding individual coverage: member name, address, social security number, date of birth, and Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) application number (if applicable). We have dedicated resources to quickly respond to email inquiries.
We also understand that recent changes to the federal guidelines regarding individual coverage have caused concern for your customers. To offer greater peace of mind for customers purchasing individual coverage through the FFM or our retail platform, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) is extending the deadline to January 28, 2014 for individual customers to pay their first month’s premium. Customers who select their plans by December 23, and pay their premium by January 28, will have coverage effective January 1.
For your reference, a Letter is being sent on December 23 to all customers that have submitted applications for individual coverage effective January 1, 2014. This letter provides helpful information on invoices, premium payment and ID cards. Please note that member ID cards will being mailing the week of December 23.
We are committed to giving you the information you need to successfully assist your customers during this unprecedented time of change in our industry.