September 16, 2010

Anthem Press Release

(Anthem) today announced that it will provide a one-time premium credit to certain of its 2010 policyholders that had individual policies of health insurance.  The one-time credit will be provided to policyholders either as a premium credit on their December statement or through a check.  Anthem has agreed to provide
this credit as part of an agreement with the Colorado Department of Insurance (DOI) regarding our 2010 individual rates and believes the credit is in the best interest of its members. 
This credit does not apply to Colorado Major Med, Custom Plus Plan or group conversion policyholders. It also does not apply to Anthem Group Plan members who receive their insurance through an employer.
In October 2009 the Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI) approved Anthem’s 2010 individual rates for the policies that are the subject of this agreement. However, earlier this year, the DOI notified Anthem that it was initiating a market conduct examination of these rates. 
Anthem is confident that its rates are appropriate, consistent with state law and in line with those of its competitors.  As part of the agreement, the DOI reaffirmed our 2010 individual premiums and those rates will not change.  The DOI did not levy any fine against Anthem as a result of the market conduct examination.  The market conduct exam will be closed without resolution of the factual and legal issues as well as the disputes that were the subject of the market conduct exam. Anthem is not admitting any fault or wrongdoing with respect to either the factual and legal issues or the disputes that were the subject of the market conduct exam.  Anthem agreed to this premium credit in order to terminate the market conduct examination so that the company can dedicate its full attention to serving its members. The total amount of credits to impacted policyholders is approximately twenty million dollars. 
Anthem will notify affected members about the premium credit process in November/December 2010

August 21, 2010

By James Wilson Jones

Anthem Blue Cross announced today that it has begun the process to remove lifetime maximum payouts to its health insurance plans. The recent health care reform legislation states that insurance plans can no longer have lifetime and annual dollar limits on “essential health benefits” as soon as September 23, 2010. 

Since the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has yet to clarify its definition of “essential health benefits,”  Anthem Blue Cross has come up with the following list of the services they believe will be affected:

• Alcoholism-related services
• Ambulance services
• Asthma education
• Bariatric surgery
• Chiropractic manipulation and osteopathic manipulation services
• Diabetic supplies
• Diagnostic services
• Durable medical equipment
• Enteral formula and food products
• Hearing aids
• Home health care
• Hospice
• Infusion therapy
• Kidney disease treatment
• Mental health/substance abuse
• Ostomy supplies
• Outpatient occupational therapy
• Outpatient physical therapy
• Outpatient speech therapy
• Pharmacy
• Physician office visit (diagnostic services)
• Preventive services
• Prosthetic devices/limbs
• Skilled nursing services
• Prosthetic devices/limbs
• Skilled nursing services
• Transplant services
• Treatment of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD or TMJ)

Anthem states that the listed services still may be subject to copays and other cost shares and will be phased in over time.  Annual dollar limits of at least $750,000 will be allowed for plan years from September 23, 2010, to September 23, 2011. Annual dollar limits of at least $1.25 million will be allowed for plan years from September 23, 2011, to September 23, 2012.Annual dollar limits of at least $2 million will be allowed for plan years from September 23, 2012, to January 1, 2014.  After January 2014 there will be no lifetime limits and annual dollar limits.

January 02, 2009

Medicoverage Staff

Blue Cross of California broke the mold of traditional health insurance offerings by marketing unique health plans tailored to the lifestyle and attitudes of individuals aged 19-29. Now Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Colorado is targeting the same uninsured “Young Invincibles” with the same Tonik plans.

Tonik plans are simple, easy to use and affordable. Tonik covers routine doctor visits as well as the more serious medical necessities. Unlike other individual policies on the market, seeing a dentist, getting eye exams, glasses and contacts are all-inclusive within the new benefit design.

Curious “young invincibles” Colorado residents can visit and apply for tonik online or call our agent at 888 285-6334. Applicants are subject to review and approval for a plan within minutes. The plans are intentionally easy to understand and navigate. There is minimal to no paperwork and if approved, an applicant can print out a custom-designed identification card right on the spot.

To learn more, contact us or go to www.tonikplans.com