Blue Shield of California
Blue Shield collects missing SSNs and sends 1095-B health coverage forms
On January 6, 2016, we sent letters to off-exchange plan members who did not provide their Social Security numbers (SSNs) upon enrollment. The letter requests completion of a form as required by an ACA mandate. The ACA mandate requires insurers, including Blue Shield of California, to provide annual reporting of Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC). We sent the January 6, 2016, mailing only to new members with missing SSNs who joined during open enrollment and were not included in the previous mailing.
In mid-February 2016, Blue Shield will mail 1095-B health coverage forms to off-exchange plan subscribers indicating the months that they met the MEC requirement for the 2015 tax year. It is important for subscribers to check these forms and validate that coverage information is correct, because Blue Shield will report that coverage information to the IRS in spring of 2016. The validation will verify coverage and help members avoid charges of shared responsibility fees that the IRS may impose on those who do not meet Minimum Essential Coverage. For more information, go to www.irs.gov/ACASSN.
Covered California sent 1095-A forms directly to IFP on-exchange members. If IFP on-exchange members call with concerns regarding their 1095-A forms as a result of incorrect information or not receiving a form, those callers will be directed to Covered California to complete a dispute form. The dispute form can be found at www.coveredca.com.
For detailed information about the MEC-EOC requirements, please go to the IRS website at www.irs.gov/Affordable-Care-
See also: 1095-B and 1095-C Form may arrive late post