I’m very pleased with the U.S. Department of Justice action today to block these mergers because they are anti-competitive and would harm consumers and businesses. As insurance commissioner of the largest insurance market in the country, I urged the DOJ to prevent both of these health insurance mergers, which if approved would have resulted in a highly concentrated, less competitive health insurance market doing irreparable harm to consumers and businesses.
Emergency health coverage for Kern County wildfire victims from Anthem Blue Cross
Anthem Blue Cross continues to make sure members affected by this California wildfire can get the medical care they need by relaxing certain conditions for health care services.
Social Security number collection gets underway
Employers, insurance companies and others who provide MEC will be required to report who’s covered with them to the IRS. This is called Minimum Essential Coverage Reporting, or IRS Code Section 6055 Reporting, and it will take place each year. This is how the federal government will make sure people have MEC. It’s also how the IRS will determine who may owe a penalty for not having coverage.
Rate reduction for Anthem Blue Cross IFP
Effective July 1, 2016, Anthem will implement an average rate reduction of 3.63%* for existing business on all Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company (CDI) grandfathered medical plans with an April 1, 2016 effective date. The new lower rates will be effective July 1, 2016 and forward; there will be no retroactive rate change. Click here for a copy of the Grandfathered Rate Sheet and sample member letter. This mailing will go out by the end of May.
Anthem Blue Cross California Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Notice
Subscribers on Anthem Blue Cross (Anthem) individual ACA plans during 2014 are class action members under a class action settlement known as the Felser-ACA Settlement. Class members may receive payments automatically under the settlement, or pursuant to claim forms, or simply the benefit of process and other improvements.
Anthem Blue Cross moves to single drug list for small groups
In 2016 Anthem released a single enhanced Rx Select Drug List for the Small Group portfolio. This was a change from the prior year’s plan offering of both Select & National Formulary Drug Lists.
Anthem Blue Cross may limit members to one pharmacy to curb drug abuse
The letter will explain that Anthem Blue Cross has noticed a potentially risky pattern in the way they’re getting prescriptions filled. They will have 60 days to change this risky behavior. If Anthem Blue Cross doesn’t see a change in their drug claims within 60 days, they’ll follow up with another letter.
Anthem sues Express Scripts over prescription prices
Anthem, Inc. today filed suit against Express Scripts, its vendor for pharmacy benefit management services, to recover damages for pharmacy pricing that is higher than competitive benchmark pricing. The lawsuit also seeks to recover damages related to operational issues and for a declaration of Anthem’s right to terminate its contract with Express Scripts.
Anthem Blue Cross moving California small groups to online billing and payment
Anthem Blue Cross of California is moving Small Groups in California to electronic billing and online payment, starting May 1, 2016. The new Anthem standard will be to issue bills (invoices) online and accept premium payments online through EmployerAccess, also known as the Employer Portal.
Expanded dental services for certain medical conditions from Anthem Blue Cross
Anthem Blue Cross is expanding some dental services for individuals who suffer from certain medical conditions such as heart disease, organ transplants, and people undergoing cancer treatment. The expanded cleanings and periodontal maintenance applies to members of Anthem Blue Cross dental plans effective January 1, 2016.