California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones today urged the U.S. Department of Justice to block the merger deal between Anthem, Inc., and Cigna Corporation. After an extensive review of the Anthem and Cigna merger, Commissioner Jones issued detailed findings that the merger of the second and fourth largest national health insurers is anti-competitive and will harm California consumers, businesses, and the California health insurance market.
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.
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.
Anthem expands dental network into Mexico
The expanded network offers better dental discounts, bilingual doctors and staff, flexible appointment scheduling and ease of access into Mexico for health and dental care.
Online mental health counseling coming to Anthem Blue Cross plans
Starting January 1, 2016, Anthem members will be able to use LiveHealth Online to have private video visits with a psychologist or therapist for behavioral health counseling. LiveHealth Online makes it easy and convenient for members to get the care they need from the comfort of their own home with: