Excellus BCBS Medicare Broker News - Vol. 4 No. 2

There Is Plenty Of Enrollment Opportunity Beyond AEP!

As you know, the Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is currently underway and runs from January 1 to March 31.

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield 5-star HMO plans also allow Medicare members to qualify for the 5-star Special Enrollment Period (SEP). The Medicare 5-Star SEP runs from December 8, 2021 to November 30, 2022, which gives members almost an entire year to make the switch from a lower-rated plan to a 5-star HMO plan.

Additionally, your Medicare-eligible clients may be able to join or change Medicare Advantage plans under other special circumstances that also qualify as SEPs, such as:

• Losing EPIC eligibility
• Losing employer-sponsored coverage
• Dual eligibility (Medicare and Medicaid eligible)
• Approved for Low-Income Subsidy (LIS)
• Involuntarily losing creditable drug coverage
  

View a comprehensive list of SEPs and associated details, requirements, and timelines below.

SEP Details, Requirements, And Timelines (PDF)

EPIC Training Resources

Last month, Excellus hosted a virtual training opportunity for broker partners to review the key details of the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program and how it works with other factors of Medicare.

Excellus had a great discussion led by the guest speaker from EPIC and was able to clarify some common questions and unique circumstances regarding the EPIC Program. They’ve created an educational Q&A document based on the questions many had, which is included here along with a helpful chart for the Extra Help program and some highlights for this year’s EPIC program.

These materials can be accessed from the buttons below and at any time through the Medicare Broker Sales Hub.

• If you haven’t had a chance to register for the Sales Hub, you can Register Here →
• If you are already registered you can login at ExcellusForBusiness.com/MedicareSalesHub →

Extra Help Program Chart (PDF)

2022 EPIC Program Highlights (PDF)

EPIC Program Broker Training Q&A (PDF)

Winter Member Newsletter

In an effort to ensure you are aware of Excellus’ Medicare Member Communications, the latest edition of the quarterly Member Newsletter is below.

This quarter’s edition covers topics such as:

• 2022 plans’ star ratings
• 5 easy ways to get the most from your plan
• Mental health resources
• Heart health tips
• Keeping active this winter
  

Winter Quarterly Member Newsletter (PDF)

REMINDER: Unexpected Jump In 2022 Medicare Part B Premiums

As We Move Into 2022, Members May Notice An Unwelcomed Change In Their Monthly Part B Premium Amounts, Which Rose To $170.10 – Up 14.55% (More Than Double What Was Anticipated) From The 2021 Monthly Premium Of $148.50. This Is One Of The Largest Outpatient Premium Dollar Increases Implemented By The Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Other Cost Increases Include A 14.8% Bump In The Part B Annual Deductible, Which Is $233 For 2022. The Part A Deductible Experienced An Increase As Well – Up $72 To $1,556 For The Year.

The Surprisingly Large Jump In Part B Premiums Is Being Primarily Pinned On The FDA Approval Of A New Alzheimer Medication, Aduhelm. Aduhelm Comes With An Expensive Price Tag, Which Means Costly Impacts To Medicare Overall. Conservative Estimates Put The Annual Cost To Medicare At $29 Billion1 For This Drug Alone. In Comparison, The Total Medicare Spend For All Physician-Administered Drugs In 2019 Was $37 Billion*.

To Help Balance Out Such A Cost Increase, There Has Also Been A Boost In Social Security Benefits For 2022. Retired Workers Who Receive Social Security Benefits Can Expect To See A Net Increase Of $70.40/Month, Even After The Elevated Medicare Part B Premium Has Been Deducted.

2022 CMS Medicare Rates

*Kaiser Family Foundation, FDA’s Approval Of Biogen’s New Alzheimer’s Drug Has Huge Cost Implications For Medicare And Beneficiaries, 2021.