For 2017 Special Enrollment Periods (SEP), Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) will continue to offer producer commissions for new sales of under 65 individual (ACA) policies. To receive compensation for any sales made as a result of an SEP, agents must first complete the BCBSTX- sponsored annual SEP training and then confirm completion.
You must complete the training and affirmation by April 30, 2017, in order to be compensated for policies with effective dates on or after April 1, 2017.
Currently, there will be no changes to the producer compensation schedule. However, BCBSTX evaluates their commission structure on an ongoing basis, and they reserve the right to make adjustments to compensation, according to the term of an agent’s contract.
Since BCBSTX wants to ensure that consumers experiencing a significant life change have access to health care, they want to support their agents support those eligible for coverage outside of the open enrollment. For agents conducting SEP business, please be aware that BSBSTX requires documentary verification of a life event from consumers applying for coverage during an SEP. Proof of eligibility will make the process of enrolling applicants, who qualify and need coverage, more effective and efficient.
Mandatory SEP Training Now Available
To ensure all agents are fully informed of the SEP application process, BCBSTX has released a new SEP training that includes a detailed list of accepted documents for each SEP qualifying life event. In addition, the training covers details on how and when BCBSTX will contact you and your clients, as well as the steps applicants must take when submitting the required documentation.
Training Affirmation Required
Writing producers and subproducers are required to affirm completion of the SEP training by April 30, 2017, in order to be compensated for under 65 policies that have an effective date beginning April 1, 2017.
To affirm completion, producers must log in to Blue Access for ProducersSM. If you are a subproducer, log in using your own 9-digit BCBSTX-issued producer number and password. Then go to the Producer Services section and select the “SEP Training Affirmation” link. Please note that affirmation must be made at the writing producer/subproducer level, not the agency level.
Step-by-Step Webinar
Jeff Hess conducted a live webinar instructing agents on the training, the affirmation, compensation, and the ACA Express. It’s essentially everything you need to know in order to be compensated for SEP business with BCBSTX. The training is now available to all! Be sure to check it out!
Once the training is completed, fax the affirmation to Empower Brokerage at (817) 410-5999, attention Jeff Hess.
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