Given the uncertainty among individual consumers about the changes in health
care coverage required by the Affordable Care Act and the challenge many have
faced trying to enroll through the online federal Marketplace, Independence
Blue Cross is offering options to roughly 24,000 individual policyholders that
will simplify enrollment and avoid gaps in coverage.
IBC is offering roughly 6,300 policyholders currently enrolled in its Special
Care
SM health insurance plan the choice to keep their
existing coverage until June 30, 2014.The Special Care plan, which is a
low-cost, limited-benefit policy for certain low income individuals, was
scheduled to be discontinued as of January 1, 2014.
Working in consultation with the Pennsylvania Insurance Department to preserve
options and offer a safety net for these members, IBC is offering a six-month
extension to give existing Special Care policyholders additional time to
transition to plans that meet ACA requirements. At the same time, IBC is
encouraging these members to explore whether they are eligible for financial
assistance through tax credits and subsidies on the federal Health Insurance
Marketplace.
IBC will also ensure there will be no gap in coverage for the roughly 17,400
policyholders in the Guaranteed Enrollment plans. IBC's current Guaranteed
Enrollment policies do not meet the requirements of the ACA, which mandates
that all plans include new essential health benefits and other consumer
protections. As a result, IBC's existing Guaranteed Enrollment plans will be
discontinued as of January 1, 2014. In most cases, premiums for the new IBC
individual policies that meet ACA requirements are lower than the premiums for
current Guaranteed Enrollment policies.
To ensure there is no gap in coverage during this transition, if a Guaranteed
Enrollment policyholder does not select a plan on their own, IBC will enroll
the policyholder in a new plan, based on their current benefits and monthly
costs.
If these members would like to select a plan that is different than the
recommended plan, or if they want to take advantage of federal financial
assistance by enrolling in a plan through the federal Marketplace, these
members can make their selection by calling IBC at
1-888-475-6182 by December 23, 2013.
For more information, please read the complete IBC press release linked below:
>>
IBC expands options for individuals to simplify enrollment
and avoid gaps in coverage