Green Peak Blog http://blog.greenpeakinsurance.com Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:54:52 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 Walgreens to leave Anthem Blue Cross network January 1, 2012 http://blog.greenpeakinsurance.com/2011/11/walgreens-to-leave-anthem-blue-cross-network-january-1-2012/ http://blog.greenpeakinsurance.com/2011/11/walgreens-to-leave-anthem-blue-cross-network-january-1-2012/#comments Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:54:52 +0000 GreenPeak http://blog.greenpeakinsurance.com/?p=124 Walgreens to leave Anthem Blue Cross Network on December 31, 2011.  What does this mean for you?

In October, we wrote to you about contract talks between Express Scripts, the company that manages the drug store network for us, and Walgreens.  We’re writing today with an update so that you have the very latest information affecting your coverage. Despite ongoing talks, it appears the two parties won’t reach an agreement before the end of the year. Walgreens will leave the network on January 1, 2012. Walgreens’ sister stores (such as Duane Reade, OptionCare and Happy Harry’s) will also leave at that time. You’ll still be able to use any of the other 56,000 network drug stores across the country. There are many chains (such as CVS, Rite Aid, Kroger, Target and Wal‐Mart), plus local, independent stores. On average, there’s a network store within a half mile of a Walgreens.  Sometimes, even closer. Please take action to transfer your prescriptions

The New Year will be here soon. So please take some time NOW – before life gets too hectic around the holidays – to transfer your prescription to a different store in the network. Go to our website at anthem.com and use the ”Find a Doctor” feature to find a network drug store near you. Or call us at the number on the back of your member ID card.

Switching to a new drug store is easy After picking a new drug store, either:

1.        Take your medicine bottle to your new drug store. They’ll call the old one to transfer it for you. OR

2.        Call the new store and ask them to call the old one. OR

3.        Ask your doctor to call your new drug store with your prescription details.

Some things you should know

• You can still receive coverage for your medicine from Walgreens and its sister stores through December 31, 2011.

• In most cases, your cost will not change because of Walgreens leaving the network.

• If your plan offers out‐of network benefits and you use Walgreens after December 31, 2011, you’ll have to pay the full retail price. You’ll need to send in a claim yourself. Also, benefits will be lower than if you use a network drug store. If you have any questions, please call the customer service number on your member ID card.

]]> Walgreens to leave Anthem Blue Cross Network on December 31, 2011.  What does this mean for you?

In October, we wrote to you about contract talks between Express Scripts, the company that manages the drug store network for us, and Walgreens.  We’re writing today with an update so that you have the very latest information affecting your coverage. Despite ongoing talks, it appears the two parties won’t reach an agreement before the end of the year. Walgreens will leave the network on January 1, 2012. Walgreens’ sister stores (such as Duane Reade, OptionCare and Happy Harry’s) will also leave at that time. You’ll still be able to use any of the other 56,000 network drug stores across the country. There are many chains (such as CVS, Rite Aid, Kroger, Target and Wal‐Mart), plus local, independent stores. On average, there’s a network store within a half mile of a Walgreens.  Sometimes, even closer. Please take action to transfer your prescriptions

The New Year will be here soon. So please take some time NOW – before life gets too hectic around the holidays – to transfer your prescription to a different store in the network. Go to our website at anthem.com and use the ”Find a Doctor” feature to find a network drug store near you. Or call us at the number on the back of your member ID card.

Switching to a new drug store is easy After picking a new drug store, either:

1.        Take your medicine bottle to your new drug store. They’ll call the old one to transfer it for you. OR

2.        Call the new store and ask them to call the old one. OR

3.        Ask your doctor to call your new drug store with your prescription details.

Some things you should know

• You can still receive coverage for your medicine from Walgreens and its sister stores through December 31, 2011.

• In most cases, your cost will not change because of Walgreens leaving the network.

• If your plan offers out‐of network benefits and you use Walgreens after December 31, 2011, you’ll have to pay the full retail price. You’ll need to send in a claim yourself. Also, benefits will be lower than if you use a network drug store. If you have any questions, please call the customer service number on your member ID card.

]]> http://blog.greenpeakinsurance.com/2011/11/walgreens-to-leave-anthem-blue-cross-network-january-1-2012/feed/ 0 Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital no longer with Blue Shield (LPCH) http://blog.greenpeakinsurance.com/2011/08/lucile-packard-childrens-hospital-no-longer-with-blue-shield-lpch/ http://blog.greenpeakinsurance.com/2011/08/lucile-packard-childrens-hospital-no-longer-with-blue-shield-lpch/#comments Thu, 01 Sep 2011 01:32:12 +0000 GreenPeak http://blog.greenpeakinsurance.com/?p=122 . . . → Read More: Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital no longer with Blue Shield (LPCH)]]>
Microsoft Word – Packard_Employer_termination-Aug31-FINAL.doc August 31, 2011
Dear Customer,
Following up on our earlier negotiations alert, we’re writing to inform you that effective midnight August 30, 2011 the following providers are no longer part of the Blue Shield of California network: Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital (LPCH) and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Medical Group (LPMG), located in Santa Clara County.
The impact of this termination is summarized below. Medicare members are not impacted by either termination.

COMMERCIAL PLAN TYPE

LUCILE PACKARD PARTICIPATING PROVIDERS

COMMERCIAL PLAN TYPE

Hospital

Medical Group (physicians)

HMO

Yes

No

PPO

Yes

Yes

POS – HMO tier

Yes

No

POS – PPO tier

Yes

Yes

HMO Facility Exception- Palo Alto Medical Foundation [PAMF] members under age of 26 will have continued access as this is their primary hospital.

Rest assured that this will not alter your employees’ benefits or interrupt their access to quality care. Blue Shield of California and Blue Shield of California Life & Health Insurance Company continue to have an extensive network of physicians and hospitals throughout the San Francisco Bay Area that are available to serve members who are currently receiving care from this hospital and medical group.

Reason for Termination

Blue Shield has been negotiating with Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital (LPCH) and Lucile Packard Medical Group (LPMG) since February 2011 in the hopes of reaching a mutually agreeable contract that would allow these providers to remain in our network. One of the main factors in the negotiation was the fact that Lucile Packard was already one of the most highly compensated hospitals in the Blue Shield network prior to their requested rate increases for the new 2-year contract term. After months of negotiations, Blue Shield and Lucile Packard were able to reach a verbal agreement on reasonable increases over the next two years for both the hospital and the medical group, and Blue Shield was hopeful of signing a new contract this month.
Unfortunately, despite agreeing on rates, the contract has now terminated due to Lucile Packard’s introduction of a new requirement into the negotiation, to include a future entity in the contract. The providers want us to agree to extend the contract rates to a new entity which they plan to open in approximately one year. We value our relationship with Lucile Packard, however we are unable to accept these terms because we can’t contract with

Blue Shield of California

50 Beale Street, San Francisco, CA 94105

blueshieldca.com


an entity not yet incorporated. This request by the provider would also impede our ability to provide our members in this area with access to quality health care at an affordable price, and would not be in our members’ best interest.
Consistent with our not-for-profit mission of providing access to quality health care at an affordable price, Blue Shield seeks financial arrangements with providers that are sufficient to cover their cost of providing health care, provide them with a fair margin and enable us to offer competitively priced coverage to employers and members. These contractual changes would have significantly driven up costs for employers and members.

Impact to transplant services

Blue Shield’s contracts for the transplant programs at both Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital and Stanford Hospital (both in Palo Alto) terminated on 8/31/11. The transplant amendment is a 3- party document and tied to our general contract with Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital which has terminated.
Members currently or previously receiving transplant services from Lucile Packard or Stanford will continue their course of treatment at the appropriate facility. In the event of imminent termination, the Transplant Case Management team will contact all transplant patients assuring the members they will not be affected by the termination.

Alternative Providers

PPO members may obtain hospital services at the following Santa Clara County contracted
Blue Shield medical facilities:

General Acute Care:

El Camino Hospital [both campuses] Good Samaritan Hospital
O’Connor Hospital
Regional Med Center San Jose
Sequoia Hospital
Washington Hospital

Tertiary Care:

California Pacific Medical Center Children’s Hospital – Oakland Children’s Hospital Central California UC Davis Medical Center
UCSF Medical Center [including transplant]

Continuity of Care

Impacted members who are currently receiving care from the hospital or a medical group physician, or have a procedure scheduled within 180 days of the termination date at the medical center, may request continuity of care (COC). If COC is approved, the member will receive the preferred (network) benefit level. Members within the above
circumstances should call our customer service line at (800) 200-3242 to make such requests.
Impacted members not approved for Continuity of Care may continue to utilize LPCH and LPMG providers if they wish. However, doing so means that reimbursement for services rendered will be at the non-preferred (non-network) provider amount, effective August 31.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact your sales representative or call Blue
Shield Employer Services at (800) 325-5166.
You are a valued Blue Shield customer, and we’ll continue to keep you informed of new developments.

 

]]> http://blog.greenpeakinsurance.com/2011/08/lucile-packard-childrens-hospital-no-longer-with-blue-shield-lpch/feed/ 0 DMV Insurance Requirements for Online Registration http://blog.greenpeakinsurance.com/2011/03/dmv-insurance-requirements-for-online-registration/ http://blog.greenpeakinsurance.com/2011/03/dmv-insurance-requirements-for-online-registration/#comments Fri, 25 Mar 2011 21:47:07 +0000 GreenPeak http://blog.greenpeakinsurance.com/?p=119 Does it matter which insurance company is providing coverage to me if I want to renew  on the Internet?

Yes. Only customers of insurance companies that electronically report to DMV can renew on the Internet.  If your agent has advised you that insurance information was electronically submitted and your are not currently insured by one . . . → Read More: DMV Insurance Requirements for Online Registration]]> Does it matter which insurance company is providing coverage to me if I want to renew  on the Internet?

Yes. Only customers of insurance companies that electronically report to DMV can renew on the Internet.  If your agent has advised you that insurance information was electronically submitted and your are not currently insured by one the following companies…. it might be time to switch agents!

Currently, only the following companies notify DMV electronically of insurance verification:

  • 21st Century Insurance Company
  • 21st Century Centennial Insurance Company
  • 21st Century Premier Insurance Company
  • 21st Century Superior Insurance Company
  • ACA Insurance Company
  • Access General Insurance Company
  • ACE American Insurance Company
  • Aegis Security Insurance Company by Anchor General Insurance Agency, Inc.
  • Affirmative Insurance Company
  • AIU Insurance Company
  • Alliance of Nonprofits for Insurance, Risk Retention Group
  • Alliance United Insurance Company
  • Allied Insurance (AMCO Insurance Company, Depositors Insurance Company, Allied Property and Casualty Insurance Company)
  • Allstate Indemnity Company
  • Allstate Insurance Company
  • Allstate Property & Casualty Insurance Company
  • All Star General Insurance Agency, LLC
  • American Automobile Insurance Company
  • American Bankers Insurance Company
  • American Federation Insurance Company
  • American Home Assurance Company
  • American International Insurance Company of CA, Inc.
  • American Modern Home Insurance Company
  • American States Preferred Insurance Company
  • Amica Mutual Insurance Company
  • Anchor General Insurance Company
  • ArrowPoint Capital Corporation
  • Associated Indemnity Corporation
  • Atlanta Specialty Insurance Company
  • Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company
  • Automobile Club of Southern California (Interinsurance Exchange of Automobile Club)
  • AutoOne Insurance
  • AXA Re America Insurance Company
  • BETA Healthcare Group
  • California Capital Insurance Company
  • California Casualty Indemnity Exchange
  • California State Automobile Association
  • Centennial Insurance Company
  • Centre Insurance Company by Reliant General Insurance Services
  • Century-National Insurance Company
  • Chubb Group of Insurance Companies
  • CIM Insurance Company by Reliant General Insurance Services
  • Civil Service Employees Insurance Company
  • Clarendon National Insurance Company by Madison Consulting Group
  • Coast National Insurance Company
  • Commerce West Insurance Company
  • Converium Insurance (North America) Inc.
  • Cornerstone National Insurance Company by Sun Coast General Insurance Agency, Inc.
  • Countrywide’s Balboa Insurance Company by Carnegie General Insurance Agency
  • Countrywide’s Balboa Insurance Company by Countrywide Insurance Services, Inc.
  • CSE Safeguard Insurance Company
  • Danielson National Insurance Company
  • Deerbrook Insurance Company
  • Delos Insurance
  • Eagle West Insurance Company
  • Electric Insurance Company
  • Encompass Indemnity Company
  • Encompass Insurance Company
  • Esurance
  • Explorer Insurance Company
  • Farmer’s Insurance Group
  • Fidelity National Insurance Company
  • Financial Indemnity Company
  • Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company
  • First American Property and Casualty Insurance Company
  • First National Insurance Company of America
  • Foremost Insurance Company (Grand Rapids, MI)
  • Foremost Property and Casualty Insurance Company
  • Freedom General Insurance Services (Cornerstone National Camino Program)
  • Freedom General Insurance Services (Sterling Eagle Program)
  • Freedom General Insurance Services (Western General Vanguard Program)
  • Galway Insurance Company
  • GEICO
  • Generali Assicurazioni Generali S.P.A (U.S.Branch) by Arrowhead General Insurance Agency, Inc
  • Glens Falls Insurance Company
  • GMAC Insurance
  • GMAC Insurance Company Online Inc.
  • Grange Insurance Group
  • Granite State Insurance Company
  • GuideOne Mutual Insurance Company
  • Hanover Insurance Company
  • Horace Mann Insurance Company
  • Horace Mann Property & Casualty Insurance Company
  • Hudson Insurance Company
  • IDS Property Casualty Insurance Company
  • Indemnity Insurance Company of North America
  • Infinity Insurance Company
  • Insurance Company of the West – RMIS
  • Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania by AIG Technologies
  • Insurance Corporation of Hannover by Reliant General Insurance Services
  • ISO
  • KBK Insurance Group, Inc.
  • Kemper Auto and Home (Unitrin Auto and Home Insurance Company and Kemper Independence Insurance Company)
  • Lancer Insurance Company by Anchor General Insurance Agency, Inc.
  • Leader Insurance Company
  • Legacy Insurance Services
  • Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company
  • Lincoln General Insurance Company
  • Loya Casualty Insurance Company
  • MAPFRE Insurance Company
  • Markel American Insurance
  • Mendota Insurance Company