Find providers in our new national network for FlexPOS plans

ConnectiCare will begin to offer First Health, an Aetna subsidiary, as a national network to large and small employer groups considering FlexPOS plans. This will start with groups that renew or enroll on Aug. 1, 2020.

Beginning next week (June 1), you’ll be able to search providers in the First Health national network using our Find a Doctor tool. Choose “FlexPOS national network” under type of plan. This will redirect you to look for providers outside the Connecticut area.

The First Health network will increase provider options for members and give members better value when they have deductibles or coinsurance costs. First Health has about 968,000 health care providers, including 700,000 specialists and 5,900 hospitals.*

*Source: First Health, as of December 2019.

Reminder: Help clients who are losing coverage with plans from ConnectiCare

The economic turbulence caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has many people searching for health insurance. Do you have clients who:

In all the cases above, ConnectiCare can help. We offer individual and family plans through Access Health CT, the state’s insurance marketplace; SOLO individual and family plans; and Medicare Advantage plans.

Let your clients know they can reach out to you, or they can:

Share this flyer on options for individual health insurance in the state of Connecticut.

Note: ConnectiCare will pay commission in 2020 on clients who qualify for a special enrollment period due to a qualifying life event.

This is intended to be used for general information purposes only and should not be relied upon as containing complete information regarding special enrollment periods or eligibility criteria for enrollment. An individual will not be enrolled under a special enrollment period until an application is completed, reviewed, and sufficient proof of an individual’s qualifying event is provided.

Small group administration moves to CBIA

A reminder: ConnectiCare is expanding our relationship with the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) to include administration of most fully-insured small group plans. ConnectiCare plans will also continue to be available through Access Health CT.

Brokers will go directly to CBIA or Access Health CT to enroll groups in ConnectiCare small-group plans. This change will take effect for new and renewing plans with effective dates starting Aug. 1.

ConnectiCare will continue to administer current groups until they are migrated to CBIA administration. You will be notified as your clients are migrated.

CBIA membership and dues are not required for businesses who purchase small group ACA plans. With this change, broker commissions will be paid through CBIA. CBIA will also manage premium billing, and the broker and employer web portals.

Advantages of CBIA administration:

What’s not changing:

As a reminder:

We created an employer guide to small-group changes that you can use with your employer groups to review the changes.

CBIA is available to guide you through the renewal process. Call 1-860-525-2242 or email CCIADMIN@CBIA.com with any additional questions.

*An orientation period of up to one month is permitted. The 90-day waiting period must begin on the first day after the orientation period.

ConnectiCare^® is the brand name used for products and services provided by one or more ConnectiCare group of subsidiary Companies. Coverage is provided by and services are administered as follows: In Connecticut, Group HMO & POS coverage is underwritten by ConnectiCare, Inc. FlexPOS, SP/Self-funded services, and Dental coverage is underwritten and provided by ConnectiCare Insurance Company Inc., and its affiliates, with services administered through DentaQuest LLC. CBIA Service Corporation provides certain administrative services to ConnectiCare Insurance Company, Inc. and its affiliates for a fee.

Remind clients of behavioral health benefits

Support for people with mental illness or substance use disorder is important during the national public health emergency. Share this new flyer on support and services available to ConnectiCare members with group, SOLO, and Access Health CT plans.

CMS issues SEP for eligible Medicare beneficiaries from March 1-June 30, 2020

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued a special enrollment period (SEP) for eligible beneficiaries to enroll or disenroll in a Medicare plan.

The purpose of this SEP is to give an eligible beneficiary (someone who was unable to and did not make an election during another valid election period because of an emergency or major disaster) an opportunity to make an enrollment or disenrollment request.

To be eligible for this SEP:

The SEP is also available to those individuals who don’t live in the affected areas but rely on help making healthcare decisions from friends or family members who live in the affected areas.

This SEP, officially referred to as "Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for Individuals Affected by a FEMA-Declared Weather-Related Emergency or Other Major Disaster: Applicable for COVID-19," is its own separate SEP and is not an extension of the Initial Enrollment Period for Part D (IEP for Part D) or Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP).

The purpose of this SEP is to give an eligible beneficiary another election period to use if they missed their IEP for Part D, ICEP, or any other SEP, as defined by CMS.

Please note: you cannot proactively market this SEP. We are only providing this for your information.

For more information, read the full May 5, 2020 memo on the CMS website or contact your ConnectiCare sales representative.

No-cost telehealth benefits extended through June

Caution is key to controlling spread of COVID-19. ConnectiCare members can continue to use telehealth for covered medical and mental health services without paying a deductible, copayment, or coinsurance through June 30.

No-cost telehealth visits apply to any illness or injury – not just coronavirus (COVID-19). Members must, however, use in-network primary care doctors, specialists, or mental health clinicians.

COVID-19 testing coverage extended, too

ConnectiCare members will not pay cost shares for tests to diagnose COVID-19 or the visit to a doctor or other health care provider. This policy is in effect for as long as there is a public emergency.

Find answers to questions about COVID-19 coverage on our website: for commercial members and for Medicare members.

The benefits described above apply to fully-insured plans. Self-funded employer groups may have different coverage.

New websites launching soon for members, brokers, employers, and providers

Coming soon: redesigned public websites for brokers, employers, members, and providers. The redesigned sites are up-to-date (use search to find information fast) and easy-to-use to help anyone get the information they need in two to three clicks.

Questions from the Chief Sales Officer

Earlier this month, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Brian Pagliaro sent an email to ask about your experience working with ConnectiCare. Your feedback will help him and his team better support you. (Plus, you could win a $50 VISA gift card for responding!) If you haven’t already, please take a few minutes to complete the short survey.