Product cycle updates and benefit changes

July, August, and September 2024 renewals

Groups renewing in July, August, and September will be available to brokers through Shield Renewals on Monday, April 8.* Group-level changes can be made by using Small Group Online Renewal (SGOR) on Thursday, April 11.* To review exact renewal and enrollment dates for Q3, plus enrollment materials and updated rates books, visit our Renewal Center page on Broker Connection.

As a reminder, group renewal information is available as a microsite for each group, and these can be accessed through Shield Renewals. No download is required; you can open the site, find the information you need, and send the link or selected components to your clients. You can also access the medical choice chart, which provides you with information about your clients' current and new plan rates, the option to buy up or buy down, and if Trio or Tandem is available. The choice chart will include the rate differential if you choose to move your client.

View the schedule below to find out when you can manage your clients' renewal and enrollment (dates subject to change).

If you have questions regarding SGOR, a training guide is available on Broker Connection for guidance.

* Dates subject to change
 

Medical plan updates

Virtual Blue plans  

Provide your clients with more options to receive high-quality health care with Virtual Blue^SM. Blue Shield’s virtual-first plan delivers anytime virtual care, $0 virtual visits, and in-person care when they want it – adding value to every healthcare dollar spent.  

New Virtual Blue plans:   

• Virtual Blue Platinum Tandem PPO 250/20 
• Virtual Blue Silver Tandem PPO 2700/75 
   

Minimal portfolio and plan design changes
See below for impacted plans with cost share and/or name changes.

PPO Plans

• Platinum PPO 0/0
• Platinum PPO 0/10
• Platinum PPO 250/15
• Platinum PPO 0/30
• Bronze PPO 6500/70
• Bronze PPO 7500/65
• Gold PPO Savings 1750/15%
• Silver PPO Savings 2300/30%
• Silver PPO Savings 2600/35%
• Bronze PPO Savings 5700/40%
• Bronze PPO Savings 7500
• Mirror Platinum 90 PPO 0/15
• Mirror Platinum 80 PPO 250/35
• Mirror Silver 70 PPO 2500/55
• Mirror Bronze 60 PPO 6300/60
   

HMO Plans

• Platinum HMO 0/20
• Gold HMO 0/35
• Gold HMO 350/1500
• Bronze HMO 7000/70
• Bronze PPO 5500/65
• Bronze PPO 6500/70
• Bronze PPO 7500/65
• Mirror Platinum 90 HMO 0/20
• Mirror Gold 80 HMO 250/35
• Mirror Silver 70 HMO 2500/55

You can visit the Changes To section of Broker Connection for more details.  

Learn more about the 2024 small business medical plans

You can compare the benefits of your client's current plan selection with these new plan options by using our Plan Comparison Tool. We have added new enhancements to help you find the best plan that fits you and your employees.
 

Added valuable benefits for your clients: 

• Vasectomies are available at no charge in compliance with the previously passed SB523 mandate. PPO Savings plans have vasectomies at no charge but only after the deductible is met.  
• Travel reimbursement for transplant services for members and a companion (if deemed medically necessary) to undergo their procedure. The reimbursement is subject to certain conditions.  
• CredibleMind mental health resource library – Members can find digital self-service tools, assessments, resources, and more – all with science-backed information and powered by CredibleMind. 
• Price Check My Rx for added cost savings – Employer group members now have a better way to manage their medication costs online. The Price Check My Rx tool creates a personalized experience with real-time information from the member’s formulary and benefits usage. Members can use the tool once logged into their Blue Shield account.
• Prescription Savings Program – The SMS text-based Prescription Savings Program offers discounts on member out-of-pocket costs for select medications and is designed to improve prescription drug affordability and medication adherence. Enrollment in the program is at no extra cost to the member. The amount members save depends on their benefit design and prescription refill frequency, but the more they fill on time, the more they can save.

Complete benefits for all of our Small Business plans can be found on Broker Connection. For exact terms and conditions of coverage for all 2024 plan offerings, refer to the Evidence of Coverage and the plan contract or contact your dedicated account executive for support. 
 

2024 Specialty plan updates

A few important reminders about our specialty offering:

• Our dental plans come with a two-year rate guarantee.
• Groups can now select two vision plans to offer members.
• Life insurance includes beneficiary assistance and travel assistance.
   

Dental plan changes

Thirteen DPPO plans and one DINO plan are to be withdrawn from our specialty (dental, vision and life) portfolio beginning January 1, 2024, as part of our product transformation and portfolio simplification efforts. Prior to the anniversary date, your group’s renewal information will be available and include recommended plans and rates. You can refer to the plan mapping grid and choose any of the other available options.  

To learn more about our dental and vision plan offerings for 2024 check out the Specialty Sales Guide on the Broker resources section.
 

Vision plan changes

Our 2024 new vision vendor is EyeMed

For more than a year, EyeMed and MES have been working together to ensure a smooth transition.
 

Portfolio vision changes 

• Optometric out-of-network visits now match ophthalmologic cost share. 
• Eyeglass frame out-of-network allowance increased. 
• Plano (non-prescription sunglasses) new benefit cost share for out-of-network. 
• All vision plans include both Standard and Progressive Lenses (no-line bifocals) benefits. 

• Contact lens benefit updates 

• Electives – reduce out-of-network allowance to match out-of-network frame allowance. 
• Non-elective (medically necessary) – same cost share for hard and soft contacts.  

Life insurance changes

• There are no life insurance updates for Q3 2024.
  
   

Specialty and medical together is a win-win

Bundled Savings discount program

We’ve increased the savings for groups when they add a dental and/or vision plan to their existing medical plan:

• Groups will now receive a 10% discount on their dental or vision premium when added to their medical plan.

Download the full program details here.

Quick Match Program^SM

Matching for small business life insurance plans has been enhanced. We can now match a current group's combined Basic Life/AD&D renewal rates at $0.08 per $1,000, for amounts between $15,000 and $200,000.

• Changes applied for groups with December 1, 2018, or later effective dates.

Download the full 2024 program details here.

Explore our available Broker Bonus Program

More ways to earn with the Small Business incentive program. Increase your earnings by selling Virtual Blue and Tandem PPO plans. Learn more. 

Keep business with Blue Shield of California and earn more. We have increased the points you earn with every new Tandem and Virtual Blue PPO membership. Learn more. 

Our Direct Elite Rewards program will benefit direct-selling small business brokers. The rewards program is available to all small group brokers who sell direct. Learn more.

Enhanced digital tools for trusted advisors

The Plan Comparison Tool allows you to compare benefits from our standard portfolio plans and we can start working together to find a solution for you. We introduced new capabilities that will allow you maximize the capabilities of this tool for you and your clients.  

• PPTX compatibility: Added capability to download selected plan comparison as market-ready slides. 
• Featured benefits: Rearranged presentation of benefits to align with our SOBs and added benefit categories for easy utilization.  
• Compare more plans: Compare up to six plans at a time (previously four). 
• Added Dental Withdrawn Plans: Compare year-over-year for dental plans and the tool can compare a withdrawn plan with an auto-selected recommended plan, or a plan of your choice.  
• Flexibility: Ability to expand / collapse different benefit categories for a more succinct view. 
• Branding: Now featuring an updated digital interphase and print components with the new Blue Shield brand style.  

New resource page to help you do business seamlessly 

You can access the new resource page on Broker Connection for: 

• Tips on how to effectively work with our Producer Services team. 
• Eligibility and member enrollment submissions. 
• Broker of Record Requests. 

Employer Enrollment Tool (EET) 

The enrollment tool recently underwent some key enhancements. Listed below are just a few of the updates, so be sure to check out the full list of changes – and our numerous training resources – here.  

• The employer homepage is getting a refresh for easier navigation and to streamline employer access to company management tools. View the homepage tutorial video.  
• The member ID card download function will be available for Small and Large Groups!  Watch the ID card tutorial video.  
• For Small Group users, the “Edit Group” section will include eligibility options so users can easily update waiting periods and full- or part-time coverage. Watch the tutorial video here.  
• Continuous improvements to data accuracy as part of our continuous effort to provide the best enrollment experience. 
• Small business plan documents (SOB, SBC, EOC) for medical plans, pharmacy plans, dental plans, and life insurance plans are available in one location for each line of business.  

Your Blue Shield support team is available to support you throughout the year. Broker Services: (800) 559-5905.