Excellus BCBS Medicare Broker News - Vol. 5 No. 7

GlaxoSmithKline No Longer Participating In NYS EPIC Program

The NYS Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program sent letters to Medicare members in March stating GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) will no longer participate in the EPIC program as of July 1, 2023. As a result, the drugs listed below will no longer be covered by EPIC

The affected drugs are:

Formulary and non-formulary drugs approved through an exception process, are still covered by the Health Plan and members will pay their appropriate cost-share. Members will no longer see the EPIC discount deducted from their copay/coinsurance after July 1, if they continue filling one of the drugs listed. The Health Plan notified affected members by mail to inform them. Excellus is providing this information so you are aware in the event one of your clients calls and refers to the letter they received. If you have any questions, please contact your broker account executive.

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Marketing Rule Update And  Guidance        

In a recent memo, CMS updated their definition of Marketing to include all materials or activities that mention any benefits (i.e., dental, vision, eyewear allowances). This change may impact lead pieces and marketing campaigns you may have previously used without CMS approval. Excellus' recommendation is that agents refer to their FMO upline for guidance on the CMS submission process.

Read The Full Memo From CMS (PDF)                  

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NAHU Is Now NABIP        

The National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) has rebranded their organization. They are now the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals (NABIP). NABIP leads state-based and federal advocacy efforts on behalf of its membership, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses and individuals seeking health insurance. The transition is effective immediately.

‍Read The NABIP Press Release (PDF)                  

REMINDER: Retail Training  Requirement        

Summer is here and we know many of you are eager to start planning and hosting events. If you are interested in registering for a sales or educational event, please contact your Broker Account Executive to ensure you complete the retail training requirement prior to filing with Excellus.

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