Highmark: Updates coming to New York Broker of Record Process and Health Risk Assessments

PLAN AHEAD: Updates coming to New York Broker of Record process and Health Risk Assessments

There are two important updates coming to our New York producers at the end of March/beginning of April: a transition to a new online Health Risk Assessment, and a change to New York's Broker of Record process. Read below for details on both!

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Broker of Record Process Change Coming March 31, 2023

As of March 31, 2023, the Broker of Record (BoR) update process currently in place in our New York regions will be discontinued. This upcoming change was announced via emails sent in October of last year, and early January 2023. The good news is, with the full migration to Highmark's portal and enrollment system, you will be protected should your members make any plan changes via one of the internal sales channels. With this change, you will remain BoR and you will continue to receive renewal commissions for these members, as long as you continue to meet ready to sell criteria. 

Any Broker of Record updates received after March 31, 2023 via the old/existing New York regional process will not be accepted. 

Moving forward, there are two ways to become a member's Broker of Record:

1. Write the member into a new policy: If a new application is approved, you would become the member's Broker of Record.

2. Utilize a Book of Business transfer:

• If you're taking over the Book of another agent, Highmark has a process to transfer the complete Book using the Book of Business release form.
• To view/download the Book of Business release form, click here.

Transitioning to this process further aligns New York with the process already in use across other markets, and provides continuity across the Highmark footprint.

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Transition to Highmark's In-House Health Risk  Assessment Process  Coming April 1, 2023

• As part of ongoing efforts to align Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York and Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York with Highmark's existing systems, they are transitioning New York to the in-house online Heath Risk Assessment (HRA) tool as of Saturday, April 1, 2023.
• Prior to April 1, you may utilize either New York's current HRA platform, Icario, or Highmark's in-house HRA platform described below.
• Starting April 1, HRA submissions via Icario will no longer be accepted. 

 Accessing Highmark's In-House  HRA Submission Process 

• Prior to April 1, New York producers may access Highmark's  HRA submission process via this link: highmark.com/medicare-hra.html
• Starting April 1, New York producers may access Highmark's HRA submission process via the Producer Portal by following these steps

1. Login to the Producer Portal at ‍producer.highmark.com/login
2. Select Medicare Dashboard
3. Under Quick Links, select Health Risk Assessment (HRA)
4. . Click "I'm Ready"
5. Fill in the member's information, select "New York" from the State drop down, and click "Continue" to proceed with the assessment.

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