April 1, 2014 rate action for California Individual grandfathered plans and policies

Beginning April 1, 2014, Anthem Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company (Anthem) will adjust rates for your Individual grandfathered clients. Clients on guaranteed issue plans (HIPAA and Conversion) are not included. Life rates are not increasing for 2014. The only dental rate increases in 2014 will be due to age attainment.  

Notifications to your Anthem Individual grandfathered clients

Letters will mail to all of your grandfathered clients (excluding HIPAA and Conversion guaranteed issue) January 20^th- 28^th, notifying them of their 2014 rate and the date it will go into effect. This mailing will provide the required 60 day notification to your clients. The vast majority of your clients will get their new rate on April 1, 2014. For any clients with rate change effective dates after April 1, 2014, reminders will be sent at least 60 days in advance.  New rates may also reflect any age attainment increase.

Your grandfathered clients will have other options.

• They may be able to downgrade to a higher deductible plan within their plan family, if available, as shown in the grandfathered-to-grandfathered plan option table. If so, they will retain their grandfathered status. The 2014 rates for other grandfathered plans can be found on the rate sheets, posted on the legacy agent site.
• They will be able to change to an Affordable Care Act (ACA)-compliant plan during an annual or special open enrollment period. They will be able to change to an ACA-compliant plan through the remainder of the initial ACA open enrollment period through March 31, 2014. Outside of the initial ACA open enrollment, they will be able to change to an ACA-compliant plan through a special open enrollment period if they have a qualifying event. If they move to an ACA-compliant plan, they will lose their grandfathered status.

Tools to help you help your clients

For your convenience we have posted information about the rate changes to the legacy Agent Site under the “April 1, 2014 Grandfathered Rate Action” link.   You can find information such as:

• Copies of the member letters
• Rate sheets
  • Anthem Blue Cross
  • Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company
• Grandfathered-to-grandfathered plan option table

Your April 1, 2014 client lists are available on the legacy agent site at anthem.com/ca>AgentServices>Rate Action Client Reports.

Note: The 2014 grandfathered rates won’t display on Producer Toolbox or changemycoverage.com until the effective date of the rate change (April 1 for most of your clients). The 2014 rates will be available under Rate Action Client Reports and in your clients’ notification letters.  

If you have questions, please email Broker Services at agent.support@wellpoint.com, contact your Regional Sales Manager or call 1-800-678-4466.