New Washington Balance Billing Protection Act rules take effect Jan. 1, 2025
New Balance Billing Protection Act rules protect patients against balance billing for covered ground ambulance services. The new rules apply to fully insured groups, and we’re refiling self-funded groups’ opt-in decisions on their behalf.
New resources help fully insured large (51+) and self-funded groups support employees’ well-being in 2025
Our core well-being solution is a turnkey program that provides personalized support for employees’ health. We’ve updated our employee engagement toolkits for 2025 for employers to promote the valuable well-being program.
Thank you for your dedication through Medicare AEP
Your resilience and partnership have been invaluable as we navigated the Medicare 2025 Annual Election Period, and we look forward to our continued partnership. Here’s an update and a reminder for 2025 Medicare plans.
New Blue FlexDollars card will replace OTC card and add Healthy Rewards benefits
Our new card combines two benefits on one card, making it more convenient for members on select Medicare Advantage plans to access their benefits.
How we’re collecting members’ race, ethnicity and language data for renewing groups using 834 files
Health equity requires a deeper understanding of our members via data. During open enrollment, members whose groups enroll online can share race, ethnicity and language data. See how groups using 834 files can share this data any time.
Doctor On Demand telehealth solution adds Virtual Primary Care option for large (51+) and ASO groups
Virtual Primary Care from Doctor On Demand makes accessing primary care convenient for employees and affordable for employers.
Embedded and buy-up cancer care solutions for ASO groups help support employees’ care journey and contain costs
A cancer diagnosis can disrupt every aspect of a patient’s life. As the costs of treatment continue to rise, our comprehensive approach to cancer care provides tools to support members through their care journey and contain costs for employers.
Diabetes and hypertension solutions now available for large (101+) fully insured and self-funded groups
Research shows people with diabetes account for about one of every four health care dollars spent the U.S. Solutions available to large (101+) and ASO groups can help make those dollars count more toward improved outcomes. Learn more.
Benefits updates for 2025 in compliance with the ACA Section 1557 final rule
See how we’re updating our benefits and nondiscrimination disclosures in accordance with Affordable Care Act (ACA) Section 1557 final rules issued this year.
While 2025 Medicare Advantage landscape presents challenges, Asuris plans remain committed to core values
With many insurers raising premiums while reducing their benefits and service areas for 2025, our value goes beyond the simple copay-for-copay benefit comparisons.
Help ensure a smooth enrollment experience and avoid delays for your small groups
Open enrollment for groups with Jan. 1, 2025, effective dates is here, so make sure you’re ready to enroll your groups and avoid common mistakes to help make the process smooth.
We’re emailing 2025 benefit booklets to employer groups
To reduce paper usage, we’re emailing digital benefit booklets to employer groups beginning with Jan. 1, 2025, renewal and new group effective dates. Please read and share this information with your groups.
Updated participation rules make Asuris Dental an even stronger choice for 2025
To help support your Asuris Dental sales efforts, we’re making changes to our participation rules to allow more groups and employees to qualify for dental coverage in 2025! Updates will apply to all 2025 effective and renewal dates.
Get ready for AEP: 2025 materials are now available
Our 2025 Medicare Producer Resources page is live and available to access through Producer Center. Also, read our Medicare Agent of Record policy change and be sure you know how to access 2025 Medicare product training materials.
Asuris Northwest Health Individual plans updated for 2025
For 2025, our goal is to expand our availability and help make health care simpler for more Individual members. Get the latest updates and check out how our comprehensive plans provide a better overall experience for your customers.
Customer Service chatbot will support all ASO groups beginning Sept 4
Since we launched our chatbot in 2022 to support fully insured members’ customer service needs, its functionality has continued to grow. The chatbot is efficient and available 24/7 to handle many of members’ most frequently asked questions.
New self-service features being added to Producer Center in 2025
Our new agent onboarding and commissions experience will help make it easier to onboard and receive commissions payments from us.
Preparing for AEP: Review 2025 Medicare Advantage training resource; Plus, changes coming to Medicare Part D in 2025
To help you prepare for AEP, please review our training materials and certification requirements, and plan for when 2025 literature will be available. Also, get a preview of changes coming to Medicare Part D in 2025.
Pre-authorization requirement expansion for ABA therapy
To help support our members’ health and help them avoid unnecessary care, we’re expanding the pre-authorization requirement for ABA therapy to members under 18.
How we’re supporting RxDC reporting for groups that terminate in 2024
We’re offering to support 2024 RxDC reporting for groups that terminate coverage with us during the year. We can submit reporting only for the months each group was active with us, and we need to collect some data from them.
Hinge Health embedded in most fully insured plans beginning Jan. 1, 2025
Virtual muscle and joint support solution helps most fully insured members improve functionality and reduce joint, spine and muscle pain. Those with eligible conditions may receive customized care, therapy, coaching and behavior-change support.
Help ensure a smooth enrollment experience and avoid delays for your small groups
Open enrollment for groups with Jan. 1, 2025, effective dates is right around the corner, so make sure you’re ready to enroll your groups and avoid common mistakes to help make the process smooth.
New Producer Center reporting captures members turning 26 and 65
We’ve added two new reporting features to Producer Center to help make it easier for you to manage and grow your book of business.
Market readiness dates announced for 2025
Please note our market readiness dates for each line of business. We look forward to supporting you and your employer groups in 2025!
Complete Your 2025 Medicare Advantage and Part D Certification Training by September 15
Medicare Advantage and Part D certification training is open now. To sell and receive commissions for 2025 Medicare Advantage and Part D products, you must complete your certification by Sept. 15.
New family-building program available for ASO groups
Beginning July 1, ASO groups of 1,000+ subscribers, may include WIN as a buy-up option. WIN is a family-building product that offers fertility, surrogacy and adoption guidance.
2025 Medicare Advantage and Part D certification training
Look for an invitation for annual Medicare Advantage and Part D certification training on July 9. Plus: See how we’re using text messaging and mailing letters to encourage members to schedule Annual Wellness Visits and get other needed care.
Explore all the ways Producer Center makes managing your business easy
More producers than ever are using Producer Center to manage their business. If you aren’t a user, now’s a great time to discover all the reasons why Producer Center makes it easy and efficient to manage your accounts.
Action required with Producer Center URL being updated; plus, a recap of recent enhancements
We’re making a required update to our Producer Center login URL. If you have the current login URL on your website or bookmarked, you’ll need to update it. Plus, read about recent enhancements that make Producer Center easier to use.
Dental4Health program will improve members’ health and lower their cost of care in 2025
Our dental plans deliver an expanded network, comprehensive coverage, affordability and no out-of-pocket costs for preventive care. In 2025, our Dental4Health program will improve members’ oral and physical health and lower their cost of care.
Multifactor authentication required for accessing private and secure emails
To secure members’ private information sent via email, we’ve added multifactor authentication to our secure mail exchange. To send or receive secure emails, users will need to verify their identity via a code sent to their cell (SMS) or email.
CMS finalizes changes to agent/broker compensation
CMS has released the Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Programs Final Rule, with several changes to agent/broker compensation for 2025.
We’re expanding employees’ access to convenient in-home care
DispatchHealth, an in-network provider of on-call, at-home medical care, is expanding into select areas of Utah. It’s a convenient way for members to get urgent, in-person care at home.
Men’s health focus: Insights and resources in English and Spanish
Health risks for men include those that can affect anyone—like heart disease and diabetes—but also unique issues like prostate cancer. Know the risks and share the resources in English and Spanish with employer groups.
How we’re enabling employees’ access to convenient in-home care
DispatchHealth is an in-network provider of on-call, at-home medical care in select areas of Oregon and Washington. It’s a great way for members to get convenient, in-person urgent medical care at home—and save money.
Medigap rates approved for 2024
Get updated rate details, where to access updated Medigap plan materials, and the great reasons to sell our Medigap plans year-round.
Learn more about how we’re supporting groups’ 2023 RxDC reporting
Learn how we’ll be collecting groups’ data for 2023 RxDC reporting. Our self-service RxDC data collection form will be live beginning March 15. Please encourage your groups to submit their data before the April 30 deadline.
Introducing Asuris Activate: On-demand producer training to help you reach the next level
We're excited to introduce you to our new training program designed for producers like you. Think of it as your personal tool kit for growing your book of business—and your career.
2024 Step-by-Step Medicare guides are now available
There’s a lot to learn for members who are new to Medicare. You can help them by sharing our Step-by-Step Medicare guide. Also, review our tips for selling and prospecting to Medicare age-ins year-round.
We’re expanding site-of-service reviews to help provide members better access to high quality, high-value care
We’re committed to providing access to high-quality, high-value care at the most cost-effective price. To further support this commitment, we’re expanding our list of treatments requiring site-of-service pre-authorization reviews.
Medicare sales: Looking ahead to 2024 with gratitude
Our Medicare Sales team thanks you for your partnership throughout 2023. Plus, please see our update on reissuing member ID cards, and check out our top five tips for getting the most from the enhanced Producer Center experience.
We’re implementing concurrent review timeliness requirements effective Feb. 1, 2024
Concurrent review of members’ medical records helps us ensure they receive appropriate care while in inpatient care settings. Effective Feb. 1, 2024, we’re requiring providers to share records by the date requested.
We’re streamlining authorization for Medicare Advantage post-acute care and home health services
To help ensure our Medicare Advantage (MA) members receive the appropriate level of care after discharge from an acute care setting, we’re implementing two updates to our post-acute care and home health authorization processes.
It’s time: Resources for employer groups to get a fast start on 2024 preventive care
Accessing no-cost preventive care is one of the best ways for members to get the most out of their health plan benefits. We’ve got updated resources for sharing to help employers and employees get a fast start on preventive care in 2024.
New searchable Forms & Documents capability added to Producer Center
Our new enhanced Producer Center experience has made it easier for you to manage your book of business. We’ve recently added keyword search to the forms & documents section to make finding what you need a snap.
Medicare news: New Dental Customer Service line goes live Jan. 1, 2024
A new Dental Customer Service phone number will be listed on Medicare member ID cards in 2024. Also, new Medicare Advantage members on plans with an over-the-counter allowance will be mailed new OTC Network benefit cards.
Help avoid delays in enrollment processing
Open enrollment for groups with Jan. 1, 2024, effective dates is right around the corner, so make sure you’re ready to onboard your groups quickly with our list of things to do to help make enrollment processing smooth.
Hinge Health may help reduce opioid misuse, improve care outcomes and cost savings
Digital MSK Clinic enables patients to receive effective, guided exercise therapy at home, helping relieve chronic pain and reducing the need for costly surgeries and opioid prescriptions.
New EAP/IAP partner to provide improved member experience
Our EAP/IAP offers mental health support and life-balance tools to help members address concerns before they cause major problems. Learn how changing EAP/IAP providers will help us improve that support in 2024.
New for open enrollment: Expanded nonbinary gender option
Accurate data from our members helps us address health disparities. For open enrollment (OE) 2024, we’re expanding the availability of a third, nonbinary gender option to more lines of business.
Remind your Medicare Advantage members about their Annual Wellness Visits
Annual wellness visits help members stay healthy, so during AEP please remind your Medicare Advantage members to schedule this year’s wellness visit if they haven’t already. Plus: Ordering AEP materials and submitting Agent-of-Record forms.
We’re making advanced imaging safer and more cost effective
To help ensure our members receive safe, appropriate care in the right setting, we’re adding a pre-authorization (PA) requirement for nuclear imaging services to our Advanced Imaging Authorization program.
Get credentialed for Individual sales in 2024
We’re offering producers who sell to Individual members the opportunity to get credentialed for 2024 sales. Credentialing helps you provide a higher level of expertise and support to customers and earn higher commissions.
Medicare Advantage dental benefit enhancements for 2024
Check out our dental plan benefit enhancements for 2024. Plus, learn how to order 2024 AEP marketing materials and plan documents, and submit AOR change requests.
Small group plan, product and benefit updates for 2024
Check out our small (1-50) group plan, product and benefit updates for 2024. For the coming year, we’re focused on delivering a complete experience with innovative health plan options to fit the needs of each employer.
Vaccine flyers in English and Spanish now available: Share with your groups
Flu season—the time of year when respiratory viruses spread easily—is approaching. We’ve updated our employee vaccine flyers to provide the CDC’s latest vaccination guidance. Please share them in both English and Spanish with your groups.
Q4 resources for small group producers
With Q4 approaching, now’s the time to start open enrollment (OE) planning for your small groups. In addition to Producer Forums, we’ve got tools to help ensure a smooth OE this year.
Medicare Advantage and Part D certification trainings due by Sept. 15
To comply with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and earn commissions, producers are required to certify annually. To sell our Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans for 2024, you must certify by Sept. 15, 2023.
ASO groups able to add pre-authorization for specific cardiac services as of Jan. 1, 2024
Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, we’re offering ASO groups the option of adding pre-authorization (PA) for coverage of specific cardiac procedures. PA helps ensure providers follow the standard of care and avoid unnecessary invasive procedures.
Nurse advice service for groups of 51+ and ASOs being enhanced for 2024
We’re making changes to improve our nurse advice service for fully insured groups of 51+ and ASO groups. The updates match improvements already made for fully insured small groups this year.
Ancillary products shifting from LifeMap to USAble Life
Dental and vision products to be offered exclusively under our brand; Supplemental, Life and Disability products to be offered under the USAble Life brand.
Producer Center adds new functionality; Classic experience being discontinued Aug. 3
We’ve added a new Producer Center feature to allow you to easily locate and quickly follow up on eGMA missing information requests. Plus, the Producer Center Classic experience is being discontinued on Aug. 3.
Preparing for AEP: Producer Forums and MA Part D certification training
With AEP right around the corner, attending a Producer Forum is a great way to keep up to date with our products. Plus, be sure to complete annual Medicare Advantage Part D certification training.
Ancillary sales broker bonus program enhanced for 2023
We’re excited to announce an enhancement to our competitive 2023 ancillary broker bonus program. Appointed producers will receive credit for new USAble Life Life and Disability sales; Dental cases; and LifeMap sales.
Producer Center Classic experience to be retired
Since launching our enhanced Producer Center experience, we’ve received positive feedback and added new features. Now we’re preparing to retire the Classic experience. If you haven’t used the enhanced Producer Center experience, now’s the time.
Q4 planning guide for small group producers
With Q4 approaching, it’s not too early to start open enrollment (OE) planning for your small groups. In addition to supporting groups’ annual certification, there are other activities you can do now to help ensure a smooth OE this year.
2024 Medicare Advantage and Part D certification training
To remain compliant with CMS regulations, you must certify annually to sell our Medicare Advantage and Part D Rx plans. Plus: See how to view applicants’ status in Producer Center.
Asuris Individual & Family plans updated for 2024
For 2024, our goal is to expand our availability and help make health care simpler for more Individual members. Get the latest updates and check out how our comprehensive plans provide a better overall experience for your customers.
DispatchHealth offers Bridge Care to help members recover after discharge
After a patient is discharged from a hospital, an in-home Bridge Care visit from DispatchHealth can help ensure they’re recovering and get them to their PCP so they don’t have to be readmitted.
How to keep up with Producer Center enhancements
We've recently added new functionality to the new Producer Center experience to make it easier for you to access the tools you need more quickly and manage your business more efficiently.
Keep mental health awareness going all year long
Although Mental Health Awareness Month—May—is almost over, our content can help your groups maintain awareness all year long. We've put everything in one place for you to share with your groups and members.
Life and Disability sales and renewal transition from LifeMap to USAble Life
All new and renewing Life and Disability sales with effective dates beginning July 1, 2023, are now USAble Life products. Learn more about how this change affects small group quoting and renewals.
Members get primary care conveniently and quickly with Doctor On Demand
Accessing primary care is crucial to improving health outcomes and lowering health care costs, yet utilization is low and declining. Virtual Primary Care from Doctor On Demand helps change that.
Tips for selling Medicare year-round
Annual Election Period (AEP) is a busy time for enrolling new members, but you can also enroll members at other times each year. Explore how opportunities for new Medicare sales are created year-round when prospective members move.
We're expanding site-of-service reviews to help provide members better access to high-value care
Health care is expensive, and we're committed to providing access to high-quality care at the lowest price. Effective July 1, we're adding site-of-service pre-authorization reviews so members receive the standard of care cost-effectively.
Virtual care: A convenient and less costly alternative when members need help fast
Knowing how and when to use virtual care as an alternative to seeing a provider in person can make a big difference in care outcomes and costs to members. Share these insights with your groups.
Beneficiary Assistance Program extended to all Group and Voluntary Term Life products
USAble Life Group and Voluntary Term Life products now include a Beneficiary Assistance Program (BAP). Like the LifeMap BAP, the program provides grief counseling and legal and financial resources to beneficiaries at no added cost.
Joint site-of-care (SOC) redirection added to Physical Medicine program
To improve members’ health and make care more affordable, we’re embedding joint site-of-care (SOC) redirection in all fully insured group, Individual and Medicare Advantage plans, effective May 1, 2023. It will be available to ASOs as a buy-up.
Help safeguard your self-funded groups with stop-loss coverage tailored to their needs
Rising health care expenses and unexpected claims can devastate the bottom line. You know stop-loss, but not all stop-loss insurers are the same. Learn the difference Commencement Bay Risk Management (CBRM) can offer your groups.
Help employees access behavioral health care quickly
One in five U.S. adults has a mental illness, but many don’t know where to seek treatment. We can help by making sure they understand the available care options covered under their health plan.
Medicaid redetermination creates opportunities to capture Individual market sales
Consumers who are no longer eligible for Medicaid will be allowed to participate in a Special Enrollment Period. Make sure you’re prepared to guide your Individual Market prospects to the appropriate ACA plan.
Step-by-Step guides are now available for your use
We’ve designed a simple brochure that covers the basics of Medicare and is a great handout for a new-to-Medicare beneficiary. Plus, earn money collecting our Health Risk Assessment surveys, and tips for selling Medicare year-round.
Enhanced Producer Center experience available to all appointed producers
Our new Producer Center experience, launched in January, makes it easier than ever to manage your book of business. The new experience is open to all appointed producers. If you haven’t used Producer Center yet, now’s a great time to start.
How our Medicare COVID-19 coverage will change as the public health emergency ends
Many benefits expanded during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) will return to being covered at normal Medicare plan benefits. Updates to commercial plans will be provided in next month’s Producer News.
Equip virtual therapy provider added to our network to treat eating disorders among children and young adults
Eating disorders commonly begin during adolescence, but most treatment programs are challenging to access and manage. We’ve added Equip, an eating disorder care provider that delivers effective virtual, family-based therapy, to our network.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) renewals
We’ve received approval on our Medicare Supplement (Medigap) rates. Along with our competitive rates there are many great reasons to sell our Medigap plans all year long.
Producer Center Enhancements happening in 2023
After we released the new Producer Center experience in January, we got right back to work developing more enhancements, which we’ll roll out in 2023.
Q1 Checklist: 3 ways to help your groups right now
Now’s a great time to help your groups get the most out of their health plan benefits. Check these three things off your list to help put your groups—and their enrolled employees—on the path to a better health care experience this year.
Asuris partners with USAble Life to improve members well-being
We partnered with USAble Life to improve the medical, dental and financial well-being of our customers and members. The latest update on our partnership includes important process changes to sales and renewals of life and disability products.
Third Thursdays webinar series evolves for 2023
Our Third Thursday education webinars help keep you up to date on our products, important industry trends, our business process improvements and more. Topics cover all lines of business in all markets. Join us for each Third Thursday.
Tips for selling Medicare year-round: Working past age 65
Although the Annual Election Period (AEP) is the busiest time of year for Medicare sales, opportunities abound to sell Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans year-round, especially to people working beyond age 65.
Tips for selling Medicare year-round: Medicare age-ins
Although about half of all Medicare enrollment occurs during AEP, there are great opportunities to generate Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) sales year-round.