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Video: Welcome to Resource Brokerage

 

Divisional News & Links


Employee Benefits Division

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) has entered into an arrangement with Rush University Medical Center.  Starting January 1st, 2024, the Rush University Medical System will be IN-Network for the Blue Choice Preferred (BCE) network for both Retail (Individual & Family Plans) and Group markets.

Remember, doctors are not always employees of the health system where they see patients.  It is important to check specific doctors on the Provider Finder and not simply assume they are in the network because you see them at a particular facility.  Provider Finder will have the most current network data.  Please ensure your clients use this tool to confirm that their preferred Rush University Medical System facilities and/or service providers are included in this network update.  If your clients are unsure how to use/access this tool, refer them to this linked Provider Finder Guide.

Reminder: One-Life Groups – Can be written year-round!

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) allows any group that meets the definition of a valid group to be issued as a one-life group year-round as long as: 

  • They meet participation (70% after valid waivers)
    • $0/Zero is the exception
  • They meet the contribution requirement (25% of the EO tier)
  • Underwriters can validate 100% of the ownership for each group
    • Two unmarried individuals own a business; both filed the 1120S or 1065 K1s with their 2022 corporate tax return.
    • A sole proprietor with at least one “common law” documented employee (FT or PT) at the time of application.
    • Established spouse-only (no “common law” employees) partnerships that filed 1065 K1s last year.
    • New spouse-only business start-ups (no “common law” employees) must be legally filed with the IL Secretary of State as a Partnership entity. They must lawfully own a percentage of the business (totaling 100%), and they must be able to provide a copy of the SS-4 Form showing that they are required to file a Form 1065 in 2024.

Key Dates to Remember:

  • July 3rd - Last day for August 1st plan changes & anniversary date changes
  • July 16th - Last day for August 15th plan changes & anniversary date changes

Individual Division  

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) has entered into an arrangement with Rush University Medical Center.  Starting January 1st, 2024, the Rush University Medical System will be IN-Network for the Blue Choice Preferred (BCE) network for both Retail (Individual & Family Plans) and Group markets.

Remember, doctors are not always employees of the health system where they see patients.  It is important to check specific doctors on the Provider Finder and not simply assume they are in the network because you see them at a particular facility.  Provider Finder will have the most current network data.  Please ensure your clients use this tool to confirm that their preferred Rush University Medical System facilities and/or service providers are included in this network update.  If your clients are unsure how to use/access this tool, refer them to this linked Provider Finder Guide.

The 2024 Individual & Family ACA Annual Enrollment Period is Closed!  Individuals may only obtain ACA Individual medical insurance through special enrollment.

A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is an enrollment window for individuals experiencing a qualified life event in which the individual can provide proof of the event.  Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) producers and subproducers must complete training and affirm their SEP training for their under-age 65 Off-exchange Individual Major Medical business.  This training is required to facilitate a smooth enrollment for new members.

Complete the 2024 Plan Year FFM Certification:
Follow the instructions on the linked Guide to Marketplace Registration and Training

  • Login to CMS Enterprise Portal
    • The website is a CMS-controlled portal, and we cannot help you with portal access; however, you can contact their help desk directly at 855-267-1515.
  • Choose one of the following free training options:
    • MLMS – no CE hours
    • HealthSherpa – 1 free CE hour for recertifying, 1 free CE hour for initial certification
  • Complete and attest all applicable Agreement(s)

Create your HealthSherpa account:
HealthSherpa is the BCBSIL White Labeled Solution for on-exchange enrollments.

Notice:  Effective Jun 18th, 2023, CMS will require agents/brokers who assist Individuals with Marketplace ACA enrollments to comply with a new requirement in the 2024 Final Rule of attaining documentation of “active consent of the purchaser to represent them when utilizing the Marketplace (healthcare.gov).”  The required documentation consists of the Enrollee’s Consent for Assistance and the Agent’s Attestation of the Documentation Review of the enrollee. The document must be retained for a minimum of 10 years.  CMS has provided this linked template form as a starting point for you to customize to comply with ACA Marketplace enrollments starting June 18th, 2023.


Medicare Division   MedicareCENTER

2025 Medicare MAPD/PDP Training Schedule:

Note: The 2024 curriculum will no longer be available after June 20, 2024, at 11:59 EDT. Afterward, producers needing certification in 2024 can complete the 2025 AHIP course and dual year (2024 & 2025) BCBSIL required training available July 2, 2024.

June 24, 2024 – AHIP Training Begins for 2025 Plan Year

The AHIP training will be available on June 24, 2024. Once again, HCSC has negotiated a lower rate for our contracted producers. The AHIP discounted rate for our producers is $125 instead of $175.  You must use this AHIP/HCSC partner link to receive the discounted rate.

July 2, 2024 (tentatively) – HCSC Training Begins for 2025 Plan Year

The training's second section, including the HCSC training and other required forms, will launch on July 2, 2024.  All producers must complete the training before marketing/selling 2025 MAPD/PDP plans.

2025 Medicare MAPD/PDP AEP Key Dates:

October 1, 2024 – 2025 MAPD/PDP marketing begins
October 15, 2024 – 2025 MAPD/PDP annual enrollment period begins
December 7, 2024 – 2025 MAPD/PDP annual enrollment period ends
December 20, 2024 – Certification deadline for brokers to retain BCBSIL renewal commission (2006 through 2008 BCBSIL PDP plans exempt)

LTC Division

NEW View the Mutual of Omaha LTC Cost of Care Study for great sales ideas!

ARTICLE - Not having long-term care insurance can be ‘the single biggest devastator’ of your financial plan

ARTICLE - The True Value of a Long Term Care Insurance plan. By: Ron Cohen

LTCi Personal Training

Ron Cohen, LTCP, Resource Brokerage’s specialist in Long Term Care insurance, is now offering a free sales training program that will train you on how to become a successful LTCi specialist. Very limited class sizes- I'm ready to know more.

Exciting News for all LTC certified brokers in IL!

The Illinois Partnership for Long Term Care Insurance is now live in IL

Resource Brokerage is excited to have partnered with fellow Integrity partner AIB to provide: quoting, sales and support of all your Life Insurance and Annuity needs!

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Visit the AIB Website    View Full Contact List

Visit the AIB Annuity Website

Life Insurance Administration/Quoting Specialist

Resource Brokerage (RB) has been voted one of Illinois' Best Places to Work for over ten years. The RB team provides premier marketing, administrative and customer service support on behalf of numerous insurance companies to hundreds of licensed independent insurance agents throughout the nation. We have a small team, so everyone matters.

The Quoting Specialist is a support and marketing position for life, annuity, disability and long term care insurance. Some job duties include:

  • Receiving and processing requests for quotes/illustrations from independent agents/ brokers.
  • Discussing prospect details with agents to shop for the most competitive outlet.
  • Reviewing and analyzing physician statements for pertinent information, then summarizing and sending them to carrier underwriting departments to receive preliminary opinions.
  • Answering questions, explaining the application process, and providing other presale support.

I'd Like to know More


DI Division

Sales ideas to help you start the conversation with your clients:


Contact Us

Resource Brokerage LLC
1501 East Woodfield Road, Ste 110e
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Toll Free: 1-800-605-7566
General Phone: (847) 605-1200

Group

Phone: (847) 592-0941
Fax: (847) 605-1494

Individual

Phone: (847) 598-6006
Fax: (847) 605-1331

Life, Annuity, LTC, DI & CI

Phone: (847) 598-6005
Fax: (847) 619-9592

Testimonials

"I've been on both sides of the aisle - as a client and as a vendor. From my experiences I feel qualified to state that your product knowledge, training and sales expertise, and understanding of the client's needs were exceptional and invaluable to my selling success. Whenever I had questions (and there were many!) you responded very quickly and in many instances, gave me additional ideas that helped with the sale."

"I am looking forward to many, many additional sales with your help!"

"Great job prepping this case for us. I completed initial review on Thursday and have been able to approve this morning (4 business days) !"

About Us - Who We Are

Resource Brokerage is one of the Midwest’s leading FMOs, providing brokers a choice of Group Benefits, Major Medical, Life, Annuities, DI, LTC and Linked Benefits all in one place.

Brokers work with a team of dedicated professionals who specialize in the lines of business they support. These teams also constantly undergo training and education with a focus on credentials that mean the most to our industry. Our management team is led by seasoned industry professionals with true brokerage experience and the know-how to help get things done for our brokers.

Watch Our Welcome Video!

Please Note: The information on this website is for agent use only and is not intended for use by the general public.

While this website does not generate leads, leads are available to our brokers for purchase through our affiliation with Integrity through our proprietary software LeadCenter.