IBC Vision Transition Update and Underwriting Guidelines Reminder

December 5, 2006

This fall we transitioned thousands of community-rated groups from Highmark’s Clarity Vision (OptiChoice, OptiChoice Gold, VueFlex, PennVision) to IBC Vision programs. 

More than 4,500 community-rated groups representing more than 43,000 members have been successfully transitioned to IBC Vision. For groups billed on the first day of the month, this change was effective October 1, 2006. For those billed on the 15^th of the month, the change was effective October 15, 2006.

All transitioned members should have received new ID cards. Members enrolled in groups that converted to IBC Vision effective October 1, 2006, and who have prescription drug coverage with us should have received only one set of new ID cards. The new ID cards reflected both the transition to IBC Vision and the implementation of IBC ’s new Pharmacy Benefits Manager (PBM), FutureScripts^TM.

Members whose only benefit change was converting to IBC Vision should have received a welcome letter explaining the change in vision coverage and an IBC Vision benefit booklet. Those booklets were mailed in late September/early October. Below is a sample of that letter.

IBC Vision Welcome Letter

This information applies only to the following groups:

·              Customers who elected the recommended IBC Vision program comparable to their Clarity Vision program (no paperwork was required).

·              Customers who selected an IBC Vision option that was not the recommended program and submitted paperwork to Marketing Operations prior to the July 31, 2006 deadline.

As a reminder, groups whose change paperwork for an IBC Vision option or vision line of business cancellation was received after the July 31, 2006 deadline may have received duplicate ID cards, member fulfillment materials, and/or incorrect invoices.

The on-anniversary transition of existing experience-rated/self-funded groups to IBC Vision plans, which began with August 2006 renewals, is still in process and will continue through July 2007 renewals.

Please use extra care when switching existing members with a PPO medical and a Freestanding vision benefit to a new HMO/ POS medical benefit. If there is no IBC Freestanding Vision option or Keystone Vision Rider attached to the Keystone medical group number, members switching to this option will no longer have vision coverage. The Keystone Vision Rider or a Freestanding IBC Vision option must be set up under the Keystone medical group number in order for group customers to have vision coverage for their Keystone members.

If there is an IBC Vision option attached to the Keystone medical group number, HMO/ POS members may enroll only in that IBC Vision option. They will not be able to access the Vision option set up under the group number with the PPO product.

For more information, please contact your IBC Broker Representative.

Independence Blue Cross offers products directly, through its subsidiaries Keystone Health Plan East and QCC Insurance Company, and with Highmark Blue Shield. Independent Licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.