Sept. 29, 2021
Calling All Brokers: Request for 2021 MSP EAF Information
Action needed: 2021 Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) information is needed by end of day Dec. 31, 2021, for groups with 1-150 employees, both fully insured and ASO groups.
This week we will begin sending emails to brokers of renewing groups that haven’t provided their 2021 MSP information to us. Subsequent reminder emails will be sent in October, November and December.
We are requesting help from the brokers of certain groups that have not submitted an MSP Employer Acknowledgement Form (EAF) form to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) in more than 12 months.
The details: We will provide the name of some or all of the fully insured accounts with an employee size of 1-150 that have not submitted an MSP EAF in more than 12 months. We are asking the broker to reach out to the listed accounts (and any others that may be impacted) to encourage them to complete the form by Dec. 31, 2021.
The Blue Access for EmployersSM (BAESM) portal closed for groups to enter their MSP information on Sept. 8, 2021. A completed form is now needed and must be emailed to BCBSTX at data_collection@bcbsil.com. The form will not be considered timely and will be processed with an effective date based on when we receive the form.
The broker may complete and submit the information on behalf of their accounts if they are the Primary Producer of Record or Delegated Producer with Maintenance Use. However, general agents cannot submit MSP information for their groups.
FAQs
Q: Who is impacted?
A: Renewing fully insured and ASO employer groups with 1-150 employees need to provide us with their MSP information.
Q: When will we contact brokers of affected groups?
A: Communications are being sent this week to brokers of employers that have not provided their MSP information. We will continue to send one email a month in October, November and December to brokers of groups that do not complete their MSP form.
Q: When is the MSP information due?
A: The form is due by Dec. 31, 2021. However, it will not be processed as timely. It will be processed with an effective date of when BCBSTX receives the form.
Q: Can producers provide the MSP information for their groups?
A: Yes. The Primary Producer of Record or Delegated Producer with Maintenance Use can complete the form for their accounts. However, general agents cannot submit MSP information for their groups.
Q: If a form is submitted with an error, can a producer or group resubmit the form through BAE?
A: No, the BAE portal closed for MSP information as of Sept. 8, 2021. We can provide a form to the group that can be completed as a ‘Correction.’ Contact us at 855-804-3635 or data_collection@bcbsil.com, and we will email a PDF that the group can complete and email back to us.
Q: Is this form different from the one groups completed in the past?
A: The questions are presented in a new, simpler format. However, we are asking the same questions we have in the past.
Q: If the BAE portal has closed and the BAE deadline has passed, can an employer (or broker) still send their MSP information to BCBSTX?
A: Yes, employers can request a form from BCBSTX by calling 855-804-3635, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT. However, the form will not be considered timely, and it will be processed with an effective date based on when we receive the form.
Q: If a group has canceled their insurance with us, do they need to complete the form?
A: No.
Q: Do groups with an employee size greater than 150 employees need to complete this form?
A: Large group employers, with an employee size greater than 150, are not required to complete the MSP form. However, if the group’s employee size is less than 150 employees at any point in time, it is their responsibility to notify us of that change.
