Producer News and Updates

Maryland Health Benefit Exchange News

Executive Director Carolyn A. Quattrocki will be leaving the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange on Sept. 27. Jonathan N. Kromm, currently deputy executive director of the MHBE, has been named acting executive director by the MHBE board of directors.

MHC Mobile App

Stage 1 has been released to Google and Apple stores.  Consumers can anonymously browse plans, view their inbox and upload documents.  Look for it in your App Store under Maryland Health Connection.  When the full consumer application becomes available in the subsequent stages, the application must be completed on the consumer's own phone or tablet for security reasons.

SHOP Administrator

Benefit Mall has been awarded the SHOP Administrator contract for SHOP Marketplace groups beginning October 1, 2016. Please contact Benefit Mall for contracting information and/or to check your status if you are an authorized SHOP producer with MHBE. 

SHOP Producer Contracting

If you are a SHOP Authorized Producer, please check your contracting status with the carriers.  At this time, you will need to be contracted as an individual (not just as an agency) so the SHOP Administrator can determine your authorization status. 

BATPhone 2.0 

The launch of the second year of our pilot BATPhone program is under way.  This program plays a valued part in providing our consumers with the expertise they need to enroll.  Applications have been received and the selection process has been completed, participants for Open Enrollment 2017 will be announced shortly. 

Book of Business Reports

Monthly Book of Business Reports will begin to be sent on a quarterly basis after the last September update.   In most cases, if a producer has successfully completed the Producer Tango process, the producer will be able to pull a list of clients they have assisted from their broker portal.   

Producer of Record 
Tango Errors

If a producer enrolled a consumer in a plan without completing the tango process, adding the producer online after the fact will not send a file to the carrier.  Producers need to contact Producer Operations at mhbe.producers@maryland.gov to request that a manual update file will be sent to the carrier.  All Producer of Record questions should be sent to this email address if not resolved through your TPA.

Beginning in open enrollment 2017, all producers are required to complete the tango process to be linked to their clients.   An updated job aid will be emailed to producers prior to open enrollment.   

If the tango is not completed in the system, all Producer of Record letters will be processed prospectively for the next available effective date.  If there is an error with the producer's information not being sent to the carrier, retroactive producer effective dates will be considered.

Producer Assistance - Escalated Cases

Having trouble with a client's application or enrollment?  Looking for help with resolution? Look no further!  The MHBE has created a new guide for producers entitled “Producer Enrollment Assistance and Escalated Cases Guide.”    Please click here to access the Guide now in the Producer Toolbox.   It is a great resource to consult when resolving enrollment issues and answering questions.   

Please note: All enrollment inquiries should be handled by our Producer Support Hotline or the Escalated Cases Team as described in the guide.  

Producer Authorization and Training

*For the latest authorization and training updates, please go to marylandhbe.com.    Also, please check your email for updates from the Producer Operations Team.

There is a lot of confusion over producer's two year authorization periods versus required annual training.   Producers are authorized for a two year period based upon their authorization letter.  However, in order to maintain that authorization there is mandatory training, usually done on an annual basis that producers must complete.  They also have to keep their insurance license and E&O active and up to date with Producer Operations.

• Returning producers will be required to complete Compliance (Privacy) training.  Producers authorized with the Individual Marketplace will also take required training in Voter Registration Assistance.  In addition to these modules, an assessment in system readiness must be completed. 
• New producers will be required to take all applicable training and provide the documentation requested in communications following review of their authorization application.  

OPEN ENROLLMENT BEGINS - NOV. 1, 2016.  Training must be completed by October 30, 2016 to be authorized on November 1, 2016.

Enrollment Tips

Tip 1:  Gather needed information prior to starting application!  

Tip 2:  Provide correct income information on all applications. There are tax consequences to your clients for inaccurate income reporting.  Please report all changes of income throughout the plan year to Maryland Health Connection.

Tip 3:  Create one account and limit applications! Verify with Maryland Health Connection whether or not a consumer has created an account previously.  Also, please do not complete multiple applications.  If there is an issue, report it to Maryland Health Connection before submitting another application.  Multiple applications can cause serious system errors.  

Producer Support Notes

When contacting the Producer Support Hotline, please make sure to identify yourself as a Producer or a Broker and provide your NPN as your identification.  If the representative asks for your own personal information beyond that, please report this to Producer Operations with the reference or incident ID provided.

PRODUCER CONTACTS Don't miss the connection! Please update your spam filter to accept mail from mhbe.producers@maryland.gov!