BLV Insurance Services

03/20/2023

https://www.npr.org/2023/03/19/1164572757/california-contract-cheap-insulin-calrx

Under the $50 million deal, the state is partnering with drugmaker Civica to start making the new generic insulin later this year, Gov. Gavin Newsom said.

02/13/2023

IRS announces California's 'Middle Class Tax Refund' will not be subject to federal taxes.

Millions received 1099 tax forms saying they must report the "Middle Class Tax Refunds" as income -- however, the IRS ruled Friday you won't have to pay taxes on that income.

11/11/2022

05/17/2022

Hello Everyone -

The government is sending out 8 free tests this time. Click on the link below to order:

Free COVID test kits again:
https://special.usps.com/testkits

NOTE: COVID tests have expiration dates.

COVID Home Tests | USPS

02/15/2022

Health Net has a RealAge Assessment test you can take, if you have Health Net through your employer. If interested, check it out here -

01/26/2021

Myth-busting: 7 facts about the COVID-19 vaccine

Login or become a Blue Shield of California member and explore providers, plans and member benefits

01/14/2021

Many of our clients use the app GoodRx, even with insurance, to get the best prices on prescription medications. Check them out, and see what you think.

Compare prescription drug prices and find coupons at more than 70,000 US pharmacies. Save up to 80% instantly!

01/11/2021

During tax season, Covered California sends two forms to their members:

1. The federal IRS Form 1095-A Health Insurance Marketplace Statement; and

2. The California Form FTB 3895 California Health Insurance Marketplace Statement.

IRS Form 1095-A

IRS Form 1095-A is an important federal tax document that serves as proof of coverage for individuals to claim the premium tax credit, reconcile any Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC) received, and to file an accurate tax return for the 2020 tax year. The amount displayed on the IRS Form 1095-A reflect how much was paid to Covered California Health Insurance companies to help with the cost of a consumer’s health coverage. An IRS Form 1095-A helps ensure the amount of APTC applied in 2020 is accurately reported and serves as proof of Minimum Essential Coverage.

Form FTB 3895

The Form FTB 3895 is an important state tax document that serves as proof of coverage for individuals to claim the Premium Assistance Subsidy (state subsidy), reconcile any advanced state subsidy received, and to file an accurate tax return to avoid paying the state individual mandate penalty for the 2020 tax year. The amount displayed on the Form FTB 3895 reflect how much was paid to Covered California Health Insurance companies to help with the cost of a consumer’s health coverage. A Form FTB 3895 helps ensure the amount of state subsidy applied in 2020 is accurately reported and serves as proof of Minimum Essential Coverage.

Please Note: The IRS Form 1095-A and Form FTB 3895 is generated for each enrolled plan (except minimum coverage plans), regardless of if APTC/state subsidy was applied.


Important Information to Help Consumers:

Consumers should receive IRS Form 1095-A and Form FTB 3895 from Covered California by January 31, 2021, if they have not received it already.

If a consumer’s communication preference is email, they will receive an email from Covered California with instructions to sign into their CalHEERS account and download their forms. They will not receive their forms in the mail.

If a consumer's communication preference is mail, they will receive their forms in the mail.

All consumers can access their IRS Form 1095-A and Form FTB 3895 in their CalHEERS account Home Page, or under Documents & Correspondence, even if their preference is mail.

01/05/2021

Blue Shield of California is extending their cost-sharing waiver for treatment of COVID-19 through January 31, 2021. This means that they will continue to waive copays, coinsurance, and deductibles for COVID-19 treatments received between March 1, 2020, and January 31, 2021.

Covered services include any treatments for COVID-19 from doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare professionals in a plan’s network. For emergency services, out-of-network hospitals and doctors are also covered.

Stay up-to-date on your options for treatment, testing, vaccines, and other important information by visiting our COVID-19 resource page.

05/26/2020

https://news.blueshieldca.com/2020/05/26/teen-to-teen-campaign-generates-nearly-60-000-tips-to-reduce-stress-promote-resilience-during-pandemic

Blue Sky's New State of Mind campaign asked students to share tips on coping during the pandemic. Here's what they said.

05/08/2020

May 2020
California prepares for Phase 2 reopening

In a news conference earlier this week, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a “Report Card” on the state’s progress in fighting COVID-19 and announced that the state is headed into phase 2 of reopening the economy, beginning Friday, May 8. Read the release.

Below are some of the highlights included in the initial announcement, with details on reopening guidelines made available May 7.

Begin reopening: Businesses that will be able to open include clothing stores, bookstores, sporting goods stores and florists. Manufacturers and suppliers of these goods can also resume with modifications to their operations.
Still closed: Offices, shopping malls and dine-in restaurants are not eligible for reopening Friday under the new state rules.

Regional variation: Places with stricter stay-at-home orders, such as the Bay Area, can keep their rules in place. If they do, stores will remain closed, even if other regions open up.
Coming soon: Counties can soon request to reopen #3 type businesses with the state. These counties will have to show:

They have a low number of COVID-19 cases (guidelines to be established by the state);

They meet the testing the contact tracing criteria established by the state;

Their healthcare systems can handle a surge in cases; and,

They have plans to protect vulnerable populations.

Contact tracing capacity: A key capability for safely reopening the economy, is being accelerated in partnership with University of California San Francisco and University of California Los Angeles.

More information is available on the 'CA.gov COVID-19' page which provides a deck with possible roadmap structure as a guide to reopening the economy.

04/14/2020

Kaiser update - "Due to the coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak, we want you to know about temporary changes being made at Minute Clinic and Target Clinic locations so you can share this information with your clients.
Target Clinic locations are temporarily closed. Please visit kp.org or call
1-833-574-2273 for information on how to access care at Kaiser Permanente.
Minute Clinic is no longer accepting walk-ins. Your clients and employees can still get care at the clinics by making an appointment online at minuteclinic.com or the CVS pharmacy app.

Anyone with a scheduled appointment at a Minute Clinic is prescreened before entering the clinic. If the prescreen identifies someone to be at risk for COVID-19, they’ll receive guidance on finding care in a different health care setting.

We’re here for you. For more information, go to kp.org/coronavirus."

Kaiser Permanente has important information and guidance regarding the coronavirus and COVID-19. Check back regularly for updates to this page.