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Class Descriptions

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Class Name Class Number Credit
10/1 Menu Changes #00002 None
The course meeting is for agents to get the value of what the Blues plans offer through our robust products which include the new Blue Core Plus, a Catastrophic PPO plan designed to offer low cost options to groups that want to provide employees with basic health care coverage; our new BCN HRA product, a seamless HRA plan that offers low cost options for small groups; enhancements to the Mental Health Parity, updates to the current laws effective October 1, 2009, and our Pharmacy Initiative, Preferred Therapy, which allow BCBSM to more effectively manage costs on brand name drugs.
2009 BCBSM/BCN Group Medicare Advantage Certification #00001 None
This course is required to certify agents to market and sell Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's private-fee-for-service Medicare Advantage plans for 100+ size groups and an overview of Blue Care Network's Medicare Advantage product for all size groups. This course is approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and incorporates the federal compliance rules and guidelines for marketing these plans.

The course objective is for agents to interpret Medicare Advantage enrollment/election periods, policies and procedures as well as decipher between the differences of a private-fee-for-services plan and an HMO. Specific language as it relates to the products and services are detailed during this program, to include, but not inclusive to, BCBSM's group coverage options premiums and Part D, as well as BCN's provider network and enrollment/eligibility requirements.
2009 BCBSM/BCN Individual Medicare Advantage Certification #00000 None
This course is required to certify agents to market and sell Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's private-fee-for-service individual Medicare Advantage plans and Blue Care Network's BCN individual Medicare Advantage HMO plans for 2009 enrollment. The course has been approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and includes the Federal compliance regulations to market and sell these products. The course provides an overview of Medicare, Medicare Advantage enrollment/election periods and agent procedures. It also details:
  • The BCBSM Medicare PLUS Blue individual options and premiums as well as the Prescription Blue standalone Part D options and premiums
  • The BCN Medicare Advantage individual options, premiums, provider network and enrollment and eligibility requirements
The course also provides tips on marketing these plans to individuals.

Aging & Health Care #51191 3
This course is to educate agents on some of the aspects of health care which may affect aging individuals, such as long-term care, hospice care, and advance directives.
American Labor and Health Care #47665 3
The objective of this course is to educate health insurance agents on their role in working with labor unions who collectively bargain health care benefits for their members. From a historical overview of the emergence of unions in the United States and their efforts in providing and improving working conditions, wages and benefits for workers, to union structure, laws that affect unions, the collective bargaining process and how Taft-Hartley Trust Funds function in providing benefits, participants will gain a clearer understanding of the importance of labor in the healthcare market and especially for BCBSM. Participants will also learn how BCBSM can assist them in working with their labor customers.
The Basics of Long Term Care #51192 4
This class highlights what Long Term Care is and how it works. Market trends and numerous options for funding Long Term Care are discussed as well as federal regulations and agent ethics in marketing this product.

Blue Care Network #51388 3
The purpose of this course is to educate agents on Blue Care Network of Michigan products. Agents will be instructed on managed care components, the delivery system and detailed benefit information.
Care Management #51220 3

The purpose of this course is to educate agents on the changes taking place in the direction of healthcare and associated costs. Managed care programs are losing ground in the attempt to contain costs. The new focus is in care management, specifically, case management and disease management. Case management has been in place for some time, while disease management has only recently been developed. This course will take an in-depth look at both types of care management.
COBRA #51405 3

The purpose of this course is to educate agents on the features of COBRA, what it is, who must comply, who it affects, and how employers must comply.
Consumer-Directed Health Care #48416 3
This course is to educate agents on the original IRS tax structure of certain employer paid fringe benefits and the IRS tax code updates that have created tax advantages for employees when those same fringe benefits are paid for by employees. The main focus will be on health care plans. The program will also include information for each plan, which types of employers are eligible to sponsor certain plans, and the requirements and restrictions so the plans meet all IRS eligibility guidelines.
Dental/Vision/Medical Connection #51239 3
This course is designed to provide agents with information highlighting the systemic relationship of oral health to overall health as well as vision health to overall health. Terminology, provider networks, benefits and plan features will be discussed. Additionally, insurance industry trends specific to the ancillary market, and emerging individual dental and vision products will be featured.
Ethics #51403 3
This course focuses on the concept of ethics and the values and principles associated with ethical behavior. It discusses the complexities of ethical decision-making, including how to recognize what are important decisions, what are effective and ineffective decisions, the steps to making better decisions and the obstacles that prevent us from making ethical decisions. The program addresses Federal and State legislation that impacts the health insurance industry and provides an overview of the State’s regulatory agency, the Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR). It also discusses unfair trade practices as well as the roles and responsibilities of an ethical health insurance professional.
Health Care Fraud & Abuse #51429
 2
The purpose of this course is to educate agents on health care fraud and abuse, how to recognize it, and current efforts to combat it.
Health Care Rating & Finance #47186 3
The purpose of this course is to educate agents on Rating Methods for Financing Health Care Benefits. Agents will be instructed on factors influencing rates, rating trends, rating methods and self-funding arrangements.
Managed Traditional Products #42339 3
The purpose of this course is to educate agents on the features of managed traditional health care options, plan benefits and riders.
Medicare, Supplemental and Medicare Secondary Payer #51404
 3
This class provides an overview of the components of Medicare, the Medicare enrollment process and time frames, and examples of supplemental coverage. The various Medicare Secondary Payer, TEFRA/DEFRA, Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, and ESRD laws that impact Medicare are discussed.
Preferred Provider Organizations #49213 3
The purpose of this course is to educate the agent community of the Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) network program, doctors and hospitals and how services are delivered while managing costs and medical services. Agents will learn how a facility or other providers that contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan provide care or services under specific reimbursement terms and conditions. Agents will be instructed on the program terms, policies, and procedures, determining in-network and out-of-network services, practices, penalties, products and features of the program. At the end of this course, agents will be able to identify all benefits and advantages of a PPO network program.
Prescription Benefit Management #46624 3
The purpose of this course is to educate agents on prescription drug terminology and trends, including why drug costs are rising, generic drugs versus brand-name drugs, affects of Direct-to Consumer Advertising, prescription dug plan options available to group customers, prescription drug pricing, and what is being done to slow the growth of rising drug costs.