Small Group

Jump to the highlights and segments you care about most from last month’s Producer Education Series.

Cash-pay drug programs may improve access, but they can affect coverage, member costs, and employer visibility.

Redesigned 6-tier formulary helps manage rising pharmacy costs while reducing unnecessary member disruption.

Members with health savings accounts now have more options to grow their savings.

These updates help members access recommended preventive services and support without unnecessary barriers—making it easier for producers to position preventive care value in Premera plans.

Premera Matchmaker for Behavioral Health makes it easier for members to access mental health providers that meet their needs.

Premera can submit data on your group’s behalf but we may need more information.

Mark your calendar—the Q2 Producer Education Series is coming in May.

Digital-first coaching and care coordination help members improve outcomes, stay engaged, and reduce avoidable utilization for employers.

A new campaign dives into how Premera is lowering costs and improving access with a focus on what it takes to deliver better value.

Last week experts at Premera discussed the evolution of GLP-1s, state and federal legislation, the fully insured product ecosystem, and more.

Next month, W. James Smallwood is hosting a session on Making Sense of Healthcare at the Alaska SHRM annual conference.

Coming soon! Members with health savings accounts will have more investment options to grow their savings.

A simpler and improved Find a Doctor experience is coming to our members.

Payment Integrity extends programs to include laboratory tests.

Here’s how members can get virtual mental health care through Spring Health.

See what drugs will require prior authorization and the preferred alternatives.

Help your group clients understand their responsibilities about disclosing prescription drug coverage and creditable coverage status information.

Don’t miss key deadlines for personal funding accounts, ID cards, and more.

In December 2025 and February 2026, members will receive postcards from Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska encouraging members to create online accounts.

As open enrollment begins, Premera is taking a strategic step in lowering the cost of care--elevating primary care.

Sign in to the secure producer portal to view the 2026 small group health plan guide and benefit highlights.

2026 is a big year in product changes at Premera. Learn more about what could be coming to your group.

Last month, our subrogation vendor updated their name from Rawlings to Machinify.

Product changes require members to receive new cards for the 2026 plan year.

Last month, the Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska sales team hosted producers in Anchorage and got them up to date on the great things coming to Premera in 2026.

Starting January 1, 2026, Premera will expand the Radiology Benefit Management (RBM) program to include site of service review.

Premera sends communications to members to promote benefits, products, and services available as part of their plan.

Get a snapshot of our 2026 small group and Preferred Choice plans.

Help your group clients understand their responsibilities about disclosing prescription drug coverage and creditable coverage status information.

Registration is now open for the 2026 Product Launch. Join us in September to see what’s coming in 2026.

Preventive screenings for breast and cervical cancer will be expanded beginning January 1, 2026, to include more comprehensive care and patient navigation services.

Beginning January 1, 2026, Premera is expanding its site of service benefit to include ambulatory surgical centers for elective procedures. It also now includes freestanding birth centers for low-risk pregnancies.

Next month, employers will see changes to the Optum Financial personal funding account employer portal.

Learn more about the outreach Premera has done for members this summer.

Spokane Obstetrics and Gynecology has issued a contract termination. Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska is working diligently to renegotiate.

Blue365 is a discount program coming to Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska members that offers discounts to gym memberships, hearing aids, and more.

The updates will improve the user interface, include security updates, and reporting capabilities.

Enhanced Case Management maternal health program to replace the BestBeginnings app.

Learn about the new programs coming for GLP-1 drugs.

If you missed the May Producer Education Series, the recording is now available.

Annual drug data for group business has been submitted.

Next month fully insured members with Premera.com accounts will transition to electronic explanation of benefits.

Premera uses Digital Health Messages and videos to promote the importance of colorectal and cervical cancer screenings.

Learn more about the communications and outreach done by Premera to connect members to their health plan services.

Effective January 1, 2026, Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska members will have access to one of the largest dental networks in the nation.

Eligible members will receive opt-in invitations for at-home test kits beginning the first week of May.

Last month Premera implemented a new vendor to support the secure member inbox feature in the member portal.

Effective January 1, 2026, some of the vendors for primary and urgent virtual care will change.

Premera integrated member feedback into updates on the personal funding account web page.

Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska is upgrading the member sign-in experience to increase account security and enhance user experience.

Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska invites you to join us next month for our first Producer Education Series of 2025.

Following revised IRS guidelines, we're sharing updates with you on how members will now access their 1095-B forms.

Small changes have been made to our benefit highlights to simplify benefit information.

A quick look at what producers need to know for RxDC reporting—plus a critical April 24 deadline you can’t miss.

Members who designate a primary care provider have a lower office visit cost share.

Help your group clients understand their responsibilities about disclosing prescription drug coverage and creditable coverage status information.

Premera Payment Integrity is partnering with a vendor to implement a pilot program related to Social Security Disability Insurance.

Premera wants to provide information to our producers that they find useful and relevant. Here’s your chance to tell us what we should cover in 2025.

New enhancements coming to Personal Health Support on January 1, 2025.

Visit Premera.com to access renewal documents for your fully insured groups.

Producers can sign in to the secure producer portal to check out 2025 small group benefit highlights.

Alerts from Rx Savings Solutions can help members save on their prescriptions.

Your clients can host an on-site immunization clinic at their workplace this fall.

Effective January 1, 2025, fully insured and OptiFlex groups will have Diabetes Management Plus embedded as part of their plan.

Did you miss the 2025 Product Launch last month? View the recording today.

Premera is streamlining its virtual care offerings for Alaska members.

Federal law also requires employer groups to notify CMS if their prescription drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries is creditable.

Thanks to producer feedback, we’re releasing renewals sooner.

Following the doctor’s recommendation for a procedure or elective surgery is already a big deal, finding and accessing high-quality, affordable care shouldn’t be.

Join us September 17 to learn everything you need to know for the 2025 plan year.

Members with personal funding accounts with their Premera health plan will now receive checks from Optum Bank.

If a group’s average payroll count changed from the prior year, it means the group may need to complete the Group Size Attestation form.

If you couldn’t join us last week, the recording is now available on the secure producer portal.

Campaigns will encourage members to sign up and start saving on their prescriptions with Rx Savings Solutions.

These emails aim to improve member experience with their health plan and help them feel more confident when engaging with their plan.

Get the latest information on Prescription Drug Data Collection Reporting under the Consolidated Appropriations Act.

Senior Vice President of the Alaska Group Market, Jim Grazko, discusses how the repeal of the 80th Percentile rule will benefit Alaskans.

Next month’s joint session will review updates to the 80th Percentile repeal and a deep dive into how fully insured employer premiums are set by Premera.

Help your group clients understand their responsibilities about disclosing prescription drug coverage and creditable coverage status information.

The endorsement is now posted on the secure employer and member portals and included in benefit booklets.

What you need to know about form 1095-B

Here’s how to help your groups complete their pending tasks in Enrollment Center.

What do you want to learn more about from Premera this year?

Home test kit program launches for eligible members

Share these communication timelines to support employer groups of every size no matter when their plan starts.