Your quarterly update from GeoBlue® Gag Clause Prohibition Compliance Attestation Group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage must submit a Gag Clause Prohibition Compliance Attestation (GCPCA) annually to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which is collecting the attestations on behalf of the Departments of Labor, HHS and the Treasury (the Departments). For reference, ACA FAQ (Part 57) provides information on gag clauses, for which attestations are required by carriers. A federal government website has been launched providing guidance. GCPCA requires an annual attestation from group health plans and health insurance issuers that they have not entered into agreements with U.S. health care providers that restrict the plan from sharing information about provider pricing and quality of care. GeoBlue uses the BlueCard® PPO, whereby provider contracts reside with the local Blue Cross® and/or Blue Shield® plans. As a result, GCPCA compliance sits at the local BCBS plan level. GeoBlue is taking several measures to assist our clients with compliance to GCPCA.   GeoBlue is working on GCPCA as an adjunct to efforts around the Consolidated Appropriations Act project, since most of the data is already included in these requirements.   GeoBlue is working with the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Association to confirm compliance across all BCBS plans and will also work with our underwriter, BCS, to review our plans to handle the attestation. GeoBlue will be complying with the GCPCA requirement. While GeoBlue does not directly contract with U.S. providers, we will submit the annual attestation either directly or through our BCBS plan partners by 12/31/2023. No additional information is needed from our clients and no fees will be charged for this. Should you have any additional questions, please refer to our overview and key provision flyer or contact your GeoBlue client manager. Challenges Expats Face When Living Abroad Living in a new country can be an amazing experience, but that’s not to say it doesn’t come with its challenges. Expats likely expect some difficulties when they commit to living abroad—things like learning a new language, finding their way around a foreign country and connecting to others socially. Those are all part of the expat adventure. However, there are some obstacles that may come as a surprise. One challenge expats may not anticipate is figuring out a different healthcare system. People may assume healthcare works the same way in most countries, but they quickly learn that isn’t true. It can be overwhelming when they find themselves without a trusted doctor and with little idea of how to find appropriate care. You can help clients by connecting them to GeoBlue. Our long-term travel medical insurance plans fit the unique needs of expats, not only providing them with the coverage they need but also invaluable support. We can help them locate doctors who speak their language, provide unlimited 24/7/365 telemedicine services, find medicine equivalents and so much more. With GeoBlue as a partner, your clients can confidently navigate the healthcare systems in their new countries. Another challenge facing expats that’s particularly relevant this time of year is homesickness. Even if expats love their new country and are thriving in a different culture, living apart from home can be a hard transition. The holidays can amplify feelings of loneliness and isolation, as expats realize they’re missing traditions and gatherings with loved ones. Fortunately, technology now makes it easier than ever to stay in touch with family and friends all over the world. Encourage your expat clients to make the most of what technology offers. They can call, share photos over text and even exchange gifts, cook recipes and share meals together over video calls. Another way for expats to ease homesickness around the holidays is to immerse themselves in their new location and create new traditions. By attending holiday festivals, cooking regional foods and organizing gatherings with new friends, your expat clients will focus less on what they’re missing and more on what their new experience offers. Learn more about other challenges expats face. Member Tools: ID Cards and Benefit Accumulators   While members can access ID cards through the Member Hub, it can be nice to have a printed version they can keep with their important documents. For members that have both a Blue Cross Blue Shield Global® card for use in the U.S. and a Bupa card for use outside the U.S., they can now be printed together on one page. They’re easier to keep track of, and printing only one page is much better for the environment. It’s a win-win! Also, as a reminder, we’ve updated members’ view of their benefit history, making it easier to review past payments and benefits accumulation. Members can now see how much they have paid toward their deductible and out-of-pocket/coinsurance limits. We encourage employers to direct their members to visit the Member Hub and look under the “Benefits Usage” tab for this new feature.   Catch the Headlines: Be among the first to hear about news and issues impacting the globally mobile Grab a Seat: Register for upcoming events and webinars featuring relevant topics and industry experts Get to Know Us: Catch snippets of who we are and how we’re simplifying the international healthcare experience Missed our live webinars? View them on The Pulse LIVE archive page. Contact our sales team to learn more about our group health plans and services. Want to refer to a previous issue of The Pulse? Visit our archive page. Blue Cross Blue Shield Global® is a Brand owned by Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. GeoBlue is the trade name of Worldwide Insurance Services, LLC (Worldwide Services Insurance Agency, LLC in California and New York), an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association: made available in cooperation with Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies in select service areas. Coverage is provided under insurance policies underwritten by 4 Ever Life Insurance Company, Oakbrook Terrace, IL, NAIC #80985. 4 Ever Life Insurance Company is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. CORP110007-BRK-11/23