Positive Spin

In an attempt to put a positive spin on things, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia issued the following statement.

To keep premiums as low as possible for all small group customers, BCBSGa periodically makes sure that groups are adequately enrolled. Starting this month, its underwriting team will begin auditing enrollment participation on accounts with less than 100 enrolled employees.

Each month, selected groups will be notified by mail that their health plan enrollment is being reviewed. If their participation doesn't meet the audit's minimum requirements, the group will have the chance to enroll more employees to bring participation up to the minimum level. Of course, if the group already meets the minimum participation requirement, they won't need to take any action to keep their health plan with BCBSGa.

Employee participation is a problem to say the least and small groups in particular seem to have trouble maintaining enrollment. Carriers typically require 70 - 75% enrollment at all time (and in some cases 100% on very small groups) in order to adequately spread the risk over as large a number of bodies as possible.

The small group market has not been particularly profitable for all carriers and especially Blue. This is a move designed to move that market from loss leader to break even or profitable.