Dear Provider Partner,

We are writing to tell you that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) will not offer or renew individual plans on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) individual market in our 32-county service area in Kansas and Missouri for 2018. This decision will affect Blue KC members with both on- and off- exchange individual plans but does not affect individual plans that were purchased on or prior to October 1, 2013.

Like many other health insurers across the country, Blue KC has faced challenges in this market. Our losses in this market of more than $100 million from 2014 to 2016 are unsustainable for our company.

Approximately 67,000 of Blue KC’s more than one million members will be affected. This decision will not affect 2017 coverage. Blue KC will notify members whose plans are affected via mail by July 1, 2017. Households may receive more than one mailing, because each policyholder with an affected plan will receive a separate notice. Grandmothered and grandfathered plans will continue to be offered for renewal. This will not affect coverage for Blue KC members who receive insurance through their employers or those who purchased a Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, a Short-Term Policy or a Student Health Plan from Blue KC.

We remain committed to you, our valued provider partners, and continue to vigorously pursue our mission to use our role as the leading health insurer to provide affordable access to healthcare and to improve the health of our members.

Please refer to the attachment for talking points to address questions and concerns from your patients and share this communication with others in your organization as needed.

Best regards,

Karen Johnson