The new BCBSTX-MemorialHermann agreement provider network agreement, concluded this past weekend, will also include the BCBSTX Medicare Advantage (MA) plans that have not had MemorialHermann facilities and physicians in-network since January.
This action makes the entire MemorialHermann healthcare network in-network for BCBSTX commercial, Blue Advantage marketplace, and Medicare Advantage plans’ members effective immediately. It also keeps MemorialHermann facilities and other providers in-network for the University of Texas and Texas A&M systems, as well as the State of Texas Retiree and Teacher Retiree Systems for the length of the new contract.
What This Means For BCBSTX MA Agents
You can now market BCBSTX MA plans that have in-network access to the MemorialHermann facility and provider network. All BCBSTX MA agents should ensure that any current potential MA plan enrollees completely qualify for any Medicare SEP you use to enroll.
This is great news for BCBSTX, MA, Group, and Individual/Family contracted agents.
The Agility Difference
With the ongoing evolution of the insurance market, like this major insurance carrier-provider network announcement, Agility empowers you to deliver the best possible client experience through our team’s decades of expertise, positioning you for growth. With Agility, you also get Dedicated Producer Support at (866) 590-9771 or support@enrollinsurance.com to answer any insurance questions and direct you to our Medicare, ACA, and ancillary experts.
They can also add you to our weekly email list for tips and updates. Let Agility empower you to evolve your capabilities and win the client experience opportunities in 2026.
BCBSTX is exiting the third-party administrator (TPA) and state continuation COBRA market in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, effective January 1, 2026. This seismic shift in the COBRA marketplace presents a significant challenge for employers that rely on these critical services.
Some employers may not be aware if this impacts them, so the first step for group agents is to determine if the client has an issue.
- Direct the BCBSTX COBRA client to log in to their employer portal to access their account.
- On the home page, go to the “Account Summary” menu and select “Account Details”.
- At the top of the “Account Details” page, click on the “Group Sections” tab.
- In the section column of this page, look for the 4-digit codes showing on the account.
- If these 4-digit codes are “99xx” or “98xx”, the employer will need to obtain a new 2026 TPA or a state continuation provider.
We view the challenge as an opportunity for group agents to demonstrate their “trusted advisor” capabilities to employers seeking these new 2026 options in these states. Agility is offering a complimentary consultation to discuss the various options available in these states for COBRA TPA and state continuation services.
Group agents can also contact Agility producer support at (866) 590-9771 or email support@enrollinsurance.com for immediate answers to questions about 2026 COBRA TPA and state continuation options.
Producer support can also answer any other insurance questions you have. Agility can also add you to our weekly free email list for more tips and other valuable information, such as this, for your reference.
