Medicare AdvantageAdministrativeLow impact
[New York] Skai Blue Cross Blue Shield, a new third-party administrator of Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield
Anthem BCBS·AR·Provider Bulletin
Effective date
Jan 1, 2026
We identified it
Sep 2, 2026
Summary
Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield has launched Skai Blue Cross Blue Shield, a new third-party administrator brand for national account groups (ABB, Arvest, J.B. Hunt, Simmons Foods, Paychex, Walmart, Uniti) effective January 1, 2026. Members with Skai-branded ID cards should be treated identically to standard Blue Cross Blue Shield members with no changes to billing, verification, or cost-sharing processes.
Action Required
No immediate action required. Billing team should: (1) Recognize Skai Blue Cross Blue Shield ID cards as valid Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage; (2) Continue processing claims and verifying benefits through existing Availity Essentials portal or standard ID card phone number without any workflow changes; (3) Do not request upfront payment beyond standard member cost-sharing; (4) Treat all Skai members identically to other BCBS members. No system updates or billing changes are necessary.