General Questions
About the New Plans
Underwriting Guidelines
Will members have access to the same network of participating doctors and hospitals?
Yes. Members have access to IBC’s expansive network of more than 60,000 physicians and more than 100 hospitals. Keystone DPOS and Personal Choice PPO plans will also provide coverage for out-of-network providers. Search our provider network.
Will members still be able to take advantage of the Healthy LifestylesSM programs?
Yes. Blue Solutions includes our popular value added Healthy Lifestyles programs including reimbursement incentives for quitting smoking, joining a gym, and losing weight. Members will also be able to get discounts on fitness club memberships, acupuncture, laser vision correction, and much more through Blue365®. We will also continue to offer 24/7 access to a Health Coach.
How is the Blue Solutions Plus portfolio priced?
We designed the plans across price points so that you can select a Blue Solutions product that fits your budget.
What about my dental needs?
Customers will have the option to include dental insurance. There are freestanding dental plans as well as HMO rider options available from United Concordia.
What is Blue Solutions Plus?
Blue Solutions Plus is a portfolio of health care products that promote comprehensive coverage at affordable costs. It was designed exclusively for employers with 51-99 enrolled employees. This portfolio includes comprehensive benefits plans with optional vision and prescription drug coverage.
Why did Independence Blue Cross develop Blue Solutions Plus?
The Blue Solutions Plus portfolio streamlines our product offerings to the most popular Flex-based plan designs. This makes it easier for you to choose the right plan. These programs also meet the new health care reform guidelines. Additionally, the new portfolio will help reduce administrative costs and make our products more responsive to market needs.
How many plans are in the new portfolio?
There are 26 plan options available for employers with 51-99 employees. They include Keystone HMO and Direct POS, and Personal Choice® PPO plans. The plans are grouped into three categories: copay, deductible, and HSA-qualified.
Will the Blue Solutions Plus portfolio be the only products available?
Yes. As of October 1, 2010, we no longer offer the existing Flex copay, deductible, and HSA plans, or the "old" Personal Choice and Keystone products that were sold prior to January 1, 2004. New customers would select from the streamlined portfolio, which includes six available prescription drug plans. However, if renewing customers meet all of the grandfather requirements under the law and do not make any benefit changes they may choose to keep their existing plan.
How many medical plans may a group with 51-99 employees select?
Groups with 51-99 employees may select up to three plan options and two prescription drug programs. A fourth plan option may be added for groups with an employee residing outside of the service area. This option should match the in-area benefits plan.
How does Medicare membership affect the number of plans a group can select?
The noncommercial enrollment does not count toward the number of plans a group can offer. Only the commercial membership is calculated into the total number of plans offered.
How will IBC manage customers with collective bargaining agreements (CBA)?
IBC will honor the CBA as long as the specific IBC plan option is noted in the agreement.
If coverage for autism and mental health parity is added for a customer with less than 51 contracts but more than 51 employees, can the group keep its existing benefits plan including the mandates? Or should the customer be moved to one of the options in the new 51-99 portfolio?
Customers with less than 51 enrolled but more than 51 eligible employees will be able to keep their existing benefits provided they meet all of the grandfathering requirements under the law and do not make any benefit changes. If they do not meet grandfathering requirements or make a benefits change, they will need to select an option from the new Blue Solutions Plus portfolio.
How will new business be managed?
New customers must select a plan from the Blue Solutions Plus portfolio. They may purchase medical benefits, select from nine prescription drug options, and elect to add vision coverage.