- Blue Advantage SaverSM is a budget-friendly option that offers most-requested benefit levels.
- Lower premiums and the power of BCBSNC’s negotiated discounts save customers money.
- Product bridges rich benefits of Blue Advantage® and increased financial responsibility of
Blue Options HSASM. - Apply now for coverage available January 1, 2011.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – North Carolina consumers looking for a lower-cost health plan now have new options to consider from the state’s leading health insurer. Blue Advantage SaverSM offers consumers low premiums and the peace of mind of knowing they are covered in the event of a catastrophic health event.
“Many consumers have told us they want a plan that offers a low premium, gives them some ongoing value and protects them financially from an unexpected health event,” explained BCBSNC President and CEO Brad Wilson. “Blue Advantage Saver is a bridge between the rich benefits of our traditional PPO plan, Blue Advantage®, and the customer accountability of Blue Options HSASM.”
Blue Advantage Saver offers three plan designs – all covering preventive care at 100 percent with no cost sharing. Consumers can purchase Blue Advantage Saver now for coverage effective January 1, 2011.
While all three Blue Advantage Saver plans protect customers from unexpected medical expenses, the customer’s share of the cost varies by plan. For example, consider the customer’s out-of-pocket amount for non-preventive visits to a health care provider, which are covered under all three plan designs:
Blue Advantage Saver 1 – Customers can make unlimited non-preventive visits to a primary care physician, each with a $25 copayment.
Blue Advantage Saver 2– Customers can make up to four non-preventive visits per year to a primary care physician, each with a $25 copayment (additional visits would be subject to deductible and coinsurance).
Blue Advantage Saver 3 – No limit on non-preventive visits, but each visit is subject to deductible and coinsurance.
ER visits, urgent care visits and visits to a specialist are subject to deductible and coinsurance on all Blue Advantage Saver plans. Blue Advantage Saver plans 2 and 3 offer $10 generic drugs, but no coverage for brand-name drugs. Blue Advantage Saver 1 offers coverage for brand-name drugs, subject to deductible and copayments or coinsurance.
“For about what many consumers spend on their monthly cell phone bill, they can get great health care coverage from one of America’s most trusted brands,” said BCBSNC Chief Sales and Marketing Officer John Roos. “Even though customers pay a greater portion of their own costs with Blue Advantage Saver, when you add up the amount they save on their premium each month, most customers will come out ahead.”
Compared to Blue Advantage Plan B, BCBSNC’s most popular individual plan, customers who purchase Blue Advantage Saver 2 could save about 30 – 38 percent on their monthly premium. Blue Advantage Saver 1 could save customers about 13 – 19 percent. Deductibles for Blue Advantage Saver plans range from $1,000 to $20,000.
For example, A Wake County male age 35 to 39 can get Blue Advantage Saver 2 with no lifetime coverage limit and a $5,000 deductible for around $75 per month. This plan covers preventive services at 100 percent, offers $10 generic drugs and allows four non-preventive primary care visits per year, each for a $25 copayment. Subsequent non-preventive primary care visits are subject to deductible and coinsurance.
Consumers can get a free rate quote for the Blue Advantage Saver plan that best meets their health plan needs by visiting bcbsnc.com.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is a leader in delivering innovative health care products, services and information to more than 3.7 million members, including approximately 900,000 served on behalf of other Blue Plans. For 77 years, the company has served its customers by offering health insurance at a competitive price and has served the people of North Carolina through support of community organizations, programs and events that promote good health. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Access BCBSNC online at bcbsnc.com.
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