Effective October 1st, 2010 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona has launched a new suite of plans. The new suite is streamlined, offering the most popular plan designs and features, and is designed to be easier for you to understand.
| BlueOptimum Plus | Richest benefits |
| BlueValue Plus | Balance between benefits / premium |
| BlueEssential Plus | Lowest premium |
| BluePortfolio Plus | HSA‐qualified |
BlueOptimum Plus is a richer benefit PPO plan, with 80% coinsurance and unlimited office visits at copay. BlueOptimum Plus offers a four‐tier pharmacy benefit ($15/40/70/125) with no pharmacy deductible. Available at eight deductible levels, from $250 to $10,000.
BlueValue Plus is a balanced option, offering benefits that many consumers want, at a reasonable premium. With 70% coinsurance, six office visits1 available at copay (additional visits subject to deductible and coinsurance), and a four‐tier pharmacy benefit with a $500 pharmacy deductible on the top three tiers. Available at eight deductible levels, from $250 to $10,000.
1 PCP and Specialist combined
BlueEssential Plus is a great option for those looking for a rock‐bottom price. With 60% coinsurance, three office visits available at copay and a $15 generic/$125 brand pharmacy benefit, this plan has all of the coverage you need at a very affordable price. Available at eight deductible levels, from $250 to $10,000.
BluePortfolio Plus is an HSA‐qualified PPO plan with 100% coinsurance after meeting the deductible. With preventive care covered at 100% with deductible waived, financially‐savvy consumers will get the coverage they need, while taking advantage of negotiated provider discounts and at the same time limiting their catastrophic liability. All of this also gives one the opportunity to put away tax‐advantaged funds for their own or their family’s future. Available at three deductible levels: $1,750, $3,000 and $5,500.
All of these plans cover preventive care in‐network at 100% with deductible waived, and there is no lifetime benefit maximum. With a variety of plan options designed to meet a variety of client needs, and a flexible array of deductible options from which to choose, you will be able to choose the coverage you need, while enjoying the expansive provider networks and proven service excellence of BCBS AZ, a name you know and trust.
Jesse Smedley is the Principal Broker for iHealthBrokers and the founder, president, and CEO of Smedley Insurance Group, Inc. and iHealthBrokers.com. Since the inception of SIG in 2007, Jesse has been dedicated to helping people save money on their health insurance by providing them with resources to educate themselves on all their health insurance options, both under age 65 and Medicare beneficiaries. He is featured in many publications as well as writes regularly for expert columns regarding health insurance and Medicare.
