Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network Intend to Double Health Plan Product Offerings For the 2015 Individual Market

DETROIT, June 10, 2014 – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan intends to more than double its product offerings in the 2015 individual market this November. Blue Cross and its HMO subsidiary, Blue Care Network, filed 41 total product options with the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) on Sunday, with the intent to offer these plan options to Michigan consumers during the 2015 open enrollment period that begins Nov. 15, 2014. The new products and their prices require regulatory approval – and the products cannot be sold to consumers until Nov. 15.

“Blue Cross has expanded our product portfolio to ensure people in all situations and income ranges can find quality, affordable health coverage with us,” said Terry Burke, vice president for Individual Business at BCBSM.  “Blue Cross will continue efforts to provide trusted advice and guidance to people with questions. As Michigan’s leading health insurer, our expanded product options and new networks are designed to allow people at all income ranges to look for the right coverage based on their health needs. Consumers can select from a variety of Blue Cross options – everything from very comprehensive coverage that carries a higher premium, to low-premium plans that meet the needs of cost-conscious consumers.”

During 2015 open enrollment, Blue Cross intends to continue to offer its products to residents of all 83 Michigan counties – something only Blue Cross did during 2014 open enrollment. Highlights of the 2015 offerings include:
•Two new affordable product lines available in southeast Michigan, allowing cost-conscious consumers to select from additional affordable health plan options
?Metro Detroit Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO)  
?Lower cost product options with more than 5,000 doctors in-network
?Coverage in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, St. Clair and Washtenaw counties
?Includes 25 hospitals in 8 hospital systems
?Metro Detroit HMO
?Offering coverage in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties
?Includes at least 12 hospitals in 4 hospital systems
•New plans with a designation of “extra,” which pays for unlimited primary care physician visits before deductible; unlimited specialist office visits with up to four visits before deductible; and generic prescription drugs before deductible; co-pays will apply
•A new Platinum-level plan offering both a low deductible and out-of-pocket maximum, that also includes comprehensive dental and vision coverage

Both Blue Cross and Blue Care Network will offer plans at the Gold, Silver, Bronze and Catastrophic levels. The new Blue Cross Platinum-level plan will be an option for consumers seeking a richer benefit structure.

 “For years, Blue Cross has collaborated with Michigan health care providers to improve care and control costs, while providing broad access.  These relationships give Blue Cross the ability to offer insurance plans with prices that meet consumer demand for value in the new marketplace, however that value is defined by the purchaser,” Burke said.  “Products like our new Southeast Michigan EPO will expand choice for consumers shopping for a low-cost health insurance plan backed by quality local doctors and hospitals. Our Platinum plan is designed for people who want broad access and can pay a higher premium to obtain it.  The bottom line is choice.  We are aiming to give people enough choices to select the right health plan for their needs.”

The Blues intend to offer a total of 41 options for coverage, pending regulatory approval.  The products will not be available to Michigan consumers until Nov. 15, when the federally run Health Insurance Marketplace begins taking applications for open enrollment. Products will be available through independent Blue-certified insurance agents and also directly through BCBSM and BCN.

BCBSM’s offerings in all 83 counties throughout Michigan provide affordable choices for all residents, both on and off the Marketplace. The following represent estimated average prices for BCBSM and BCN individual plans intended to be offered on and off the Health Insurance Marketplace. All prices are pending regulatory approval. The prices shown are without the federal subsidy that some individuals may qualify for, which in turn would lower their costs.

Monthly Estimated Premium Range for BCBSM and BCN’s Individual ACA-Qualified Health Plans
Products pending regulatory approval; pricing does not reflect subsidies

Notes
1.Prices listed are estimates pending HHS approval of a statewide average of individual plan premiums for non-smokers and do not reflect the impact of federal subsidies
2.Plans listed are across all legal entities and delivery systems
3.Not all plans are available in every county
4.Plans listed include Multi-State Plans in Silver and Gold
5.* Denotes BCN plan. Please see product availability map for product availability.
6.Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has entered into an agreement with CMS to provide health insurance coverage through Qualified Health Plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit mutual insurance company, is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSM provides and administers health benefits to more than 4.4 million members residing in Michigan in addition to employees of Michigan-headquartered companies who reside outside the state. For more company information, visit bcbsm.com and MiBluesPerspectives.com.