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Author: Jennifer Pike
The Other Annual Checkup – Mental & Emotional Health
Everyone knows that you should go to the doctor, dentist and optometrist every year for checkups, but what about a checkup for your mental and emotional well-being?
We all deal with tough times, but even happy events like a new job, a marriage, or a new baby can add stress. That is when taking time for a session, or two, or three, with a counselor, either in-person or virtually, might help you navigate new or persistent challenges in your life and decrease your stress or anxiety.
As a department, agency or school district who participates in the state of Idaho’s health plan, all benefit-eligible employees and their dependents have access to an Employee Assistance Program, often referred to as “EAP”. Visit the Office of Group Insurance Counseling webpage, ogi.idaho.gov/counseling/, to learn about all of the benefits available with your EAP, now administered by BPA Health, and how to get started.
Worried about confidentiality? Neither the Office of Group Insurance nor your agency receive any information about your inquiries or your sessions with the counselor.
This benefit is here for you, in good times and bad, to help you stay at your best.
It’s not too late to get nicotine-free in 2022!
How are those 2022 New Year’s resolutions going? Did you start the year on a mission to quit smoking or using other tobacco products but somewhere along the way you got sidetracked?
Now is a great time to revisit those resolutions because nicotine cessation aids are covered at 100% under the preventive provisions of the State’s health plan!
Nicotine cessation products can be used to help members quit tobacco and nicotine use. These include over the counter quit aids like patches, gum and lozenges, and tobacco cessation drugs that can be prescribed by a doctor. Details about this benefit can be found in each plan document posted on the Medical page.
Health Benefits of Quitting:
- Lowered risk of lung cancer and many other types of cancer.
- Reduced risk for disease and early death. While the health benefits are greater for people who stop at earlier ages, there are benefits at any age. You are never too old to quit.
- Reduced risk of heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease (narrowing of the blood vessels in outside your heart).
Source: cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/cessation/quitting
Members enrolled in the State’s health plan can also access a 12-week tobacco cessation workshop in the WellConnected section of the Blue Cross of Idaho member portal, https://members.bcidaho.com. Members can also call the customer service number on the back of their member ID card for more information about programs and quit aids.
Haven’t set up your Blue Cross of Idaho member portal account? Have your Member ID card handy and visit members.bcidaho.com.
The Office of Group Insurance is required to make available to all members the annual compliance notices. These notices are posted on the right hand column of the OGI homepage at: https://ogi.idaho.gov in the section called Required Notices and Information.
Protect Your Identity Now at No Cost
In today’s high-tech world, it’s critical to keep a vigilant watch on your personal and financial data. The state of Idaho is helping to assist members enrolled in the medical plan with that effort.
Experian IdentityWorks offers members enrolled in the State’s health plan and their families identity protection services at NO COST to the member.
It’s important to protect what’s most valuable to you, especially your health, family and home. This is an added layer of protection.
Members enrolled in the health plan should visit the Blue Cross of Idaho member portal and look for the Experian logo at the bottom of the homepage once you are logged in.
Haven’t set up your Blue Cross of Idaho member portal account? Have your Member ID handy and visit members.bcidaho.com. In addition to finding the link to enroll in the IdentityWorks services, the member portal also allows you to view plan information, explanation of benefits (EOB) documents, search for network providers and so much more.
Questions? Contact the Office of Group Insurance in person, by telephone or email.
Lose Weight at No Cost to You
The State of Idaho has partnered with Wondr™ to help you take control of your physical and mental wellbeing—at no cost to you. Employees, retirees, spouses, and covered dependents over age 18 enrolled in on the State of Idaho’s medical plan are eligible to apply to the program.
Wondr™ is a program that teaches clinically-proven, life-long healthy habits that lead to less stress, better sleep, weight loss, and more—no restrictive diets, calorie-counting, or specialty foods required. Skip the diet trends and try something that is based on science and actually works.
In the program’s first year, 1,618 enrollees lost approximately 5,000 lbs. Of those enrollees, 51% achieved at least a 3% weight loss and 61% participated in 8+ health sessions. That is phenomenal participation and success for a brand new program. We fully expect to see the level of engagement continue to grow this year.
Already completed your first round of Wondr™ and want continued access to the tools? You can enroll again and find new ways to engage in the program and further support for your healthy lifestyle.
Need to stock up on at-home COVID tests kits?
Now more than ever it is important to take care of yourself and those around you. Many employees have returned to the office and many children are back in school. All health plans, including the State’s Group Insurance Program, are continually evaluating and updating the resources available as COVID-19 presents new challenges.
You now have two convenient ways to obtain at-home COVID-19 test kits, at no cost to you, and be ready for those days that you when you don’t feel well.
Get Tests Now at Your Pharmacy:
Enrolled members can obtain over-the-counter (OTC) rapid antigen test kits at any standard network pharmacy with no cost share (this includes Walgreens but does not include Fred Meyer/Kroger). Purchases are limited to no more than 8 tests per enrolled member per calendar month. Pharmacies may have limited stock on which tests are available.
A list of the FDA approved test kits that qualify for this benefit can be found on the FDA Website.
Get Reimbursed for Purchased Tests:
Enrolled members who purchase over-the-counter (OTC) rapid antigen tests will be able to seek reimbursement from the medical plan. Purchases are limited to no more than 8 tests per enrolled member per calendar month.
Members covered under the State’s health plan who buy FDA-authorized rapid antigen tests will be able to submit a paper claim form, with a receipt, for reimbursement to Blue Cross of Idaho. Tests can be purchased online, at a pharmacy, or at the store.
Use this member claim form for all COVID test reimbursements: OTC COVID Test Reimbursement Form
These programs may change as the Public Health Emergency (PHE) is continually reevaluated. Any updates will be communicated to all members.
Quick and convenient ways to locate a medical or dental provider
Having a regular doctor – also called primary care provider or PCP – and dentist not only helps you get healthy but stay healthy. A PCP helps you navigate all of your healthcare needs, from big to small. They will review your medical records and medications, discuss your personal medical history as well as your family members’, and conduct general exams. Follow-up visits can be centered on specific healthcare goals such as strategies to improve or manage wellness or to treat an illness. Need more extensive care than your PCP provides? A PCP can also help coordinate care with specialists as well.
Where and when to get care [PDF]
Here are a few ways to find in-network care:
- Finding a Doctor Instructions [PDF]
- Finding a Dentist Instructions [PDF]
- Visit members.bcidaho.com and log in to your member account.
- Call Blue Cross at the number on the back of your member ID card for help locating a provider.
All this information at your fingertips too!!!
Download the Blue Cross of Idaho Member App for Apple or Android devices
- Get your member ID card: Show and fax your member ID card whenever you get care
- Find care: Find in-network doctors, clinics, hospitals and urgent care
- Keep track of your plan: View claims for everyone on your plan and see how close you are to meeting your deductible for the year
- You can also connect to the Blue Cross of Idaho Rx website from the member app to price prescription drugs and find in-network pharmacies
Haven’t set up your Blue Cross of Idaho member portal account? Have your Member ID handy and visit members.bcidaho.com.
The phone numbers to reach Customer Service for your medical and dental coverages, vision and prescription drug benefits, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) are as close as your wallet or purse. Printed on the back of every Blue Cross of Idaho member ID card are local and toll-free numbers to contact your carrier for inquiries about coverage, verify claim status, set up an appointment with a counselor and more.
Lost your Member ID card? You can view or request a new ID card by logging in to your Blue Cross of Idaho Member Account, https://members.bcidaho.com, and select “Need your ID card?” from the center section of the page.
The Office of Group Insurance and Blue Cross of Idaho have provided a variety of ways for you to access your information for those circumstances where you need it most.
You may also contact the Office of Group Insurance by phone, email or through the website with questions about the benefits administered by our office.
Mental & Emotional Health – The Other Annual Checkup
Hopefully everyone knows that you should go to the doctor, dentist and optometrist every year for checkups, but what about a checkup for your mental and emotional well-being?
Everyone deals with tough times, but even happy events like a new job, a marriage, or a new baby can add stress. That is when taking an hour for a session, or two, or three, with a counselor might help you navigate new or persistent challenges in your life and decrease your stress or anxiety.
The Office of Group Insurance provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to all benefit eligible employees and their dependents regardless of their enrollment in any other program.
There are several ways to access the GuidanceResources(R) information and programs.
Visit the Counseling page of the OGI website for program and contact information
Download the Guidance Resources mobile app
This benefit is here for you, in good times and bad, to help you stay at your best.
Preparing your health & wallet in the new plan year
The new plan year started July 1! You can expect to receive frequent communications from Blue Cross of Idaho, Navia (if you signed up for Flexible Spending), Office of Group Insurance and your HR office highlighting new and continuing programs and benefits. All communications are intended to promote your “Benefits IQ” and show you how to put your premium dollars to good use.
Check out the FY23 New Plan Year Highlights that includes information about:
- Coverage for FDA approved weight loss medications
- SmartShopper incentive program
- Pharmacist medical services program
- Removal of dental waiting periods
- Continuing benefits you already have access to
- And more…
Keep in mind that if your insurance needs or personal situations change throughout the year, there are mid-year actions you can take to adjust your benefit elections. See the chart below for a very high level overview of acceptable changes. More detailed information can be found throughout the Office of Group Insurance website: https://ogi.idaho.gov
| When can I make changes? | Is this change limited to Open Enrollment? | |
| Medical | You can make mid-year changes your medical/dental elections when you experience a qualifying life event, or during the annual Open Enrollment period each April/May. (Within 30 days of the event, except for marriage, birth/adoption have 60 days.) | Yes, unless you have a qualifying life event. |
| Dental | You can make mid-year changes your medical/dental elections when you experience a qualifying life event, or during the annual Open Enrollment period each April/May.(Within 30 days of the event, except for marriage, birth/adoption have 60 days.) | Yes, adding previously declined dependent dental is limited to Open Enrollment EXCEPT when you are adding a newly eligible dependent to coverage; in this case previously declined dependents may enroll under a “tag along” provision. |
| Health Care FSA | You can increase/reduce your contributions after a qualifying life event. | Yes, unless you have a qualifying life event. To continue FSA, you must re-enroll every year during open enrollment. |
| Day Care FSA | You can enroll/increase/reduce your contributions after a qualifying life event. | Yes, unless you have a qualifying life event. To continue FSA, you must re-enroll every year during open enrollment. |
| Basic Life | You can change your beneficiaries at any time. Your HR office has the forms and will keep a copy on file. | No |
| Voluntary Term Life (VTL) | You can enroll/increase/decrease your coverage with a qualifying life event within 31 days of the date of the event. Outside of a life event you will be required to submit proof of insurability to be approved for coverage. | No |
Don’t have a Primary Care Physician (PCP) or Dentist? You can find a searchable list of in-network providers on the Blue Cross of Idaho Member Portal, members.bcidaho.com. Keep in mind the provider you select will determine your out of pocket costs. For instance, ChoiceDocs PPO medical providers and PPO dental providers have lower copays and/or co-insurance than other contracting providers.
Haven’t set up your Blue Cross of Idaho member portal account? Have your Member ID handy and visit members.bcidaho.com.
Keep an eye on the Office of Group Insurance website, https://ogi.idaho.gov, for information in the Stay Informed blog, well-being resources in the Get Healthy page, information to navigate Life Events, and more…
You can always ask your agency’s HR office for information about enrolling in the medical and dental benefits if you are not currently enrolled or if you would like to add/delete dependents.
Questions? Contact the Office of Group Insurance in person, by telephone or email.
Shop smarter with SmartShopper and get rewarded
How much time did you spend researching your last car or TV to find the best deal on a quality product? Now ask yourself, how much time did you spend researching your last medical procedure for the best price and quality service? My guess would be that you spent more time on the first question than the second.
Welcome to SmartShopper! Register today and start saving!
We want to change the way you search for medical services and incentivize you for your shopping savvy. Clinics, hospitals and other facilities may have different expenses for the services they offer. Not only do you save on out-of-pocket costs when you choose a cost-efficient location, you get rewarded for being a smart shopper.
Visit bcidaho.com/smartshopper and watch their short video tutorial.
You can shop for routine procedures, preventive exams, imaging scans, and scheduled surgeries. Explore your options that compare both cost and quality using nationally recognized metrics as well as ratings and reviews from other patients. You can explore your options online or call one of the SmartShoppper personal assistants to guide you through the process. Click on the “How to Use SmartShopper” logo to learn more.
To access SmartShopper from the Blue Cross member portal you will need to:
- Go to members.bcidaho.com and log in to your member account
- Select Find a Doctor
- Search for care by selecting Browse by Category or using the search bar
- Select Next Page and your search results will show you facility names, locations and the SmartShopper cash reward amount if eligible.
The SmartShopper program is offered by Sapphire Digital, an independent company. Incentives available for select procedures only. Payments are a taxable form of income. Rewards may be delivered by check or an alternative form of payment. Members with primary coverage under Medicaid or Medicare are not eligible to receive incentive rewards under the SmartShopper program.