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Category: Vision Benefit
The New Plan Year Starts July 1, 2020
Who couldn’t use a fresh start this year?
Well, it is a new year for the health plan. So now what should you do?
- Review the Benefits “To-Do” List on the OGI homepage, ogi.idaho.gov. The OGI website has helpful information about all the benefits available to you.
- Confirm or update your contact information at Blue Cross of Idaho using the phone number provided on the new ID cards that all members are receiving. If you have had any recent changes to your mailing address or email address, these are also important to keep updated.
- Select a Primary Care Physician (PCP) and Dentist for your healthcare needs this year. Don’t have a provider? You can use the provider search feature on the Blue Cross of Idaho member portal. New feature this year, if you are on the PPO plan look for a Choice Docs provider to lower your copay.
- Schedule your annual preventive visit. Preventive visits are covered at 100% for all plans.
Had any life changes this year?
Had any life changes this year?The new plan year is a great time to review the beneficiaries on your Basic Life and Voluntary Term Life (VTL) policies. Your HR Office can assist you with making any updates. You can also visit the Life & Disability page of the website for additional guidance.
Did you know? Starting July 1, the spouse and dependent child life insurance benefits have been increased to $10,000 and $5,000 respectively.
Other new plan year information to keep in mind:
- Telehealth services were so successful during the pandemic that medical and behavioral health appointments delivered by televisit will continue to be covered services in addition to the MDLive telehealth offering. MDLive visits are covered at 100% through July and all other visits are subject to copay and coinsurance.
- Vision benefits now includes an in-network option with a variety of providers across the state including Walmart and Costco. You can search for a provider near you by logging into www.vsp.com. More information will be posted on the OGI website soon.
- Nurse Advice Line starts July 1. The Nurse Advice Line lets you talk with a registered nurse 24/7 to help you make informed choices about your health.
- Medical, Vision and Dental plan contracts will be posted on the website as soon as possible.
Check out the list of FY21 New Plan Year Highlights [PDF] for more detail on new and continuing benefits.
Your agency’s HR office is also available to answer questions about enrolling in the medical and dental benefits if you are not currently enrolled or if you would like to add/delete dependents at any point during the year.
Haven’t set up your Blue Cross of Idaho member portal account? Check out the Member Registration Instructions [PDF] or 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 section, well-being resources in the Get Healthy page, information to navigate Life Events, and more… Questions? Contact the Office of Group Insurance in person, by telephone or email.
Taking Care of ‘You’
Life is busy. Work is busy. Kids are busy. But none of that seems to matter when you are sick.
Here are a couple of things you can do to take care of yourself, your family and your pocketbook.
Flu season is here and Flu Vaccines are covered at 100% on all plans. This is also a great time to check with your Primary Care Provider (PCP) about other immunizations that you or family members may be due to receive. A list of immunizations that are covered at no cost to you are included in each plan contract posted on the Medical page of the OGI website.
e High Deductible plan) when using an in-network provider? Check out the Vision page of the OGI website for information or the Pediatric Vision Care Benefits page included in each plan contract posted on the Medical page.
Breast Cancer Awareness Knowledge is Power
There are more than 3.3 million breast cancer survivors alive in the U.S. today. Let’s keep the numbers growing by arming ourselves with knowledge about breast cancer. Talk to your doctor to learn about risks and early detection. #BestInHealth #BreastCancerAwareness
Make sure you have your current email address attached to your Blue Cross of Idaho member portal account to receive communications about your account, benefit highlights and wellness challenges. Login to members.bcidaho.com – Select “My Account” – select “Account Maintenance” – enter the new email address in the “Change Email Address” section – select “Change Email”
Need to establish a relationship with Primary Care Provider (PCP)? Check out the provider search feature on the Blue Cross of Idaho member portal for lists and locations of in-network providers.
Questions? Contact the Office of Group Insurance in person, by telephone or email.
Using your Vision Benefit
Each active employee medical plan includes a Vision Benefit. Blue Cross of Idaho contracts with Vision Service Plan (VSP) to administer this benefit.
Participants can choose a VSP network provider or non-network vision care provider; the benefit payable is identical, the difference is the method in which claims are submitted.
A VSP network provider should be able to submit the claim to VSP directly, where a non-network vision care provider may require payment in full from you at the time of service and then it’s up to you to self-submit your claim to VSP for reimbursement of the benefit amount.
Vision care providers may offer additional discounts to patients on products and services, but the benefit paid by the State’s plan under the Vision Benefit does not change.
For detailed information about your Vision Benefit, view the medical plan contracts or visit the VSP website where you can set up an account to submit your claim, www.vsp.com.
You are also welcome to contact the Office of Group Insurance with any questions.