Open Enrollment Brings New Health Insurance Options for Individuals and Small Businesses

CHICAGO, Nov. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of  Illinois (BCBSIL) introduces its 2016 individual and small group health insurance coverage options. Beginning November 1, 2015, Illinois residents can choose from a variety of coverage options to best fit their needs. Illinoisans can visit www.bcbsil.com to learn more about our 2016 product offerings.

BCBSIL offers choices across three plans and provider network options: Blue Choice Preferred PPO* (BCE), Blue Precision HMO (BAV) and BlueCare Direct (BHD,) a managed care product new to Blue Cross's portfolio of offerings.

BlueCare Direct (BHD is an exclusive network health plan that features Advocate Health Care. Blue Care Direct offers members access to Advocate's 4,400 primary care and specialty physicians across Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane and Will counties. The Advocate BlueCare Direct network includes over 250 sites of care, including nine hospitals, a children's hospital with two campus locations, the largest home health and hospice network, and one of the region's largest medical groups.

In addition, BCBSIL has expanded its Blue Choice Preferred PPOstatewide and its Blue Precision HMO is now available in the Peoria and Bloomington-Normal markets, both on and off exchange.

Each of the three plans offer three levels of coverage; bronze, silver and gold. All metallic coverage levels include essential health benefits and prescription drug coverage. Depending on the metallic level selected, a member's out-of-pocket costs (i.e., deductibles and co-insurance) and premiums will vary.

• Bronze level products have the lowest monthly premium but also have the highest member out-of-pocket costs.
• Silver level products have a higher monthly premium because more costs are paid by the insurer, resulting in lower out-of-pocket costs for members.
• Gold level products have the highest monthly premiums and lowest member out-of-pocket responsibility.

Many Illinoisans may be eligible for financial assistance from the federal government to help offset their health care costs. If eligible, consumers can calculate the estimated amount they may qualify for by visiting BCBSIL's subsidy estimator, available both in English and Spanish.

"Our 2016 offerings reflect our commitment to providing a range of affordable options to meet the varying needs and preferences of our current members and those who remain uninsured in Illinois," said Opella Ernest, M.D., BCBSIL's chief medical officer. "We encourage current members and all consumers to research and fully understand their health plan options."

BCBSIL provides a range of services and online tools to help consumers make informed health decisions, for example:

• Provider Finder^®: Members can research and select the best in-network provider for their needs based on location, as well as view industry-respected third party quality indicators, costs and patient-submitted reviews on this easy-to-navigate website.
• Blue Access for Members^SM: Members can access information about their policy, including status of claims, alerts, temporary ID cards and more. This also includes Blue Access Mobile^SM, which allows members to find a doctor, hospital or urgent care facility in addition to benefit information.
• 24/7 Nurseline: Members can speak with registered nurses about health concerns, common health information and tips and advice on where to go to receive necessary care.

For more information, visit BCBSIL's insurance basics page: http://www.bcbsil.com/insurance-basics.

SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois

Related Links

http://www.bcbsil.com