Foster Public-Private Coverage Solutions

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama

The Alabama Child Caring Program

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama established the Alabama Child Caring Program (ACCP) in 1988 to provide immediate care and ongoing coverage to uninsured children up to age 18 who are ineligible for state programs. ACCP covers primary and preventive healthcare and a comprehensive range of outpatient services, including:

Periodic well-child physical examinations
Physician office visits for illness or injury
Routine immunizations
Emergency care
Hospital outpatient care, including outpatient surgery and diagnostic lab, X-ray and pathology services
Vision care

Since the first child was enrolled in March 1988, ACCP has provided coverage to more than 69,000 children, helping Alabama to lead the nation with the lowest percentage of medically-uninsured children. Currently, more than 7,500 children are enrolled in the program, and 2,300 more are on the waiting list.

Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska

There are currently no plans in this category.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona

BlueSolutions Health Plan

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona's BlueSolutions plan enables small businesses with fewer than 50 employees to offer low-premium, high-deductible health coverage to their workers. The plan covers a broad range of healthcare services such as urgent care and maternity care, with affordable co-pays for in-network physician visits and generic prescriptions. BlueSolutions provides an affordable coverage solution to small businesses that were previously unable to offer health insurance to their employees.

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield

There are currently no plans in this category.

Anthem Blue Cross

Healthy Generations

Through a grant from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, LLC, the Plan is focusing on strategic initiatives that address and provide innovative solutions to help reduce the number of uninsured, as well as organizations and nonprofit charities that promote the Healthy Generations Program, a multi-generational initiative that targets specific disease states and medical conditions. Specifically, Healthy Generations funds programs aimed at helping to improve several measures included in the State Health Index. These measures include:

Increasing the percentage of mothers who engage in prenatal care during the first trimester of their pregnancies
Decreasing the percentage of newborns who weigh less than 5.5 lbs
Decreasing the coronary heart disease mortality rate
Decreasing the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in adults
Increasing the percentage of the population who meet the CDC’s recommended levels of physical activity
Decreasing the incidence of childhood obesity
Decreasing the percentage of adults who smoke cigarettes
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive an influenza vaccine
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive a pneumococcal vaccine

Innovative and Affordable Benefit Designs

Anthem Blue Cross has developed a portfolio of affordable individual and small group products aimed at helping to reduce the number of uninsured California residents.

Tonik® – Provides simplified and affordable insurance aimed at covering the “invincible” young adult population. “Big Picture” coverage includes prevention services, emergency, prescriptions, vision and dental. The plans are simplified, and enrollment is tailored to distinct personalities and lifestyles: Calculated Risk Taker, Part-Time Daredevil and Thrill Seeker. Average premiums are below $150 per month, with a $30 co-payment.
NextRxSM Generic Plus One – Provides employers with a reliable pharmacy benefit with affordable, quality coverage for members of widely used brand-name medications. The product covers all generically available medications and provides single-source branded products for highly utilized drug categories such as ADHD, arthritis, asthma, depression, diabetes, hypertension, insomnia and migraines. Financial incentives shift employees from high-cost branded products to a lower-cost, clinically equivalent alternative, and mandatory mail-ordering further reduces costs
SmartSenseSM – A new, price-conscious, choice-driven health insurance plan targeted to “early” retirees, students and the uninsured. SmartSense is designed to provide protection against expensive and unexpected medical bills and offers a variety of deductibles that allow consumers to find a premium they can afford.
BeneFits – An option for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees that do not currently offer health insurance, with six plan options. The BeneFits plans feature low employer contribution and employee participation rate requirements to make it more affordable for small businesses and offer flexibility in choosing coverage.

Blue Shield of California

The Blue Shield of California Foundation

Blue Shield of California’s charitable foundation, one of the largest private healthcare grant-making organizations in the state, is committed to creating a healthcare system that is effective, safe and accessible to all Californians. Among the foundation’s initiatives:

Free Clinics – More than 170 community and free clinics statewide receive funding from the foundation, improving their ability to care for uninsured and underserved populations.
Children’s Health Initiatives – The foundation has invested more than $18 million in programs to subsidize healthcare costs for 70,000 children in 19 counties.
Local Coverage Expansion – The foundation supports innovative, community-based strategies for increasing coverage and improving access among uninsured and underserved populations.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Colorado)

Healthy Generations

Increasing the percentage of mothers who engage in prenatal care during the first trimester of their pregnancies
Decreasing the percentage of newborns who weigh less than 5.5 lbs
Decreasing the coronary heart disease mortality rate
Decreasing the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in adults
Increasing the percentage of the population who meet the CDC’s recommended levels of physical activity
Decreasing the incidence of childhood obesity
Decreasing the percentage of adults who smoke cigarettes
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive an influenza vaccine
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive a pneumococcal vaccine

Innovative and Affordable Benefit Designs

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has developed a portfolio of affordable individual and small group products aimed at helping to reduce the number of uninsured Colorado residents.

NextRxSM Generic Plus One – Provides employers with a reliable pharmacy benefit with affordable, quality coverage for members of widely used brand-name medications. The product covers all generically available medications and provides single-source branded products for highly utilized drug categories such as ADHD, arthritis, asthma, depression, diabetes, hypertension, insomnia and migraines. Financial incentives shift employees from high-cost branded products to a lower-cost, clinically equivalent alternative, and mandatory mail-ordering further reduces costs.
Tonik® – Provides simplified and affordable insurance aimed at covering the “invincible” young adult population. “Big Picture” coverage includes prevention services, emergency, prescriptions, vision and dental. The plans are simplified, and enrollment is tailored to distinct personalities and lifestyles: Calculated Risk Taker, Part-Time Daredevil and Thrill Seeker. Average premiums are below $150 per month, with a $30 co-payment.
SmartSenseSM – A new, price-conscious, choice-driven health insurance plan targeted to “early” retirees, students and the uninsured. SmartSense is designed to provide protection against expensive and unexpected medical bills and offers a variety of deductibles that allow consumers to find a premium they can afford.
BeneFits – An option for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees that do not currently offer health insurance. The six BeneFits plan options feature low employer contribution and employee participation rate requirements, making them more affordable for small businesses and offering flexibility in choosing coverage.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Connecticut)

Healthy Generations

Increasing the percentage of mothers who engage in prenatal care during the first trimester of their pregnancies
Decreasing the percentage of newborns who weigh less than 5.5 lbs
Decreasing the coronary heart disease mortality rate
Decreasing the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in adults
Increasing the percentage of the population who meet the CDC’s recommended levels of physical activity
Decreasing the incidence of childhood obesity
Decreasing the percentage of adults who smoke cigarettes
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive an influenza vaccine
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive a pneumococcal vaccine

Innovative and Affordable Benefit Designs

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has developed a portfolio of affordable individual and small group products aimed at helping to reduce the number of uninsured Connecticut residents.

NextRxSM Generic Plus One – Provides employers with a reliable pharmacy benefit with affordable, quality coverage for members of widely used brand-name medications. The product covers all generically available medications and provides single-source branded products for highly utilized drug categories such as ADHD, arthritis, asthma, depression, diabetes, hypertension, insomnia and migraines. Financial incentives shift employees from high-cost branded products to a lower-cost, clinically equivalent alternative, and mandatory mail-ordering further reduces costs.
Tonik® – Provides simplified and affordable insurance aimed at covering the “invincible” young adult population. “Big Picture” coverage includes prevention services, emergency, prescriptions, vision and dental. The plans are simplified, and enrollment is tailored to distinct personalities and lifestyles: Calculated Risk Taker, Part-Time Daredevil and Thrill Seeker. Average premiums are below $150 per month, with a $30 co-payment.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware

BlueIndividual Plans

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware (BCBSD) developed the BlueIndividual plans to provide residents ineligible for group coverage with access to affordable, comprehensive health insurance. The BlueIndividual portfolio offers three plan types, each compatible with a tax-advantaged health savings account (HSA) to allow flexibility in individuals’ healthcare cost management. Through the BCBSD website, consumers can compare the BlueIndividual plan options and use a personalized guide to select the product that best meets their needs.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida

Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida

The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida, a separate, philanthropic affiliate of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF), provides grants to community organizations that serve the uninsured, including free health clinics and prescription drug assistance programs. Aiming to align its grantmaking with community needs, the foundation awards grants in the summer and winter that focus on:

Improving nonprofits’ program capacity and reducing barriers to access
Nurturing community health leadership, reinforcing local solutions, fostering innovation and sustaining quality
Leveraging financial, human and other resources to maximize measurable impact

In addition, the Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida’s Sapphire Award recognizes and promotes community health programs that have demonstrated a significant positive impact on health-related outcomes for the state’s at-risk citizens and communities. The foundation’s Embrace a Healthy Florida program, meanwhile, aims to address the causes of childhood obesity through public-private partnerships. For more information on these initiatives, please visit the foundation’s website.

BlueOptions Plans

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida’s (BCBSF) BlueOptions plans for groups and individuals offer flexible, affordable coverage ranging from limited-benefit plans to predictable cost plans and high-deductible plans with tax-advantaged Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). For example, predictable cost plans offer coverage with predictable copayments, calendar year deductibles and coinsurance amounts, while limited-benefit routine care plans cover six office visits annually and hospital and wellness care with a $10,000 or $25,000 benefit maximum. High-deductible plans paired with HSAs, meanwhile, allow members to use tax-free contributions to help cover out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, including qualified deductibles, copayments and coinsurance. Additionally, all BlueOptions plans offer access to BCBSF’s NetworkBlue provider network and comprehensive support services, including personalized care programs and tools for making informed healthcare decisions.

GoBlue

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida’s GoBlue product provides access to physician visits, basic and preventive dental care and pharmacy and lab services for affordable premiums – as low as $26 per month for a 25-year-old individual. Members receive access to a statewide PPO network and protection against balance billing, and because GoBlue is a guaranteed issue product, no applicants are denied enrollment. The plans cover routine healthcare needs – including prescription drugs – and reimburse a maximum of $50 toward each visit for covered services. Furthermore, without a lifetime maximum, members can continue to receive benefits as long as they pay their premiums.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia

Healthy Generations

Increasing the percentage of mothers who engage in prenatal care during the first trimester of their pregnancies
Decreasing the percentage of newborns who weigh less than 5.5 lbs
Decreasing the coronary heart disease mortality rate
Decreasing the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in adults
Increasing the percentage of the population who meet the CDC’s recommended levels of physical activity
Decreasing the incidence of childhood obesity
Decreasing the percentage of adults who smoke cigarettes
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive an influenza vaccine
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive a pneumococcal vaccine

Innovative and Affordable Benefit Designs

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia has developed a portfolio of affordable individual and small group products aimed at helping to reduce the number of uninsured Georgia residents.

Tonik® – Provides simplified and affordable insurance aimed at covering the “invincible” young adult population. “Big Picture” coverage includes prevention services, emergency, prescriptions, vision and dental. The plans are simplified, and enrollment is tailored to distinct personalities and lifestyles: Calculated Risk Taker, Part-Time Daredevil and Thrill Seeker. Average premiums are below $150 per month, with a $30 co-payment.
NextRxSM Generic Plus One – Provides employers with a reliable pharmacy benefit with affordable, quality coverage for members of widely used brand-name medications. The product covers all generically available medications and provides single-source branded products for highly utilized drug categories such as ADHD, arthritis, asthma, depression, diabetes, hypertension, insomnia and migraines. Financial incentives shift employees from high-cost branded products to a lower-cost, clinically equivalent alternative, and mandatory mail-ordering further reduces costs.
SmartSenseSM – A new, price-conscious, choice-driven health insurance plan targeted to “early” retirees, students and the uninsured. SmartSense is designed to provide protection against expensive and unexpected medical bills and offers a variety of deductibles that allow consumers to find a premium they can afford.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Hawaii

Keiki Care Plan

Through a public-private partnership known as the Keiki Care Plan, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Hawaii offers healthcare coverage to uninsured children with no monthly premium charge to the member’s family. The Plan shares the cost of premiums with the state and provides eligible children with a basic package of benefits mirroring The Children’s Plan, which is available to Hawaiian youth up to age 18. The Keiki Care Plan is a three-year pilot program targeting children whose families are unable to afford health insurance and may otherwise go without needed medical care.

The Children’s Plan

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Hawaii developed The Children’s Plan to provide children up to age 18 with basic medical coverage, including preventive services, immunizations, doctor’s visits, diagnostic tests, emergency care and a limited number of prescription drugs. The program features low monthly premiums and waived or small co-payments for office visits, immunizations and generic prescriptions, ensuring that children have access to the medical care necessary for maintaining good health.

Blue Cross of Idaho

Chamber Blue Insurance Product

To provide a more affordable coverage option for small businesses, Blue Cross of Idaho developed the Chamber Blue product, a competitively priced, basic alternative to traditional group coverage. To be eligible for the plan, small businesses must be members of their local chamber of commerce and cannot have offered health coverage to their workers in the past 24 months. The plan provides benefits for major medical, preventive and wellness services and offers member savings of up to 20 percent compared with other products being offered in the marketplace.

Regence BlueShield of Idaho

Aspen Institute

Transforming the healthcare system will require a coordinated effort at all levels – local, state and regional. As Co-Chair of the Aspen Health Stewardship Project, Regence President and CEO Mark Ganz is working to address the issue of how to expand coverage by examining the structural problems facing our current healthcare system.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois

Support for the Gilead Outreach and Referral Center

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois provides financial support to the Gilead Outreach & Referral Center, which connects uninsured individuals and families throughout metropolitan Chicago with affordable healthcare programs for which they are eligible.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Indiana)

Healthy Generations Childhood Obesity Prevention

Increasing the percentage of mothers who engage in prenatal care during the first trimester of their pregnancies
Decreasing the percentage of newborns who weigh less than 5.5 lbs
Decreasing the coronary heart disease mortality rate
Decreasing the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in adults
Increasing the percentage of the population who meet the CDC’s recommended levels of physical activity
Decreasing the incidence of childhood obesity
Decreasing the percentage of adults who smoke cigarettes
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive an influenza vaccine
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive a pneumococcal vaccine

Innovative and Affordable Benefit Designs

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has developed a portfolio of affordable individual and small group products aimed at helping to reduce the number of uninsured Indiana residents.

Blue Access® Economy – Designed for those seeking a reliable coverage for themselves and their families. The Blue Access Economy plan offers a compromise between the richer benefits of the Blue Access Plans and the more limited coverage of the Blue Access Value Plan. Blue Access Economy, which allows members to choose from four deductibles ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, covers the first three office visits with a co-payment of $30 each. Members can also select a variety of drug options offering different coverage levels, including generic-only coverage, brand-name coverage and mail-order service.
NextRxSM Generic Plus One – Provides employers with a reliable pharmacy benefit with affordable, quality coverage for members of widely used brand-name medications. The product covers all generically available medications and provides single-source branded products for highly utilized drug categories such as ADHD, arthritis, asthma, depression, diabetes, hypertension, insomnia and migraines. Financial incentives shift employees from high-cost branded products to a lower-cost, clinically equivalent alternative, and mandatory mail-ordering further reduces costs.

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa

There are currently no plans in this category.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas

Healthy Blue

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas's Healthy Blue product, which launched in January 2009, covers preventive services that are designed to provide members with a strategy for maintaining good health. A combination of several fully covered medical services and fully covered preventive radiology and lab services serve as the cornerstone of this affordable plan. With Healthy Blue, the focus is clearly on encouraging preventive care and health improvement. Early detection through preventive screenings is a key part of Healthy Blue's approach to healthcare. From routine OB-GYN exams to heart disease prevention, screenings for many diseases and disorders are paid at 100 percent. Healthy Blue also includes prescription drug coverage - with generics available for only a $5 co-pay - and offers a $250,000 lifetime maximum for each covered person.

Plan 65 Select Healthcare Plan

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas developed Plan 65 Select to offer the state’s elderly residents an affordable coverage option that includes a network of healthcare providers and institutions in major metropolitan areas. Members benefit from the network hospitals’ agreement to waive Medicare Part A deductibles and agree to use network hospitals for all planned admissions, although they can access emergent care at any facility.

ValueBlue Healthcare Plan

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) worked with the Kansas Hospital Association and the Kansas Medical Society to create the ValueBlue insurance product for households that earn less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level and have gone without health coverage for at least 12 months. BCBSKS uses a special network of hospitals and healthcare professionals that agree to accept 50 percent of standard payment allowances, enabling the company to offer ValueBlue at half the cost of typical insurance; all administrative costs are absorbed by BCBSKS.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Kentucky)

Healthy Generations

Increasing the percentage of mothers who engage in prenatal care during the first trimester of their pregnancies
Decreasing the percentage of newborns who weigh less than 5.5 lbs
Decreasing the coronary heart disease mortality rate
Decreasing the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in adults
Increasing the percentage of the population who meet the CDC’s recommended levels of physical activity
Decreasing the incidence of childhood obesity
Decreasing the percentage of adults who smoke cigarettes
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive an influenza vaccine
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive a pneumococcal vaccine

Innovative and Affordable Benefit Designs

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has developed a portfolio of affordable individual and small group products aimed at helping to reduce the number of uninsured Kentucky residents.

NextRxSM Generic Plus One – Provides employers with a reliable pharmacy benefit with affordable, quality coverage for members of widely used brand-name medications. The product covers all generically available medications and provides single-source branded products for highly utilized drug categories such as ADHD, arthritis, asthma, depression, diabetes, hypertension, insomnia and migraines. Financial incentives shift employees from high-cost branded products to a lower-cost, clinically equivalent alternative, and mandatory mail-ordering further reduces costs.
Blue Access® Economy – Designed for those seeking a reliable coverage for themselves and their families. The Blue Access Economy plan offers a compromise between the richer benefits of the Blue Access Plans and the more limited coverage of the Blue Access Value Plan. Blue Access Economy, which allows members to choose from four deductibles ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, covers the first three office visits with a co-payment of $30 each. Members can also select a variety of drug options offering different coverage levels, including generic-only coverage, brand-name coverage and mail-order service.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana

Community Efforts

As a concerned corporate citizen, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Louisiana through community involvement, employee volunteerism and the investment of resources in the communities it serves. Although it is important to seek opportunities that distinguish the company as a socially responsible corporate citizen, the primary focus of sponsorships, grants and volunteer projects is to support the health, education and wellness needs of the community. Learn more about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana’s community efforts by clicking here.

Innovative and Affordable Benefit Designs

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana (BCBSLA) has created innovative, affordable products and services that give Louisianians a wide range of solutions to fit their needs – and their budgets. Two examples are its value-priced individual plans, Blue Value and BlueSense, and its highly successful and popular high-deductible health plan, BlueSaver.

BlueValue

BCBSLA’s Blue Value product provides coverage for large, unplanned medical expenses such as hospital stays and surgery, with lifetime protection of $5 million. A discount prescription drug program is also available through participating pharmacies or mail order. After members meet their deductible, covered expenses are paid at 80 percent of the allowable charge for care received from PPO physicians and hospitals. Covered expenses are paid at 60 percent of the allowable charge for care received outside the network. Blue Value also covers preventive and wellness care and features discounts on dental, vision and hearing services. To learn more, please click here.

BlueSense

BCBSLA’s BlueSense product offers “Smart coverage. Sensible solutions” by adding four special options to the company’s comprehensive Blue Max individual coverage plan. These benefit designs offer a variety of deductibles and a choice of copayment options that can make premiums more affordable. Other features include prescription drug coverage, wellness and preventive care, a maternity option, lifetime protection of $5 million and access to the plan’s extensive network of doctors and hospitals. To learn more, please click here.

BlueSaver

First launched in 1997 with benefits designed to accompany a medical savings account (MSA), BlueSaver is one of BCBSLA’s success stories. The product began to take off in 2000, but after Health Savings Account (HSA) legislation was passed, beginning Jan. 1, 2004, Blue Cross began marketing BlueSaver with HSA-compatible benefits. In November 2004, the company withdrew the MSA benefits model and transitioned the business to the HSA model. In the next four years, BlueSaver enjoyed a compounded annual growth rate of 82 percent.

In September 2004, the individual BlueSaver product eclipsed and surpassed the company’s Blue Max product, its traditional + PPO individual product that had been its No. 1 seller for more than a decade. As of January 2009, BlueSaver individual membership tallied 70,541 and group BlueSaver membership was 70,575, making total BlueSaver membership 141,116. Never in the company’s 75-year history has it witnessed such a dramatic marketplace acceptance of a product. To learn more about BlueSaver, please click here.

MySmart$aver
MySmart$aver from The Bancorp Bank is BCBSLA's seamless, integrated HSA solution for BlueSaver members. When a customer enrolls in BlueSaver, he or she can choose to open a MySmart$aver HSA account at the same time. As of February 2009, more than 17,395 Blue Cross customers had opened MySmart$aver HSA accounts.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation

The mission of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation is to promote the wellness and well-being of Louisianians by supporting projects and programs for health- or education-related causes. The foundation's two signature programs focus on improving the wellness and well-being of Louisiana children.

Smart Bodies was launched in 2005 to address the growing problem of childhood obesity in Louisiana as a joint effort by Blue Cross and the LSU AgCenter, a statewide research extension program in the LSU System. The Smart Bodies program is a private-public partnership working to provide schools with grades K-5 with an interactive education program designed to prevent childhood obesity.
The Angel Award is an annual statewide recognition program that awards funds to outstanding Louisianians working to improve the quality of life for the state's children. More than 1,000 individuals from all walks of life and ranging in age from 17 to 93 have been nominated for the Angel Award since the program's inception in 1995.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Maine)

Healthy Generations

Increasing the percentage of mothers who engage in prenatal care during the first trimester of their pregnancies
Decreasing the percentage of newborns who weigh less than 5.5 lbs
Decreasing the coronary heart disease mortality rate
Decreasing the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in adults
Increasing the percentage of the population who meet the CDC’s recommended levels of physical activity
Decreasing the incidence of childhood obesity
Decreasing the percentage of adults who smoke cigarettes
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive an influenza vaccine
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive a pneumococcal vaccine

Innovative and Affordable Benefit Designs

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has developed a portfolio of affordable individual and small group products aimed at helping to reduce the number of uninsured Maine residents.

NextRxSM Generic Plus One – Provides employers with a reliable pharmacy benefit with affordable, quality coverage for members of widely used brand-name medications. The product covers all generically available medications and provides single-source branded products for highly utilized drug categories such as ADHD, arthritis, asthma, depression, diabetes, hypertension, insomnia and migraines. Financial incentives shift employees from high-cost branded products to a lower-cost, clinically equivalent alternative, and mandatory mail-ordering further reduces costs.
Chamber Blue SM Options – The Chamber Blue Options plan is a collaborative relationship with the Maine State Chamber of Commerce aimed at increasing the number of local employers who provide health insurance for their employees. Employers receive a discount on the employer contribution if 75% of eligible employees complete a health risk assessment and 25% percent participate in certain defined wellness activities. The product is offered as four PPO plans with varying deductibles and coinsurance, one HMO and two HSAs.

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

CareFirst Commitment Initiative

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield launched the CareFirst Commitment Initiative in January 2005 to improve healthcare affordability, access, safety and quality through partnerships with community organizations in the Mid-Atlantic region. CareFirst uses two percent of its net operating income to fund the initiative’s charitable giving and has contributed over $25 million to more than 200 organizations since its inception.

Maryland Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield started the Maryland Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program to help beneficiaries bridge gaps in Medicare Part D's coverage of their medications. With close to $14 million in annual financial support from CareFirst, the program provides premium assistance to moderate-income Maryland seniors eligible for Medicare and enrolled in a prescription drug plan, with monthly stipends of up to $25 to meet drug plan costs.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts

Roadmap to Coverage Initiative

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) Foundation’s Roadmap to Coverage initiative is designed to inform the debate on and generate a practical roadmap for extending health coverage to residents of the Commonwealth. The research and policy analysis is being conducted by the Urban Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, nonpartisan policy research organization established to examine the social, economic, and governance problems facing the nation. With the release of each Roadmap report, the foundation convenes healthcare, business, labor and government leaders to examine and discuss the ideas presented.

The Catalyst Fund

Funded entirely through contributions by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) associates, the Catalyst Fund supports the healthcare needs of low-income and uninsured Massachusetts residents through capacity-building mini-grants for community-based organizations. The grants assist with one-time expenses needed to strengthen organizations’ ability to fulfill their mission or respond to medical emergencies.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

MIChild Program

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) is committed to providing health coverage to children through its participation in MIChild, Michigan's State Children's Health Insurance Program. Through the MIChild program, which is administered by the Michigan Department of Community Health, children in eligible families receive comprehensive medical and dental coverage for only $10 per month. The program covers a range of services, including oral exams and dental checkups, emergency care, hospital treatment, prescription drugs, well-baby care, health exams, vaccinations and vision and hearing care.

Following a significant reduction in the state's outreach budget that limited its ability to market the program, BCBSM partnered with the state and implemented multiple strategies to increase MIChild enrollment. To achieve this goal, the Plan has an ongoing dialogue with state staff at all levels of the campaign. In addition, BCBSM fosters relationships within the community; pools corporate resources in its Government Affairs, Marketing, Media Relations and Community Affairs departments; and leverages the talents and goodwill of its diverse workforce to strengthen outreach efforts.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

Options Blue Consumer-Directed Health Plans

Providing an affordable alternative to traditional coverage, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota offers high-deductible Options Blue health plans with health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) or health savings account (HSA) options for large employers and an HSA option for individuals and small employers. According to recent national surveys by Atlantic Information Services, Blue Cross is the eighth-largest provider of consumer-directed health plans in the country. Furthermore, enrollment in Options Blue account-based plans – which feature both HRAs and HSAs – surpassed 200,000 members in January 2007, a 35 percent increase over January 2006. Nationally, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans account for 2.8 million of the estimated 10 million consumer-directed health plan members, more than any other health plan.

Simply BlueSM Health Plan for Individuals

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota’s Simply Blue plan, originally designed to target the 20- to 30-year-old population who are most likely to opt out of health insurance, offers three plan options with different deductibles, providing low-cost, comprehensive coverage with tailored benefits. Members can select any physician they want, and first doctors’ office visits are paid in full; two of the plans also provide full coverage for generic prescription drugs. In addition, Simply Blue provides up to a $20 monthly credit toward fitness center dues and access to a variety of health resources, including a 24-Hour Nurse Advice Line and online tools at the myBlueCross member center. According to recent enrollment data, previously uninsured individuals are buying these products, including the pre-Medicare population of 55- to 64-year-olds. To learn more about Simply Blue, please visit the Plan’s website.

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi

There are currently no plans in this category.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Missouri)

Healthy Generations

Increasing the percentage of mothers who engage in prenatal care during the first trimester of their pregnancies
Decreasing the percentage of newborns who weigh less than 5.5 lbs
Decreasing the coronary heart disease mortality rate
Decreasing the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in adults
Increasing the percentage of the population who meet the CDC’s recommended levels of physical activity
Decreasing the incidence of childhood obesity
Decreasing the percentage of adults who smoke cigarettes
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive an influenza vaccine
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive a pneumococcal vaccine

Innovative and Affordable Benefit Designs

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has developed a portfolio of affordable individual and small group products aimed at helping to reduce the number of uninsured Missouri residents.

NextRxSM Generic Plus One – Provides employers with a reliable pharmacy benefit with affordable, quality coverage for members of widely used brand-name medications. The product covers all generically available medications and provides single-source branded products for highly utilized drug categories such as ADHD, arthritis, asthma, depression, diabetes, hypertension, insomnia and migraines. Financial incentives shift employees from high-cost branded products to a lower-cost, clinically equivalent alternative, and mandatory mail-ordering further reduces costs.
Blue Access® Economy – Designed for those seeking a reliable coverage for themselves and their families. The Blue Access Economy plan offers a compromise between the richer benefits of the Blue Access Plans and the more limited coverage of the Blue Access Value Plan. Blue Access Economy, which allows members to choose from four deductibles ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, covers the first three office visits with a co-payment of $30 each. Members can also select a variety of drug options offering different coverage levels, including generic-only coverage, brand-name coverage and mail-order service.
Missouri Health Insurance Pool (MHIP) Program – Operated collaboratively by Anthem and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, MHIP offers access to healthcare coverage for residents unable to obtain individual insurance due to high-risk health conditions. MHIP offers four major medical plans with differing annual deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums to best fit the needs and financial situation of the member.
Blue Access® Hospital Surgical PPO – Offers access to comprehensive healthcare coverage options to businesses unable to afford standard insurance plans for employees, with low premiums and broad access to a network of healthcare professionals and wellness programs. Enrolled members receive coverage for most hospital admissions and surgeries, state-mandated preventive care and outpatient diagnostic services, along with limited benefits for office visits and generic pharmacy benefits.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City

Missouri Health Insurance Pool Program

To help high-risk patients obtain health insurance, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri partnered to launch the Missouri Health Insurance Pool Program. The program offers five major medical plans, four of which differ only in the amount of the annual deductible and out-of-pocket maximum payment; the fifth is a high-deductible plan designed for use with a health savings account. Each plan offers affordable, comprehensive coverage for state residents who have been involuntarily terminated from healthcare coverage or are unable to obtain insurance due to their high-risk status.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana

Blue Care Product

Working with a statewide coalition of physicians and hospitals, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana (BCBSMT) created Blue Care to offer uninsured Montanans a new, limited health insurance plan that covers most healthcare services an individual might need throughout the year. To be eligible for Blue Care coverage, individuals and families must be Montana residents, meet income eligibility requirements, and - with certain exceptions - have gone without paid, private coverage for the past six months. Designed for individuals making less than 175 percent of the federal poverty level, Blue Care offers discounts of up to 50 percent from providers, as well as a 15 percent reduction in Plan expenses.

Children’s Health Insurance Program

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana (BCBSMT) is the administrator of the State of Montana's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which covers nearly 18,000 children statewide. BCBSMT provides these services below cost to the state, helping ensure that children whose families meet income eligibility requirements have access to free or low-cost health coverage.

Improved Access to Quality Healthcare for Native American Populations

Through a partnership with the Helena Indian Alliance, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana operates a clinic for low-income Native Americans, specifically targeting those without health insurance coverage. The clinic not only helps improve the community’s access to care but also enhances the quality of care that patients receive.

Insure Montana

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana (BCBSMT) is the insurance carrier for Insure Montana, a state-sponsored program that uses tobacco taxes to provide tax credits and premium subsidies to small businesses that were previously unable to afford health coverage for their workers. The Insure Montana pool, available to companies with two to nine employees, provides health insurance to 696 businesses covering 1,700 employees and an additional 1,800 family members.

Montana Chamber Choices Plans

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana played a key role in launching the Montana Chamber Choices Plans, which are available to small companies with less than 100 employees. The Montana Chamber Choices Plans provide standard health care options to fit the needs of its members, including three plans with an upfront benefit, several comprehensive major medical plans (two of which are HSA compatible), and two plans with co-pays for office visits.

Montana Comprehensive Health Association

The Montana Comprehensive Health Association (MCHA), established by the state Legislature to assist patients unable to obtain private coverage, serves as Montana’s “high-risk” pool. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana (BCBSMT) administers MCHA, and while MCHA benefit plans are not BCBSMT products, the Plan pays a one percent assessment on all of its premiums to help support the program.

The Caring Foundation of Montana, Inc.

The Caring Foundation of Montana, established in 1992 by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana and Montana physicians and hospitals, identifies critical, unmet health care needs of disadvantaged children in Montana and provides financial support to provide access to quality care. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana donates 100 percent of the administrative costs necessary to operate the foundation.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska

BluePreferred Basics Product

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska’s BluePreferred Basics product offers low rates and versatile benefit structures that are designed to attract uninsured members who have been unable to afford or have chosen to forgo health coverage. With low monthly premiums and variable deductible levels, the policy provides affordable, comprehensive coverage for accidents and preventive services, as well as access to the Plan’s network of physicians, hospitals and online self-management resources.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Nevada)

Healthy Generations

Increasing the percentage of mothers who engage in prenatal care during the first trimester of their pregnancies
Decreasing the percentage of newborns who weigh less than 5.5 lbs
Decreasing the coronary heart disease mortality rate
Decreasing the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in adults
Increasing the percentage of the population who meet the CDC’s recommended levels of physical activity
Decreasing the incidence of childhood obesity
Decreasing the percentage of adults who smoke cigarettes
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive an influenza vaccine
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive a pneumococcal vaccine

Innovative and Affordable Benefit Designs

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has developed a portfolio of affordable individual and small group products aimed at helping to reduce the number of uninsured Connecticut residents.

NextRxSM Generic Plus One – Provides employers with a reliable pharmacy benefit with affordable, quality coverage for members of widely used brand-name medications. The product covers all generically available medications and provides single-source branded products for highly utilized drug categories such as ADHD, arthritis, asthma, depression, diabetes, hypertension, insomnia and migraines. Financial incentives shift employees from high-cost branded products to a lower-cost, clinically equivalent alternative, and mandatory mail-ordering further reduces costs.
Tonik® – Provides simplified and affordable insurance aimed at covering the “invincible” young adult population. “Big Picture” coverage includes prevention services, emergency, prescriptions, vision and dental. The plans are simplified, and enrollment is tailored to distinct personalities and lifestyles: Calculated Risk Taker, Part-Time Daredevil and Thrill Seeker. Average premiums are below $150 per month, with a $30 co-payment.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (New Hampshire)

Healthy Generations

Increasing the percentage of mothers who engage in prenatal care during the first trimester of their pregnancies
Decreasing the percentage of newborns who weigh less than 5.5 lbs
Decreasing the coronary heart disease mortality rate
Decreasing the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in adults
Increasing the percentage of the population who meet the CDC’s recommended levels of physical activity
Decreasing the incidence of childhood obesity
Decreasing the percentage of adults who smoke cigarettes
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive an influenza vaccine
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive a pneumococcal vaccine

Innovative and Affordable Benefit Designs

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has developed a portfolio of affordable individual and small group products aimed at helping to reduce the number of uninsured New Hampshire residents.

Tonik® – Provides simplified and affordable insurance aimed at covering the “invincible” young adult population. “Big Picture” coverage includes prevention services, emergency, prescriptions, vision and dental. The plans are simplified, and enrollment is tailored to distinct personalities and lifestyles: Calculated Risk Taker, Part-Time Daredevil and Thrill Seeker. Average premiums are below $150 per month, with a $30 co-payment.
NextRxSM Generic Plus One – Provides employers with a reliable pharmacy benefit with affordable, quality coverage for members of widely used brand-name medications. The product covers all generically available medications and provides single-source branded products for highly utilized drug categories such as ADHD, arthritis, asthma, depression, diabetes, hypertension, insomnia and migraines. Financial incentives shift employees from high-cost branded products to a lower-cost, clinically equivalent alternative, and mandatory mail-ordering further reduces costs.

Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey, Inc.

New Jersey FamilyCare Advantage

Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey worked with the state to develop a coverage solution for uninsured children whose family income is above the eligible level for Medicaid or the New Jersey FamilyCare program. Horizon is the only insurer in the state to provide the NJ FamilyCare Advantage buy-in plan, which enables working families earning more than 350 percent of the federal poverty level to access affordable healthcare coverage for children under age 19.

Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico

Care Van Program

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico participates in the Care Van program, operated by the Health Care Service Corporation in Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. These mobile clinics offer the uninsured free basic healthcare services, including immunizations. The Care Van team also performs healthy child assessments, dental screenings and routine checkups. Since its inception in 1990, the Care Van program has provided more than 800,000 free immunizations through its fleet of 18 vehicles.

BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and BlueShield of Northeastern New York

Aqua Health Product

BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and BlueShield of Northeastern New York developed the Aqua product to offer a comprehensive, affordable coverage solution for small employers and expand uninsured residents' access to health insurance. The plan incorporates an “Aqua Allowance” used as a first-dollar coverage benefit for eligible medical expenses, encouraging members to make cost-effective healthcare decisions. If members exhaust the allowance, they are responsible for deductibles and coinsurance on subsequent medical expenses. To promote healthy lifestyle choices, Aqua also provides additional allowances for gym memberships and certain wellness services, making good health an affordable option.

Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield (New York)

Healthy Generations

Increasing the percentage of mothers who engage in prenatal care during the first trimester of their pregnancies
Decreasing the percentage of newborns who weigh less than 5.5 lbs
Decreasing the coronary heart disease mortality rate
Decreasing the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in adults
Increasing the percentage of the population who meet the CDC’s recommended levels of physical activity
Decreasing the incidence of childhood obesity
Decreasing the percentage of adults who smoke cigarettes
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive an influenza vaccine
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive a pneumococcal vaccine

Innovative and Affordable Benefit Designs

Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield has developed a portfolio of affordable individual and small group products aimed at helping to reduce the number of uninsured New York residents. For example, the NextRxSM Generic Plus One provides employers with a reliable pharmacy benefit with affordable, quality coverage for members of widely used brand-name medications. The product covers all generically available medications and provides single-source branded products for highly utilized drug categories such as ADHD, arthritis, asthma, depression, diabetes, hypertension, insomnia and migraines. Financial incentives shift employees from high-cost branded products to a lower-cost, clinically equivalent alternative, and mandatory mail-ordering further reduces costs.

Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield (New York)

Community Mobile Health RV - Southern Tier Service Area

Purchased with grant monies from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, the Mobile Health RV operates as a certified, self-contained, mobile diagnostic and treatment clinic to access the underserved populations of rural New York and provide health screenings and care.

Hispanic Health Insurance Project

Through partnerships with key community leaders, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has worked to improve access to medical care for Hispanics in the region, as well as enroll eligible, uninsured Hispanics in public or private health insurance programs.

ValuMed and ValuMed Plus Plans

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s ValuMed plans target low-income individuals earning less than 222 percent of the federal poverty level. The plans cover up to 30 days per hospital inpatient admission but do not offer coverage for doctor office visits, prescription drugs or lab/X-ray tests that are not part of an inpatient admission. Providers accept a 30 percent discount below the indemnity fee schedule, and the Plan absorbs all administrative costs. ValuMed Plus plans are available to individuals earning up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level, providing the same services as ValuMed but with unlimited coverage for doctor visits.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) established the BCBSNC Foundation to improve health outcomes for the state’s uninsured, low-income and vulnerable populations.

In conjunction with the North Carolina Association of Free Clinics and the North Carolina Medical Society Foundation, the BCBSNC Foundation works to expand free clinics and recruit primary care physicians to rural and underserved areas. The state’s free clinics log more than 300,000 patient visits annually and deliver more than $65 million in free medical care to the uninsured.

In 2007, with support from the BCBSNC Foundation, the North Carolina Medical Society Foundation’s Community Practitioner Program provided more than 466,000 patient visits and over $6.2 million in free care to the uninsured.

BlueCross BlueShield of North Dakota

Blue Saver Coverage Option

BlueCross BlueShield of North Dakota's BlueSaver product is a high-deductible, low-premium coverage option that incorporates a health savings account. The plan provides uninsured North Dakotans with an affordable coverage option and helps ensure that all residents have access to major medical coverage in case of a catastrophic health event.

The North Dakota Caring Foundation’s Caring for Children Program

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) established the http://www.ndcaring.org/ to support programs that improve state residents' access to affordable healthcare. The foundation operates the Caring for Children program to provide eligible children with primary and preventive medical, dental and mental health treatment. The program covers services across BCBSND's network of preferred providers and facilities at little or no cost to participants. For example, eligible children can receive well-child visits, routine physicals, immunizations, emergency care, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, diagnostic tests, preventive and restorative dental services and mental health screenings.

Anthem Blue Cross (Ohio)

Healthy Generations Childhood Obesity Prevention

Increasing the percentage of mothers who engage in prenatal care during the first trimester of their pregnancies
Decreasing the percentage of newborns who weigh less than 5.5 lbs
Decreasing the coronary heart disease mortality rate
Decreasing the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in adults
Increasing the percentage of the population who meet the CDC’s recommended levels of physical activity
Decreasing the incidence of childhood obesity
Decreasing the percentage of adults who smoke cigarettes
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive an influenza vaccine
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive a pneumococcal vaccine

Innovative and Affordable Benefit Designs

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has developed a portfolio of affordable individual and small group products aimed at helping to reduce the number of uninsured Ohio residents.

Blue Access® Economy – Designed for those seeking a reliable coverage for themselves and their families. The Blue Access Economy plan offers a compromise between the richer benefits of the Blue Access Plans and the more limited coverage of the Blue Access Value Plan. Blue Access Economy, which allows members to choose from four deductibles ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, covers the first three office visits with a co-payment of $30 each. Members can also select a variety of drug options offering different coverage levels, including generic-only coverage, brand-name coverage and mail-order service.
NextRxSM Generic Plus One – Provides employers with a reliable pharmacy benefit with affordable, quality coverage for members of widely used brand-name medications. The product covers all generically available medications and provides single-source branded products for highly utilized drug categories such as ADHD, arthritis, asthma, depression, diabetes, hypertension, insomnia and migraines. Financial incentives shift employees from high-cost branded products to a lower-cost, clinically equivalent alternative, and mandatory mail-ordering further reduces costs.

Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma

Caring Van Program

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma is the leading sponsor of the Oklahoma Caring Van Program, operated by the Oklahoma Caring Foundation, Inc. The mobile health program provides free immunizations to under-served children in locations convenient to working families. The purpose of the Caring Van Program is to eliminate barriers that prevent children from receiving appropriate immunizations at the proper stage of life, thus protecting them, their families and the community from the devastation of preventable illness. Since the program's inception in 1999, the four Caring Vans have provided 128,000 immunizations to 56,000 children throughout Oklahoma.

Insure Oklahoma Premium Assistance Program

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma worked closely with the state legislature to develop a premium assistance plan, funded by a tobacco tax that provides low-income, uninsured workers in eligible small businesses with financial aid to help cover the cost of health insurance. Through the premium assistance program, employers contribute 25 percent of the monthly premium and employees are responsible for paying only up to 15 percent of the total monthly balance. BCBSOK supports the program with a number of plan offerings that provide comprehensive, low-cost coverage for major medical events to ensure uninsured residents have access to affordable health insurance.

Oklahoma Mobile Screening Unit

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma partnered with the Lions Club to develop the Oklahoma Mobile Screening Unit, an 18-wheel semi-truck that travels across the state, conducting screenings for blood pressure, glucose levels, hearing and vision. To date, more than 54,000 residents have been screened by the mobile program, and over 235,000 medical tests have been administered.

Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon

Aspen Institute

Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania

Access to Health Care for the Uninsured and Underinsured Grants

In early 2008, Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s (BCNEPA) Blue Ribbon Foundation awarded $486,515 to 12 nonprofit partnerships through its Access to Health Care for the Uninsured and Underinsured initiative. The funded projects will improve the quantity and quality of direct healthcare for more than 15,000 underserved residents throughout BCNEPA’s 13-county service area. Grants are being used to provide medications and medical supplies to free clinic patients, add medical personnel and expand the hours of understaffed clinic locations, purchase diagnostic testing supplies and equipment and provide translation services for non-English speaking patients.

adultBasic Health Insurance for Adult Pennsylvanians

Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s adultBasic plans provide low-cost, high-quality health insurance to uninsured adults who meet certain income and other eligibility requirements. adultBasic promotes access to quality healthcare by providing basic health insurance to Pennsylvania residents ages 19 to 64 who need coverage but cannot afford it. The program is intended to provide transitional health insurance for adults who either have incomes below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, have jobs that do not include health benefits or are between jobs. The program is administered by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department using funds received from the National Tobacco Settlement. Healthcare coverage is provided through First Priority Health.

Capital BlueCross

Children’s Health Insurance Program

Capital BlueCross, which is the largest administrator of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley, has expanded outreach efforts to families with uninsured children. To help raise awareness of CHIP and encourage families to apply, Capital BlueCross launched print, billboard and radio advertising campaigns in counties with large populations of uninsured children. The campaigns were multilingual and involved numerous local neighborhood organizations. Capital also worked with state legislators throughout its 21-county service area to sponsor CHIP sign-up events in their districts. Capital BlueCross has enrolled over 100,000 children in CHIP.

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

Days of free health screenings to address access to care

Through “Partners for a Healthy Community” events across Pennsylvania, Highmark provides days of health screenings for uninsured or underinsured children and adults. Screening services offered include asthma, blood pressure, bone density, cholesterol, dental and restorative services, depression, glucose, mammography and vision. Those who attend are screened and invited to make the hosting clinic their medical or dental home. Vision screenings often include paid vouchers for follow-up exams and eyeglasses.

In 2009, Highmark sponsored six “Partners for a Healthy Community” events in conjunction with partnering organizations, a commitment valued at more than $100,000.

State-Supported Insurance Products

Highmark has partnered with the Pennsylvania Insurance Department on a number of initiatives to help address the uninsured and provide them with health coverage.

Highmark administers the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to provide access to health coverage for uninsured children and teens up to age 19 that are ineligible for medical assistance through Highmark.
Highmark administers the adultBasic program, which offers healthcare coverage with modest monthly premiums to uninsured residents ages 19-64, subsidized in part by money from the state's tobacco settlement.
Highmark offers the Special Care Program to provide low-cost health insurance to individuals who are ineligible for medical assistance, as well as uninsured families with annual incomes under 185 percent of the federal poverty level.

Independence Blue Cross

There are currently no plans in this category.

Triple S Management Corporation

Triple-S Directo Plus 2

Geared toward self-employed Puerto Ricans who lack health coverage, Triple-S Management Corporation’s Directo Plus 2 product – with plans starting at $66 – provides access to medical and hospital services and the peace of mind that comes with having health insurance. Among Directo Plus 2’s benefits:

Freedom to select a provider from within the broadest participating provider network in Puerto Rico
Hospital services available 365 days
Unlimited medical visits, including visits to podiatrists and optometrists
Lab tests, X-rays and specialized diagnostic tests, including sonograms, CTs and MRIs
Non-invasive and invasive cardiovascular tests
Expanded coverage for medical and hospital services in the United States for emergencies and services pre-certified by Triple-S

Members can also enhance their plan with dental coverage and a drug discount card that offers savings of up to 38 percent on prescription drugs. For additional details, please visit the Plan’s website.

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island

BlueAngel Community Health Grants

To enhance access to healthcare and promote preventive care, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) awards BlueAngel Community Health Grants. The program seeks to fund projects and initiatives that are closely aligned with BCBSRI’s corporate vision: “To improve the quality of life of our customers and of the people of Rhode Island by improving their health.” All funded programs must address increasing access to healthcare for uninsured or under-served populations and/or reducing disparities in health status for minority populations. In addition, funded initiatives must align with at least one of the following focus areas: mental health, obesity and health literacy.

Good Health Starts with Good People Campaign

To inspire more people to give their time at the volunteer-run Rhode Island Free Clinic –the only free clinic in the state exclusively serving uninsured Rhode Islanders – Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) partnered with the Free Clinic two years ago to create the Good Health Starts with Good People program. As part of the program, BCBSRI pledged to make a two dollar gift to the Free Clinic for each hour of time volunteered there. The Plan also pledged to make a $1,000 gift for each new volunteer who reaches 50 hours of service during the partnership year. To kick off the year-long program, BCBSRI made a $10,000 gift to the Free Clinic.

Premium Assistance Program

Given that rising healthcare costs make it difficult for many people to pay for health insurance, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island’s (BCBSRI) Premium Assistance Program provides fixed-dollar direct subsidies to eligible individuals and families. The Plan provides two levels of assistance depending on members’ gross annual income as a percentage of the federal poverty level and whether they are enrolled in an individual or family plan. To learn more about the program – which had assisted 1,862 subscribers and paid out $1.8 million as of March 2008 – please click here.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation

The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation was established with a mission to improve healthcare - and access to healthcare - by funding projects that directly benefit South Carolina's most vulnerable populations. The Foundation awards grants to assist the uninsured and underinsured, children and adolescents.

In 2008, the Foundation awarded grants totaling more than $12 million, the largest amount awarded in its five years of operation. Over the five years, the Foundation has granted a total of $22.6 million to address such issues as childhood health, community health, the increasing need for free medical clinics, mental health, nursing, and research - all to organizations in South Carolina that serve South Carolinians.

Covering Carolina Collaborative

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina joined with the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce – as well as the state hospital association, medical association and health plan alliance – to form the Covering Carolina Collaborative, a program to help solve the uninsured crisis facing the state. The collaborative supports initiatives to expand access to healthcare coverage through tax credits for small businesses and uninsured individuals and high-risk pools to cover seriously ill residents, with a goal of making affordable, quality healthcare available to every South Carolinian by 2010.

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Dakota

There are currently no plans in this category.

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee established the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation in December 2003 to support programs across the state that promote healthy lifestyle choices and control healthcare costs. The foundation has focused largely on the Plan's goal of fostering "Innovations of Service for the Uninsured," which aims to expand the capacity of community-based volunteer clinics that treat uninsured and under-served populations. In 2006 alone, the foundation awarded more than $2.6 million in grants to programs targeting children and minorities, as well as uninsured and under-served populations.

SimplyBlue Plan Product

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee developed the SimplyBlue product to offer a low-cost, basic level of coverage that provides financial protection against unexpected injury or illness. The coverage includes well child care, adult preventive screenings, outpatient and physician office care and emergency services, with out-of-pocket maximums and low copays to ensure the product is both comprehensive and affordable.

Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas

Care Van Program

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas participates in the Care Van program, operated by the Health Care Services Corporation (HCSC) in Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. This mobile medical clinic offers free access to basic healthcare services for the uninsured, including immunizations against 11 serious infections. The Care Van also performs healthy child assessments, dental screenings and routine checkups to ensure uninsured children receive needed medical care.

Since the program’s inception in 1990, the Care Van has provided more than 800,000 free immunizations through its fleet of 18 vans.

Foundation Hospital Care

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas developed the Foundation Hospital Care plan to offer a limited benefit inpatient-facility-only healthcare coverage product for individuals. The plan provides affordable, cost-effective health coverage for inpatient settings, the freedom to choose a hospital and worldwide coverage to ensure all residents have access and are covered for emergency medical situations. Nearly half of the Foundation Hospital Care enrollees were previously uninsured, but are now covered for major medical services.

Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah

Aspen Institute

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont

Catamount Blue

To help low-income, uninsured Vermonters gain access to healthcare coverage, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont offers the Catamount Blue product. Catamount Blue is designed for individuals who have gone without insurance for at least 12 months, and subsidies are available to members earning less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level. Product highlights include:

Preventive care – covered at 100 percent
Emergency care – covered in the event of a true emergency
Hospitalizations – precertification required
Mental health and substance abuse services – prior approval required

Members with cardiac disease, asthma, diabetes, schizophrenia and a host of other conditions can also enroll in Catamount Blue’s Chronic Care Management programs, and expectant mothers can register for the Plan’s customized Better Beginnings program, which includes access to a registered nurse case manager. Catamount Blue’s other benefits include BlueExtras discounts on health products and services; access to a 24-Hour Nurse Line, the Healthwise Knowledgebase and Healthcare Advisor tools; and the ability to check claim status or look up benefits on a secure member website.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Virginia)

Healthy Generations

Increasing the percentage of mothers who engage in prenatal care during the first trimester of their pregnancies
Decreasing the percentage of newborns who weigh less than 5.5 lbs
Decreasing the coronary heart disease mortality rate
Decreasing the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in adults
Increasing the percentage of the population who meet the CDC’s recommended levels of physical activity
Decreasing the incidence of childhood obesity
Decreasing the percentage of adults who smoke cigarettes
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive an influenza vaccine
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive a pneumococcal vaccine

Innovative and Affordable Benefit Designs

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has developed a portfolio of affordable individual and small group products aimed at helping to reduce the number of uninsured Virginia residents.

NextRxSM Generic Plus One – Provides employers with a reliable pharmacy benefit with affordable, quality coverage for members of widely used brand-name medications. The product covers all generically available medications and provides single-source branded products for highly utilized drug categories such as ADHD, arthritis, asthma, depression, diabetes, hypertension, insomnia and migraines. Financial incentives shift employees from high-cost branded products to a lower-cost, clinically equivalent alternative, and mandatory mail-ordering further reduces costs.
Essential KeyCare® – Essential KeyCare is a new price-conscious, choice-driven health insurance plan targeted to “early” retirees, students and the uninsured. Essential KeyCare is designed to provide protection against expensive and unexpected medical bills and offers a variety of deductibles that allow consumers to find a premium they can afford.

Premera Blue Cross

Age of Accountability Platform

Premera’s healthcare reform platform, “A Vision for a Sustainable Future: The Age of Accountability,” highlights the reasons why the current healthcare system is unsustainable. Specifically, the platform promotes three opportunities to regain balance in the system: preventing illness, promoting evidence-based medicine and encouraging research on what works. Premera executives share this message through speeches, op-eds in regional newspapers and meetings with business leaders and editorial boards. To learn more about Premera's vision, please click here.

Regence BlueShield

Aspen Institute

Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield

West Virginia Small Business Plan

Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield (MSBCBS) partnered with the state’s Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) to offer the Small Business Plan, a comprehensive, affordable health coverage product for businesses with less than 51 employees. The Small Business Plan uses PEIA’s negotiated rates with providers and pharmacies, and MSBCBS offers discounts on one of its high-deductible PPOs, reducing administrative fees and premiums by 17 percent to 22 percent. As of June 2008, the Small Business Plan had 1,071 contracts covering 1,711 members.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Wisconsin)

Healthy Generations

Increasing the percentage of mothers who engage in prenatal care during the first trimester of their pregnancies
Decreasing the percentage of newborns who weigh less than 5.5 lbs
Decreasing the coronary heart disease mortality rate
Decreasing the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in adults
Increasing the percentage of the population who meet the CDC’s recommended levels of physical activity
Decreasing the incidence of childhood obesity
Decreasing the percentage of adults who smoke cigarettes
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive an influenza vaccine
Increasing the percentage of adults over age 65 who receive a pneumococcal vaccine

Innovative and Affordable Benefit Designs

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has developed a portfolio of affordable individual and small group products aimed at helping to reduce the number of uninsured Wisconsin residents.

NextRxSM Generic Plus One – Provides employers with a reliable pharmacy benefit with affordable, quality coverage for members of widely used brand-name medications. The product covers all generically available medications and provides single-source branded products for highly utilized drug categories such as ADHD, arthritis, asthma, depression, diabetes, hypertension, insomnia and migraines. Financial incentives shift employees from high-cost branded products to a lower-cost, clinically equivalent alternative, and mandatory mail-ordering further reduces costs.

Blue Access® Economy – Designed for those seeking a reliable coverage for themselves and their families. The Blue Access Economy plan offers a compromise between the richer benefits of the Blue Access Plans and the more limited coverage of the Blue Access Value Plan. Blue Access Economy, which allows members to choose from four deductibles ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, covers the first three office visits with a co-payment of $30 each. Members can also select a variety of drug options offering different coverage levels, including generic-only coverage, brand-name coverage and mail-order service.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Wyoming

Caring Foundation of Wyoming, Inc.

The Caring Foundation of Wyoming, Inc. was established in 1990 by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Wyoming to make affordable healthcare available to all Wyoming children. Over time, the foundation has evolved to meet women’s healthcare needs and address domestic violence issues. For example:

The Caring for Women Program offers free wellness exams, mammograms and pap smears to eligible Wyoming women.
The Caring for Families Program provides a business-to-business approach to the difficult problem of domestic violence.

Kid Care CHIP Program

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Wyoming offers coverage through the Kid Care Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Designed to provide children and teens of both working and non-working families with health insurance, Kid Care CHIP offers a comprehensive set of healthcare benefits, with low co-payments and a maximum out-of-pocket co-payment cap of $200 per family. The program also provides access to inpatient and outpatient hospital services, physician visits, laboratory and X-ray services, prescriptions and dental and vision services. To learn more, please visit the Plan’s website.

Wyoming Health Insurance Pool

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Wyoming administers the Wyoming Health Insurance Pool (WHIP), which was created by the state Legislature in 1990 to provide health coverage to Wyoming residents who are unable to obtain it on the individual market. For more information about the program, please visit the Wyoming Insurance Department’s WHIP website.

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