INScompanies Blog

“Next generation” consumer-driven health products to provide the information and incentives needed to improve health

New York, NY (Aug. 22, 2006) – Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield will soon offer enhanced health plan options for employers that will continue to change the way consumers think about health care, helping them to lead healthier lives while also helping them gain control over the rising cost of care. 

Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield will offer these “next generation” core products through the consumer-driven portfolio developed by Lumenos®, a pioneer in the field of consumer plans acquired by WellPoint, Inc., Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield parent company, in 2005. These enhanced consumer-driven health plans and services will be available throughout the WellPoint plans starting January 1, 2007 (subject to regulatory approval):
 
  Lumenos Health Reimbursement Account
 
  Lumenos Health Savings Account
 
  Lumenos Health Incentive Account
 
  Lumenos Health Incentive Account Plus 

This new suite of Lumenos products – which will be available to large and small businesses – will empower consumers with industry-leading health information, support tools, incentives and financial accounts to help them improve and maintain their health and wellness and better manage their health care costs, according to Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield.

“Our goal with these “next generation” consumer-driven health plans (CDHP) and services is to continue improving the health of our members, which will also improve the efficiency of the health care system,” said Jason Gorevic, president of Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield. “This puts consumers in control of their health care dollars and gives them an incentive to spend wisely and demand better health care quality and value. Our commitment to this consumer movement, which is sweeping through all parts of the health care industry, represents our ongoing dedication to improving our interactions with our customers and to empowering their healthcare experience.”

Empire currently offers a CDHP plan in the New York market, Empire Total BlueSM, providing members with the incentive and power to make cost effective healthcare decisions. Empire Total Blue, launched on January 1, 2005, was the model on which these next generation CDHP products were built. “The pilot plan between our New York plan and Lumenos served as the foundation for scaling this offering throughout WellPoint,” said Gorevic. “The products being utilized are the most modern generation to date, providing more information and consumer-friendly tools.” 

Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield’s “next generation” consumer-driven health plan options will combine an employee- and/or employer-funded health account with traditional PPO health coverage. Each is paired with powerful online decision support tools and personal health coaching that consumers can use to learn more about their health care treatment and cost options. 

For example, when members complete an online health assessment, enroll in a program with a health coach, successfully complete a smoking cessation program or make other healthy lifestyle choices, they will receive tangible incentives and rewards under these health plans. These unique features, combined with Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield’s network strength, innovative provider partnerships, local presence and powerful brand name will provide unparalleled value to consumers.

Research indicates consumers have a limited understanding of the cost of medical care. Six out of ten people, surveyed by Harris Interactive, who had received treatment for a serious health issue in the last two years did not know the cost until after treatment was received. 

Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield’s “next generation” consumer-driven products will make quality and cost data more accessible in order to create millions of better informed, more engaged health care consumers,” said Gorevic. 

New benefits will include more robust tools and incentive programs for members, offerings to different group sizes in the network area, updated plan designs and payment plans and improved transparency provided in web tools for our members. 

WellPoint is committed to continually finding health solutions that help consumers take a more active role in their health and health care. CDHPs are an important part of that commitment. Having a single brand name and consistent strategy for all of our CDHP products help us to provide our clients and consumers with a clear, consistent message and a more robust consumer experience.

Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, the largest health insurer in New York State based on PPO and HMO membership, is a subsidiary of WellPoint, Inc. WellPoint’s mission is to improve the lives of the people it serves and the health of its communities. WellPoint, Inc. is the largest health benefits company in terms of commercial membership in the United States. Through its nationwide networks, the company delivers a number of leading health benefit solutions through a broad portfolio of integrated health care plans and related services, along with a wide range of specialty products such as life and disability insurance benefits, pharmacy benefit management, dental, vision, behavioral health benefit services, as well as long term care insurance and flexible spending accounts. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, WellPoint is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and serves its members as the Blue Cross licensee for California; the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, New Hampshire, New York (as Blue Cross Blue Shield in 10 New York City metropolitan and surrounding counties and as Blue Cross or Blue Cross Blue Shield in selected upstate counties only), Ohio, Virginia (excluding the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.), Wisconsin; and through UniCare. Additional information about WellPoint is available at www.wellpoint.com

New American Express HealthPay PlusSM Solution Complements Empire Total Blue product by providing Card access to HSA funds, optional credit line

New York, NY (November 30, 2005) – Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield will offer the new American Express HealthPay PlusSM healthcare payment solution in conjunction with the Empire Total Blue consumer directed healthcare product, enabling integrated claims processing and easier access to health savings account (HSA) funds. 

The Empire Total Blue product is a high-deductible health plan that qualifies members to open an integrated HSA, which is typically funded through pre-tax payroll deductions and often with contributions from the employer. The American Express HealthPay Plus HSA from American Express Bank, FSB, may be accessed by Empire Total Blue members with the new American Express healthcare payment card. Members will be able to swipe their card at participating providers’ offices after receiving qualified services, and leave the rest of the payment and claims adjudication process to Empire and American Express. 

“Empire Total Blue has been a very successful addition to our product portfolio, meeting the needs of large and small employers alike,” said Jason Gorevic, chief sales and marketing officer of Empire. “The addition of the American Express HealthPay Plus Card brings an innovative new dimension to this market leading product.” 

Empire Total Blue gives consumers the tools and resources to help manage their healthcare decisions and finances more effectively than traditional managed healthcare plans. Eligible Empire Total Blue members who apply and are approved for the optional HealthPay Plus credit line can use funds from it to pay deductibles and other expenses before the HSA is fully funded or to help cover costs that may exceed the balance in their HSA. Members can also choose to pay with funds from their credit line and save their HSA funds for future medical expenses. Healthcare providers will benefit from this funding approach, which will substantially reduce the burden borne by physicians and hospitals of collecting funds from consumers when there is member responsibility for deductible or co-insurance. 

“Employers who offer HSAs to their workforce will find that the American Express HealthPay Plus makes Empire Total Blue an even more attractive choice for employees,” Gorevic said. “The new American Express card will enable Empire Total Blue members to more easily manage their annual deductible, and save for future medical expenses at the same time.” 

The American Express HealthPay Plus HSA is a product of American Express Bank, FSB, Member FDIC. Employees will own and control the funds in their HSAs and may use the funds, and the HealthPay Plus Card, only for medical needs, including prescription drugs, medical office visits, deductibles, co-insurance payments and other qualified expenses. 

Empire and American Express plan to offer the healthcare payment solution to corporations beginning in early 2006.  
 
Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield is the largest health insurer in New York State, based on PPO and HMO membership. Empire HealthChoice Assurance, Inc., d/b/a/ Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Empire HealthChoice HMO, Inc., d/b/a Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO, are licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans, and have the exclusive right to use the Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and marks throughout 10 downstate New York counties and one or both of these names and marks in select upstate counties. For more information visit www.empireblue.com.

New York, NY (November 1, 2005) — Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield announced today that it has begun offering Medicare Supplemental Plans C and F to eligible Medicare beneficiaries in its service area. 

Benefits available under both Plan C and Plan F include coverage of the Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B deductibles, $0 coinsurance for days 1-150 of inpatient hospital care, $0 coinsurance for days 1-100 in a skilled nursing facility and $0 coinsurance for a doctor’s office visit. In addition, Plan F covers the difference between a doctor or other healthcare provider’s actual charge (which may be limited) and the Medicare-approved payment amount. 

In addition, all of Empire’s Medicare Supplemental Plans now offer, as an optional rider at no additional cost to Medicare beneficiaries, the Silver Sneakers® Fitness Program. Under the Silver Sneakers® program, Medicare beneficiaries receive a basic fitness membership at one of Silver Sneakers® fitness facilities, as well as the option to participate in specialized classes. 

Medicare beneficiaries interested in more information about these plans, and Empire’s continued offering of Medicare Supplemental Plans A, B and H, should contact Empire by calling 1-800-809-7328. 

Empire is the largest health insurer in New York State, based on PPO and HMO membership. Empire HealthChoice Assurance, Inc., d/b/a/ Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Empire HealthChoice HMO, Inc., d/b/a Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO, are licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans, and have the exclusive right to use the Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and marks throughout 10 downstate New York counties and one or both of these names and marks in select upstate counties. For more information visit www.empireblue.com