Blue Cross And Blue Shield Of Vermont Announces New Product Offering

November 12, 2009

Berlin - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont today announced the introduction of a new benefit plan within The Vermont Health Plan (TVHP) product line that will allow an employer to offer a managed care plan to all their employees --in-state and out-of-state-- with the same level of benefits, provider network access, and premium cost.

The announcement from the state's largest nonprofit health insurer said the new product offering, called BlueCare Access, is available to employers of any size for enrollment beginning January, 2010.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont's TVHP network offers favorable discounts with physicians and facilities within Vermont and bordering communities in neighboring states. Although the TVHP BlueCare network is extensive for in-state members, similar network access was unavailable to out-of-state members. Employers needed to offer a second health plan; either a PPO or POS plan in order to provide coverage for its out-of-state workers.

The new BlueCare Access plan eliminates the need for employers with employees outside of the TVHP service area to offer a second plan alongside the in-state plan. The employer may now manage a single benefit plan that offers the same level of benefit to all employees regardless of where they reside. The employer also has one set of premiums for all employees and receives a single, consolidated invoice for all health care costs.

"The BlueCare Access benefit plan allows employers to offer equal benefits to all of their employees at the same premium cost.  Plus BlueCare Access eliminates the hassles and inefficiencies of managing two separate health plans," explained Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont Vice President, David Krupa.

BlueCare Access will utilize the national Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association's BlueCard Preferred Provider network to guarantee access for out-of-state employees and their dependents.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is the state's oldest and largest private health insurer, providing coverage for about 180,000 Vermonters.  It employs over 350 Vermonters at its headquarters in Berlin and branch office in Williston, and offers group and individual health plans to Vermonters.   More information about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is available on the Internet at www.bcbsvt.com. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is an independent corporation operating under a license with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.