Blue Cross checks to patients
New ID numbers
New ID Cards
Please note that this is for Verizon employees and retirees only. We do not have information for the general public.
Open Enrollment November 12-25, 2008
2009 VERIZON HEALTH PLANS COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
The GetHealthHelp.com analysis is based on calls we receive to help you choose the right plan for your needs.
IMPORTANT! Members who were covered by the Aetna MEP PPO (185) and the Empire MEP (the old Blue Cross) in 2008 will automatically be enrolled in the MEP HCPPO for 2009.
The first 2 columns are both for the new plan. The chart shows how you are covered both in and out of network.
Go online between November 12- 25 2008 http://resources.hewitt.com/verizon or call 1-877-275-8947
ONLY if you want to change your plan selection from last year.
Changes to the Indemnity PPO options
|
PLAN |
Empire MEP HCPPO Out of Network |
Emoire MEP HCPPO In Network |
|
HOW DOCTORS & PATIENTS LIKE THIS PLAN |
A+ BEST for Adults Preventive Exams for children not covered |
Your Aetna Doctors should be sure they are in the Empire HCPPO |
|
Deductibles and co-pays |
$250/$625 Out Of Pocket max. increased to $700
|
same as in network co-pays are not counted to deductibles |
|
Well Child Care |
80% after deductible |
100% immunizations & office visits |
|
PRESCRIPTION PLAN CHANGES |
no assignment of benefits reimbursement only
|
% raised for co-pays out of pocket raised |
|
CAN I USE MY OUT OF NETWORK DOCTOR & HOSPITAL
|
All doctors are covered for 80% of office fee after deductible |
$15 co-pay $5 co-pay with Medicare |
|
ADVANTAGE OF USING IN NETWORK DOCTORS
|
Most doctors know this plan and accept it. |
Co-pays instead of % |
|
PHYSICAL THERAPY/ CHIROPRACTIC |
Same as Medical Coverage Out-of-Network In-Network agrees to managed care limits
|
80 % of contracted rate |
|
OUT PATIENT MENTAL HEALTH |
80% after deductible |
80% after deductible |
HMO Options for 2009
|
814.Empire BCBS NY HMO |
21.Aetna HCN NY |
847.Aetna HMO |
822.HIP NY |
838.HealthNet NY/CT |
|
Only doctors at participating hospitals will accept. Bare Bones Coverage |
Comprehensive Primary Care at a low cost. |
Only doctors at participating hospitals will accept. Bare Bones Coverage |
VERY GOOD for Preventive Services for children and women’s care. |
Doctors compare this coverage to Medicare HMO’s. Small Network
|
|
$150 Hospital co-pay per admission added |
NONE |
$150 Hospital co-pay per admission added $50 emergency room |
$100 Hospital co-pay per admission added |
$150 Hospital co-pay per admission added |
|
no change
|
no change
|
no change |
no change |
no change |
|
no change |
no change |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
|
NO |
70% covered after $250 deductible with limits on fees and procedures including hospital care |
NO |
NO |
NO |
|
Requires PCP Selection Limits out of pocket cost |
No out of Pocket for In Network doctors visits $15 co-pay for specialists |
Requires PCP Selection Pay only a $10 co-pay for office visits |
Pay only a $10 co-pay for office visits. |
Pay only a $10 co-pay for office visits. |
|
$10 co-pay |
Limited number of visits both in and out of network b Preauthorization and $1500 Annual Max. |
Only limited in-network coverage with managed care limits |
Limited number of visits in-network $10 co-pay |
Limited number of visits in-network $10 co-pay
|
|
Approved Services in-network $10 co-pay |
Authorization Required $15 in network 50% out |
Approved Services in-network $10 co-pay |
60 visits limit in-network $10 co-pay |
Approved Services in-network $10 co-pay |
Verizon Open Enrollment 2008
This information is what we have so far. I will post a comparison chart as soon as I see the one the company gives out. Please call the Local or the Health Line frist if you are considering making a change.
Open enrollment for active members is November 12, 2008 through November 25, 2008.
Open enrollment for members who retired after 1986 will be November 5, through November 18, 2008. All other retirees can make changes anytime effective the first of the month following a 30 day period.
There will be a Benefit Renewal Brochure mailed to our members on October 27, 2008. Those members who are in the MEP plan will receive a brochure which details the changes from the MEP to the new MEP HCPPO. Those who are participating in the MEP PPO will receive a brochure which details the changes from the MEP PPO to the new MEP HCPPO and lastly those who participate in the HCN or an HMO will receive the information about the new MEP HCPPO.
The new medical plan option, the MEP HCPPO will replace the current MEP and the MEP PPO. This plan will be the default plan. All new hires who do not select a plan will be placed into the MEP HCPPO.
Any member who currently participates in the MEP or the MEP PPO will automatically be enrolled in the new MEP HCPPO. These members only need to make a change during open enrollment if they want to choose a different plan.
Any member who currently participates in the HCN or an HMO will continue in those plans unless they make changes and enroll by November 25, 2008.
THE PREFERRED CARE (NEW YORK) OPTION 839 WILL NOT BE AN OPTION IN 2009.
Those members will need to select a new plan or they will default into the MEP HCPPO.
Any member that wants a copy of the Health Plan Comparison charts can visit www.verizon.com/benefits or they can call 1-877-4VZ-BENS beginning October 29, 2008.
It is important for our members to review their covered dependents during the benefit renewal process.
The new ” Anytime Enrollment Process” becomes effective January 1, 2009. Our members must be enrolled in the same plan for 12 months before he/she can make a medical plan change (other than a life event). Therefore, the first time anyone can make a change under the “Anytime Enrollment Process” is January 1, 2010.
“Anytime Enrollment” for members who retired after 1986 becomes effective January 1, 2009 and retirees can make a change anytime effective the first of the month following a thirty day period.
Triple Home Run
1. New name of plan administered only by Empire Blue Cross better reflects the plan design. In and out of network coverage based on 80/20 UCR (Now the Verizon PPO) and adds well baby coverage.
2. No Open Enrollment closed period. All members covered now by Aetna MEP/Indemnity will automatically be transfered into the new improved plan. Also, during the course of 2009, if you find that you have chosen the wrong plan, you can change one time to another plan. Please be aware that you should not call benefits to change from Aetna MEP/Indemnity to the new plan. This will be considered your one time change. Only call if you are changing from an HMO to the new plan or any other plan.
3. There is stronger protection language for members using FMLA.
You can Fight Against Cost Shifting and WIN!
In Unity Their Is Strength!
2009 Medical Plan Changes
Health Plan Changes
The bottom line is that members who took the Aetna MEP/Indemnity Plan so that they could go to their out of network doctors while still benefiting from well-baby coverage and in-network discounts, should change to the improved Empire Blue Cross MEP plan. This will allow you and your family to have the same kind of coverage that Aetna was offering, but without the administrative problems some of you experienced with Aetna.
HMO options remain the same and there is no need to change if you are happy with your plan.
You do not have to contribute to any plan premium, so make your decision based on how you prefer to access care. Please do not hesitate to call the Health Line with any questions about your coverage or help in choosing a plan. We are Your Patient Advocate. We are not affiliated with any insurance plan or doctors office.
CALL 718-612-2360 or visit GetHealthHelp.com
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