PROVIDENCE — Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and Lifespan’s new coordinated care health plan, BlueCHiP Direct Advance, will cost 10 percent less than comparable BCBSRI plans, and it’s available on HealthsourceRI.com during the 2018 ACA open enrollment ending Dec. 31.
BlueCHiP Direct Advance is a coordinated care health plan with primary care providers (PCPs) who coordinate care through Lifespan’s network of providers and facilities, at lower costs.
Rhode Island business boosts efficiency and sustainability with Rhode Island Energy
Hexagon, a global technology and software company, develops products that combine sensor, software and autonomous…
Learn More
With the plan, a Lifespan affiliated PCP will coordinate the patient’s care, including referrals to specialists as well as diagnostic testing needs, said Jill Flaxington, public relations specialist at Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI.
With a PCP actively working with the patient regarding their care options, the patient experience becomes more simple and affordable by avoiding the unnecessary treatment and out-of-pocket costs associated with self-referrals, Flaxington said.
A premium for a single 40 year old individual might be $327/mo for the insurer’s BlueCHiP Direct Advance Gold plan, versus $405 for our BlueCHiP Direct Gold plan, Flaxington said.
“We hear a consistent theme from our members – they want more affordable health plan options – and through our collaboration with Lifespan we are doing that,” said Kim Keck, president and CEO of BCBSRI. “BlueCHiP Direct Advance is an innovative product that features Lifespan’s vast network of providers who are positioned to more effectively manage and coordinate a patient’s care. And, our partnership allows us to offer this new product at a cost that is 10 percent lower than our comparable plans.”
Members of the new plan will have access to providers in the Lifespan network, as well as to Lifespan’s network of hospitals, including Rhode Island Hospital and its pediatric division, Hasbro Children’s Hospital.
“BlueCHiP Direct Advance offers patients access to an integrated network of primary care physicians through Lifespan’s affiliation with Community Physician Partners, Inc. and to the state’s largest multispecialty physician practice – Lifespan Physician Group, Inc. – as well as a select group of Lifespan affiliated specialists,” said Dr. Timothy J. Babineau, Lifespan’s president and CEO. “Lifespan and our clinical partners throughout the state are focused on providing patients with greater access to high-quality, affordable health care.”
BlueCHiP Direct Advance covers office visits, and most generic drugs. with easy-to-understand copays. The plan also offers members up to $250 in wellness rewards along with a 20 percent discount on thousands of CVS-branded health items.
Rhode Island residents can learn more about BlueCHiP Direct Advance by visiting one of three Blue BCBSRI Your Blue Store retail stores in East Providence, Lincoln, or Warwick. To sign up for BlueCHiP Direct Advance, visit HealthSourceRI.
Rob Borkowski is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Borkowski@PBN.com.
