Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois HSA

High deductible plans from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois have always been a smart way for you to better manage your health care dollars.  With a high deductible plan, you save on the cost of insurance by sharing more of the smaller expenses such as physician office visits.

HSA-qualified plans from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois offer substantially lower premiums, along with the opportunity to put tax-deductible money in a special account which can be used to pay your deductible and other medical expenses.

The BlueEdge HSA plans provide coverage for major hospital, medical, and surgical expenses incurred as a result of a covered accident or sickness.  Coverage is provided for daily hospital room and board, miscellaneous hospital services, surgical services, anesthesia services, in-hospital medical services and out-of-hospital care, subject to any deductibles or other limitations which may be set forth in the policy.

Although you can go to the hospitals and physicians of your choice, your hospital benefits under the BlueEdge Individual HSA plan will be greater when you use the services of participating hospitals and physicians.

Plans at a Glance:              Plan Brochures:  BlueEdge HSA   BlueEdge HSA 5000

This information is presented only as a very brief overview of some of the benefits of this plan, and is intended only for general education.  The amount of benefits provided depends on the plan selected. Premium will vary with the type of benefits selected.  These plans contain exclusions from and limitations of coverage.  Please see the product brochure for more complete information, as well as information about terms of renew ability, preexisting conditions, out-of-network penalties, and notification requirements.  Plans are subject to health underwriting.  To be considered for reimbursement, expenses must qualify as covered expenses.  Expenses are also subject to reasonable and customary limits, unless you use a network, and all other policy provisions, including determinations of medical necessity.

Coverage Synopsis:

BlueEdge HSA - This is the only Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois plan that is HSA compatible.  After you have met your deductible, the plan pays either 80% or 100% of all covered expenses, up to $5 million per person.  With the 80% plans, coverage becomes 100% once you have reached an out of pocket limit of $5,000 for singles or $10,000 for families.

This plans qualifies as HSA-eligible.  Combining a Health Savings Account with any Blue Edge HSA plan allows you to make tax-deductible contributions, pay medical expenses with pre-tax dollars, and earn tax-deferred interest. This account works much like an IRA, except you may use your tax-free savings for qualified medical expenses your health plan does not cover, such as your deductible, contact lenses, or most types of alternative medicine (see the qualified medical expenses).  If you do not use these funds, they simply accumulate with interest, for distribution upon your retirement.

Optional Riders :

Maternity Coverage - When elected, maternity benefits will begin after 265 days of coverage.  When this rider is chosen, maternity care is treated just the same as any other condition.  This means the plan will pay either 80% or 100% of your costs, after your deductible, depending on your level of co-insurance.

Rate Information:

Preferred rates, including quotes for maternity care, are available on our instant quote page.

The premium can be paid via quarterly, semi-annual, or annual billing, or a monthly bank draft or credit card. The bank draft will occur on the premium due date each month. The initial premium can be paid with a check or credit card.

PPO Network:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois gives you access to the largest networks in country, with thousands of health care providers throughout the state of Illinois.  Having access to the PPO network can mean substantial discounts in what you pay for your health care, even before you meet your deductible.  The large list of doctors and hospitals can be viewed at their online directory.

Underwriting:

Underwriting of your application with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois normally takes two to three weeks, though if medical records are ordered it could take longer.

It is standard practice to request a Blood Pressure Inquiry or medical records for all applicants who are currently being treated (or who have recently discontinued treatment) for high blood pressure.  Certain conditions may be waivered with a temporary rider (usually for one to two years), or an indefinite rider.

The company does have the right to accept or decline any individual or family application.  If you are currently being treated for depression, anxiety, or high cholesterol, please let us know before you apply so we can make sure there are no delays in getting you covered.

Effective dates:

The earliest your coverage can go into effect is one day after your signed application has been received by our office.  You may request an effective date any time as far out as 60 days after you sign your application.

Please note, if you are requesting an effective date of less than 21 days from the time you complete the application, you may not receive notification of your approval until after your effective date.  If you have claims during this period, they will be eligible for coverage if submitted after you have been approved.  Also note that you will be billed starting on your requested effective date, even if you have not yet been notified that you have been approved.  This is very good for someone who does not have any present coverage and would like for their benefits to begin right away.  For those who are already covered, it is suggested that you maintain your current coverage in force until you have received notice from either HSA for America or directly from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois that your coverage has been approved and is in force.

HSA Administrator:

Your health savings account is totally separate from your health insurance, and you may use any approved bank or trustee as your HSA administrator.  We recommend that you choose one from our HSA administrator page, where you can compare rates and features. 

About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois traces its roots to the depths of the Great Depression and a group of Chicago business leaders who witnessed how relatively minor illnesses that required a hospital stay were ruining families financially.  These business leaders saw terrible hardship in their community and they took action to alleviate it.  In 1936, they pooled their own savings and launched a not-for-profit company called Hospital Service Corporation to offer an affordable pre-paid hospital plan, which was a new concept at that time.  The Chicago Plan, as it was called, was one the forerunners of what we know as health insurance today.  The idea, of course, caught on and Hospital Service Corporation eventually became Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois.

Today, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is the largest and most experienced health insurance company in the state, providing more than 6.5 million members with health insurance.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois has been assigned a rating of "A" (Excellent) from the A.M. Best Company, an independent insurance rating organization.

HSA for America is an independent authorized Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois agent.

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