Have you recently received a letter from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona with your new rates and policy option choices? They have just begun sending letters to all of their policyholders, so if you have not yet received your letter, look for it to arrive soon.
If you are currently on the BluePreferred PPO plan, you may find it to be less expensive if you change your plan to the new BlueOptimum Plus PPO plan. If you choose to make this change, you will not have to go through medical underwriting again. If you now have the grandfathered Blue Preferred plan, you may switch to the Blue Optimum Plus plan by simply checking a box on the form that is included in Blue Cross’s letter and returning that form to them. In the majority of cases, your monthly premium cost will probably go down. For example, A 50 year old man living in Phoenix would pay $539 per month to stay on the BluePreferred $1,000 deductible plan. By simply telling Blue Cross that you wish to switch to the new BlueOptimum Plus plan, your rate would actually go down to $405. A 30 year old woman living in Tucson would pay $270 per month for her existing BluePreferred $1,000 deductible plan, but if she moved over to the new BlueOptimum Plus plan, her monthly cost would go down to $228.
The two policies are very similar, too. Here are the major differences between the two policies – this example reflects benefits under the $1,000 deductible versions:
• you pay $30 for doctor visits on Blue Optimum Plus
• you pay $25 for doctor visits on Blue Preferred
• you pay $50 for specialist visits on Blue Optimum Plus
• you pay $50 for specialist visits on Blue Preferred
• you pay $60 for urgent care visits on Blue Optimum Plus
• you pay $50 for urgent care visits on Blue Preferred
• you pay nothing for annual exam visits on Blue Optimum Plus
• you pay $25 for annual exam visits on Blue Preferred
• the 20% you pay on Blue Optimum Plus is $2500 annually
• the 20% you pay on Blue Preferred is $3000 annually
• most brand name drugs on Blue Optimum Plus cost $40
• most brand name drugs on Blue Preferred cost $35
To download a small PDF file with all of the details about the Blue Optimum Plus plan, click here.
Professionally, we think making the change from Blue Preferred to Blue Optimum Plus makes a lot of sense. If you need help deciding whether or not to change from your existing plan to the new plan, call us at (800) 600-9663 or (520) 760-0392. We can give you all of your options, and tell you what the new plan will cost you.
*** If you already have a Blue Cross Blue Shield plan and don’t have a broker, or are not happy with your current broker, please contact us today or fax us an Agent of Record letter. We will be happy to represent you during the life of your policy. Remember- using an agent costs you nothing and will be a tremendous help if you have any problems with your policy down the road. ***
