Getting to know Blue Connect Savings Plus (2023)

To maximize your Blue Connect Savings Plus high-deductible health plan, be sure to open a Health Savings Account (HSA) to set aside money to pay for qualified health expenses. We recommend a MySmart$aver HSA from HealthEquity, Inc.*, an independent company that administers HSAs to Blue Cross members enrolled in BlueConnect Savings Plus.

Your HSA rolls over from year to year so any money you don't use can be used the next year. Use your HSA to pay for doctor visits, prescription drugs and certain health-related items. Learn more about qualified medical expenses in this HealthEquity database.

*HealthEquity, Inc. is an IRS authorized non-bank custodian of HSAs, and the preferred HSA custodian for eligible Blue Cross members enrolled in our high deductible health plans. Members who qualify may open an HSA with any HSA trustee or custodian. Health Savings Accounts (HSA) have tax and legal ramifications. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana does not provide legal or tax advice, and nothing herein should be construed as legal or tax advice. These materials, and any tax-related statements in them, are not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used or relied on, for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties. Tax-related statements, if any, may have been written in connection with the promotion or marketing of the transaction(s) or matter(s) addressed by these materials. You should seek advice based on your particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of specific health insurance plans or products. See IRS Publication 969 for more about HSAs.

Your plan covers a variety of benefits to keep you healthy. They include:

Your Schedule of Benefits (SOB) includes information about what services are covered, what's not covered and how much it will cost.

You can manage your prescription drug coverage by logging in at bcbsla.com/myaccount and choosing "Pharmacy" on the dark blue bar near the top of the page. Once you log in, you can:

Control costs by staying in your network. Your plan includes both in-network and out-of-network coverage, but you will pay more when you visit an out-of-network doctor or hospital.

Be proactive about staying in your network by visiting bcbsla.com/blue-connect to find a doctor or hospital in your network. Blue Connect members have access to Ochsner Health Network (OHN) and other participating providers. While the Blue Connect product is offered only in the Lafayette, New Orleans and Shreveport areas, Blue Connect members may also access Blue Connect network providers located in other parishes.

You must pick a primary care doctor in the Blue Connect network to handle most of your medical needs when you are sick or injured.

We are committed to providing you with affordable access to quality healthcare through our Quality Blue program. If your doctor takes part in this program, you are a part of it, too. You can ask your provider if they are in the Quality Blue program or look them up in our directory at bcbsla.com/findcare. Quality Blue providers have an indicator as shown below:

Save time and money by getting the right care in the right place. Don't go to the emergency room for a cold.

Activate your Blue Cross online account quickly and easily. Once you're registered, you can manage your account, choose to go paperless, review your benefits, see your claims status, view your digital ID card, and more - 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Ochsner Connected Anywhere lets members with a Blue Connect plan have private, secure video visits with a health care provider from the convenience of their workplace or home. All they need is a smartphone, tablet or computer to get started. For urgent care conditions like colds, fever and rashes, employees can see a doctor 24/7 with no appointment needed.

Members with any Blue Connect plan can also see a licensed therapist provider for conditions like anxiety, depression, eating disorders and others. Therapy virtual visits are available by appointment seven days per week.

After each visit to a doctor or hospital, we will send you an Explanation of Benefits (EOB). It is a summary of the charges for the care or services you received. It shows what we cover and what the provider charged or what the service cost. It is not a bill. You may choose to go paperless and get your EOBs online by logging in at bcbsla.com/myaccount and choosing "Account Preferences."