Generic Drugs

Is the cost of your prescription medications hitting you hard in the pocketbook? We have a solution — generic drugs. Talk with your physician about switching your brand-name medications to generics. If your physician agrees, in 2010 you can switch certain brand-name prescriptions to selected generics at a Preferred retail pharmacy and we will waive the coinsurance amount under Standard Option for the first four prescription fills or refills. That means free generic drugs. See the listing of eligible drugs in the 2010 Service Benefit Plan brochure.

Further, under Standard Option you can also get your first four prescription fills or refills for generic drugs without paying the $10 copayment when you use the mail service pharmacy.

Free Annual Physicals

In 2010, if you take the Blue Health Assessment before you get your annual physical, your annual physical exam under both options is free when you use a Preferred provider. You will get a certificate to show your physician and our reimbursement to the physician will include the appropriate copayment amount you would normally pay.

Free Preventive Child Care

We provide benefits to keep children healthy from the day they are born until they turn 22 years of age. Following the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines, we pay for newborn visits and any routine screening procedures that may be needed for children up to the age of 22. Under both options, when you use a Preferred provider for covered preventive child care, you pay nothing. That means you can keep your child healthy and happy, and save money at the same time.

Free Cancer Screenings And Immunizations

Cancer screenings are important to keep you healthy and detect any illness in the early stages. Early detection means a less invasive treatment and a better chance at recovery. To make sure these important tests don't take money from your budget, you pay just the copayment under both options for the related office visit and nothing for the test when you use a Preferred provider. We pay covered immunizations in full after you pay the related visit copayment as well. You can also get the seasonal flu shot, shingles vaccine, pneumonia vaccine, meningococcal vaccine and the HPV vaccine free at participating Preferred Pharmacies that offer the immunization. The appropriate age and gender limitations described in the 2010 Service Benefit Plan brochure apply.

Patient Safety And Quality Monitoring

Do you purchase prescription drugs at multiple pharmacies? Do the pharmacies know all of the drugs you are taking? If not, you are risking drug interactions because all of your prescriptions may not be monitored to make sure they work together. Our Patient Safety and Quality Monitoring Program does the work for you, regardless of how many pharmacies you use. We have safety checks that identify drug duplication, excessive use of medications, and refills that are requested too soon. By using these monitoring features, we make sure you are taking the right dosage of medication at the right times. This Program is developed by physicians and pharmacists to ensure you and your family are taking medications within safe and appropriate guidelines.

Maternity Care

When you are having a baby, you don't need to worry about your health insurance benefits. Under Standard Option when you use a Preferred hospital, you pay nothing for the hospital admission. You pay nothing when you use a Preferred physician for care related to your pregnancy. Outpatient hospital services related to maternity care are also paid in full when you use a Preferred facility. If you have Basic Option, you pay a $150 copayment for all inpatient hospital care and nothing for any maternity related outpatient care in a hospital. You pay nothing under Basic Option for physician services related to your maternity care.

New For 2010 — Blue365®

Blue365 offers great discounts and valuable information you can use all year long. It is a good resource for living healthier and for keeping you healthy.

Blue365 gives you exclusive access to information, discounts and savings that make it easier and more affordable to make healthy choices. Leading national companies in a wide range of categories have created special offers and discounts just for Service Benefit Plan members.

Blue365 includes discounts on many health and wellness items, including fitness and nutrition. You can save on fitness club memberships, monthly fees and other services at Gold's Gym, Snap Fitness and other local fitness centers. Plus you can save on products, programs and consultations related to nutrition and diet at companies such as Jenny Craig and eDiets.

You can also save on vision products and services through Davis Vision. Under this program, you are eligible for discounts for routine eye examinations as well as eyeglasses and contact lenses at a substantial savings when using Davis Vision network providers. You can also save on laser vision correction surgery. In addition, Blue365 includes discounts for hearing aids at Beltone stores.

WalkingWorks®

Take a step toward health and wellness. Walking is one of the easiest ways to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. It only takes a pair of sneakers to get walking. Our WalkingWorks® program offers a pedometer and participant walking guide to help get you started at no charge to you. We keep track of your progress for you and the guide offers tips on how to start walking for your health.

Blue Health Connection

Personalized service and people who care about you and your family. That's Blue Health Connection. Just call 1.888.258.3432.

You also have free access to many online resources, such as our Audio Health Library, with hundreds of articles you can read online or download them to your mp3 player to listen to anytime. And the Clinical Reference System has thousands of illustrations as well as information about surgical procedures, medications and medical conditions.

Need to find out just how healthy or unhealthy your current lifestyle is? The Blue Health Assessment is a quick online tool to help you look at your current health status and habits. You get personalized feedback identifying potential health risks, providing suggestions for actions and talking points to help you discuss any health issues with your physician. The Assessment also provides free online programs to help with weight management, stress, depression, smoking cessation, nutrition and back pain.