Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network approved to offer 41 individual health plans in Michigan for 2015 open enrollment period

DETROIT, Nov. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and its HMO subsidiary, Blue Care Network, will offer an extended number of affordable health insurance choices to individuals – a total of 41 product options, an increase from 18 in 2014 – during the 2015 open enrollment period. Blue Cross received approval from state and federal regulators to expand product offerings, while remaining committed to affordability, as indicated by the numerous lowest-in-market product prices in many of Michigan's 83 counties.

"Blue Cross has expanded our number of product choices to give Michigan consumers the opportunity to find health insurance that meets their unique needs at a price that works for their budget," said Terry Burke, vice president for Individual Business at BCBSM.  "Michigan is a very a competitive market for health insurance. Blue Cross' 2015 individual market offerings are competitively priced, and provide consumers with affordable options and greater flexibility throughout Michigan. If people want a Blue Cross card, they can get it at an affordable price, choose from a large array of products and enroll in a plan with confidence."

During the upcoming 2015 open enrollment, Blue Cross will be one of two carriers to offer products to residents of all 83 Michigan counties. Highlights of the 2015 offerings include:

• Blue Cross will be offering the lowest priced Catastrophic plan on the marketplace in 78 of Michigan's 83 counties, and the lowest priced Bronze plan on the Marketplace in 35 of the 83 counties.
• Two new affordable product lines built on local networks of hospitals and doctors in southeast Michigan, providing additional health plan options to cost-conscious consumers:
  • Metro Detroit Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO)
    • Lower cost product options with more than 5,000 doctors in-network
    • Coverage in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, St. Clair and Washtenaw counties
    • Includes 25 hospitals in 8 hospital systems
  • Metro Detroit HMO
    • Offering coverage in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties
    • Includes at least 12 hospitals in 4 hospital systems
• New plans with a designation of "extra," which pay for unlimited primary care physician visits before deductible; unlimited specialist office visits with up to four visits before deductible; and generic prescription drugs before deductible; co-pays will apply.
• A new Platinum-level plan offering both a low deductible and out-of-pocket maximum, that also includes comprehensive dental and vision coverage.
• Complementary products to BCBSM health plans, including:
  • Personal Accident: protects individuals and families from high out of pocket costs by covering expenses resulting from an accidental injury. Can pay for a variety of medical expenses, including x-rays, medication, ambulance services, or for common life expenses bills, mortgage or child care.
  • Hospital Recovery: provides a benefit upon discharge from a hospital stay in order to help pay for services that assist in recovery. Can be used for rehabilitative services, transportation, home care, housekeeping help, child care, to pay daily bills or replace lost wages while away from work.

Both Blue Cross and Blue Care Network will offer plans at the Gold, Silver, Bronze and Catastrophic levels. The new Blue Cross Platinum-level plan will be an option for consumers seeking a richer benefit structure.

"Health insurance consumers want a variety of choices and price points, quality coverage that includes the doctors they trust, and health plans to provide the guidance they need in a confusing time," Burke said.  "Our goal at Blue Cross is to offer quality health plans to meet the needs of every customer, and to provide the guidance and support they need to make the right choice for their needs."

The new products become available to Michigan consumers on Nov. 15, when the federally run Health Insurance Marketplace begins taking applications for open enrollment. Products will be available through independent Blue-certified insurance agents and also directly through BCBSM and BCN. 

The following represent average prices for BCBSM and BCN individual plans to be offered on and off the Health Insurance Marketplace. The prices shown are without the federal subsidy that some individuals may qualify for, which in turn would lower their costs.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network of Michigan are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more company information, visit bcbsm.com and MiBluesPerspectives.com.

SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan