BCBSRI’s suite of consumer tools (Find a Doctor, Cost Calculator, and SmartShopper) are now integrated—and that’s great news for your clients and their employees. This convenient, intuitive tool enables faster provider searches, supports thoughtful cost comparisons, and empowers members to make better-informed decisions regarding their healthcare—which could help reduce your clients’ overall healthcare costs over time. Plus, members can access the tool—along with other plan perks, programs, and information—simply by logging in to their myBCBSRI account.
How the new tool works
Once a member logs in at myBCBSRI.com, they can use Find a Doctor to search for doctors and other medical providers, behavioral/mental healthcare, hospitals, medical procedures, and more. They can view awards that providers have received for quality and cost-effectiveness as well as read reviews from other patients. The “Common Search" feature delivers one-click results for popular searches such as Primary Care or Urgent Care.
Through Cost Calculator, members may compare costs for office visits, hospitals, and medical procedures, such as a colonoscopy, x-ray, or knee surgery. The tool will display a list of provider locations as well as estimated costs by provider. In addition, if the member’s specific BCBSRI plan includes SmartShopper,* a green icon will appear next to provider choices that may qualify for SmartShopper rewards. All search results are tailored to the member’s specific plan—listed providers and facilities will be in-network and estimated costs will account for the appropriate cost-sharing.
Find a Doctor and Cost Calculator are included with every BCBSRI plan. SmartShopper is included with all fully insured plans—with the exception of HSA-qualified high deductible health plans such as BlueSolutions for HSA and Medicare plans—and is an available enhancement for self-funded groups.
* The SmartShopper program is offered by Sapphire Digital, an independent company. Incentives available for select procedures only. Payments are a taxable form of income. Rewards may be delivered by check or an alternative form of payment. Members with coverage under Medicaid or Medicare are not eligible to receive incentive rewards under the SmartShopper program. SmartShopper is not available for BCBSRI’s HSA-qualified high deductible health plans, such as BlueSolutions for HSA.