Enrollment period for BCBSRI individual and family plans runs through Jan. 31

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Nov. 15, 2022) – Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) is offering enhanced medical and dental benefits for the 2023 open enrollment period – including a new discount prescription drug program called MedsYourWay® – to make healthy living more convenient and affordable for both individuals and families.

BCBSRI’s 2023 plans feature a range of choices to meet the needs of all Rhode Islanders. Offerings include a variety of network and benefit options, and a plan that offers tax-saving opportunities through a health savings account (HSA). Open enrollment, which began Nov. 1, continues through Jan. 31, 2023.

“We are continually enriching our plans– including benefits for maternity, acupuncture, and telehealth – and this year we launched a program to make prescription drugs more affordable and convenient for our members. MedsYourWay® is unique to BCBSRI and we’re confident it’s going to save our members money by simplifying access to prescription drug discounts. We always want to meet members where they are with solutions that support their health and well-being," said Melissa Cummings, BCBSRI executive vice president and chief customer officer.

MedsYourWay® helps members find the lowest available price of applicable discount cards for eligible medications—no coupons or other cards needed. And all covered prescription purchases count toward deductibles. To use MedsYourWay, members simply present their BCBSRI member ID card at a participating in-network retail pharmacy. If they have a BCBSRI pharmacy benefit, they will then automatically obtain the lowest available price for the drug and its cost will be applied to their deductible.

Other plan features include coverage for doula services, up to 12 acupuncture visits per year, more affordable telehealth visits through Doctors Online, and enhanced wellness rewards and discounts.

Enhanced health insurance subsidies that were first provided by the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) were extended through 2025 under the Inflation Reduction Act. The continued expansion of these premium tax credits can make BCBSRI plans even more affordable for Rhode Islanders. The tax credits apply to those purchasing health insurance via HealthSource RI, Rhode Island’s health insurance exchange. The BCBSRI team is available to help answer questions and determine eligibility for a subsidy by calling (401) 459-5550 or 1-855-690-2583 (my0blue) (TTY: 711).

BCBSRI offers many highly rated plans. In September, BCBSRI was awarded a rating of 4.5 out of 5 by The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for its Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) product lines, recognizing BCBSRI’s commitment to service and clinical quality. This places BCBSRI in the top 4 percent of the 331 PPO plans that were rated. Also in 2022, for the second consecutive year, BCBSRI members rated their health insurer #1 in member satisfaction among commercial health plans in the Northeast region in the annual J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Commercial Member Health Plan Satisfaction Study. 

Every BCBSRI individual and family health plan includes:

• 100 percent coverage for preventive services. This includes annual exams, annual physicals, flu shots, chronic health condition education, and other preventive care received in-network.
• Up to $500 per household in wellness rewards. Members and covered spouses can earn rewards when they sync activity devices (Fitbit, Max Buzz, Apple Watch and others) with the Virgin Pulse^® wellness app.
• Access to Doctors Online, a telehealth platform that connects members with top-rated, board-certified doctors from smartphones, tablets, or computers – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – at the same (or lower) cost as a primary care visit.
• Tailored discounts through Blue365^®, a program that gives members discounts on various programs and services, from fitness centers and athletic equipment to personal care and travel/lifestyle perks (hotel, travel, and meal delivery).

For the convenience and satisfaction of members, 97% of Rhode Island physicians and 98% of Rhode Island specialists are in network in most of BCBSRI plans (except BlueCHiP Direct Advance plans).

BCBSRI also offers four dental plans, each with in- and out-of-network coverage from coast to coast, as well as pediatric dental benefits. Enhanced non-surgical periodontal benefits are also available at no additional cost to individuals diagnosed with diabetes or coronary artery disease.

All plans feature BCBSRI’s suite of digital tools to help simplify the healthcare experience:

• myBCBSRI: A tailored, online portal that provides a fast and easy way for members to view benefits, check claims, access digital ID cards, review electronic documents, track claim statuses, check benefit information and more.
• Cost Calculator: An easy-to-use program to help members estimate costs across network providers to make better-informed choices when they need a medical test or procedure.
• Find a Doctor: An online database for members to search for providers by name, specialty, location, network and services offered.

All plans also include access to BCBSRI’s four Your Blue Store locations across the state – in Cranston, East Providence, Lincoln and Warwick. Your Blue Stores offer sales and service support, care management, and free fitness programming and health education classes.

Families and individuals can find the plan that’s right for them:

• By phone: 401-459-5550 or 1-855-690-2583 (TTY: 711)
• Online: Review benefits, join a virtual enrollment meeting, make plan changes and more at bcbsri.com
• In person: At Your Blue Store. Visit bcbsri.com/yourbluestore.

Visit bcbsri.com to review plan details and enroll in a plan for 2023.