BluePreferred HRA

BluePreferred HRA is a preferred provider organization (PPO) high deductible health plan that is compatible with an employer-sponsored Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA).  Together, they provide the flexibility to choose a doctor or hospital while helping to control your health care costs. Members save money when they obtain health care from our large Preferred Provider network, and they can self-refer to any physician or provider in the network.

Members can choose to have medical care provided by a physician or hospital outside of the preferred provider network. Out-of-network benefits are available for covered services, although the member will incur higher out-of-pocket expenses.

Advantages:

• Members do not need to choose a Primary Care Physician (PCP) and will never need a referral.
• Freedom to visit any doctor or hospital outside the network and still be covered. Members will just share more of the cost.
• Access to one of the largest PPO provider networks in the MD, DC, and VA area, with more than 24,000 participating providers.
• Fewer paperwork hassles than traditional plans. All "Select Preferred" Providers and "Participating Providers" will typically file claims for members.
• No balance billing when using participating hospitals or providers.
• Coverage when you travel. The BlueCard PPO Program allows BluePreferred members to receive in-network benefits while they live or travel outside our service area.

Benefits of your BluePreferred PPO plan includes:

• Annual routine examinations and office visits
• Well-child care and immunizations
• Women's health coverage, such as routine mammograms and Pap tests
• Men's health coverage, including routine prostate cancer screening
• Surgery
• Hospitalization/inpatient services up to 365 days
• Outpatient hospital services
• Emergency care for injury and illness
• Office visits for illness
• Diagnostic tests and X-rays
• Allergy testing and injections
• Home health care
• Hospice care
• Durable medical equipment
• Medical supplies

Advantages of using a Health Reimbursement Arrangement

• Financial control over how health care dollars are spent
• An Employer-funded cash account that provides members with first-dollar coverage*
• No "use it or lose it provision" like a flexible spending account (FSA). Money not used in the HRA can be rolled over to the following year.*
• HRA funds can be used for all qualified medical expenses, including traditional medical coverage, as well as eye glasses, dental procedures, prescription drug coverage and over-the-counter medication.**
• Members make the decision on where and how to spend their health care funds, while still benefiting from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield provider discounts.
  

Online Tools and Resources:
My Account - Allows you to:

• Review eligibility and benefits
• Check the status of a claim 
• Request a new ID card

My Care First - Provides health and wellness information along with health risk assessment and health goal-setting tools.

Options Discount Program - Learn about discounts on services such as laser vision correction, fitness club memberships, weight loss programs, cosmetic dentistry and more.

Find a Doctor - This provider directory is updated every two weeks.

Prescription Drug Information - Look up your prescription drug coverage levels and learn how to save money on your prescription drugs.

* While a referral is not needed to visit plan specialists when receiving services rendered in an office setting, pre-authorization may be needed for certain services such as mental health and substance abuse treatments and non-emergency hospitalizations, among others. Please refer to your benefits booklet (also called Evidence of Coverage) for the specific services that require pre-authorization.

** Specific feature of the HRA are determined by your employer, not by CareFirst BlueChoice. See your benefits manager for details.