BlueChoice Advantage-HDHP Option

BlueChoice Advantage-HDHP Option offers in-network coverage nationwide to help control your out-of-pocket costs. When receiving care inside CareFirst service area of Maryland, Washington D.C., and Northern Virginia, you can choose from 50,000 participating in-network BlueChoice providers, without obtaining a referral and pay the lowest out-of-pocket costs. You also have access to hundreds of thousands of participating BlueCard PPO providers, but your benefits will be paid at the out-of-network level and are subject to slightly higher out-of-pocket costs.

If you need care while outside the CareFirst service area, see a participating national BlueCard PPO provider to obtain in-network coverage and pay the lowest out-of-pocket cost. You have the option to seek care from a non-participating provider, but will incur higher out-of-pocket costs and may be subject to balance billing.

You can find out more about Blue Rewards and how much you can earn by reviewing the important information on this page.

For a more complete summary of your benefits, please see your 2024 Plan Information Booklet (PDF).

HDHP and HSA/HRAs

Our BlueChoice Advantage-HDHP Option is a great choice because you can save money and become more engaged with your health care when it is paired with a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA).

What is a Health Savings Account?

A tax-advantaged medical savings account that you can open when you select the BlueChoice Advantage-HDHP Option to pay for health care costs for yourself and taxable dependents. Eligible expenses include doctor and hospital visits, copays, eyeglasses, prescriptions, dental care and premiums for long-term care insurance.

You may contribute to your HSA up to the annual limit ($4,150 for Self-Only; $8,300 Self + One or Self & Family) and retain control of the account and may rollover any unused funds from year-to-year. You may also choose to invest additional funds.

Please note, members enrolled in Medicare are not eligible for an HSA.

What is a Health Reimbursement Arrangement?

HRAs are tax-advantaged accounts that we fund to cover health care costs before and after the deductible has been met.

Tax Benefits

When you select an HRA or HSA with the BlueChoice Advantage-HDHP Option, you have more control over how you spend your health care dollars.

View a comprehensive comparison of HSAs and HRAs

• HSAs provide tax savings – there are no taxes on deposits, interest, earnings or use of HSA funds for qualified medical expenses.
• You won't pay taxes on your HSA contributions, interest/investment earnings or withdrawals for qualified expenses.
• You can roll over your HSA funds at the end of the plan year to use for future expenses, including retiree health expenses.
• The HSA is portable so you can take it with you when you leave your position.
• If you are age 55 and over, you can make additional "catch-up" contributions to increase your HSA contribution, based upon IRS guidelines.
• HRAs provide tax-free reimbursement of out-of-pocket medical expenses. When you need to make a withdrawal, it is tax-free as long as you use it for qualified expenses.

Member Resources

• Payment card convenience – A payment card allows you to quickly and easily access HSA funds. It functions like a credit card, with funds deducted directly from your HSA.

Remember! You only have 30 days to sign up for an HSA.

Review our HDHP Tools for an HSA Contribution Calculator, Goal Calculator or Savings Calculator.