How is BlueEdge different from a traditional health plan?
Most traditional plans pay a percentage of the charges for covered medical expenses only after you satisfy a plan deductible or copayment. The BlueEdge product portfolio includes a full array of benefit plans and choices. With BlueEdge plans, you have coverage for preventive care and wellness services. Your employer chooses a Spending Account as a standalone benefit or to pair with a BlueEdge plan design. Spending Account funds can pay for covered health care expenses and may also apply toward your deductible (not all BlueEdge products include a deductible).

Will a visit to my doctor be any different now that I have BlueEdge?
No. Be sure to bring your Blue Cross and Blue Shield ID card to the doctor to assist in filing your claims.

What if I use all the money in my Spending Account?
If you use all your Spending Account funds and you have a plan that includes a deductible, you are responsible for paying the remaining balance of your deductible before your PPO benefits begin.

What is a Health Care Account?
A Health Care Account (HCA) is money set aside for you by your employer. Charges for covered medical care services are first paid from this account. Eligible expenses paid from the Health Care Account are also applied toward your annual deductible. Unspent funds roll over from year to year. If you leave the plan, the funds return to your employer.

How do I access my Health Care Account funds?
When you use an in-network provider, the provider will submit the claim for you. Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s integrated claim process automatically deducts funds from the Health Care Account. There is no paperwork for you to file.

If you receive care from a non-network doctor or hospital, the provider will most likely also file your claim with Blue Cross and Blue Shield. However, if you need to file a claim yourself, you can download a claim form and send it to the address on the back of your Blue Cross ID card.

What is a Health Savings Account?
A Health Savings Account (HSA) can be established with funds from you, your employer or both. You can use these funds to pay for medical care services and if you spend the money on a PPO-eligible expense it will count toward your annual deductible. You own the Health Savings Account, so if you change jobs, the funds stay with you. If you are purchasing this product you should first seek professional tax counsel to determine if your individual situation permits use of an HSA.

How does the BlueEdge HSA family deductible work?
The family deductible is an "aggregate" deductible, which means that the entire family deductible amount must be satisfied before benefits begin for any family member. Eligible health care expenses from any covered family member apply toward the family deductible.

How do I access my Health Savings Account funds?
If your employer uses Mellon Bank to administer the HSAs with the integrated offering, and you use an in-network provider, the provider will submit the claim for you*. Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s integrated claim process gives you the option of having funds automatically deducted from the Health Savings Account. There is no paperwork for you to file.

If you receive care from a non-network doctor or hospital, the provider will most likely also file your claim with Blue Cross and Blue Shield. However, if you need to file a claim yourself, you can download a claim form and send it to the address on the back of your Blue Cross ID card.

To access your HSA funds you can also use the debit card or checkbook issued by the HSA administrator.

How does BlueEdge Wellness Rewards HCA work?
BlueEdge Wellness Rewards HCA rewards you for completing healthy activities from a list selected by your employer. Each time you complete a healthy activity, your employer will set aside funds in a Health Care Account for you.

How does BlueEdge Vitality HCA work?
Each year, your employer will set aside funds in a Health Care Account. The account balance rolls over and is added to the HCA contribution for the following year. Upon retirement, you can use the funds to pay for benefits your employer has chosen.

What is a Limited Purpose HCA?
The law allows employees who are covered under a BlueEdge HSA plan to also have a Limited Purpose HCA. The Limited Purpose HCA covers specific benefits as defined by the IRS. Your employer funds the Limited Purpose HCA.

*The relationship between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and Mellon Bank is that of independent contractors.