2003 DirectBlue Basic

Overview
DirectBlue Basic is an open access program that offers two levels of benefits. If you receive services from a provider
who is in the DirectBlue network, you will receive the higher level of benefits for covered services. If you receive
services from a provider who is not in the DirectBlue network, you will receive the lower level of benefits for covered
services. There is no requirement to select a Primary Care Physician; however, we request that you choose a Primary Care
Physician to assure you get consistent, quality care. Below are specific benefit levels.
DirectBlue also includes these important features for maximum member convenience:
- Prescription drugs are covered when received at any pharmacy in the Premier
Pharmacy Network.
- The Blues on CallSM health decision support line is available to members
24 hours a day, seven days a week. Members can call this toll-free phone
number to speak with a registered nurse for answers to health care questions and help
making informed health care decisions.
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Benefits at a Glance
Wish to have a printable version of this benefit grid? A simple click will open a pdf version...DirectBlue Basic
| Benefits |
"In-Network" Care |
"Out-of-Network" |
| Individual |
None |
$500 |
| Family |
None |
$1,000 |
| (Excludes deductible, copayments,
Prescription Drug Expenses, Mental
Health and Substance Abuse
Expenses, and amounts over UCR)
|
Not Applicable |
$3,000 Individual $6,000 Family |
| |
100% |
80% |
| |
Unlimited |
$1,000,000 |
| |
Generic: $10 copayment Brand: $20 copayment Closed Formulary Mandatory Generic1 34 day or 100 unit supply whichever is greater |
Covered only at Premier Pharmacy Network |
| |
100% after $20 copayment Includes self-referrals |
80% after deductible |
| Adult |
| Routine physical exams |
100% after $20 copayment |
80% after deductible |
| Routine gynecological exams, including PAP tests |
100% after $20 copayment |
80% (deductible does not apply) |
| Mammograms, as required |
100% |
80% after deductible |
| Pediatric |
| Pediatric immunizations |
100% |
80% (deductible does not apply) |
| Routine physical exams |
100% after $20 copayment |
80% after deductible |
| |
100% $50 copayment/visit Waived if admitted |
| |
100% after $250 per admission |
80% after deductible |
| Inpatient |
100% after $250 per admission |
80% after deductible |
| Outpatient |
100% |
80% after deductible |
| Lab, X-ray and other tests |
100% |
80% after deductible |
| |
100% after $20 copayment |
80% after deductible |
| |
100% after $20 copayment |
80% after deductible |
| (Except office visits) |
100% |
80% after deductible |
| |
100% after $20 copayment |
80% after deductible |
| |
Combined Limit: 20 visits/year |
| |
100% |
80% after deductible |
| |
100% |
80% after deductible |
| |
100% |
80% after deductible |
| |
100% |
80% after deductible |
| |
100% |
80% after deductible |
| |
100% |
80% after deductible |
| Inpatient |
| |
100% Limit: 30 days per calendar year |
80% after deductible Limit: 10 days per calendar year |
| |
Combined Maximum: 30 days per calendar year |
| Outpatient |
| |
100% after $20 copayment Limit: 20 visits per calendar year |
50% after deductible Limit: 10 visits per calendar year |
| |
Combined Maximum: 20 visits per calendar year |
| Inpatient |
| Detoxification |
100% |
80% after deductible |
| |
Combined Maximum: 7 days/admission; 4 admissions/lifetime |
| Rehabilitation |
100% |
80% after deductible |
| |
Combined Maximum: 30 days/year; 90 days/lifetime |
| Outpatient |
| |
100% |
80% after deductible |
| |
Combined Maximum: 60 visits/year; 120 visits/lifetime |
| |
Performed by Network Medical Management |
Required for inpatient admission to non-participating hospital ($300 penalty for non-compliance)6 |
| |
No |
Yes |
1 Prescriptions are covered as long as they are listed on the prescription drug formulary applicable to your plan. Under the mandatory generic provision, the member is responsible for the payment differential when a generic drug is available and the doctor or patient specifies a brand name drug. The member payment is the price difference between the brand and generic in addition to the copayment or coinsurance amounts, which may apply.
2 Treatment includes coverage for the correction of a physical or medical problem associated with infertility. Infertility drug therapy may or may not be covered depending on your group's prescription drug benefits.
3 The Maternity Home Health Care Visit on In-Network Care is not subject to the program copayment, coinsurance or deductible amounts, if applicable.
4 To obtain mental health and substance abuse services at the maximum benefits level, you must contact Highmark's Mental Health and Substance Abuse Unit before seeking treatment.
5 State mandated benefits (30 inpatient days and 60 outpatient visits annually) may apply for serious diagnosis. Serious diagnosis includes: schizophrenia, schizo-affective disorder, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, delusional disorder.
6 If Blue Cross Blue Shield is not contacted prior to an inpatient admission and it is later determined that all or part of the inpatient stay was not medically necessary or appropriate, the patient will be responsible for payment of any costs not covered along with a $300 precertification penalty.
The benefit summary outlines the principal features of the program. It should
not be considered the contract of benefits and provisions. Please refer to your
member handbook for a complete description of benefits or contact us for a further explanation.
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Provider Network
To locate a participating provider, please click on the link below.
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Rates
To determine premium rates, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield uses a demographic rating
method based on the following factors: business location, the number of eligible employees
enrolling, the average age of all covered employees, and industry classification. Please contact
the Council's Employee Benefits Group to determine your specific rates.
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Highmark Disclaimer
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield® is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association serving businesses and residents in western Pennsylvania. Highmark® is a registered service mark of Highmark Inc. Blue Cross and Blue Shield® and the cross and shield symbols are registered service marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an Association of Independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. Blues on CallSM is a service mark of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. back to top
This information is not intended for use without professional advice. While we have attempted to make this site as accurate as possible, it is only a summary. For more information, see our disclaimer.  Last updated on: Thursday, November 04, 2004 Page:
Copyright © 2003 Pittsburgh Technology Council. All Rights Reserved.
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