Independence Launches New Medical and Pharmacy Product Portfolio for Large Employers

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 18 -- Independence Blue Cross issued the following news release:

Independence Blue Cross (Independence) introduces new medical and prescription drug product portfolios for employers in southeastern Pennsylvania with 51 or more employees. The products, which are effective January 1, 2018, give large employers choice and affordability and are available to both fully-insured and self-funded customers.

The new portfolio includes more than 150 medical and 20 prescription drug product options that feature modernized health plans designed to help employers better manage their health care costs. The portfolios offer access to innovations such as:

* PPO tiered provider network options that create incentive to use preferred facilities and ambulatory surgical centers;

* Cost-effective alternatives to the hospital when seeking care for services like preventive colonoscopy, radiology, and lab work;

* Value Formulary, a comprehensive list of medications that include generics, brands, and specialty drugs based on medical effectiveness, positive results, and value.

"We strategically developed our new medical and pharmacy options to offer the right mix of products at the right price for large employers in our region," said Jonathan Stump, Independence vice president, Product Services. "Whether they have 51 employees or 250, employers will have access to the high-quality plans and capabilities they have come to know and expect from Independence, including the largest network of physicians, hospitals and health care professionals in the region."

Coverage options and cost flexibility

Independence's wide range of medical health plans offer both in- and out-of-network coverage for employees. Many of these plans are available at the same cost-sharing across each product type to give employers a range of premiums.

These plans also provide flexibility when it comes to coverage and cost-sharing. For example, a group can choose a standard health plan or try one of Independence's innovative options, like site of service benefits when seeking care outside a hospital setting or an HSA-qualified plan with a health savings account.

The new pharmacy plans provide affordable access to wide-ranging prescription drug benefits. The plans are designed to further encourage the use of generics and to better manage the increasing costs associated with specialty drugs. Pharmacy plans can also be tailored to meet the specific needs of groups with 100 or more members.

Achieve with Independence

Independence plans also offer employers access to technology that keeps employees engaged in both their health and their performance at work. Achieve Well-being tools at ibxpress.com and on the IBX mobile app, complement the Independence Worksite Well-being program, and when combined, add a more in-depth level of employee engagement.

For example, the tools integrate with technology that employees are probably already using, like mobile apps and digital health trackers, to seamlessly create a well-being journey. And Achieve Well-being gives employees a rich resource of integrated tools and programs to track and motivate healthy behaviors in a way that is simple, easy, and fun.

Additional workplace benefits for large employers

Independence helps large employers give their employees benefits that go beyond traditional medical and prescription drug coverage by teaming up with industry partners to offer options that help protect their health and their wealth. Options include:

* Dental

* Vision

* College Tuition Benefit

* ID theft protection

* Stop Loss

* International health insurance

* Hospital indemnity

* Spending accounts