Norman Regional explains Blue Cross Blue Shield Individual Plans

Dec. 15--Norman Regional has received questions from patients about the health system's participation in Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) insurance plans. These questions are regarding individual plans that people purchase on the Federal Exchange Health Insurance Marketplace. BCBS is dropping the BlueChoice PPO individual plans from the exchange in 2016 and will only offer BluePreferred and BlueAdvantage individual plans.

Norman Regional is in negotiations with BCBS for their BluePreferred plan that is offered to individuals. We hope to reach an agreement with BCBS so that we can continue to treat the purchasers of this plan as an in-network provider. Our web site will be updated with the most current information as soon as it is available.

Norman Regional is contracted with most Blue Cross Blue Shield plans offered by businesses to their employees or employer health plans, including Sooner Blue, BlueChoice PPO, BlueTraditional, Federal Employees Program, and BlueLincs.

In the Federal Exchange, Norman Regional does participate in United HealthCare's exchange plans for individuals. For a completed list of the insurance plans we are contracted with please click here.

If you have additional questions, please contact our Patient Access Advisors. The advisors can offer additional information specific to your situation. They can be reached at (405) 307-2730 or [email protected]

Common Questions:Here's some important dates for 2016 Federal Exchange enrollment:

Nov. 1, 2015: Open Enrollment started -- first day you can enroll in a 2016 insurance plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Coverage can start as soon as Jan. 1, 2016.

Dec. 15, 2015: Last day to enroll in or change plans for new coverage to start Jan. 1, 2016

Jan. 1, 2016: 2016 coverage starts for those who enroll or change plans by Dec. 15.

Jan. 15, 2016: Last day to enroll in or change plans for new coverage to start Feb. 1, 2016

Jan. 31, 2016: 2016 Open Enrollment ends. Enrollments or changes between Jan. 16 and Jan. 31 take effect March 1, 2016.

Common Questions:

Q. When will Norman Regional know if it is contracted to be an in-network provider with the BCBS Preferred plan for 2016?

A. Currently, Norman Regional does not have a timeframe from BCBS on when an agreement could be reached. We will update this web site as soon as this information becomes available.

Q. What providers would be included in the contract between Norman Regional and BCBS?

A. The only providers included in a Norman Regional contract would be Norman Regional Health System facilities and employed physicians. A complete list of those can be found on our website, under the "Hospitals & Clinics" tab. Other independent medical staff providers contract individually with BCBS. If you have a question about your doctor's participation, contact their office directly.

Q. I live in Norman and all of my doctors are here. Which plans should I purchase on the Federal Exchange?

A. Norman Regional Health System and its physician offices are currently out-of-network for the BCBS BluePreferred and BlueAdvantage PPO offered on the Federal Exchange. Other Norman-area physician offices may accept these plans. Norman Regional and its physician offices are in-network with United HealthCare on the Federal Exchange.

___

(c)2015 The Norman Transcript (Norman, Okla.)

Visit The Norman Transcript (Norman, Okla.) at www.normantranscript.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.