RELEASE
Innovative Option for Young Adults Offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network Along with Moderate Rate Changes for 2022 ACA Marketplace Health Plans
Brianna Neace
| 3 min read
DETROIT, June 14, 2021 – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are launching a new individual health plan option for young adults under 30 as part of a continuing commitment to offer comprehensive plan choices, along with moderate price changes, for its suite of health insurance plan options for the upcoming 2022 ACA Marketplace open enrollment period. The new Preferred Value plan will be offered in 63 rural counties for adults under 30 years old who are ineligible for a tax credit under the ACA. The plan provides no-cost laboratory services and low copays for a variety of benefits including Blue Cross Online Visits, primary care visits, retail health visits, mental health visits and urgent care visits. Pending approval of rates filed with state regulators this week, on average, Blue Cross PPO and Blue Care Network HMO plans will have moderate price increases of five and six percent, respectively. Blue Cross and BCN will continue to provide a variety of coverage options with no plan cancellations for 2022 enrollment. The companies remain the only carriers offering plans in the Upper Peninsula, as well as all 83 Michigan counties. Adding to a diversified portfolio of 30 total plans – two Gold, 16 Silver, nine Bronze and two Catastrophic level offerings – the Blue Cross Preferred Value plan will be the one new product to be introduced for 2022 open enrollment. “As we adjust to changing health care trends and needs of members, we’re more committed than ever to keeping premium increases in check and providing affordable plans, while ensuring our members have the coverage they depend on,” said Rick Notter, vice president of Individual Business for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “Blue Cross has been a reliable coverage provider on the Marketplace since it opened, with stable plans and pricing for Michigan residents. We are pleased to continue to offer that stability in 2022.” “The Blue Cross Preferred Value plan was designed to provide a quality coverage option for young adults who may not qualify for subsidies, but are still looking for an affordable, comprehensive health care plan,” said Notter. “It’s important that everyone has access to the care they need regardless of their income or age, and the development of this plan was just another example of how Blue Cross intends to make that vision a reality. It’s one more step in the right direction.” Blue Cross’ and BCN’s combined membership in individual plans has remained steady despite the COVID pandemic, with more than 170,000 members enrolled in individual market health plans, 57 percent of which receive subsidies through the Marketplace. Several benefits are included as part of all individual plans to keep members and their families healthy at no extra cost. These services include free annual visits, wellness appointments and vaccines, as well as no-cost Blue Cross medical online visits and diabetes management tools. Throughout the pandemic, Blue Cross has remained committed to supporting its members through several efforts aimed at increasing access to health care and resources. To date, members have been able to save more than $750 million in out-of-pocket costs stemming from cost-share waivers for COVID treatment and the administration of 1.6 million FDA-approved, physician-authorized COVID tests, among other related initiatives. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit mutual insurance company, is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSM provides and administers health benefits to more than 4.5 million members residing in Michigan in addition to employees of Michigan-headquartered companies who reside outside the state. For more company information, visit bcbsm.com and MiBluesPerspectives.com.
