BluePerks Discount Program. Savings on non-covered services and more

Transcription

1 BluePerks Discount Program Savings on non-covered services and more

2 Complement health plan coverage in new ways. These days, more and more people whether treating a recurring sports injury, relieving stress or chronic pain, or simply living healthier are complementing prescribed treatment methods with alternative medicine and wellness services. Recent studies show that 40 percent of American adults tried at least one form of Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) last year*, despite the fact that most procedures aren t covered by the average group benefits plan. Living a healthier lifestyle is important. That s why BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee helps reduce the cost of these lifestyle enhancements, with BluePerks. BluePerks are great discounts on certain non-covered services. Created exclusively for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee members, BluePerks features discounts of up to 30 percent on a wide variety of noncovered products and services - such as vitamins, massage therapy, fitness centers, spas, personal trainers, Tai Chi classes and more. The program was recently enhanced to provide savings on popular cosmetic services and vision care items. Taking advantage of BluePerks is easy. There s no forms to fill out, no physician referrals, claims paperwork or reimbursement hassles. Just flash your BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee membership ID card when receiving products and services from associated practitioners and receive instant discounts of up to 30 percent. BluePerks is offered through partnerships with discount service providers, such as: American WholeHealth Networks, Inc.: Administering the Complementary Alternative Medicine and cosmetic services discounts Davis Vision: Administering the vision care item discount TruVision: Administering the LASIK eye surgery discount Most BluePerks discounts are available nationwide. However, the cosmetic services discount is currently only available in Tennessee. BluePerks includes discounts on: Fitness memberships Massage therapy Vitamins Diet and supplement advisors Spa services Personal trainers Mind/Body and relaxation therapy Yoga and Tai Chi instruction Acupuncture Holistic physicians/ practitioners LASIK corrective vision surgery Health magazine subscriptions Cosmetic services Vision care products Healthy events and activities And more! At no additional cost to you. Best of all, the BluePerks discount program is available at no additional cost to you. Think of it as one more advantage of your BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee health coverage. For more information on the BluePerks discount program, simply contact your broker/agent, call one of the discount partners listed above, or visit * Journal of the American Medical Association

3 Using BluePerks is easy: Simply log on to and click the BluePerks link. Or call one of the discount partners listed at left. Click on your area of interest or use the handy search engine to find practitioners who participate in the BluePerks discount program. Next, simply present your BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee membership ID card when purchasing products or services from a practitioner who participates in the BluePerks program and receive instant discounts of up to 30 percent. It s that easy. There s no paperwork, prior authorizations, reimbursements or claims to file. Just enjoy the advantages of carrying a BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee membership ID card.

4 BluePerks Discount Program disclaimer Although BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has arranged to make these savings available to you, the affiliated third party practitioners are solely responsible for provision of any products or services. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and its affiliates are not liable for product defects, practitioner negligence or other errors in the delivery of health care products or services. Members are encouraged to consult their health care provider when considering new therapy or before starting an exercise program, particularly if they are taking medication or being treated for a specific health condition. The BluePerks Discount Program is not a pre-paid plan or insurance Neither BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee nor the BluePerks program will reimburse or otherwise pay any portion of any CAM pratitioner s fee or wellness facility s charges. The discounts available through the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee BluePerks program may not be used in connection with any government-sponsored health plan program, including Medicare and Medicaid. The BluePerks program savings do not apply to products or services you purchase from any practitioner from whom you are also obtaining products or services paid for by any such government-sponsored program. The discounts available through BluePerks may not be used in connection with any health coverage (e.g., to reduce the deductible co-payment or coinsurance obligation). BluePerks discounts may not be used in conjunction with any other discount or coupon. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Inc., an Independent Licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association Registered marks of the BlueCross BlueShield Association, an Association of Independent BlueCross BlueShield Plans This document has been classified as public information COMM-405 (08/04)

5 How to use this employee awareness kit This kit is designed to help you communicate the value-added benefit of the BluePerks discount program to your employees. The enclosed promotional materials include: 1) BluePerks FAQs this insert provides helpful answers to the most commonly asked employee questions. Review these answers carefully and feel free to use them in formal corporate communications or one-on-one with inquisitive employees. 2) Newsletter/ copy this ready-made message can be used in all-employee s or as a company newsletter story to better explain the program. 3) Check stuffer art simply use your company s copy machine to duplicate this flier artwork. Then cut each sheet into three payroll stuffers. 4) Breakroom poster hang this informative attention-getter in breakrooms, common areas or high-traffic walkways to generate awareness of BluePerks. You may even want to create your own methods of telling employees about the BluePerks discount program. Staff meetings, assemblies and the company intranet are all great avenues for promoting the benefits of BluePerks. Please don t hesitate to call your broker or BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee with any questions. Or visit for the latest information on BluePerks. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Inc., an Independent Licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association Registered marks of the BlueCross BlueShield Association, an Association of Independent BlueCross BlueShield Plans This document has been classified as public information COMM-405-A (08/04)

6 BluePerks FAQs 1. What is Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM)? Alternative medicine includes a variety of therapies that work to increase wellness, prevent illness and address existing symptoms and conditions. Increasingly, many medical professionals regard alternative medicine as complementary to conventional medicine. 2. What types of practitioners are affiliated with the BluePerks discount program? Acupuncturists, stress management (including yoga, meditation and guided imagery) experts, massage therapists, personal trainers, spa technicians, nutrition counselors, Tai Chi and Qi Gong instructors are just some of the practitioners accessible through the BluePerks discount program. American WholeHealth s rigorous practitioner application process includes a peer review by practitioners who participate in the program. Acceptance to the program is based on training, licensure and experience requirements. 3. Am I limited to practitioners in my area? Most BluePerks discounts are available nationwide. However, the cosmetic services discount is currently only available in Tennessee. 4. Is BluePerks a benefit of my BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee health plan? No. BluePerks is simply one more advantage of being a BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee member. BluePerks is offered through partnerships with discount service providers, such as: American WholeHealth Networks, Inc.: Administering the Complementary Alternative Medicine and cosmetic services discounts Davis Vision: Administering the vision care item discount TruVision: Administering the LASIK eye surgery discount 5. Is there an extra charge for the BluePerks discount program? No. The BluePerks discount program is available at no additional cost to you. It is simply a value-added program offered to BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee members. 6. How do I access BluePerks services? Just follow these simple instructions: Visit the BluePerks link on and use the quick search engine to find an affiliated practitioner in your area. Or call one of the discount partners above. Make an appointment with the practitioner. Show your BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee membership ID card when purchasing a service or product from affiliated practitioners. Receive instant discounts of up to 30 percent at the time of purchase. It s that easy. 7. Do I need a referral from my doctor to use the discount program? No, but you should tell your doctor when you start a new therapy or begin an exercise program, especially if you are taking medication or being treated for a particular health

7 problem. And, you should tell your alternative health services practitioner or wellness instructor if you are under a doctor s care, taking medication or have any health problems. 8. What are cosmetic services? Cosmetic services are those that focus mainly on the enhancement or beautification of specific facial or body parts. 9. How do I determine if a cosmetic service is for me? Choosing to have a cosmetic service is a decision that requires careful thought and preparation. As with any medical procedure, research is very important. Learn as much as possible before undergoing cosmetic procedures. Reading articles and books, consulting with physicians, viewing before and after photos, and checking a doctor s credentials are all recommended. 10. Will complications from a cosmetic service be covered under my health plan? No. Complications from cosmetic procedures are excluded from your health plan in almost every situation. You would be responsible for the cost of any complication from a cosmetic procedure. 11. Does the BluePerks discount program include health care services covered under my BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee health plan? No. The discount program does not apply to services covered under your BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee health plan. It applies to non-covered services only, such as massage therapy and acupuncture. 12. Do the out-of-pocket costs of BluePerks services count toward my annual deductible or out of pocket maximum? No. The types of services accessed through BluePerks are those not covered by a BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee health benefits plan. Therefore, the cost of these services does not count toward your health plan s deductible or out-of-pocket maximums. 13. Are all members of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee eligible for the BluePerks discount program? No. Even though more than one million BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee members are eligible for the program, certain government and special accounts are tied to specific contract terms and are therefore not eligible at this time. 14. Who should I contact with questions or concerns? If you have any problems or concerns regarding The BluePerks program or an affiliated practitioner, please call the discount partner administering the program. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Inc., an Independent Licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association Registered marks of the BlueCross BlueShield Association, an Association of Independent BlueCross BlueShield Plans This document has been classified as public information COMM-405-B (08/04)

8 Employee Newsletter/ Promotional Copy Whether treating a recurring sports injury, relieving stress or chronic pain, or simply trying to lead a healthier life more and more employees are looking for new ways to treat old problems. However, some services such as acupuncture, massage therapy, vitamins, and nutritional counseling are not covered by the average employee health plan. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee now makes access to these services less expensive with a new discount program called BluePerks. Created exclusively for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee members, BluePerks features discounts of up to 30 percent on a wide variety of alternative medical procedures such as massage therapy, acupuncture and more. Plus, BluePerks also includes savings on health and wellness services, such as fitness centers, spas, personal trainers, Tai Chi classes and vitamins. Services discounted with BluePerks include: Fitness memberships Massage therapy Vitamins Diet and supplement advisors Spa services Personal trainers Taking advantage of BluePerks is easy: Mind/Body and relaxation therapy Yoga and Tai Chi instruction Acupuncture Holistic physicians/practitioners LASIK corrective vision surgery Health magazine subscriptions Cosmetic services Vision care products Healthy events & activities Simply log on to and click the BluePerks link. Click on your area of interest or use the handy search engine to find practitioners who participate in the BluePerks discount program. Next, simply show your BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee membership ID card when purchasing products or services from a participating BluePerks practitioner and receive instant discounts of up to 30 percent. It s that easy. There s no paperwork, prior authorizations, reimbursements or claims to file. Just enjoy another advantage of carrying your BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee membership ID card. BluePerks is offered through partnerships with discount service providers, such as: American WholeHealth Networks, Inc.: Administering the Complementary Alternative Medicine and cosmetic services discounts Davis Vision: Administering the vision care item discount TruVision: Administering the LASIK eye surgery discount For more information on the BluePerks discount program, contact your Human Resources department, call one of the discount partners above, or visit BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Inc., an Independent Licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association Registered marks of the BlueCross BlueShield Association, an Association of Independent BlueCross BlueShield Plans This document has been classified as public information COMM-405-C (08/04)

9 Save money on some non-covered services with BluePerks As a BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee member, you may receive discounts of up to 30 percent on certain non-covered services such as massage therapy, fitness club memberships, spas, vitamins and more with BluePerks. Just flash your BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee membership ID card to receive instant discounts from (alternative medicine) practitioners who participate in the BluePerks program. Contact your Human Resources department, visit or call for more information. COMM-405-D (08/04) BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Inc., an Independent Licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association Registered marks of the BlueCross BlueShield Association, an Association of Independent BlueCross BlueShield Plans Save money on some non-covered services with BluePerks As a BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee member, you may receive discounts of up to 30 percent on certain non-covered services such as massage therapy, fitness club memberships, spas, vitamins and more with BluePerks. Just flash your BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee membership ID card to receive instant discounts from (alternative medicine) practitioners who participate in the BluePerks program. Contact your Human Resources department, visit or call for more information. COMM-405-D (08/04) BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Inc., an Independent Licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association Registered marks of the BlueCross BlueShield Association, an Association of Independent BlueCross BlueShield Plans Save money on some non-covered services with BluePerks As a BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee member, you may receive discounts of up to 30 percent on certain non-covered services such as massage therapy, fitness club memberships, spas, vitamins and more with BluePerks. Just flash your BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee membership ID card to receive instant discounts from (alternative medicine) practitioners who participate in the BluePerks program. Contact your Human Resources department, visit or call for more information. COMM-405-D (08/04) BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Inc., an Independent Licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association Registered marks of the BlueCross BlueShield Association, an Association of Independent BlueCross BlueShield Plans

10 Save money on some non-covered services with BluePerks As a BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee member, you may receive discounts of up to 30 percent on certain non-covered services such as massage therapy, fitness memberships, vitamins and more, with BluePerks. BluePerks includes discounts on: Fitness memberships Diet and supplement advisors Massage therapy Spa services Prescriptions not covered by Personal trainers your health plan (Discount Mind/Body and relaxation Drug Card) therapy Fertility managed plan Yoga and Tai Chi instruction Vitamins Acupuncture Holistic services LASIK corrective vision surgery Health magazine subscriptions Cosmetic services Vision care products Healthy events & activities Using BluePerks is easy: Simply log on to bcbst.com, find the Learn About tab and click the BluePerks link. Click on your area of interest or use the handy search engine to find practitioners who participate in the BluePerks discount program. Next, simply show your BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee membership ID card when purchasing products or services from a practitioner who participates in the BluePerks program and receive instant discounts of up to 30 percent. For prescription discounts, print off a Discount Drug Card in the secure BlueAccess pages and take it to a participating pharmacy. It s that easy. There s no paperwork, prior authorizations, reimbursements or claims to file. Just enjoy another advantage of carrying your BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee membership ID card. For more information, visit bcbst.com or call Customer Service at the number on your member ID card. One Cameron Hill Circle bcbst.com BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Inc., an Independent Licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association This document has been classified as public information COMM-405-E (8/09)