Blue Cross Blue Shield South Carolina 2016 health plan update: BlueEssentials
Earlier this week, the SChealthconnector team got a sneak peak of the NEW Blue Cross Blue Shield South Carolina 2016 health plans, marketed under the BlueEssentials label.
So far, we have been very impressed with what we have seen! Blue Cross Blue Shield is one of the largest health insurers in the state of South Carolina, and is the only health insurer in South Carolina with an A.M. Best rating of A+ (Superior).
New for 2016: Dental and Vision Coverage on all Plans
All BlueEssentials 2016 plans include dental allowance for adults and children for exams and cleaning:
- One exam every six months, $27 allowance first visit and $20 on the second visit.
- One cleaning every six months, $40 allowance for adults over the age of 20, and $31 for a child.
Members are responsible for paying any additional balance for what is not covered. Members will submit a dental reimbursement form to Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina for reimbursement.
Vision Benefits for children and adults, including low copayments on vision examsand discounts on lenses, frames and contacts:
Members Ages 20 and Older
- One exam per benefit period with a $20 copayment for VSP provider
- Frames and lenses options covered at a 20% discount
- Contacts covered at a 20% discount
Members Age 19 or Younger
- One exam per benefit period with a $25 copayment
- $50 copayment on eye glasses every year and frames every two years
The vision network includes over 400 providers throughout South Carolina
New for 2016: Wellness Plus
We were extremely excited to find out that all Blue Cross Blue Shield BlueEssentials plans will offer the Wellness Plus benefit for 2016. Wellness Plus covers up to $500 for services not covered under your standard preventative doctor visits. Per BlueCross BlueShield South Carolina, this benefit is designed to help members with services normally considered “preventative” that fall outside of the PPACA prescribed preventative services list.
More competitive rates for 2016
As recently reported by the tireless folks over at ACAsignups.net, the South Carolina Department of Insurance recently released sample 2016 marketplace rates for the SC marketplace and rates for Blue Cross Blue Shield South Carolina 2016 health plans look extremely competitive! According to the data, BlueEssentials Silver plans appear to be the benchmark plan in many South Carolina counties!