Connect Blue gives our members patient-centered care at a significant cost savings — with doctors and hospitals that are close to where they live and work.
Connect Blue uses the Community Blue network of community-based health care providers.
Connect Blue is an Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) health plan with three in-network levels of benefits. Except for emergencies and a few other situations, there is no out-of-network coverage.
This structure:
Connect Blue is now available to companies of all sizes headquartered in Allegheny, Butler, Beaver, Erie, Warren, Washington and Westmoreland counties. Also offered in Mercer County to large group companies (51 or more employees).
Members will have the highest out-of-pocket costs when they receive covered services from network providers who participate at the Standard Value level of benefits. Before making appointments, members should confirm that the provider is in network, and find out which benefits level they participate in.
Members will have more provider options and still save money when they receive covered services from those additional Community Blue network providers who participate at the Enhanced Value level of benefits. This includes Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core® providers (outside of the service area).
Members will have the lowest out-of-pocket costs at this level when they receive covered services from Community Blue network providers participating at the Preferred Value Level of benefits. These include the nationally acclaimed doctors and hospitals from the Allegheny Health Network and certain other independent and community hospitals.
With Connect Blue, members have additional health benefits that can also help them save money on their copays, deductibles and cost-sharing.
Cancer Diagnosis Second Opinion
Members with complex and/or rare cancers can get a second opinion from Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center specialists; it will be fully-covered in accordance with this coverage.
Outpatient Surgical Benefit
Many outpatient surgeries may be done in a non-hospital setting, such as a doctor’s office or ambulatory care surgical center. This can be more convenient and less expensive than going to a hospital. With Connect Blue,when members select a non-hospital outpatient center that participates in the Preferred Value level of benefits for outpatient surgery, the outpatient surgical copayment is waived.
Mental health, behavioral health and substance abuse outpatient treatment are covered at the Preferred Value level of benefits.
Treatment received outside of the western Pennsylvania service area is covered atthe Enhanced Value level of benefits for all providers participating in that local Blue plan’s EPO.
For additional peace of mind, emergency services are covered at the Preferred Value level of benefits for both in-network and out-of-network providers.
Members have access to all Highmark wellness programs, health coaches and state-of-the-art online health tools.
Connect Blue is now available to companies of all sizes headquartered in Allegheny, Butler, Beaver, Erie, Warren, Washington and Westmoreland counties. Also offered in Mercer County to large group companies (51 or more employees).