BU Health Savings Plan
A High Deductible Health Plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA) Feature
The BU Health Savings Plan is a high deductible health plan administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and OptumRx. It is paired with a Health Savings Account (HSA) administered through Fidelity Investments.
The BU Health Savings Plan offers the same network of doctors and hospitals available under the PPO Plan, including BMC and its affiliated providers. The BU Health Savings Plan prescription drug benefit is administered through OptumRx and covers the same prescription drugs as the PPO Plan.
The BU Health Savings Plan provides both in and out-of-network coverage, just like the PPO Plan. However, the BU Health Savings Plan works differently in these key ways:
- Except for certain in-network preventive care services, all covered health expenses are subject to a plan deductible including prescription drugs.
- Under employee plus child(ren), employee plus spouse and family coverage, the entire family deductible must be met before benefits are payable for any covered person.
- There are no copays, just coinsurance (once the deductible is met), even for office and emergency room visits, mental health care and prescription drugs.
- If you open an HSA with Fidelity and you actively contribute to it, the University will automatically deposit $500 for employee only coverage, or $1,000 for any family coverage, to your account*. That gives you a head start on paying out-of-pocket expenses!
- You also contribute to your HSA (subject to annual IRS limits).
- As soon as any University money and/or personal HSA contributions are deposited into your account, you may use them to help pay for eligible out-of-pocket health expenses. Or you can let them accumulate and use them for expenses you incur down the road, even in retirement. Or if you leave the University, you can take the HSA money with you.
*The University contribution is available only if you open and contribute to your HSA with Fidelity. It is subject to review and change in future years. You may choose any HSA vendor outside of Fidelity, but you will not receive the University contribution.
Here is a brief example of the coverage levels offered by BU Health Savings Plan and what you would pay out-of-pocket for care.
| Covered Service | In-network | Out-of-Network |
|---|---|---|
| Annual deductible (applies to all services except preventive care) | $2,000 employee only; $4,000 any family plan |
$4,000 employee only; $8,000 any family plan |
| Annual out-of-pocket limit (the most you pay out-of-pocket in a year including your deductible) |
$4,000 employee only; $8,000 any family plan |
$8,000 employee only; $16,000 any family plan |
| Inpatient hospital including maternity |
You pay 12% after deductible | You pay 30% after deductible |
| Office visits | You pay 12% after deductible | You pay 30% after deductible |
| Preventive care | You pay nothing | You pay 30% after deductible |
| Emergency room | You pay 12% after deductible | You pay 12% after deductible |
| Outpatient surgery | You pay 12% after deductible | You pay 30% after deductible |
| Outpatient rehabilitation therapies | You pay 12% after deductible | You pay 30% after deductible |
| Prescription drugs through OptumRx | You pay 12% after deductible | Not covered |
Note that out-of-network services are covered by the plan up to the reasonable and customary limit. Charges in excess of the reasonable and customary limit are not reimbursed by the plan, nor do they count toward meeting your deductible of your out-of-pocket limit.
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD MEMBER CENTRAL
As a member of a BCBS health plan, you have access to Member Central, a safe and secure website designed to help you better manage your health care needs. Be sure to log on www.bluecrossma.com/member and set up your personal account.