Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Buy Insurance Through the Marketplace? This May Save You Money

If you have a Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield plan that you bought through the Affordable Care Act Marketplaces, you should know there is a change this year that might save you some money.

Hospitals across West Virginia are now categorized in tiers of preferred, enhanced and standard. Basically, if you go to a preferred hospital, you may pay a lot less than you would if you go to a standard hospital for the same procedure. The move is intended to help consumers who may be struggling with the cost of their healthcare, according to Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia President Jim Foscett in this interview with Kara Lofton.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from the Benedum Foundation, Charleston Area Medical Center and WVU Medicine.

Insurance Company Launches Mobile Health Clinic

A West Virginia health insurance company is launching a mobile clinic to improve access to care for certain patients across the state.

Health Care on the Go is an initiative of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia. It serves Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and Affordable Care Act patients. According to a press release, many patients covered through those services weren’t getting necessary medical care or preventative health screenings because of issues traveling to see their doctors. The hope is that the mobile clinic will serve members who have trouble making or keeping doctor’s appointments.

The clinic will be staffed with a network of local physicians and nurses. Medical services will include annual wellness visits and immunizations, osteoporosis testing for women who have recently had fractures, retinal eye exams for diabetics, colorectal cancer screenings, postpartum care and medication reviews.

The press release says the mobile clinic will initially focus its efforts on back to school health screenings near flood-stricken areas across the state.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from the Benedum Foundation.

Kentucky Cooperative to Offer Health Insurance in W. Va.

A Kentucky-based cooperative is preparing to enter West Virginia’s health insurance marketplace.

Kentucky Health Cooperative, Inc. says iit has received approval from the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner to offer health insurance in West Virginia.
The newly formed West Virginia Health Cooperative, Inc. will begin enrolling residents statewide in November. Benefits will begin Jan. 1, 2015.

Kentucky Health Cooperative chief executive officer Janie Miller will also serve as the West Virginia cooperative’s CEO.

Cooperatives are non-profits that are owned by their members.

Currently, Highmark West Virginia is the only insurer participating in West Virginia’s health insurance market.

W.Va. Health Coverage Marketplace Enrollment Rises

Enrollment in West Virginia’s health insurance marketplace has jumped by more than 500 percent in the past month.

     Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield says about 1,200 West Virginians have enrolled in plans through the federal exchange as of Monday. That’s up from 198 people on Nov. 13.

     Highmark is the only private insurer participating in West Virginia’s health insurance marketplace.

     Meanwhile, about 75,000 people have enrolled in the state’s expanded Medicaid program, 12,000 more than the state projected.

     State officials, Highmark representatives and other stakeholders discussed the programs Tuesday during a meeting in Charleston.

     Highmark president Fred Earley says enrollment through the federal exchange increased after the government added enhancements to the website. But he says there are still problems.