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Low-cost Highmark healthcare coverage in Pittsburgh can be purchased by individuals, families, small and large businesses, and self-employed persons. Rates are very attractive compared to other  policy options, and approved medical, vision, and dental costs can be paid with tax-deferred deposits. An HDHP (High Deductible Health Plan) is required to accompany  the HSA account, and  two options (Health Savings Blue PPO Embedded 2700 and Health Savings Blue PPO 1700) are available.

PPOBlue No Longer Available

The PPOBlue policy by Highmark is extremely affordable and popular. PPOBlue is their  comprehensive major-medical high deductible plan that is HSA-eligible. This policy is available to individuals and families and you do not have to be self-employed to qualify for coverage. Prices in Allegheny County are typically among the lowest among the major carriers. There are several attractive options and plan designs that will reduce your out of pocket medical expenses and taxes.

We help you find affordable Health Savings Accounts in Pa. The rates we publish are the most competitive contracts offered by each carrier and there are never any fees for our service. We feel it is important to find the health insurance policy that best matches your budget concerns, but that also provides the benefits that you may someday use. And if you wish, we will take the time to review all of the policy options with you since often a high-deductible plan may not be the best choice.

Deductible Choices

The PPOBlue offers three deductible options. They are $1,200, $2,600 and $3,500 for individuals and $2,400, $5,200 and $7,000 for families. Once the deductible has been met, benefits are payable at 90%. Once the designated coinsurance has been met, covered benefits are paid at 100%. Each year, the deductible and coinsurance amounts reset. So if you have a pending elective surgery that can wait until early in the calendar year, consider waiting, if your physician approves.

Preventive services, such as routine physicals, mammograms, gynecological exams, pap tests and adult or pediatric immunizations are not subject to a deductible, copay or coinsurance and are covered immediately. Also, as a result of national health care reform, the lifetime cap has been removed. If in the past, you have not utilized health care benefits very often, a higher deductible might be the best fit. However, beware of maximum out-of-pocket limits.

Some of the additional benefits provided by the PPOBlue plan are occupational and speech therapy, spinal manipulations, and discounts on health related services such as fitness centers and spas, nutritional counseling and personal trainers. Within the next 18 months, additional benefits may be added when the State Exchange starts to operate.

Negotiated Network Discounts

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield negotiates lower member rates with doctors, hospitals and other facilities. So when you utilize network facilities, you’ll pay the lower negotiated rate for services and possibly prescriptions. Some of these discounts can be substantial, especially lab tests and x-rays. Highmark’s HSA provider network is one of the largest in Western Pennsylvania and we’ll be happy to find participating providers for you. There’s a high probability that there are many available physicians within a few miles of where you live or work.

Is An HSA Right For You?

An HSA is a low cost policy that favorably compares to a traditional comprehensive health insurance policy. Although it is classified as a savings product, you are able to pay for current and future health care, dental and vision expenses on a tax-free basis. You also have complete control of the money in your account including the type of investments.

Since it’s your money, you can deposit or withdraw funds at any time. In fact, you don’t have to make any deposits at all. Many consumers skip contributions or only occasionally deposit extra funds into the side account. When you have an HDHP (see below), you are not required to establish the savings portion of your policy.

The HSA works with a “High Deductible Health Plan” (HDHP), and the combination of both accounts can provide substantial savings in premium dollars and taxes over many years. The deductible, which is the amount you pay out of pocket before benefits begin, is usually fairly high. Therefore, establishing the  account will save you money.

For additional information on the Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield HSA plans, please feel free to call or email us. We’ll be happy to provide additional specific details regarding  how you apply, and set up the optional savings account.  You can view HSA rates in Pennsylvania and easily compare the different deductible and coinsurance options.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The plan shown below is no longer available since it does to contain all mandated “Essential Health Benefits” as required by the ACA legislation. However, if you purchased the plan before the “grandfathered” deadline, you can continue to retain coverage.

Benefit Summary listed below for $2,600  Individual/$5,200 Family HSA:

 

ServicesPPOBlue, An Individual Comprehensive
Major Medical Preferred-Provider
High-Deductible Health Plan;
$2,600 Individual/$5,200 Family Deductible;
Medically Underwritten
Network Out-of-Network
Benefit Period Contract YearContract Year
Type of Coverage Medically UnderwrittenMedically Underwritten
Deductible – Individual $2,600
Includes out-of-network benefits
Choice of network deductible applies to
out-of-network benefits
Deductible – Family $5,200
Includes out-of-network benefits
Family deductible must be met in full before benefits are payable
Choice of network deductible applies to
out-of-network benefits
Out of Pocket Limit (does not include deductible) – Individual $1,200$2,400
Out of Pocket Limit (does not include deductible) – Family $2,400$4,800
Coinsurance (only applied after any applicable deductibles have been met) 90%70%
Lifetime Policy Maximum UnlimitedUnlimited
Benefit Period Maximum UnlimitedUnlimited
Hospital Facility Expense – Inpatient
(includes Maternity)
90%70%
Limited to 90 days/benefit period
Emergency Room Care 90%90%
Office/Home Visits 90%70%
Medical/Surgical Expenses
(except office visits)
90%70%
Preventive Care Deductible does not apply, 100% for:
Adult Care
Adult Immunizations
Mammogram
Pediatric Care
Pediatric Immunizations
Not Covered
Except for Pediatric Care, deductible does not apply, 70%
Diagnostic Services
( X-ray, lab, other tests)
90%70%
Physical Medicine 90%
15 visits per contract year
70%
Included as part of network visits
Occupational and Speech Therapy 90%
Combined 15 visits per
contract year
70%
Included as part of network visits
Spinal Manipulations 90%
10 visits per contract year
70%
Included as part of network visits
Mental Health Services Not CoveredNot Covered
Substance Abuse – Rehabilitation Not CoveredNot Covered
Substance Abuse – Detoxification Not CoveredNot Covered
Prescription Drug 90%Not Covered
Prescription Drug
Preventive Medications
Certain limited prescription and over-the-counter drugs prescribed for preventative purposes.
Deductible does not apply, 100%Not Covered
Discounts on Health-Related Services

  • Fitness Centers & Spas
  • Massage Therapy
  • Nutritional Counseling
  • Personal Trainers
CoveredCovered
Blues On Call
-Health Information and Support Toll-Free Hotline
CoveredCovered
Vision* Not CoveredNot Covered