Blue Options HSA

Blue Options HSA^SM is a high-deductible PPO plan packaged with a health savings account (HSA) that offers tax-advantages.¹ Employees use funds that they, their employers, or anyone, contribute to the HSA to pay for qualified medical expenses, both before and after the deductible is met.²

For Your Business

Low premiums. Employers can expect premium savings of up to 30% when compared to a traditional PPO plan.³ These are savings you can invest right back into your business. The coinsurance options can also help lower plan premiums.
Take advantage of additional tax deductions. As always, the premiums you pay for your employees' health care are tax-deductible, but in addition, the contributions you make to their HSAs are also tax-deductible.
Nearly 56% of small businesses make contributions to their employee's HSA accounts.⁴ By contributing, businesses jump-start the accounts, which help employees transition into the plan more easily.

For Your Employees

Employees use a free HSA debit card or checkbook to access the funds that you or they have contributed. Using these funds, they pay 100% of all medical expenses until their deductible is met. Even before the deductible is met, however, the member enjoys BCBSNC-negotiated rates, which offer significant savings. After the deductible is met, the employee pays coinsurance on covered services.⁵ Some plan options include full coverage for certain preventive care services, like routine physical exams, to encourage this important aspect of health care.⁶
If employees have funds in their HSA account, the account can be used to pay for medical expenses before any deductible and coinsurance (if applicable) amounts are met.² So while employees pay a greater portion of the total cost of their health care, this cost-sharing can be offset by the lower premiums and tax-savings offered by the HSA. Employees save tax-free, earn interest tax-free and spend tax-free, which can amount to significant savings, depending on their tax bracket.⁷
HSA funds accumulate and roll over if not used each year. Since the account is the employee's, it stays with the employee and can also be used after the employee retires.

Blue Options HSA benefits summary

This summary shows the range of coverage available. Your plan benefits can be customized to the needs of your business and employees.³

Individual deductible⁴	$1,200 $1,500 $2,000 $2,500 $2,700 $3,000 $3,500 $5,000
Family deductible	$2,400 $2,500 $3,000 $4,000 $5,000 $5,400 $6,000 $7,000 $10,000
Coinsurance⁵ (In-network/out-of-network)	100%/70% 90%/60% 80%/50% 50%/50%
Out-of-pocket maximum (maximum amount a member pays including deductible and coinsurance)	Individual: $1,250-$5,000, depending on selected combination of deductible and coinsurance Family: $2,500-$10,000, depending on selected combination of deductible and coinsurance
Enhanced preventive care⁶	Cover at 100% (waive deductible) Cover at a chosen coinsurance percentage (waive deductible)
Prescription drugs	Included within medical deductible, coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximum
Contribution limits for the HSA	Individual: $3,250 Family: $6,450 Each member on a plan who is over 55 can make an annual catch up contribution of $1,000 per member. These limits are established by the IRS, not BCBSNC.

Is it right for your business?

Blue Options HSA works for businesses looking for a plan that's easier on the bottom line. Employees should be able to manage higher deductibles and more hands-on requirements of an HSA plan.

Is it right for your employees?

Employees save tax-free, earn interest tax-free, which can amount to significant savings, depending on their tax bracket.⁷

Why BCBSNC?

BCBSNC is the No. 1 choice of small businesses in North Carolina⁸
Rated #1 in customer satisfaction in North Carolina⁹
Now small businesses have access to wellness resources and health assessments with reporting
New! HRA options now available for small businesses

BCBSNC offers support and programs for members, including:

Web and mobile access to benefits and claims information at mybcbsnc.com
Health Line Blue^SM, our 24/7 nurse line providing support at no additional cost to members
Exclusive member discounts from top retailers on fitness gear, gym memberships, family activities, healthy eating options and much more with Blue365^SM¹¹
Fully integrated case management, condition care and the Healthy Outcomes wellness program¹⁰
Access to valuable health improvement resources for those who are healthy or those who may need additional support.

1. Blue Options HSA combines a high-deductible health plan and a health savings account (HSA). BCBSNC does not administer your HSA and is not affiliated with your HSA custodian or administrator.

2. A full list of qualified medical expenses can be found in IRS publication 502, available at irs.gov.

3. BCBSNC Internal Data, 2011. Based on copayment plans that include a $2,000 coinsurance maximum and $10/$25/$40 copayment structure for prescription drugs. Based on data for Blue Options Underwritten Groups as of 10/1/2010 with 5 to 20 subscribers. Pricing is for a single male, age 40-44, residing in Durham.

4. These amounts may be updated each year to align with IRA guidelines. For the most up-to-date information, visit bcbsnc.com

5. When using out-of-network providers, in addition to deductible and coinsurance amounts, you may be responsible for the difference between the BCBSNC allowed amount and the provider's actual charge.

6. Includes in-network annual routine physical exam, well-baby and well-child care and certain immunizations and screenings. Other covered services may be subject to deductible and coinsurance.

7. Withdrawals are tax-free only if used for qualified medical expenses. See irs.gov for specific regulations.

8. Triangle Business Leader, "Top 100 North Carolina Small Businesses" June 2010 and Internal BCBSNC data, June 2010.

9. Frederick Polls, April 2011.

10. BCBSNC contracts with Alere Health Improvement Company, an independent third party vendor, for the provision of certain aspects of Healthy Outcomes programs.

11. Blue365^® offers access to savings on items that Members may purchase directly from independent vendors, which are different from items that are covered under the policies with BCBSNC. Any disputes regarding these products and services may be subject to BCBSNC's grievance process. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) may receive payments from Blue365 vendors. BCBSA does not recommend, endorse, warrant or guarantee any specific Blue365 vendor or item.