Some Blue Cross policyholders in east Idaho will see changes in 2017

POCATELLO — Starting next year, Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls and Bingham Memorial Hospital in Blackfoot will be listed as out-of-network providers for Blue Cross health insurance policies that are purchased through the Your Health Idaho state exchange.

Blue Cross said that emergency care and urgent care services are still covered under these health insurance plans.

Insurance companies are not legally allowed to charge more for emergency services at an out-of-network hospital.

However, those who need elective procedures and non-emergency care might have to look elsewhere to avoid paying potentially sky-high out-of-network costs. The out-of-network deductibles on gold, silver and bronze Blue Cross plans that are purchased on the Your Health Idaho exchange have increased to $50,000 for 2017.

“Our perspective on it is to encourage patients to make sure the plans are appropriate for them and their families,” said Mark Baker, director of marketing and public relations at Bingham Memorial Hospital. “They need to understand that this is a change, and it’s such a drastic change to what it has been in the past that it needs to be communicated to the consumers.”

Even though EIRMC and Bingham will not have an in-network contract with Blue Cross in 2017, Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello and Mountain View Hospital in Idaho Falls will have in-network contracts.

Representatives with Blue Cross said the company will work with policyholders to help them find an in-network doctor so they won’t have to pay the large deductibles.

Also, these changes only apply to policies purchased through Your Health Idaho. Those who have Blue Cross insurance through their employer and those who purchased supplemental Medicare will not be affected by these changes.

While these changes could greatly impact some East Idaho residents, representatives with Blue Cross said most residents in Pocatello won’t have to change doctors because the company covers a large number of health care providers in the Bannock County area.

Both Baker and Coleen Niemann, the director of marketing and community relations at EIRMC, encourage policyholders to meet with an insurance broker to ensure that the coverage, deductibles and prices meet their needs and the needs of their family.

“We want people to be educated about the products they are buying, so they fully understand the impact their policy has on their health care and finances,” Niemann said.

Open enrollment for Your Health Idaho is currently available. However, current Blue Cross policyholders who are looking to switch providers need to contact Blue Cross by Dec. 15. Otherwise, the policy will automatically renew for 2017.

This article was originally published in the Idaho State Journal. It is used here with permission.