| Issue: # 85 | October 22, 2012 |
 | | Dos Equis- great campaign! |
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Greetings!
Last week we talked about Blue Cross' Healthy Actions . We can not emphasize enough to take a look at this program and get pricing from Blue Cross. It applies to groups between 10 and 49 enrolled employees and can only be added at renewal.
At some point, we anticipate that Harvard, Tufts and Fallon will create something similar. We will keep you updated!
If you have a question, send an email to Bill or Vanessa today.
Bill Randell CLU,CHFC,
Vanessa Costa CLU,CHFC,
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Quest buys UMASS Memorial labs! | |
Here is the story in the Boston Herald. As more and more groups move to "deductible plans" , we've suggested to our clients to have diagnostic testing/labwork , at lower cost facilities such as Quest as opposed to hospitals like UMASS.
Health insurers across the nation have been pressuring hospital laboratories to accept much lower prices. Perhaps this is one reason why UMMHC was motivated to sell its lab outreach program at this time.
In addition to the Quest labs throughout the state, Quest Diagnostics owns Athena Diagnostics Lab, located in Worcester. Now they have just removed their toughest competitor--UMass Memorial Labs. |
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Health Savings Account limits for 2012 | |
In order to be eligible for a Health Savings Account, you need to have a high deductible plan with a minimum of $1,250 for an individual and $2,500 for family. The deductible applies to everything including prescriptions!
The only covered benefit that it not subject to the deductible for a Health Savings Account eligible plan is your annual well-care physical. Please note the health plan you select must be designated as a qualified health savings account.
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Walgreen's signs deal with Express Scripts | |
Over the last year many people with Blue Cross, who uses Express Scripts as the Pharmacy Benefit Manager, had to switch from Walgreen's since the two sides were unable to reach an agreement. Finally an agreement was secured and effective September 15th, you can now get presciptions again from Walgreen's if you have Blue Cross.
Question is will be people go back, good story.
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Harrington Hospital now in Fallon Direct
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Fallon has recently annouced some changes to their smaller, lower priced network. As many of you know they have two networks employees can choose from - Select and Direct. Select is the larger network, but comes in about 12% higher then Direct, which keeps growing most recently adding Harrington Hospital in Southbridge. Here is the updated Direct Network:
- Addison Gilbert Hospital
- Beverly Hospital
- Charlton Memorial Hospital
- Emerson Hospital
- Faulkner Hospital
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Harrington Memorial Hospitals -
HealthAlliance Hospitals -
Jordan Hospital -
Lahey Clinic -
Lawrence General Hospital -
Lowell General Hospital -
MetroWest Medical Centers -
Milford Regional Medical Center -
Mount Auburn Hospital -
New England Baptist Hospital -
Saint Vincent Hospital -
Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital -
South Shore Hospital -
St. Luke's Hospital -
Tobey Hospital -
Tufts Medical Center -
Winchester Hospital
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