
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Wisconsin (BCBS Wisconsin) offers a variety of health insurance plans to fit different needs and budgets.
BCBS Wisconsin has three main types of health insurance plans: Individual and Family Plans, Group Plans, and Medicare Plans.
These plans can be tailored to meet the specific needs of individuals, families, and employers.
BCBS Wisconsin's Individual and Family Plans provide coverage for individuals and families who don't have access to group health insurance through an employer.
BCBS Wisconsin's Group Plans offer coverage for employers and their employees.
BCBS Wisconsin's Medicare Plans provide coverage for individuals who are 65 or older, or who have certain disabilities.
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Blue Cross Blue Shield Vision Benefits
Blue Cross Blue Shield vision benefits are a great perk for those who need glasses or contact lenses. All BCBS vision plans include coverage for routine eye exams, eyeglass lenses, eyeglass frames, and contact lenses.
You can choose to use your benefits for eyeglass lenses or contact lenses each calendar year, but not both. The cost of copays and allowance amounts varies depending on your specific plan.
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To use your BCBS vision insurance, simply choose a Wisconsin Vision location, call or visit with your insurance info handy, and we'll check your benefits and answer any questions you may have. We also accept CareCredit, FSA, and HSA at all our stores.
The yearly comprehensive eye exam is covered by BCBS vision plans, with copay amounts varying depending on your plan. You can use your eye exam benefits at any Wisconsin Vision location.
Here's a breakdown of what's typically covered in BCBS vision plans:
- Routine eye exam
- Eyeglass lenses
- Eyeglass frames
- Contact lenses
Wisconsin Vision eye doctors accept BCBS vision insurance at all 26 of our locations, making it easy to get the care you need. We're here to help you navigate your benefits and manage out-of-pocket costs.
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Using Vision Insurance
You can choose from several different vision plans with BlueCross BlueShield, each with its own benefits.
All BCBS vision plans include coverage for routine eye exams, eyeglass lenses, eyeglass frames, and contact lenses.
The cost of copays, allowance amounts, and whether your allowance for frames is yearly or every other year, depends on which plan you have.
To use your BCBS vision insurance, start by choosing a Wisconsin Vision location near you.
Call or visit the store with your insurance info handy, and the staff will check your benefits and answer your questions.
Wisconsin Vision eye doctors accept BlueCross BlueShield vision insurance at all 26 of their locations.
To manage out-of-pocket costs associated with your vision care, you can use CareCredit, FSA (flexible spending accounts), or HSA (health savings accounts) at all Wisconsin Vision stores.
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Anthem and Cross Shield Relationship
In most states, Anthem and Blue Cross Blue Shield are the same company.
The answer varies depending on the state you live in.
In Wisconsin, Anthem BlueCross BlueShield is one association, meaning it's a single entity operating under a different name.
Pre-Existing Condition Exclusions
If you have a pre-existing condition, it's essential to understand how it may affect your coverage with BCBS Wisconsin. Pre-existing conditions are health issues that were diagnosed or treated by a provider during the 12 months prior to your coverage effective date.
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Any pre-existing condition will be subject to a 365-day waiting period, which means you won't be able to get coverage for that condition immediately. This waiting period applies to all pre-existing conditions, regardless of their severity or impact on your health.
BCBS Wisconsin defines a pre-existing condition as one that was diagnosed or treated by a provider during the 12 months prior to your coverage effective date, or for which symptoms existed that would cause an ordinarily prudent person to seek diagnosis or treatment. This means if you've had a health issue in the past, you'll need to wait a year before getting coverage for it.
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Exceptions to Coverage
If you've had continuous prior coverage under a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Wisconsin employer-sponsored plan, you might be eligible for a credit against the individual plan pre-existing condition exclusion waiting period.
This credit can be a big help, allowing you to start your new plan sooner rather than waiting out the full 12 months.
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For example, if you've been continuously covered for 6 months under a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Wisconsin employer group health plan, you'll be considered to have satisfied 6 months of the 12 month pre-existing condition exclusion waiting period.
This means you'll have 6 months less to wait before your new plan kicks in, and you can start receiving benefits sooner.
If you were insured under an employer's BCBSWI group health plan for a year or more, and you immediately enroll in a BCBSWI individual plan with the maternity option, you'll have no waiting period for the maternity benefits.
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Insurance Rejection and Waivers
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Wisconsin may exclude certain medical conditions from coverage, but only if they don't affect your overall good health. This exclusion will not be covered for a specified period of time.
They can place a maximum of two coverage exclusion riders on any one applicant. This means you can't be excluded from coverage for more than two conditions.
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If you have a condition on the Medical Condition Rejection List, you'll most likely be declined for individual coverage. This list includes, but is not limited to, various conditions.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Wisconsin will not put coverage into force until you've accepted the offer and signed the rider.
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Rehabilitation and Addiction Treatment
If you're struggling with addiction in Wisconsin and have Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) insurance, there are several options available to you. You can connect with an addiction treatment center that takes BCBS insurance in Wisconsin.
BCBS insurance covers a range of treatment modalities, including inpatient/residential treatment, outpatient/intensive outpatient (IOP) treatment, detox and withdrawal management, partial hospitalization programs, sober housing, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
You can verify your BCBS insurance coverage by contacting the treatment center directly or using online tools. BCBS offers four tiers of coverage: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans, each with varying levels of coverage and deductibles.
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Blue Cross Blue Shield's entities cover a full range of substance use treatment modalities, including inpatient/residential treatment, outpatient/intensive outpatient (IOP) treatment, detox and withdrawal management, partial hospitalization programs, sober housing, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
Here are some of the types of addiction treatment that BCBS covers:
- Inpatient/Residential Treatment
- Outpatient/Intensive Outpatient (IOP) Treatment
- Detox and Withdrawal Management
- Partial Hospitalization Programs
- Sober Housing
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Many treatment centers in Wisconsin accept BCBS insurance, including those that offer telemedicine services. You can find a treatment center near you by searching online or by contacting the BCBS customer service number.
Treatment centers that accept BCBS insurance may also offer sliding scale fees or income-based payment plans, making treatment more accessible to those who need it. Some treatment centers may also accept Medicaid, Medicare, or other forms of government funding.
It's essential to verify your insurance coverage and treatment options with the treatment center before starting treatment. You can do this by calling the treatment center directly or by using online tools to verify your coverage.
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Company News and Acquisitions
BCBS Wisconsin has made several significant acquisitions in recent years, expanding its network and services.
One notable example is the acquisition of Dean Health Plan, which was completed in 2020.
This acquisition added over 600,000 new members to BCBS Wisconsin's network.
BCBS Wisconsin has also acquired several smaller health insurance companies, increasing its market share and competitiveness.
In 2019, the company acquired Physicians Plus Insurance Corporation, expanding its presence in the state.
BCBS Wisconsin has stated that these acquisitions will help the company to better serve its members and improve the quality of care.
The company's goal is to create a more comprehensive and integrated healthcare system.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which insurance is BCBS?
BCBS is a health insurance provider that offers coverage to over 115 million people in the US through its 33 independent companies. Learn more about the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and its network of insurance companies.
How much is health insurance a month for a single person in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, the average monthly cost of individual health insurance for a single person is around $553.37. However, prices vary depending on factors like location, age, and plan details.
Sources
- https://www.wisconsinvision.com/visioninsurance/bluecrossblueshieldvisioninsurance
- https://wisconsinhealthagents.com/individual-health-insurance/bluecross-blueshield-of-wisconsin/pre-existing-conditions/
- https://drugrehabus.org/rehabs/treatment/bcbs/united-states/wisconsin/
- https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/dr00018106/
- https://www.anthem.com/wisconsin
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