Empire BlueCross BlueShield
Is This Your Business?Author: Kaitlyn Short
Empire BlueCross BlueShield is a subsidiary of BlueCross BlueShield that offers plans in New York. The insurance company offers many different types of plans and has helpful features that make considering all aspects of your health and finding ways to save easier.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Many Types of Plans Available
- Options for Business Owners
- Helpful Features
Many Types of Plans Available
Empire BlueCross BlueShield offers several kinds of health plans that help people with low incomes: Medicaid, CHIP, Managed Long-term Care (MLTC), Health and Recovery Plan (HARP), Medicaid Advantage Plus (MAP). It also offers an Essential Plan for people age 19–64 who are not eligible for Medicaid or minimum essential coverage.
On-exchange Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans, catastrophic plans, Medicare supplement (Medigap), Part D, and Medicare Advantage plans are also sold by Empire BlueCross BlueShield.
With such a range of offerings, most people should be able to find a good option through Empire BlueCross BlueShield.
Options for Business Owners
Empire BlueCross BlueShield also offers insurance plans and health programs that employers can offer employees. Through Empire BlueCross BlueSheild, you can offer medical insurance, a health and wellness program, pharmacy benefits with the Sydney Health mobile app, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and voluntary supplemental health plans.
Dental, vision, life, and disability insurance policies are from Empire BlueCross BlueShield's affiliate Anthem Life and Disability Company. Voluntary supplemental health options include accident, critical illness, hospital, and indemnity insurance.
Employers can also find bundling packages. Options may vary depending on if you are upstate or downstate.
Group medical insurance through Empire BlueCross BlueShield include features like retail and home delivery pharmacies, a 24/7 NurseLine, online tools, access to BlueCross BlueShield's PPO network through BlueCard®, and more.
Helpful Features
Empire BlueCross BlueShield also offers helpful features with its plans. LiveHealth Online® is a telemedicine app that is free for Empire members. This makes getting prescriptions, simple diagnoses, and non-emergency medical advice easy.
Other features included with some plans are Empire Whole Health Connection® and a Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) called IngenioRx. Empire Whole Health Connection® takes an integrated approach to medical, behavior, specialty, and pharmacy. IngenioRx manages health and pharmacy spending together. These programs make it easier to find savings and consider your whole health instead of distinct aspects of your health.
The Bad
- Limited Availability
Limited Availability
Empire BlueCross BlueShield only offers plans in New York. If you live in another area, check to see if there's another BlueCross BlueShield subsidiary operating in your area. If not, you'll need to look at other insurers.
The Bottom Line
If you live in New York, Empire BlueCross BlueShield is a great insurer to work with. Its many types of health plans make it easy to find a good fit. These plans also include access to telemedicine, which is a convenient feature.
Whether you are looking for an insurance plan for yourself, your family, or your employees, Empire BlueCross BlueShield is a good choice.
