Plan Benefits
Your guide to better health at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island
See how your plan works. Discover more perks. Find documents you might need.
View plan highlights
You can review the benefits of any plans that your employer offers. Ask your employer about which plans apply to you.
Plan documents
Programs and Perks
BCBSRI membership has its perks
Here are a few of them.
BlueCare Connect
Your front door to everything healthcare
With a single log-in or phone call, you can access health and wellness apps, plan information, care management, and customer service—and get personalized health support from Care Guides, nurses, and coaches.
Doctors Online
Care when you need it
When you can’t see your doctor in-person, Doctors Online is a great option. You can video-chat with a board-certified doctor 24/7 for help with common, non-emergency health concerns, such as cold and flu symptoms, sinus problems, and migraines. Virtual behavioral healthcare is also available by appointment with licensed therapists and psychiatrists for help with anxiety, depression, stress, and other issues.
You can find the BCBSRI Doctors Online app in your favorite app store or visit Drs-Online.com to get started. And remember, the best time to register with Doctors Online is before you need care.
Doctors Online is a telemedicine service provided by American Well®, an independent company that administers Doctors Online on behalf of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island.
Wellness
Take steps toward a healthier you
Healthy choices can make a big difference in your overall well-being. The BCBSRI wellness program makes it easy—and fun—to take steps toward better health. The program runs through your online member account and is also available on your phone—at no additional cost to you.
With the BCBSRI wellness program, you can:
- Track your steps and workouts by syncing your wearable device
- Learn how to improve your sleep habits, increase your activity level, make better food choices, and manage stress
- Participate in friendly fitness challenges (who doesn’t love to win?)
- Complete a health assessment that rates your health status from 1 to 100
You can customize parts of the program to suit your interests and—depending on your employer’s plan—even earn rewards for your wellness achievements.
Referrals
What you need to know
Depending on your plan, you may need a referral from your primary care provider (PCP) before seeing a specialist or getting a test or procedure. There are several advantages to getting referrals:
- Your PCP knows your health history best, so they can often recommend the most appropriate specialist or facility for the care you need
- You’ll save time on researching your options
- You’ll save money—if you don’t have a required referral, you could be responsible for the entire cost of your visit or treatment
There are some services that never require a referral—including mental health and substance abuse treatment, emergency care, and OB/GYN services. You can learn more in your plan’s subscriber agreement.
Well-being
Take 5 for You
Taking a few minutes for yourself (even five minutes) can really make a difference in your overall well-being. That’s the idea behind our Take 5 for You well-being series. Learn simple, effective steps you can take to help improve your mental, physical, social, and financial health.
Blue 365
Lowering the cost of a healthy lifestyle
With Blue365, you can enjoy members-only savings on products and services that can help support a healthy lifestyle—from fitness gear and apparel to meal services and personal care. New offers are added regularly, and there’s no limit to how many you can redeem. And you can sign up for email alerts tailored to your preferences, so you’ll never miss a great deal.
The Rhode Ahead
Tips for better living and better health
The Rhode Ahead website offers helpful information on staying fit, saving money, and keeping healthy. You’ll find a wide range of topics, including how to select a doctor, understand your health numbers, make fitness fun for your family, and cook healthy, delicious meals—recipes included.
How to choose a health plan
You want a plan that fits your specific needs. Here are three factors to keep in mind.
Consider your total cost—your monthly premiums plus what you’ll pay out-of-pocket when you use medical services like seeing a doctor or getting lab work done. Think about what will work best with your budget. You may prefer a higher premium with lower deductible and copays, or you may want to keep your monthly premiums low but be responsible for a higher percentage of the cost when you do seek care.
- If your overall health is good and you rarely need to see a doctor, a plan with lower premiums and higher deductibles might work for you. Just be sure to set aside enough money to cover potential doctor visits, tests, etc. in the event you need them.
- A health savings account (HSA) can be useful in helping you save money for healthcare, if that option is offered with your health plan.
Blue Cross is known for its nationwide network of doctors, hospitals, and other providers. However, if your doctors are local and you can’t envision needing a provider in another part of the country, a plan with a local or regional network could save you money.
- Purchasing national coverage you don’t need is like paying for cell phone data you’ll never use.
If you (or a family member on your plan) have a chronic condition, such as diabetes, or if you know you will need more services, such as expecting a child, a plan with lower copays might be a good fit. You may pay more in monthly premiums, but you’ll be charged less for each doctor visit.
- If you expect to use more medical services, you may want a plan that will cover more of the medical bills.
Helpful definitions
Deductible
If you need medical care, a deductible is the amount you pay for your care before the health insurance company starts to pay its share.
Copay
A specific dollar amount you pay when you get healthcare.
Coinsurance
A portion of the cost you pay when you get healthcare.
Example: A doctor might charge $100 for a visit. If your health insurance has a 10% coinsurance, you would pay the doctor $10 and your insurance would pay the doctor $90.
Out-of-pocket maximum
The maximum amount you would pay out-of-pocket for covered healthcare services each year, including deductible, copays, and coinsurance. After the out-of-pocket is met, in-network covered services are paid at 100% by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island.
Referral
An order from your primary care provider (PCP) for you to receive care from another doctor, specialist, or medical facility. Learn more
WE ARE HERE FOR YOU
Find help with your health plan
First check with your employer. They may refer you to our BCBSRI Customer Service team.
We're always happy to answer your questions.