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OUT BLUE
ArkansasBlue employee Michael Stewart greets a customer at the Shackleford Crossings location.
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Out of the Blue
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The health care law and you
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Meetings for small businesses
Upcoming changes under the health care law
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Customers rank Arkansas Blue Cross as a top Blue Plan in the nation
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Over-the-counter medicines
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Your role in health care
Arkansas’ Health Care Independence Program: Do you qualify?
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Member discounts Grants available for health programs
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Live Fearless – our new advertising campaign
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Fast food and asthma Binge drinking studies Lose weight the Healthy Weigh!
New ArkansasBlue health insurance store opens in Pine Bluff The “freedom” of short-term coverage
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The Health Insurance Marketplace – how it might help you
Is memory loss from aging or lack of sleep? Maybe both. Blue News
SUMMER 2013
Will Arkansas have enough doctors?
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Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield – Financial Information Privacy Notice
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Customer Service telephone numbers
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Health care law timeline Blue &You is published four times a year by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield for the company’s members, health care professionals and other persons interested in health care and wellness.
Health information from sources outside of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield do not necessarily represent the official position of the company.
EDITOR: Jennifer Sullivan – bnyou-ed@arkbluecross.com • DESIGNER: Ryan Kravitz • PHOTOGRAPHER: Chip Bayer CONTRIBUTORS: Will Ballard, Chip Bayer, Gio Bruno, Matthew Creasman, Damona Fisher, Kristy Fleming, Lauren Green,Trey Hankins, Heather Iacobacci-Miller, Genny Kirchner, Kathy Luzietti, Wendy McCullar, Mark Morehead, Alex Roberts, Kelly Whitehorn and Stephen Wilson VICE PRESIDENT, COMMUNICATIONS and PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT: Karen Raley
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on the cover BLUE & YOU SUMMER 2013
Sara Harris, ArkansasBlue team leader, consults with a customer about the upcoming health care law changes.
It has been a busy year for the health care industry, and it is only halfway through. We have seen remarkable progress made toward implementing provisions of the new health care law as they become effective, but I know many of you still have concerns about the changes yet to be implemented. You can rest assured that our team at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield has been working to determine how to best address these challenges.
Arkansas Medicaid expansion
Arkansas historically has had one of the most restrictive Medicaid programs in the country, and I applaud the bipartisan efforts of the Arkansas Legislature and Gov. Mike Beebe to create the Arkansas Medicaid private option that was signed into law in April. Arkansas is the first state in the nation to create a system allowing qualified low-income Arkansans to purchase subsidized private insurance through the state’s Health Insurance Marketplace, but other states are watching with interest. For the first three years, this program will be funded entirely with federal money. Expanding Medicaid to provide health care coverage to low income Arkansans is the right thing to do. It not only benefits people who are struggling financially, it benefits their families, the business owners who hire these workers, our health care providers and the state’s economy. Ultimately, we will see the benefits of a healthier population.
Controlling health care costs
Many of you may have heard news reports concerning increases in premium costs as a result of new regulations under the health care law. There are provisions of the law that will increase costs for some, but there will be both winners and losers under the new regulations.
a message from our President and CEO, MARK WHITE Why are costs increasing for some? The law requires the insurance industry to cover more services, offer some services at no cost to the member, and calculate premiums according to new guidelines. There also are a number of new taxes and fees included within the law. Certainly, most Americans understand that when you provide free or reduced-cost insurance to millions of people and cover more services, there will be a cost associated with it. In this issue of Blue & You, we explain some of the new provisions within the health care law and what we believe you can expect regarding your coverage. Some of you will find that your coverage will be less expensive in the future; for others, it will be more costly. Regardless of the impact, Arkansas Blue Cross has spent the past two years working to find solutions that will provide you and your family affordable insurance options. If you purchase health care coverage for you and your family on your own, we will be reaching out to you this summer to request a health insurance review. During a phone call or a visit we can cover any changes the law will require and make you aware of the most affordable choices available to you. It is important that you are informed about your options and you that maintain your “grandfathered” status until you have the information needed to aid in the decision process. Our customer support teams are
CHANGES continued on page 23 SUMMER 2013 BLUE & YOU
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