New Blue HPN® network included in plans available for employee open enrollment Fall 2020

As employers across the country host open enrollment periods for their employees, many will offer a new option this fall: plans built around a Blue High Performance Network (HPN).

 

Blue HPN^® plans offer access to a select set of providers with a record of delivering high-quality, efficient care. Blue HPN will go live January 1, 2021 in more than 50 cities across the country.

 

In Wisconsin, the Blue HPN network is called Blue Connection, and covers the Milwaukee metro area. Beginning with the open enrollment period starting this month, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem) is offering large and small group employers in Wisconsin employee benefit plans with access to the HPN. These plans offer an Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) network design, and refer to the HPN as Blue Connection.

 

This means that beginning January 1, you may see patients accessing this network through either a national employer plan, or an employer plan with an EPO network. Under EPO network plans, out-of-network benefits are limited to emergency or urgent care. Members must select a primary care provider, but PCP referrals are not required for specialty care.

 

If you are not sure whether your practice is part of Blue Connection, ask your office manager or business office, or contact your Anthem network representative. Blue Connection participation will be displayed in provider profiles in our provider directory January 1, 2021.

 

Below is a sample ID card for a member from Wisconsin enrolled in the national employer Blue HPN plan. Note the new “Blue High Performance Network” and “Blue Connection” network names and “HPN” indicator in the suitcase icon.

 

675-1020-PN-WI