New BlueHPN network plans available for employee open enrollment Fall 2021

Beginning this fall, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem) is expanding our high performance network to Calumet, Outagamie and Winnebago counties, allowing employers there to offer their employees Blue High Performance Network_SM (BlueHPN_SM) plans.

 

BlueHPN plans in cities across the country offer access to a select set of providers with a record of delivering high-quality, efficient care.

 

In Wisconsin, the BlueHPN network is called Blue Connection. Since 2021, Blue Connection has included doctors and hospitals in the Milwaukee metro area. The network will include Calumet, Outagamie and Winnebago counties in 2022.

 

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

 

This means that beginning January 1, you may see patients accessing this network through either a national employer plan, or a Wisconsin 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, 2022.

 

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

 

1337-1021-PN-WI