Out-of-Network Benefits

Once the deductible is met, most out-of-network services are covered 70%. You pay 30% coinsurance. When the amount you have paid in deductible and coinsurance reaches $6,000 for an individual plan, or $12,000 for any family plan, covered benefits will be paid in full (i.e., without any additional deductibles or coinsurance, but subject to all plan provisions, limitations, and exclusions) for the remainder of that plan year.

Certain expenses do not apply toward your out-of-pocket limit and are excluded under the plan. They include the following:

  • Charges in excess of reasonable and customary
  • Expenses for services not covered by the plan
  • Charges you incur for not following precertification procedures

You may have to file your claim when you receive a covered service from a non-preferred provider in Massachusetts or a non-preferred provider outside of Massachusetts who does not have a payment agreement with the local Blue Cross Blue Shield Plan. Claims for out-of-network services should be filed, along with a Blue Cross Blue Shield claim form, available online from Human Resources, within two years of the date charges for the service were incurred, to:

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
P.O. Box 986030
Boston, MA  02298

Note: When you receive covered services outside the United States, you must file your claim to the Blue Card Worldwide Service Center. (The Blue Card Worldwide International Claim Form you receive from Blue Cross Blue Shield will include the address to mail your claim.) The service center will prepare your claim, including the conversion to U.S. currency and forward it to Blue Cross Blue Shield for repayment to you.

Utilization Review Requirements

Utilization Review is an important feature of the out-of-network portion of the BU Health Savings Plan. It helps to ensure that you receive the appropriate medical care in the most cost-efficient setting – whether it be the hospital, a specialty facility, or your own home. Utilization Review includes:

  • Pre-admission review – For all non-emergency and non-maternity hospital admissions in the United States, you must call the number on your ID card in advance to get your stay approved. Within two working days of receiving all necessary information, Blue Cross Blue Shield will determine if the health care setting is suitable to treat your condition. Failure to follow the pre-admission review procedure may result in your having to pay for expenses that otherwise would be covered.
  • Concurrent review/discharge planning – This program automatically monitors your stay in the hospital to help ensure that you are discharged on time and receive necessary services once you are discharged.

Be sure to follow utilization review provisions. If you do not follow these provisions, plan benefits will be reduced.