BCBSVT Adds Tools to Help Members Compare Cost Estimates, Treatment Option

Berlin, VT Members of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont and The Vermont Health Plan now have access to a sophisticated, web-based informational program that will allow them to view treatment options and cost estimates for a variety of health conditions, and to research and compare hospitals in their area.
The decision-support tools are included in a new, online Health Advisor program, according to BCBSVT, and they are designed to be easy to use and help members better manage their health care services and expenses.
The Health Advisor suite of tools is powered by Subimo, LLC, a Chicago-based company and leading provider of web-based healthcare decision-support tools.
"These tools, which have been added to our website, will help our members make better-informed decisions about their own healthcare," said Dave Krupa, vice president and chief marketing officer at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont.
"By providing access to these tools, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont brings unbiased, expert information to our members. We believe that the new Healthcare Advisor tools will help members make good, personal decisions when it comes to their health care and how they spend their health care dollars."
The Healthcare Advisor tool is available to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont members through a password-protected member site, a section of the company's website where customers can see claims and benefits information. Through Healthcare Advisor, members can research health conditions, treatment options, and cost estimates. Customers can also compare hospitals to find one that best meets their needs. Members can access the Healthcare Advisor suite by logging on to the BCBSVT member site at www.bcbsvt.com.
"Subimo is pleased to be part of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont's ongoing focus and commitment to provide relevant information on quality and cost to its membership," said Ann Mond Johnson, CEO of Subimo.
"Subimo's tools will help support their members by making sure they have the information they need to make better-informed healthcare choices for their families."
"This information is useful for all of our customers," Krupa added. "But it is even more important for those customers who have HSA Blue, HSA BlueCare or Individual HSA Blue, our suite of Health Savings Account-compatible consumer-directed healthcare products. With the growing popularity of HSAs in Vermont, it's important to offer tools - like Healthcare Advisor - that help covered members understand the balance of quality health care and health care costs."
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is the state's oldest and largest private health insurer, providing coverage for about 180,000 Vermonters. It employs over 350 Vermonters at its headquarters in Berlin and branch office in Williston, and offers group and individual health benefits plans to Vermonters. More information about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is available on the Internet at www.bcbsvt.com. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is an independent corporation operating under a license with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.
Subimo, LLC is headquartered in Chicago, IL, and licenses a suite of decision-support tools which provide a unique combination of data, content, and personalized, interactive models - so consumers can easily select insurance coverage, fund their tax preferred accounts, determine costs for medical services, and select hospitals, drugs, and physicians. Everyone saves money when consumers have better information and can make better choices. Nearly 60 million Americans have access to Subimo's tools through their insurance company or employer. For more information, visit subimo.com or call 888-SUBIMO-1.
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