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Empire Prism plans are designed specifically to meet the needs of smalland mid-sized businesses (two to 200 employees) in the 28 eastern andsoutheastern counties of New York state, seeking to provide their employeeswith the same broad Empire BlueCross BlueShield coverage that large employersenjoy, but with a price and benefit design tailored to meet their needs.
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According to a 2005 report from the Association of Health Insurance Plans,small group policies in New York are among the most expensive in the UnitedStates, and more than half of the employed uninsured work for firms with fewerthan 25 employees.
"More than two-thirds of New York's employed uninsured adults earn lessthan $70,000. Our Prism plans were designed with these individuals andcompanies in mind," said Mark Wagar, president and CEO of Empire BlueCrossBlueShield. "Our customers in this segment said they wanted a plan that didnot have the high up-front costs associated with many recent offerings,without compromising quality or accessibility to our broad New York andnationwide provider networks. We listened."
Empire Prism plans allow employers the flexibility to choose not to offerhigh deductibles or coinsurance and preventive services are covered at 100percent. Additionally, no referrals are required for patients to seekservices from network providers. Further attractive advantages of EmpirePrism plans include:
"Empire's Prism plans provide small employers and their brokers with thesimplicity of a single solution for their employees, with a breadth of choicethat our clients have come to expect," said Wagar.
About Empire BlueCross BlueShield
Empire BlueCross BlueShield (Empire) is the trade name of EmpireHealthChoice Assurance, Inc., and Empire BlueCross BlueShield HMO is the tradename of Empire HealthChoice HMO, Inc., independent licensees of the Blue CrossBlue Shield Association, serving residents and businesses in the 28 easternand southeastern counties of New York State. Empire, the largest healthinsurer in New York State based on PPO and HMO membership, is a subsidiary ofWellPoint, Inc. Additional information about Empire is available atwww.empireblue.com.- Strong network: By choosing Prism consumers will have access to the largest New York network as well as the largest network across the country through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association's BlueCard network. Our local New York network includes more of New York Magazine's top doctors for eight consecutive years than any other area network. - Comprehensive benefits: Prism members will have 100 percent coverage on key health screenings; no member co-pay or coinsurance payments on annual in-network preventive care visits; and no in-network deductibles available for "first dollar" coverage, which is an insurance policy that pays the full value of a loss, without a deductible, up to the limit of the policy coverage. - Health and wellness: Prism offers a standard comprehensive suite of health and wellness offerings through 360 degree Health, one of the most robust benefit programs in the industry to comprehensively address preventive care, health improvement and care coordination. The program includes access to fitness club discounts, vision care services, access to a 24/7 Nurse Line, weight management programs, and more. - Affordability: Empire Prism plans are more affordable than most
