MEDICAL
Choose from two plan options through Independence Blue Cross.
Brian Communications is offering the same medical plans as 2024, with minimal plan changes. The deductible is increasing on the HDHP HRA. The RX Copays are slightly increasing on the Platinum PPO Plan. Benefit explanations can be seen below:
Bronze HDHP with HRA
The Bronze HDHP offers higher cost sharing than the PPO, but Brian Communications is able to assist in this cost sharing by contributing $3,500/$7,000 to a Health Reimbursement Account for employees to use on qualified medical expenses. This plan also requires less employee contributions than the Platinum PPO. For 2025, the deductible is slightly increasing from $8,000 single / $16,000 family to $8,300 single / $16,600 family.
Platinum PPO
The Platinum PPO plan offers less cost sharing from employees, with no deductible or coinsurance. Employees will pay copays for in network services, and they do not have access to a Health Reimbursement account. This plan requires more employee contributions than the Bronze HDHP with HRA. There are some slight changes to the Prescription costs for the 2025 plan year: the brand name drug copay is increasing from $60 to $75. The non-formulary cost is increasing from $100 to $125.
WHERE SHOULD I SEEK CARE?
When you need care and your primary care doctor isn’t available, remember you have other options that don’t involve a trip to the emergency room. Using virtual care, retail clinics, or urgent care centers can save you time and money.
Members have access to Emergency Rooms, Urgent Care centers, Primary Care Physicians, and Retail Clinics through the Independence Blue Cross Personal Choice PPO Network. In-network providers are the doctors and hospitals in your plan’s network. You’ll save the most money by visiting network providers. Members can also receive care virtually through MDLIVE, the select telehealth vendor of Independence Blue Cross.
If you’re suddenly faced with symptoms of an illness or injury, how can you determine which facility is most appropriate for your condition?
Continue reading to learn about each care option.
The following lists are only recommendations, not official medical guidance. Please keep in mind that the conditions under which young children and infants should go to the Emergency Room may differ from those of adults.
The Emergency Room (ER)
Emergency rooms are equipped to handle life-threatening injuries and illnesses and other serious medical conditions. An emergency is a condition that may cause loss of life or permanent or severe disability if not treated immediately.
You should seek care from the ER if you experience any of the following:
Urgent Care (UC)
Urgent Care Centers are not equipped to handle life-threatening injuries, illnesses, or medical conditions. Urgent medical conditions are those that are not considered emergencies but still require care within 24 hours. These centers are designed to address conditions where delaying treatment could cause serious problems or discomfort.
You should seek care from an UC facility if you experience any of the following:
Although Urgent Care Centers are usually more cost-effective, please remember they are NOT a substitute for emergency care! If an injury/illness is life threatening, head to the ER!
Primary Care Physician (PCP)
Primary Care Physicians are equipped to handle routine and minor illnesses or injuries. These are conditions that are not considered emergencies but still require medical attention.
You should also see your PCP for annual wellness exams and vaccinations.
You should consider seeking care from your PCP if you experience any of the following conditions or require any of the following services:
Depending on the severity of their condition, patients that require certain care outside of their PCP's operating hours or whose PCP lacks availability may consider seeking care from a UC facility.
Telehealth (MDLIVE)
MDLIVE is a telehealth provider available to you through your Independence Blue Cross medical plans. Like your PCP, the board-certified physicians available through MDLive are equipped to handle routine and minor illnesses or injuries. These are conditions that are not considered emergencies but still require medical attention.
You should consider seeking care from a board-certified MDLIVE physician if you experience any of the following conditions or require any of the following services:
MDLive physicians are available on weekends and holidays, making telehealth a good option for patients seeking care outside of their PCP's operating hours. MDLIVE is also a good option for those suffering from a minor illness/injury that:
- Have limited transportation options
- Have a tight schedule
- Have experienced similar symptoms in the past
- Have a contagious illness (cold, flu, etc.)
- Do not want to leave the house (due to fatigue, child care needs, etc.)
CVS MinuteClinic
CVS MinuteClinic locations have similar capabilities to PCPs or the physicians available through MDLIVE. Each location offers in-person services, and select MinuteClinic physicians offer virtual appointments. MinuteClinics are equipped to handle routine and minor illnesses or injuries that are not considered emergencies but still require medical attention.
MinuteClinic is a great option for receiving vaccinations and pre-travel testing/consultations.
You should consider seeking care from a CVS MinuteClinic if you experience any of the following conditions or require any of the following services:
Cost Comparison
An estimated comparison of the costs associated with a basic visit to each type of facility.
Emergency Room (ER)
$$
Urgent Care (UC)
$
Primary Care Physician (PCP)
$
Telehealth (MDLIVE)
$
Retail Clinics (CVS MinuteClinic)
$
Example Scenarios
Where should the following individuals seek care based on their condition(s)?
Example Scenario 1:
John is preparing dinner at 7:30 P.M. on a Friday night when he accidentally slices his finger. His condition is not severe and he does not think he cut a significant artery. However, there is moderate bleeding and he thinks he might need stitches.
John's first instinct is to call his PCP, but their office is closed for the weekend. The injury is not severe, so he rules out a long wait and large medical bill from the ER. Telehealth and Retail Clinic physicians do not have the capability to give John stitches. So, he decides that his best option is to receive care from his local Urgent Care facility. Here, John obtains the care he needs in a timely manner for a much lower bill than he would have received from the ER.
Example Scenario 2:
Jane's 10-year-old child comes home from school with a mild fever, cough, sore throat, and runny nose. Jane decides to keep them home from school the next day because she knows that it is the peak of flu-season. The child's condition remains the same over the next two days, but Jane decides toreach out to a doctor just in case.
She attempts to set up a visit with her child's PCP, but they do not have any available appointments for the next several days. Jane prefers in-person care, so she decides to head to the nearest CVS MinuteClinic for prompt, inexpensive service. The MinuteClinic physician tests Jane's child for COVID-19, strep throat, and the flu. The flu-test results come back as positive, so the physician gives her a list of recommendations for over-the-counter medications to manage the child's condition. By utilizing a local Retail Clinic, Jane is able to save time and money.
Example Scenario 3:
James is spending time in the backyard with his family when suddenly he starts experiencing severe chest pains and shortness of breath. He begins feeling faint, and needs to sit down. These symptoms worsen over the next several minutes, so James' wife decides to call for an ambulance.
Although an ambulance trip to the ER can be costly, James' wife knew that he was in serious condition and needed medical attention right away. Thanks to his wife, James was able to receive the care he needed to make a full recovery.
FIND A PROVIDER
Utilize the Independence Blue Cross Search for Care Dashboard to find In-Network healthcare providers near you.
You will be prompted to Choose a Location, which you can enter as the address, city, or zip code where you would like to receive care.
Next, the site will recommend that you Select a Plan in the upper right hand corner to help narrow search results to Providers in your network. When prompted, enter Personal Choice PPO into the search bar. Select Personal Choice PPO when it appears.
Once your location and plan have been selected, you can:
Select Providers by Specialty to search for Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) in your area.
Search Places by Name to search for specific locations, like CVS MinuteClinic, in your area.
Select Places by Type to search for Emergency Rooms, Urgent Cares, Retail Clinics, or Family Physicians.
Select the button below to be directed to the IBX Search for Care Dashboard:
