Health Plan Changes: The Jump to GeoBlue
If you submit your renewal on or after December 1st, 2012, please review the important information below.
If your HTH Worldwide expatriate policy was issued out of one of the states listed below, your new policy is now a GeoBlue plan underwritten by 4 Ever Life insurance company. There are NO CHANGES TO YOUR PLAN BENEFITS.
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Washington, D.C., Wisconsin, Wyoming.
If originally issued while living abroad, your plan is issued out of Washington, D.C. and you will be enrolled into a GeoBlue plan.
Why is this change taking place?
We are pleased to announce that we have signed a trademark licensing agreement with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, offering us access to the national BlueCard network in all 50 states and Washington D.C. Independent Blue Cross Blue Shield licensees collectively insure 100 million members and the Blue Brand is the largest and most recognized healthcare brand.
Who is the insurer?
GeoBlue Xplorer is underwritten by 4 Ever Life International Limited. 4 Ever Life International Limited enhances protection with unique underwriting solutions nationwide for brokers, agents, administrators, employers, employees and individuals. 4 Ever Life International Limited is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and a wholly-owned subsidiary of BCS Financial Corporation. BCS Financial has been GeoBlue's insurance partner since inception. BCS is owned by a consortium of Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. 4 Ever Life International Limited is Rated A- (excellent) by AM Best Company.
Who is the Plan Administrator?
There are no administration changes. We continue to be your plan administrator. Our wholly-owned Third Party Administrator is Worldwide Insurance Services, LLC: which operates both the HTH Worldwide and GeoBlue brands.
What Provider Networks Can I Access?
If you are eligible for a GeoBlue plan, you will continue to have access to the same doctors and hospitals outside the U.S. We currently provide access to international providers in more than 180 countries outside the United States. If your expatriate plan includes the U.S. coverage area, you will now be accessing the Blue National Network in the United States. The Blue network is the largest in the United States, with 90% of hospitals and 80% of physicians participating.
Does the GeoBlue plan offer any new features?
A number of new features are available for GeoBlue and HTH Worldwide customers. Log in to member services to find out about downloading our new global app and to access other tools.
Does my insurance policy comply with the Affordable Care Act?
Although certain benefits are written to ACA levels, the policy that you are purchasing is exempted under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Notices are sent out via email as well as regular mail for ease of review and enrollment. You will not be denied coverage based on health status when enrolling in a subsequent period of insurance coverage.
Is my insurance policy considered Creditable Coverage?
Yes. Our expatriate policies are classified as creditable coverage. The pre-existing conditions waiting period is waived with appropriate prior creditable coverage.