Important Update on Your Medical Benefits
Your medical insurance through the Local 338 Health & Welfare Fund will switch from MagnaCare to Anthem (formerly known as Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield) on January 1, 2024 and you will be enrolled in the Anthem Blue Access PPO plan.
We are changing our insurance carrier because we want to ensure that Local 338 members have access to the best care available. That is possible with Anthem, by giving you access to a wide network of doctors and specialists across the Tri-State Area, offering you greater flexibility when it comes to taking care of your health. Your new coverage also includes the Hospital for Special Surgery.
Additionally, your new coverage will allow you to be seen anywhere, anytime—if you’re out-of-state and need to see a doctor, your insurance will work with any provider that accepts the Blue Card PPO. No more third-party insurance for doctors outside of New York, which allows you to prioritize your health and makes it easier to find an in-network doctor. This plan includes a national network of doctors and hospitals. There is no change in copays and deductibles. Please note that the Anthem Blue Access PPO plan does not include SUNY Hospitals and providers, including Stonybrook, SUNY Downstate, and SUNY Syracuse as in network.
If you currently receive care from a SUNY hospital, including primary care and specialists, your doctors will not be covered under the Anthem Blue Access PPO and will be considered out of network. Members who wish to keep their doctors and specialists at SUNY can enroll in the Anthem PPO Plan, which has higher copays and deductibles but will keep their doctors in-network.
If you are enrolled in the Anthem Blue Access PPO and are taken to a SUNY hospital in an emergency, your care will be covered as per the No Surprises Act. You do not need to be concerned about going to an in network or out of network facility in an emergency. Most members will find that they get to keep their current care team, meaning the transition to Anthem should be seamless. You are encouraged to check that your primary care provider and any specialists that you use accept Anthem Blue Access PPO. You can check which doctors are in-network by visiting: www.anthem.com/find-care/
- Select “basic search as a guest.”
- Under Plan or Network select “Medical Plan or Network (may also include dental, vision or pharmacy benefits)”
- Under State choose your state (NY or NJ or CT)
- Under Select how you get health insurance choose “Medical Networks”
- Under Select a plan or network choose “Blue Access (Employer-Sponsored)”
- Hit continue
To Download the Enrollment Form, Click Here
If you have questions about the change in plans and how it may affect you, please call the Local 338 Funds Office at (516) 294-1338 ext. 1776. The Funds Office is available Monday-Friday, 8:30-4:30.
Haga clic aquí para leerlo en español