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Premier PPO

This plan gives you the flexibility to choose any doctor/hospital that you wish without requiring a primary care physician (PCP) or referrals. If you choose a Blue Cross doctor, you will be charged the in-network rates.

This is a summary of the plan benefits. Complete benefit information is available in the BCBS PPO Premier Booklet and Summary of Benefit Coverage (SBC) 2024.

Benefit information for the Premier PPO plan, broken down by in-network, out-of-network and Northwestern Medicine network.
In-Network Out-of-Network Northwestern Medicine
Group Number 906161/806161 906161/806161 906161/806161
Deductible $500 member,
$1,500 family
$1,000 member, $3,000 family $350 member,
$1,050 family
Coinsurance 10% 30% 5%
Out-of-Pocket (OOP) Maximum $2,400 member, $6,600 family $4,800 member, $12,800 family $1,200 member,
$3,200 family
Prescription OOP Maximum $1,500/year per member N/A
Wellness Checkup Covered 100% according to age/sex guidelines Deductible +
30% coinsurance
Covered 100% according to age/sex guidelines
Office Visit $25 physician/
$35 specialist
Deductible +
30% coinsurance
$10 physician/
$20 specialist
Emergency Room Costs $150 copay +
10% coinsurance
$150 copay +
10% coinsurance
$150 copay (waived if admitted) + 10% coinsurance

*All health care copays apply toward the out-of-pocket maximums.

Saving Money On Health Procedures and Tests

Member Rewards Program

With Member Rewards, you can shop for in-network medical care like CT scans, MRIs and more, compare costs and maybe even earn a cash reward. This program is part of your health plan benefits and administered by Sapphire Digital. It is quick and easy to use.

Step 1
Shop online by logging in to bcbsil.com to find a reward-eligible location for your procedure or service.

Step 2
Get the procedure or service at your chosen reward-eligible location.

Step 3
Receive a cash reward by check, which will be mailed directly to your home, after your claim is paid and the location is verified as reward-eligible

Here’s why Member Rewards is a great program. You can:
  • Compare costs for procedures and services, which can vary by provider
  • Estimate and save on your out-of-pocket costs
  • Earn cash when you select a reward-eligible provide

Eligibility: Those enrolled in any Northwestern BCBSIL PPO plan

Find a doctor

In- and out-of-network
  1. Navigate to the Provider Finder
  2. Select Find Care on the navigation bar at the top
  3. Select Find a Doctor or Hospital from the drop down
  4. Log in or select Search as a Guest
  5. From the Plans drop down select Participating Provider Organization [PPO]

Northwestern Medicine participating doctors
  1. Navigate to the Northwestern Medicine Provider Finder (Be sure NOT to log in)
  2. Select the Get medical care in the middle of the screen

Price a medication

Use ExpressScripts online pricing tool to price current or future medications.  Shopping around may save you money.

Premiums are deducted from your paycheck on a pre-tax basis.  Employees who are paid bi-weekly will have half of the monthly deduction taken from the first two checks of each month.

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Premiums for full-time employees

Premier PPO monthly premiums for full-time employees by annual salary and family members insured.
Annual Salary You You + Spouse You + Child(ren) You + Spouse + Child(ren)
Under $42,000 $263 $572 $487 $863
$42,001-$75,000 $313 $685 $583 $1,029
$75,001-$128,000 $377 $825 $704 $1,240
$128,001-$182,000 $462 $1,012 $864 $1,519
$182,001 and above $583 $1,277 $1,088 $1,917

For new hires, the salary tier is determined based on your initial, regular salary. The salary tier for current employees is determined by your salary on September 1st of the year proceeding the plan year (e.g. Premiums starting 1/1/2024 are based on your 9/1/2023 salary). Mid-year changes to salary will not change your assigned salary tier, unless you transition from full-time to part-time or part-time to full-time. When your 9/1 salary crosses a salary tier due to a salary increase not associated with a change in full-time/part-time status, you will pay the lower premium for the following year.

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Premiums for part-time employees

Premier PPO monthly premiums for part-time employees by annual salary and family members insured.
Annual Salary You You + Spouse You + Child(ren) You + Spouse + Child(ren)
Under $42,000 $549 $1,197 $1,021 $1,799
$42,001-$75,000 $579 $1,269 $1,084 $1,909
$75,001-$128,000 $625 $1,365 $1,163 $2,050
$128,001-$182,000 $680 $1,489 $1,272 $2,238
$182,001 and above $761 $1,666 $1,419 $2,501

For new hires, the salary tier is determined based on your initial, regular salary. The salary tier for current employees is determined by your salary on September 1st of the year proceeding the plan year (e.g. Premiums starting 1/1/2024 are based on your 9/1/2023 salary). Mid-year changes to salary will not change your assigned salary tier, unless you transition from full-time to part-time or part-time to full-time. When your 9/1 salary crosses a salary tier due to a salary increase not associated with a change in full-time/part-time status, you will pay the lower premium for the following year.

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Premiums are deducted from your paycheck on a pre-tax basis.  Employees who are paid bi-weekly will have half of the monthly deduction taken from the first two checks of each month.

Jump to:

Premiums for full-time employees

Premier PPO monthly premiums for full-time employees by annual salary and family members insured.
Annual Salary You You + Spouse You + Child(ren) You + Spouse + Child(ren)
Under $42,000 $294 $660 $544 $995
$42,001-$75,000 $350 $790 $651 $1,186
$75,001-$128,000 $421 $951 $787 $1,430
$128,001-$182,000 $516 $1,167 $965 $1,751
$182,001 and above $651 $1,472 $1,216 $2,210

For new hires, the salary tier is determined based on your initial, regular salary. The salary tier for current employees is determined by your salary on September 1st of the year proceeding the plan year (e.g. Premiums starting 1/1/2025 are based on your 9/1/2024 salary). Mid-year changes to salary will not change your assigned salary tier, unless you transition from full-time to part-time or part-time to full-time. When your 9/1 salary crosses a salary tier due to a salary increase not associated with a change in full-time/part-time status, you will pay the lower premium for the following year.

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Premiums for part-time employees

Premier PPO monthly premiums for part-time employees by annual salary and family members insured.
Annual Salary You You + Spouse You + Child(ren) You + Spouse + Child(ren)
Under $42,000 $614 $1,351 $1,140 $2,031
$42,001-$75,000 $647 $1,435 $1,211 $2,158
$75,001-$128,000 $698 $1,545 $1,300 $2,321
$128,001-$182,000 $759 $1,688 $1,421 $2,537
$182,001 and above $850 $1,892 $1,586 $2,841

For new hires, the salary tier is determined based on your initial, regular salary. The salary tier for current employees is determined by your salary on September 1st of the year proceeding the plan year (e.g. Premiums starting 1/1/2025 are based on your 9/1/2024 salary). Mid-year changes to salary will not change your assigned salary tier, unless you transition from full-time to part-time or part-time to full-time. When your 9/1 salary crosses a salary tier due to a salary increase not associated with a change in full-time/part-time status, you will pay the lower premium for the following year.

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Benefits

Prescription coverage
Discounts
  • Vision discount - program available through Davis Vision
  • Blue Discount Program - offers a variety of discounts on gym memberships, alternative medicine and hearing aids
  • Hearings aids discounts available with TruHearing at 866-687-2020
Immunizations
  • Covered under the Well Child Care provisions for children up to age 16
Routine mammogram and pap smear
  • Covered with no cost-sharing
  • Mammogram covered for women age 35+
Laboratory tests and x-rays
  • Coinsurance after deductible is met
Physical therapy and chiropractic care
  • Coinsurance after deductible is met
  • Member's condition must show continued improvement with physical therapy
Minor surgery in doctor's office or outpatient surgical operations
  •  Coinsurance after deductible is met
Diabetes treatment
  • Covered at coinsurance after deductible is met
    • Glucometer
    • Self management training services rendered by a physician or licensed health care professional with expertise in diabetes management
    • Regular foot care examinations by a physician or podiatrist
  • Other supplies and equipment are covered under prescription drug program

Exclusion examples

  • Hearings aids; discounts available with TruHearing at 866-687-2020
  • Custodial nursing home care
  • Cosmetic care except for the correction of congenital deformities or for conditions resulting from accidental injuries, tumors or disease
  • For a comprehensive list of exclusions, contact BCBS at 800-327-8497