Medical Plan Options
UT offers UT SELECT, a self-funded medical PPO plan, administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company. Effective September 1st, there is approximately a 6% increase in the monthly premium for UT SELECT plan.
Choice of Doctors — Each Time You Need Health Care
When you enroll in UT SELECT, you can receive care from any licensed doctor you want. No referrals are required. If you use a Network doctor, you will receive the highest level of benefits, pay less out of pocket, and you usually will not have to file any claims. If you use an Out of Network doctor, you will still be covered, but your out-of-pocket costs for health care services will be higher.
Access to One of the Largest Networks in Texas with Worldwide Coverage
By choosing UT SELECT, you have access to one of the largest networks of contracting doctors and hospitals in Texas, with more than 45,000 physicians and specialists and over 400 hospitals. If you are traveling outside Texas, there are even more Blue Cross and Blue Shield Network providers from which to choose. More than 85 percent of all doctors and hospitals throughout the United States contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans. Outside of the U.S, you will have access to doctors and hospitals in over 200 countries. With UT SELECT, you have worldwide coverage for both emergency and non-emergency care.
International SOS
When traveling abroad, coverage is provided for your medical needs through your UT Select program. However, additional services are available through the UT System—wide International SOS program. This is a comprehensive, 24-hour medical response organization that provides international assistance services worldwide through the use of multilingual Alarm Centers on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. International SOS responds to calls for help and advice from students, travelers and expatriates, managing the simplest task such as a doctor referral to the most complex emergency evacuation. Membership is included for no charge when traveling abroad on University business, and is available at a discount when traveling for a personal trip. You may obtain a membership card from your campus travel office. All University related travel abroad that is not booked using one of the University’s contracted travel agencies should be reported to International SOS in advance. This can be done via the UT System SOS portal at http://www.internationalsos.com (use U.T. System Membership # 11BSGC000037 to log on).
To find a physician or specialist near you, search online at www.bcbstx.com/ut or contact UT SELECT Customer Service toll free at 1-866-882-2034.
Even if you visit an Out of Network doctor, you may still save money. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas contracts with many out-of-network doctors and hospitals. ParPlan providers accept the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas allowable amounts for covered services and cannot bill you more. In most cases ParPlan providers will file claims, too. Look for participating doctors and hospitals for UT SELECT at www.bcbstx.com/ut under ParPlan.
Transitional Benefits
If you or a covered dependent are being treated for a chronic or ongoing medical condition at the time you are enrolled in UT SELECT and your doctor is not in the UT SELECT PPO network, ongoing care with your current doctor may be requested for up to three months. Some medical conditions that are eligible for transitional benefits include:
- Pregnancy (if you are in your 3rd trimester on September 1)
- Cancer
- Allergy Treatments
- Organ Transplant
- Heart Failure
- Physical Therapy
- Behavioral Health Care
- Diabetes
Transitional benefits are subject to approval. To request transitional benefits, complete a Transitional BenefitsForm available from your campus Benefits Office or online at www.bcbstx.com/ut. Instructions for submitting the request to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas are on the form. If the transitional care request is approved, you or your covered dependent may continue to see the Out of Network doctor and receive the Network level of benefits from the UT SELECT plan for up to three months. If the transitional care request is denied, you may still continue to see your current doctor, but benefits will be paid at the Out of Network level.
If your doctor under your previous plan is in the UT SELECT PPO Network, you do not have to complete a Transitional Benefits Form. Note: Most HMO Blue doctors are also in the UT SELECT PPO network.
Disease Management Programs - Helping You Achieve a Healthier Life
Sometimes managing your health requires more than doctor visits, lab tests and prescriptions.
Blue Care Connection from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is an umbrella of programs that helps you achieve higher levels of wellness. Through outreach, educational resources and health advocacy, Blue Care Connection guides you through the often-complex health care system so you can focus on what matters most — getting healthy and staying well.
Blue Care Connection programs assist UT SELECT plan participants living with current serious medical conditions, as well as those considered "at risk." If you, or a covered dependent, are considered "at risk," the Blue Care Connection programs are uniquely designed to detect health care needs early. Early detection allows Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas to provide appropriate outreach and meaningful intervention to help prevent future medical complications.
Blue Care Connection programs are available at no additional cost and include:
Blue Care Advisors
– Experienced and knowledgeable Registered Nurses, Licensed Professional Counselors and Licensed Masters-Level Social Workers with your best health in mind. Advisors will work with you and your physician to educate, facilitate and monitor your treatment plan.
24/7 NurseLine
– Around the clock access through a toll-free number to experienced registered nurses who understand and can help with your health care concerns. To take advantage of this free service and to talk to a nurse, call toll-free: 1-888-315-9473, anytime 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Special Beginnings®
– A maternity program that offers on-going contact with obstetric nurses who provide prenatal risk assessment education and can coordinate care with your physician. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas offers a $50 reward card from Target for women who enroll in their first trimester and complete the Special Beginnings program through six weeks after delivery. Call 1-800-462-3275 to enroll or ask questions about the program.
Condition Management
– Voluntary, health improvement programs that can help members with cancer, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, diabetes, metabolic syndrome (high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity) and low back pain.
Care Management
– Focuses on traditional elements of medical care management with targeted outreach if you are an “at-risk” member.Focuses on traditional elements of medical care management with targeted outreach if you are an “at-risk” member.
Case Management
– Assists if you are a higher-risk plan participant coping with a complex or catastrophic condition.
LifeMasters Disease Management
As part of UT SELECT, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas provides a disease management program for enrollees with certain conditions through the LifeMasters program. If your UT SELECT claims records indicate that you have such a condition, LifeMasters staff may contact you directly via telephone to inform you about the disease management program and determine if you are interested in participating. These contacts are monitored and controlled by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas as part of UT SELECT’s health care operations. If you decline, LifeMasters will not contact you again. If you decide to participate, the LifeMasters’ staff will provide you with information about participating. LifeMasters’ Blue Cross Blue Shield and UT SELECT keeps all LifeMasters contact and program information confidential and private.
Enroll Today
To enroll in any Blue Care Connection program, or ask questions about the program, please call toll-free at 1-800-462-3275.
New! Effective September 1, 2007—More Blue Care Connection Programs
In addition to the Blue Care Connection programs already listed, some new programs will be available to UT SELECT plan participants for the 2007-2008 plan year effective September 1.
Blue Care Advisors
Blue Care Advisors are a multi-disciplinary team composed of Registered Nurses, Licensed Professional Counselors and Licensed Masters-Level Social Workers. Blue Care Advisors reach out to at-risk plan participants, providing early chronic disease prevention in hopes of achieving overall improved health. Blue Care Advisors:
- Simplify the coordination of your health care benefits,
- Educate and empower you to make informed choices about your health care,
- Support wellness by aiding your understanding of preventive care guidelines, personal risk assessments and preventive screenings,
- Support behavior modification and readiness to change with techniques that promote a healthy lifestyle,
- Champion your care when assistance is needed, and
- Provide lifestyle coaching through the Obesity/Weight Management Program (as needed)
Personal Health Manager
With Personal Health Manager, the support and resources you need to manage your health online will be just a click away. By logging onto Blue Access® for Members and clicking on Personal Health Manager you can:
- Earn Blue PointsSM every time you use the health and wellness features in the For Your Health section. Receive up to 1,000 points a week when you set up and track the progress of an exercise or meal program, read and rate health and wellness related articles, or e-mail your health-related questions to licensed professionals.
- Complete a health risk assessment to evaluate your health status.
- Request fitness and weight loss advice with Ask A Dietitian.
- Receive help on managing stress, workplace conflicts or other issues with Ask A Life Coach.
- Ask registered nurses health-related questions online with the Ask A Nurse feature.
- Receive targeted wellness information via e-mail to help manage specific medical conditions, including alerts for screening tests, and set up reminders for medical appointments and medication refills.
- Access wellness tracking tools, videos and interactive tutorials.
- Get information on exercise, nutrition and lifestyle issues in the For Your Health section.
Behavior Modification Obesity/Weight Management Program
UT SELECT coverage will also feature new lifestyle management programs, comprised of Licensed Masters Level Social Workers and Licensed Professional Counselors who promote wellness through a holistic approach of behavioral coaching, clinical coaching, education and condition management.
Regardless of your personal health status, every UT SELECT plan participant can take advantage of important health and wellness resources from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas.
Blue Access® for Members - Information is a Powerful Tool
Go to www.bcbstx.com/ut, log onto Blue Access for Members, and:
- Check the status of a claim and your claims history
- Confirm who in your family is covered under your plan
- View and print an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) for a claim
- Locate a doctor or hospital in the Network
- Select the option to stop receiving EOBs in the mail
- Sign up to receive claim status e-mail alerts
- Request email notification of finalized claims
- Request a new or replacement ID card or print a temporary ID card
- Take a Health Risk Assessment
To register for Blue Access® for Members, you will need your group and identification numbers from your UT SELECT ID card. You will be asked to create a user ID and password for immediate and secure access to your personal information.
Health Risk Assessment
Learn about your health status and risks by completing a confidential Health Risk Assessment (HRA) available through Blue Access® for Members. By completing the HRA, you can receive recommendations for improving your health and share the information with your physicians. The HRA focuses on four key areas—stress, sleep, fitness, and nutrition.
- You can take the HRA multiple times.
- Information is available about emotional well-being, in addition to physical well-being.
- Based on your responses, you can receive additional information about programs and services.
The HRA includes an easy-to-use online questionnaire. Upon completion, you can receive an in-depth personal report that helps you understand your current health status and risks, along with specific suggestions on how to make positive and lasting changes. Results can help determine if you need intervention before a more serious condition may develop. Take the HRA today! Be assured that your information is kept confidential and will not be released to your employer.
Other Online Resources for Health Care Information
Hospital Comparison Tool
When your physician has recommended a surgical treatment, you can easily find and review the outcome history of procedures previously performed at hospitals.
You can review a hospital’s performance based on factors such as:
- Mortality
- Length of stay
- Complications
- Number of procedures performed
- Cost
To review hospital outcome data, log onto Blue Access® for Members, click on the My Health section and select Compare Hospitals.
Treatment Cost Advisor
Through the Treatment Cost Advisor* tool, you can find the typical cost of a health care procedure from a list of common medical conditions. You simply need to enter information, such as age, gender and state or ZIP code to help determine a cost estimate for a specified medical procedure. To get started, log onto Blue Access® for Members, click on the My Health section and select Treatment Cost Advisor.
* All information is intended for your general use only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for specific health issues and consult your physician before taking any action on your health conditions. Use of this online service is subject to Terms and Conditions.
New! Blue ExtrasSM
Available now to all UT SELECT Plan Participants
Blue ExtrasSM arranges for UT SELECT plan participants and covered dependents to have access to discounts on a variety of alternative and complementary health care services and products.
Jenny Craig Membership Discounts
Good health requires more than good intentions – especially when it comes to weight management and fitness! Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas now offers you and covered dependents a discounted joining fee to Jenny Craig. The Jenny Craig program balances food, body and mind. Together with one-on-one support, Jenny Craig consultants design a personalized program that fits your lifestyle. Here are some highlights of the Jenny Craig discounted program:
TuneUp — FREE 30-day Trial program*
Normally offered at a charge of $6 per week, this program will be free of charge for 30 days for UT SELECT plan participants, plus the cost of food.
OnTrack — 50% off the 6-month (Gold) or 1-year (Platinum) programs*
UT SELECT plan participants receive a 50% discount off the Gold program’s normal full price of $199, plus the cost of food. Plan participants receive a 50% discount off the Platinum program’s normal full price of $399, plus the cost of food. There is a 10% discount on food purchases while maintaining desired weight (within 5 pounds).
Jenny Rewards — 20% off the 1-year program*
UT SELECT plan participants receive a 20 % discount off the normal full price of $399 and also receive weekly discounts** on food purchases as follows:
- 10% off food purchase for Rewards Visits 1-10
- 20% off food purchase for Rewards Visits 11-20
- 30% off food purchase for Rewards Visits 21+
- 35% off food purchase (after week 20) while maintaining desired weight (within 5 pounds)
*Plus the cost of food. Discounts apply to membership fee only. Offer good at participating Centers only. Subject to change.
** Based on active participation only.
To register for the Jenny Craig discounts, log onto Blue Access® for Members through www.bcbstx.com/ut and click on the My Coverage tab, then Your Discounts, then the Jenny Craig logo. Fill out the registration form and click SUBMIT. Once you submit, your special offer coupon will appear on the screen. Print the coupon and bring it with your UT SELECT ID card to your free consultation. To find the nearest Jenny Craig Center, log onto www.jennycraig.com or call (800) 597-Jenny (5366). Be sure to identify yourself as a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas member and UT SELECT plan participant.
Curves Membership Discounts
A regular exercise program is vital to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Curves is the first fitness and weight loss facility to target women and provide them with affordable, one-stop exercise and nutritional information. Curves offers a 30-minute workout that combines strength training and sustained cardiovascular activity through safe and effective resistance equipment. Curves has made exercise available to more than four million women, many of whom are in the gym for the first time. UT SELECT plan participants and covered dependents can join Curves for a special $49* joining fee. To take advantage of this discount, present your UT SELECT ID card to any Curves location**. For more information, you can log onto Blue Access® for Members at www.bcbstx.com/ut, click on the My Coverage tab, then click Your Discounts. You may also visit www.curves.com or call (800) CURVES-30.
* Additional regular monthly fee applies.
**Franchisee participation and discount may vary.
TruHearing
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas has arranged a discount program through TruHearing* that offers digital hearing aids at a reduced price. This program is available to you and your covered dependents, as well as your parents and grandparents who are not enrolled in a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas plan.
With the digital hearing aids offered through TruHearing you simply choose one of 3 price levels available, and then select the style that you prefer within that level. Call TruHearing at the number below to discuss your options and to find the nearest provider.
| Basic |
Medallion |
Ultra |
| Your Price $995 each |
Your Price $1,495 each |
Your Price $1,995 each |
| Regular Price $1,595 each |
Regular Price $3,595 each |
Regular Price $4,755 each |
100% digital, plus:
2 channels
2 memories
Microphone Noise Reduction |
Everything in Basic, plus:
7 channels
3 memories
Sensitive Voice Processing
Adaptive Feedback Detection |
Everything in Medallion, plus:
14 channels
6 compression areas
Adaptive Noise Reduction
Speech Preservation
Much more… |
The TruHearing program includes:
- Free hearing screening
- 45-day money back guarantee
- 2-year warranty
- 12 months, no interest financing available upon approved credit
*The relationship between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and TruHearing is
that of independent contractors. This is a discount program only. However,
some of the services offered may be covered under your health plan. Use of this program
does not affect your premium, nor do costs of the program services and products count
toward calendar year or lifetime maximums and/or plan deductibles.
To learn more about the TruHearing discount program, for location information
or to schedule a hearing test call toll free (877) 882-2020. Operators available
8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (CT) Monday – Friday or visit www.TruHearing.com.
You may read additional information about plan features and exclusions in the
Medical Plan guides available from your campus Benefits Office or online at
www.utsystem.edu/benefits.
UT SELECT PPO (medical coverage)
(Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas)
www.bcbstx.com/ut
(866) 882-2034
8:00 AM - 5:00PM CST
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