What's new, what's changed
CareFirst WellBeing℠
Eat Right Now has expanded access to its program to include Mindful Eating. In addition to weight management and diabetes prevention, Eat Right Now offers members an opportunity to improve their eating habits and their relationship with food, when weight loss is not the end goal.
Additional resources through Noom, like Noom Move and GLP-1 Companion for those on GLP-1 weight loss medications.
The Blue Rewards medical expense debit (incentive) card can now be used to purchase certain over-the-counter health products.
CloseKnit Virtual Care
CloseKnit services include 24/7 urgent care for adults and children ages 2+. You do not need to be a CloseKnit primary care patient to access urgent care services.
Advanced primary care and care navigation are still offered through CloseKnit.
CloseKnit now offers mental health therapy and psychiatry for adults and children ages 2+, as well as specialized nutrition and lactation support.
Virtual Connect Plus
If enrolled in a Virtual Connect Plus plan (applicable to all D.C. plans except Essential plans), you're eligible for a $0 copay benefit for primary care, on-demand urgent/sick care and behavioral health visits through CloseKnit* and select in-person locations and providers. Deductible will still apply to HSA-eligible plans.
D.C. Fertility Mandate
Beginning January 1, 2025, all D.C. plans include coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility and standard fertility preservation services. (Subject to limitations described in the contract.)
Essential Plans
Standard plans have been renamed Essential plans. Essential plans (HMO/PPO Gold 500) come with VBID (value-based insurance design) benefits, which include select benefits covered at no cost in network for members with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease or cerebrovascular disease. Mental health treatment for children 18 and under is provided with $5 cost sharing on select benefits.
CareFirst Plans
CareFirst reviews each Congress plan annually, and certain changes may be made to your coverage. These changes could involve plan benefits or adjustments to deductibles and other limits. Not all changes will necessarily apply to your CareFirst plan.
In addition, we've optimized our offerings and added a new National PPO plan to our portfolio: BluePreferred PPO Gold 1200.
Pharmacy
All plans now include Rx Cost Saver, which offers access to lower pricing (where available) on commonly prescribed non-specialty generic drugs that also have discounted pricing available through GoodRx®. Automatically applies 100% of your cost to your deductible (if applicable) and out-of-pocket maximum.
If enrolled in a plan with an integrated medical and drug deductible, you're eligible for the $0 select generic drugs benefit.
Opioid Reversal Agents are covered at $0 copay (deductible applies for plans with integrated medical and drug deductibles).
* Providers will use their professional judgement to determine if a telemedicine visit is appropriate or if an in-person visit is required.
Eat Right Now is administered by Sharecare, Inc. and Noom is administered by Noom, Inc., independent companies that provide health improvement management services to CareFirst members. Sharecare, Inc. and Noom do not provide CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield products or services and are solely responsible for the health improvement management services they provide.
CloseKnit is a registered Trademark owned by, and is the trade name of, Atlas Health, LLC. Atlas Health, LLC d/b/a CloseKnit does not provide Blue Cross Blue Shield products or services and is providing in-person and telehealth services to CareFirst members. Atlas Health, LLC is a corporate affiliate within the CareFirst, Inc. corporate umbrella of companies.
GoodRx® is an independent company providing prescription discounts to CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield members.