Health
UHD offers two health plan options to fit your needs: HealthSelectSM of Texas and Consumer Directed HealthSelectSM. Learn more about each plan, rates, prescriptions and COBRA coverage.
Health Insurance Opt-Out Credit
If you are an employee with comparable health coverage through another employer's plan, you may waive your health insurance benefits. By waiving UHD's health insurance coverage, you earn up to a $60 (full-time) or $30 (part-time) credit that can be applied to your dental, vision and AD&D premium payment. To opt-out of health coverage, evidence of Insurability is required.
Tobacco User
The monthly Tobacco User Fee is $30 per person, up to a maximum of $90 for covered dependents. A tobacco user is anyone who uses any form of tobacco, including cigarette, pipe, cigar, smokeless tobacco, electronic cigarettes or vaping products. Members who do not certify their tobacco‐use status will be charged a monthly tobacco user premium—even if they don't use tobacco. View Tobacco Policy FAQs for more information.
News for you!
Medical prior authorizations are no longer required for HealthSelect participants
The HealthSelect of Texas® medical plans, including Consumer Directed HealthSelectSM, will no longer require prior authorizations for medical services.
Healthcare providers may choose to ask Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) for a pre-service clinical review of their patient’s upcoming service to make sure it meets coverage guidelines and is medically necessary; however, the clinical review is not required.
If an in-network provider chooses not to request a review before providing a service to a HealthSelectSM medical plan participant, the participant will not be responsible for any charges determined not to be medically necessary. As always, if a HealthSelect medical plan participant receives care from an out-of-network provider, the participant may be responsible for more of the cost.
Please note that the HealthSelectSM Prescription Drug Program still requires prior authorizations for certain medications.
Do you know your numbers?
Your annual checkup provides a lot of great information about your health. Here are some key numbers to pay attention to:
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- Cholesterol: A blood test is done to check your LDL (bad cholesterol) and HDL (good or healthy cholesterol) numbers, as well as your total cholesterol (LDL + HDL). Your LDL should be below 100, and your HDL should be above 60. And ideally, your total cholesterol should be below 200.
- Blood pressure: A blood pressure test measures the pressure in your arteries during your heartbeat.
The top number (systolic blood pressure) measures it when your heart beats and the
bottom number (diastolic blood pressure) measures it when your heart rests between
beats. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80.
- If you suffer from high blood pressure or are currently taking medication for treatment of cardiovascular disease, you may qualify for the Hello Heart program at no additional cost.
- Blood sugar: Your blood sugar number can tell you if you have, or are at risk for, diabetes. A fasting blood sugar level of 99 mg/dL or lower is normal. A fasting blood sugar result between 100 and 125 mg/dL is considered prediabetes, and 126 mg/dL or higher indicates you have diabetes.
- Weight/body mass index (BMI): BMI is a way to measure your weight in relation to your height. Your BMI equals your weight in kilograms divided by the square of your height in meters. You can also use the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s online BMI calculator. A normal, healthy BMI is 18.5 to 24.9. If your BMI is 25.0 to 29.9, it falls within the overweight range. If your BMI is 30.0 or higher, you are considered to be obese. If your BMI is under 18.5, you are considered underweight and could be at risk for malnutrition.
All HealthSelectSM medical plans cover annual wellness checkup as preventive health at no additional cost to you when you visit an in-network provider. When you get your results, discuss these important numbers with your doctor and ask what you can do to improve, if necessary.
Get your checkup from home
Can’t get to your PCP’s office? Your HealthSelect medical plan now offers a new way to get preventive checkups from the comfort of your home.
Learn more about the VirtualCheckup® by Catapult Health.
Personalize your Benefits Alerts
If you are enrolled in a HealthSelect of Texas® medical plan, including Consumer Directed HealthSelectSM, you can access personalized benefits information online through your Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) secure online participant portal, Blue Access for MembersSM.
Set your notification preferences
With Blue Access for Members, you can choose your communication preferences so that you get claims and benefit information the way you want it. Whether that means choosing to go paperless and getting an email or text message when benefits documents are available in Blue Access for Members, you have options.
To choose what works best for you, log in to your Blue Access for Members account account, then find Notification Preferences under “My Account” > “Profile & Preferences.”
Don’t have an account? Here’s how to register.
With Blue Access for Members, you can:
- view your claims and explanation of benefits (EOB),
- find in-network doctors, hospitals or other providers,
- select or change your primary care provider,
- compare costs for procedures from different providers,
- access digital condition management programs,
- shop for cost-effective providers and earn HealthSelectShoppERSSMrewards and
- download a digital medical ID card.
Resources
- UHD Benefits Enrollment Process Guide
- ERS Website
- BCBSTX Publications and Forms
- HealthSelect Presentation
- HealthSelect Flier
- Health Select FAQ
- Catapult Health Virtual Checkup Toolkit