What is an Alternative Health Plan?
What is an Alternative Health Plan?
Traditional health plans are often complex, sending bills and Explanation of Benefits (EOBs) that make it difficult to understand the extent of your coverage. There’s also fluctuating copays to worry about, high deductibles to hit, and so many different bills to pay that it’s hard to know how much you owe and to whom.
And when less than 10% of people actually understand their health insurance, it’s no wonder we all get headaches when open enrollment rolls around.
Alternative Health Plans (AHPs) approach healthcare differently than traditional plans. An AHP is a health plan you can elect during open enrollment. It is a replacement to your current plan, not an addition to it. Generally, alternative plans are designed to take the complexity and confusion out of healthcare.
Coupe, the AHP offered by Blue Cross plans nationwide, helps you take control of your healthcare journey by simplifying how you find a provider and how you pay for health services.
High-Quality, Low Cost
With something as important as your health, it makes sense to want to look for a high-quality provider. Yet, most people choose doctors based on whether or not a doctor is in-network, where their office is located, what hospital they are affiliated with, and how quickly they can be seen. And it can be hard enough to find a doctor that checks all of those boxes without considering the quality of care they provide.
With Coupe, you can search for available doctors based on quality and cost. The Coupe model uses healthcare databases to rank and tier providers based on the following:
Quality — Providers that have the best-in-class training, certifications, and care outcomes.
Relationship — Providers that are associated with top quality facilities.
Experience — Providers that deliver a positive patient experience.
Efficiency — Providers that deliver the best and most appropriate amount of care at an efficient price.
It may sound counterintuitive, but higher quality doctors cost less. Essentially, this model gives you the information you need to make a smart decision for your health and your wallet.
One Monthly Statement
With Coupe there are no deductibles, coinsurance, EOBs, or complicated bills. Instead, Coupe simplifies the payment process by sending one monthly statement, making paying for healthcare as simple as paying your credit card bill.
Here’s how it works:
Under the Coupe model you look up the exact cost (no more cost estimates) of a service before you go to your provider. You owe nothing at the time of service because Coupe has already paid your provider in-full. This is good news for you and your provider!
At the end of the month, you will receive one single statement reflecting both personal account balances and summarized claim activity for medical and pharmacy expenses. You can pay it off in full for 1.5% credit towards your next bill, or you can pay it over time with 0% financing.
Take Control of Your Healthcare Journey
Reducing the complexity of your health plan can make a positive impact on your long-term health. That’s why Coupe keeps healthcare simple, giving you the tools and resources to seek and pay for quality care without the headaches.