Freedom 1-2-3

A health plan for groups of 2 – 50 employees

Freedom 1-2-3 Accord provider network	It’s our most affordable statewide network. By using network providers, members avoid paying higher costs. Plans #40, 42 & 43
Freedom 1-2-3 Aware provider network	Members are covered throughout the United States with the BlueCard® program, and even beyond with BlueCard Worldwide® Plans #48, 49 & 50

It’s no secret that these are uncertain times and the pressure keeps increasing on businesses to control costs. The expense of having a health plan is significant — especially for small companies — and you’re looking for a practical and smart solution. Two sides of the coin Many companies are faced with a dilemma. On one hand, the high cost of health plan premiums can make it difficult to continue offering a plan at all. On the other hand, a good health plan is part of a strong benefits package that attracts and keeps the most talented employees. It’s a difficult choice, but Freedom 1-2-3 from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota can help make your decision easier. Freedom 1-2-3 — An innovative solution Difficult times call for innovation. With the Freedom 1-2-3 health plan, you can still offer solid health care benefits for your employees AND lower your costs. You might be thinking that you’ve heard this same song before, but this is a unique opportunity. A change in Minnesota law affecting companies with two to 50 employees has made this new health plan possible. How the plan saves money Health plans are required to provide many mandated benefits. While these mandates make health care coverage more comprehensive, they also add significant cost. Small group plans like Freedom 1-2-3 may now lower premium costs by removing or modifying some of the mandated benefits (see restrictions on the back page of this brochure). We’re also lowering costs by offering a choice of provider networks and a lower-cost drug formulary.

Focus on wellness Even without some of the more costly benefits, Freedom 1-2-3 covers most traditional types of medical care. And even more impressive is how Freedom 1-2-3 encourages employees to get healthy and stay healthy by covering the following services at 100 percent: • One annual preventive care and one eye exam visit • Two doctor’s office or urgent care visits • Three retail health clinic visits Plus, members have access to several other health and wellness support options, including: • Online Health Assessment • Fitness Program • Stop-Smoking Support • Dedicated Nurse Support In addition to these health support options, you and your employees also have access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Health Guides, Nurse Guides, 24-Hour Nurse Advice Line and generic prescription drugs for just $5. Freedom to choose your provider network With Freedom 1-2-3 you have two provider network options. You can choose the Accord network, our most affordable state-wide option, or the Value network, our lowest cost network, with providers in the 11 county metro-only area. Depending on where your employees are located, you can select the network that best fits your needs and budget. Find out if Freedom 1-2-3 is right for your company The Freedom 1-2-3 health plan from Blue Cross might be the perfect fit for your company. If you’d like to get more details or answers to your questions, we’ll be glad to help. Give your healthinsurancemn.com agent listed above a call.

Important information you should know about Freedom 1-2-3 Minnesota law allows small group employers to offer plans that exclude or modify certain benefits that would otherwise be required. The following benefits are excluded from Freedom 1-2-3: • Services from a doctor of chiropractic • Hair prosthesis (wigs) • Services for behavioral health, mental health and chemical dependency/substance abuse • Antipsychotic drugs and drugs used to treat behavioral health, mental health and chemical dependency/substance abuse • Treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder and craniomandibular disorder • Bariatric surgery • Infertility/assisted reproduction treatments • Dietary treatment of phenlketornuria (PKU) The following benefit has been modified for Freedom 1-2-3: • Anesthesia and hospital charges for dental care are covered for children under the age of five (5) only

Note: It’s important to choose your provider network carefully. When you and your employees use providers that are not in the network, you will pay significantly higher deductibles, copay percentages, more out-of-pocket costs and will not be covered for many preventive care services.