Highmark Essential Plan benefits
As a Highmark Essential Plan member, you get many benefits with little to no costs or copays.

Who's eligible for Essential Plan?
The Essential Plan is a health insurance plan in New York for people who have limited income, but don’t qualify for Medicaid. You may be eligible for the Essential Plan through Highmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield if you:
You do not have to be a citizen or legal resident to qualify for the Essential Plan. Participation in this program will not affect any future immigration status.
What you get with Highmark
Visits to the Doctor
Hospital stays
Prescriptions
Specialty Pharmacy Services
BioPlus Specialty Pharmacy, a Carelon company, is an in-network option for your specialty pharmacy needs. These medications are used to treat complex or chronic conditions that are covered under your pharmacy benefits. They can be delivered to your home or your doctor’s office.
BioPlus offers a truly elevated experience focused on your whole health through:

It’s easy to get your specialty medication
With BioPlus, you get:
Using BioPlus is not required; it is an optional choice as part of your pharmacy network benefit through your health plan. Find other in-network pharmacies.
Member resources
Log in to your account to manage your specialty prescriptions. You can:
Your Care Team support
Call BioPlus at 833-549-2115 (TTY 711) anytime day or night to speak with your Care Team.
You can also call the Pharmacy Member Services number on the back of your ID card.
There are five versions of the Essential Plan
Some of the benefits listed below will vary based on the plan you’re in.

LiveHealth Online
LiveHealth Online allows you to visit a doctor through live video chat on your computer, tablet or smartphone. It’s an easy way to get care for you or your family at any time, day or night, without leaving your home.
As a Highmark member, you can use LiveHealth Online at no cost to you. Sign up today so you can:
- See a doctor in minutes: Use LiveHealth Online to get help when you have a common health problem like a cold, the flu, fever, pink eye, sore throat, sinus infection and more!
- Get prescriptions sent to your pharmacy if needed.*
- Make an appointment with a Spanish speaking doctor: Speak to a doctor in your own language seven days a week through Cuidado Médico on LiveHealth Online.
It’s easy to get started. Sign up for free on the LiveHealth Online website or download the app:
*Prescription availability is defined by physician judgment.
LiveHealth Online is the trade name of Health Management Corporation, a separate company providing telehealth services on behalf of Highmark.
Frequently asked questions

How to Get Your Prescriptions
Simply take your written prescription to a plan pharmacy or ask your doctor to call it in. Be sure to show the pharmacy your member ID card.
It’s good to use the same pharmacy each time you fill a prescription. This way, your pharmacist will know about problems that may happen when you’re taking more than one prescription. If you use another pharmacy, you should tell the pharmacist about any medicines you’re taking.
Our new Medication Synchronization program (Med Sync) makes getting all your medicines easier – at no extra cost to you. Med Sync helps align your refill schedules so you can pick up most of your medicines on just one day each month.
Our Med Sync program can help you:
Get started with Med Sync today!
Talk to your pharmacist about coordinating your prescriptions to get started. Have more questions about Med Sync? Call 833-232-1713 (TTY 711).
Pharmacy Forms
Prescription Drug Reimbursement Form
CarelonRx Reimbursement Form (English)
CarelonRx Reimbursement Form (Spanish)
Get your specialty medications
If you have a specialty condition, you’re covered. We partner with CarelonRx Specialty Pharmacy to meet all your specialty medication needs.
Already a member? We’re glad you chose Highmark.
We want you to understand your benefits and receive the best possible care. Here are some resources to help.
Member services
If you have any questions, call Member Services at 866-231-0847 (TTY 711). Our team is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
You can also log in to your account to send us a message at any time.
24/7 NurseLine
Whether it’s 3 a.m. or a Sunday afternoon, health issues come up.
That’s why you can always call our 24/7 NurseLine and speak directly to a nurse.
Call 866-231-0847 (TTY 711) anytime, day or night.
Member handbooks
Complete benefit information can be found in your member handbook.