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:

 

 Are between the ages of 19 and 64

 

 Live in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, or Wyoming County

 

 Are not eligible for Medicaid or Child Health Plus

 

 Are not eligible for minimum essential coverage

 

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:

 

 Compassionate care and individualized support

 

 Disease management programs to help you manage your condition

 

 Over 30 years of trusted specialty pharmacy expertise

 

 Convenient processes and digital tools

 

 

 Specialty Drug List - English

 

 Specialty Drug List - Spanish

It’s easy to get your specialty medication

 

With BioPlus, you get:

 

 Free shipping with confidential, on-time delivery
Order your medicine online at any time. You can track your order until it arrives and get reminders when you need a refill.

 

 24/7 access to trained professionals
A Care Team led by highly trained pharmacists and nurses is ready to assist you. They can talk to you about your condition and are specially trained to help. You can reach the Care Team at 833-549-2115 (TTY 711), 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

 

 Individualized care
If you have side effects, your Care Team will work with you to manage them. Nurses are available to assist with infusions in your home. They can also instruct you on how to inject medications.

 

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:

 

   Order a refill

 

  Check your order status

 

  View your prescriptions

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:

 

Apple Store 

 

Google Play 

 

*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:

 

 Cut down on trips to the pharmacy.

 

 Make sure you have your medicines when you need them.

 

 Work with your pharmacist so you can stick to a medicine routine.

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).

 

Log in to your account 

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.

 

Send us a message 

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.