Additional Premera Programs
Premera offers several additional programs to employees enrolled in a ÂÌÅ«Ì컨°å a medical plan.
Virtual Care
Virtual Care is available through the following services to all employees on a ÂÌÅ«Ì컨°å medical plan.
The options available for virtual care include:
- Doctor On Demand - Video chat with a doctor for urgent care when sick, or for preventive health and chronic condition care. Get started with Doctor on Demand by visiting the .
- Local Telehealth - Speak to an in-network provider via the telehealth services offered through the specific provider's office.
- 24-Hour NurseLine - Speak to a registered nurse for non-emergent situations via the number on the back of the Premera member ID card.
- myCare Alaska - Securely chat with a dedicated doctor. Download the app on or visit the
Virtual Care and Telehealth Uses
Examples of when Virtual Care or Telehealth can be used include:
- Sore throat
- Stuffy nose
- Bronchitis
- Allergies
- Pink Eye
- Sinus problems
- Cold and flu symptoms
- Non-emergent care more immediately than an in-person visit can provide
- Considering the emergency room or to urgent care center for non-emergent issues
- On vacation, on a business trip, or away from home
- Short-term prescription refills
Boulder Care for Opioid Use Disorder
An estimated 2.1 million people in the U.S. have an opioid use disorder (OUD), yet
only 17.5% of people who need substance abuse treatment receive it. The most cited
reasons for not seeking treatment are not being able to take time off work, cost,
difficulty finding a provider, and the stigma surrounding substance abuse disorders.
Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska understands an employee’s behavioral health is just as important as their physical health, which is why we are offering virtual treatment for opioid use disorder through Boulder Care. No more waiting rooms or long trips to a clinic. Boulder Care’s telehealth program is delivered virtually, through video visits and messaging. Patients work with a team of specialists over an easy-to-access, secure and robust telemedicine platform, to receive individualized private care.
Get connected with a professional today by visiting .
Free Support for Qualifying Employees and Dependents
This program is offered at no cost to university employees and covered dependents
who are enrolled in a ÂÌÅ«Ì컨°å Choice Health Plan and meet the criteria required by Livongo.
The program provides support and medical supplies for diabetes, diabetes prevention,
hypertension, and weight loss. Care and support is provided through the Livongo staff
and the mobile app.
Visit the to join now!
Personalized Tools and Support for Parents
Have a baby on the way? Get ready with the BestBeginnings mobile app provided by Premera
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska. This free app engages expecting parents from pregnancy
through newborn care with personalized tools and support. BestBeginnings also offers
resources to support emotional and mental health before and after the baby is born.
Start smart with the BestBeginnings app
- Review maternity information with personalized milestones
- Create a custom birthing plan
- Set reminders for appointments, medications, exercise, and more
- Get alerts on pregnancy-related issues and talk to Premera’s maternity specialists
Premera members who use the BestBeginnings mobile app also get one-touch access to Premera’s 24-hour NurseLine, Find a Doctor, and other health plan resources.
Get started today
Step 1. Text BABY to 29094 and download BestBeginnings
Step 2. Register using Premera member ID number
Step 3. Enter baby’s due date to start exploring
Continue to use BestBeginnings after the baby is born. Track baby’s growth, feedings, and diaper changes.
24-Hour Nurse Hotline
Pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions are covered on the same basis as any
other condition for all female members.
Covered services include:
- Screening and diagnostic procedures during pregnancy
- Related genetic counseling when medically necessary
- Medically necessary services and supplies related to home births
- Inpatient hospital services for up to 48 hours after a vaginal birth and 96 hours after a cesarean birth
Preventative services include:
- Breastfeeding counseling, including hospital-grade breast pump rental if medically necessary
- Maternity diagnostic screening
- Screening for gestational diabetes
- Purchase of a standard electric breast pump
Helpful information about pregnancy and proper prenatal care is available by calling the 24-Hour NurseLine at 1-800-841-8343.
SaveonSP - Save on Specialty Prescriptions
The University of Alaska is collaborating with ExpressScripts’ program, SaveonSP,
to help employees save money on certain specialty medications. This program maximizes
plan savings through the use of manufacturer-funded copay assistance. The copays on
select specialty drugs are increased to fully utilize the amount covered by available
manufacturer funding. Contact SaveonSP directly to find out what medications are eligible.
How to Participate
- Call SaveonSP at 1-800-683-1074 prior to filling prescription. The program cannot be retroactively applied to a previously filled prescription.
- If participating in this program, the copay will be covered for the specialty medications included in the program. This will result in no out-of-pocket costs to the employee.
- If not participating, SaveonSP will not be able to monitor medications. Employees can still participate in other coupon programs.
- Copays associated with the medications in the program will not count towards deductible or out-of-pocket maximums.
-
Prescriptions will still be filled through Accredo.
Non-Essential Health Benefits
The prescription drugs included in the SaveonSP program are classified as Non-Essential
Health Benefits under the Affordable Care Act, because the prescription drug is considered
a Non-Essential Health Benefits and therefore is not required to apply toward out-of-pocket
accumulators.
Contact SavonSP
The medications and associated copays included in this program are subject to plan
clinical rules and subject to change. Contact SaveonSP with questions at 1-800-683-1074,
Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. eastern time and Friday from 8:00
a.m. – 6:00 p.m. eastern time.
​ÂÌÅ«Ì컨°å Choice Health Plans offer three travel programs to make sure members receive the care they need.
Also known as "Air to Surface" travel, this benefit is available to those who need care or diagnosis and there are no local providers.
Employees and Dependents on a ÂÌÅ«Ì컨°å Choice Plan
Employees and their covered dependents on a ÂÌÅ«Ì컨°å Choice Health Plan can participate
in this travel benefit.
Limitations on Benefit
Benefit is limited to the patient only unless the patient is a minor under the age
of 18. A minor can be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Round-trip Air
Up to three (3) round trips via air to a network provider in Alaska (or to Seattle
if that is the nearest provider).
Only the cost of airfare is covered.
Customer Service
Contact Premera's customer service at 1-800-364-2994 to access this benefit.
Reimbursement
Airfare must be purchased by the member and will be reimbursed with a medical claim
form.
​For travel outside the state of Alaska, this enhanced program provides a dedicated customer support concierge phone line and service unit.
Employees and Dependents on a ÂÌÅ«Ì컨°å Choice Plan
Employees and their covered dependents on a ÂÌÅ«Ì컨°å Choice Health Plan.
Limitations on Benefit
This program is available for a wide variety of elective procedures, but does not
include office visits, routine care, or dental care.
Customer Service
Call Premera's dedicated customer service line at 1-800-364-2994 to discuss the benefit,
procedure, and eligibility.
- Travel and accommodation concierge services through dedicated phone line and service unit
- Care coordination and problem solving between case managers and customer support
- Steerage to high-value, lower-cost providers
Customer Service
Call 1-800-364-2994 to get benefit, eligibility, and medical cost information through
dedicated customer support.
​Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle
The University of Alaska is committed to improving the access our employees have to
specialty medical services at facilities that deliver better patient outcomes at affordable
prices.
In partnership with Premera, has been designated a Center of Excellence (COE) to provide certain specialty medical services for university employees. The program includes enhanced services that support employees and their dependents when they seek care for certain specialty procedures.
Virginia Mason is typically rated in the top 1 percent of healthcare facilities in the nation, according to Healthgrades, which ranks America’s best hospitals. Its network of specialty care medical centers and providers offer superior treatment results. For more news on Virginia Mason, review the .
Employees and Dependents on a ÂÌÅ«Ì컨°å Choice Plan
Employees and their covered dependents on a ÂÌÅ«Ì컨°å Choice Health Plan.
Procedures
Access to three of the most common specialty procedures:
- Total joint replacements (knee & hip)
- Spine surgeries
- Gynecological procedures
Bundled Payments
Bundled payment arrangements for eligible specialty medical procedures which include:
- Pre-surgical consultations and related services
- Hospitalization, surgery, and related inpatient care
- Post-surgical checkups
Employee Cost Shares Waived
Employee cost shares (deductible and coinsurance) waived (except the HDHP which can’t
be waived).
Predictive Eligibility
Predictive analytics, targeting, and outreach to identify eligible members, increase
awareness, and educate members on the benefits of using a Premera COE provider for
eligible services.
Air Travel + Companion
Air travel for employees and a companion, black car services from the airport to hotel,
and lodging at a select Virginia Mason hotel (up to IRS limits).
Care Coordination
Dedicated care coordination from Premera’s medical travel experts and Clinical Programs
clinicians during and after an employee’s procedure.
Customer Service
Call Premera's customer service line at 1-800-995-2420.
On October 29, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Labor, and the Department of the Treasury jointly released the Transparency in Coverage final rule. One of the requirements of the rule that group health plans and issuers must meet is to make certain price information accessible to plan participants and other stakeholders. This is known as the Public Access Requirement. For more information, please visit .
ÂÌÅ«Ì컨°å has several resources available to employees who need assistance. When in doubt, please email ua-benefits@alaska.edu and we will be sure to direct the questions appropriately. ​
ÂÌÅ«Ì컨°å Benefits Team | ua-benefits@alaska.edu or
- Need help submitting a form or providing documentation for a dependent?
- Want confirmation of coverage begin and end dates?
- Want to set up a quick zoom for some basic questions?
| Call the number on the back of the Premera ID card
- Needing medical travel support?
- Looking for a virtual care provider?
- Wanting to confirm prior authorization for a certain service?
- Want to enroll in electronic Explanation of Benefits (eEOBs)?
- Call the 24/7 Nurse hotline on the back of the Premera ID card
- Reach out to a local provider to see if they provide virtual options
- (virtual mental health)
- (behavioral support for children)
- (opioid use disorder)
Livongo | 1-800-945-4355
- This program is free for employees and dependents who are (1) on a ÂÌÅ«Ì컨°å Choice medical plan and (2) qualify for the Livongo program.
Preventive Medications
- | Call the number on the back of the Premera ID card
Maintenance Medications
- | Call the number on the back of the Premera ID card
Specialty Medications
- Accredo (Express-Scripts) | 1-800-689-6592
- SaveonSP | 1-800-683-1074