Blue Shield $aver/HSA plan
Blue Shield Super $aver/HSA plan
Take charge of your spending through lower rates, higher deductibles, and a tax-free Health Savings Account (HSA) (with contributions from Mercury) that you own for life.
Medical & Rx
Your health is everything. Mercury provides valuable benefits that help you and your family stay healthy and pay for care if you get sick or injured.
Our benefits program includes medical plan options with a range of coverage levels and costs, so you can choose the one that’s best for you. You can enroll as a new hire, during Open Enrollment, or if you have a qualifying life event. Review your rates and enroll in UKG.
- Blue Shield of California
- 855-599-2650
- Blue Shield $aver Plan/HSA, Blue Shield Super $aver Plan/HSA, Blue Shield EPO, Blue Shield HMO
- Blue Shield of California
- 855-747-5800
- Blue Shield HMO Trio
- Kaiser Permanente
- 800-464-4000
- Kaiser Permanente Deductible HMO (California team members only)
- Blue Shield HMO Benefits Summary
- Blue Shield HMO Trio Benefits Summary
- Blue Shield EPO Benefits Summary
- Blue Shield $aver Benefits Summary
- Blue Shield Super $aver Benefits Summary
- Kaiser Deductible HMO CA Benefits Summary
- Blue Shield EPO Benefits SBC
- Blue Shield HMO Benefits SBC
- Blue Shield HMO Trio Benefits SBC
- Blue Shield $aver Benefits SBC
- Blue Shield Super $aver Benefits SBC
- Kaiser Deductible HMO CA Benefits SBC
- Blue Shield HMO Certificate of Coverage
- Blue Shield HMO Trio Certificate of Coverage
- Blue Shield EPO Certificate of Coverage
- Blue Shield $aver Certificate of Coverage
- Blue Shield Super $aver Certificate of Coverage
- Kaiser Deductible HMO CA Certificate of Coverage (Northern CA)
- Kaiser Deductible HMO CA Certificate of Coverage (Southern CA)
- 2024 California Benefits Guide
- 2024 All Other States Benefits Guide
- Blue Shield Trio Network Guide
- HMO v. HMO Trio Network Comparison
| Deductible - The amount you must pay for medical services, before the plan pays a benefit. Preventative care is always covered at 100% with no deductible required. Coinsurance - This is the percentage of the cost you pay for certain services after the deductible has been met. You can think of this as “cost sharing”. For example, once your deductible has been met you could pay 20% for the cost of certain services and the plan could pay 80%. Copay - The flat fee paid by the member when a medical service is received, i.e. $20 for a doctor's visit or $20 for a prescription. In-Network Provider - An in-network provider is a hospital, doctor, medical group, and/or other healthcare provider contracted to provide services to insurance company customers for a discounted fee. Using these providers will lessen your medical expenses when using your benefits. Out-of-Network Provider - An out of network provider is a hospital, doctor, medical group, or other healthcare provider who are not contracted to provide services to insurance company customers. Because the fees are not negotiated in advance with the insurance company, the provider can charge the member as much as they wish. Out-of-Pocket Maximum - The maximum amount a member would have to pay out of their pocket for medical expenses for the year, with the exception of benefit premiums (which come out of your paycheck). Your out-of-pocket maximum includes your deductible, any coinsurance paid and all co-payments (medical and prescription drug). |
Medical plans
Key features at a glance
All our medical plans provide:
Comprehensive, affordable coverage
for a wide range of health care services. Tip: If you need extra protection from large or unexpected medical expenses, you may also choose to enroll in supplemental medical coverage.
Free in-network preventive care
with services such as annual physicals, recommended immunizations, and routine cancer screenings covered at 100%. See more covered preventive services.
Prescription drug coverage
included with each medical plan. Prescription benefits are provided by Blue Shield.
Financial protection
through annual out-of-pocket maximums that limit the amount you’ll pay each year.
1 Available in California only
2 Available outside California only
$aver Plans
The Blue Shield $aver/HSA plan and Blue Shield Super $aver/HSA plan offer low rates and high-deductible coverage. With these plans, you’ll save money when you choose in-network providers (check out the network provider infographic for details), though you also have the option to use out-of-network providers.
Both plans allow you to participate in a tax-advantaged Health Savings Account (HSA) that helps you save money and plan ahead for future medical expenses. This combination gives you more control over your money and rewards you for making healthy, cost-conscious choices. As an added bonus, Mercury will contribute to your HSA — $600 for team member-only coverage, $950 for team member + 1 coverage, or $1,200 for family coverage.
HSA
You can set aside tax-advantaged money from your paycheck and receive company contributions to help cover your costs — now, or in the future.
Deductible
You pay 100% of your medical and prescription costs until you meet the annual deductible.
Coinsurance
After meeting the deductible, you and the plan share the cost of covered medical care and prescriptions, with the plan paying the majority.
Out-of-Pocket maximum
You’re protected by an annual limit on costs — the plan pays 100% of eligible expenses for the rest of the year.
Keep in mind:
- You pay nothing for in-network preventive care — it’s covered in full.
- The plans have a combined in-network and out-of-network Calendar Year Deductible as well as a separate out-of-network Calendar Year Deductible. This means, if you see an out-of-network provider, any amounts you pay towards your Calendar Year Deductible will first count towards your combined in-network and out-of-network Calendar Year Deductible. Once you have met your combined in-network and out-of-network Calendar Year Deductible and, if you continue to see an out-of-network provider, you will have a separate out-of-network deductible that you would also have to reach before the insurance carrier begins paying for covered services. For the most cost savings, it is highly encouraged you see in-network providers.
- The plans have a combined in-network and out-of-network OOPM as well as a separate out-of-network OOPM. This means, if you see an out-of-network provider, any amounts you pay towards your calendar year OOPM will first count towards your combined in-network and out-of-network Calendar Year OOPM. Once you have met your combined in-network and out-of-network Calendar Year OOPM and, if you continue to see an out-of-network provider, you will have a separate out-of-network OOPM that you will also have to reach before the insurance carrier will pay 100% of the allowable amount for covered services for the rest of the calendar year. For the most cost savings, it is highly encouraged you see in-network providers.
Contributing to your HSA is a great way to budget for deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses while also saving money — your HSA contributions are tax-free!*
Keep in mind:
- The Blue Shield $aver/HSA plan and the Blue Shield Super $aver/HSA plan costs you less from your paycheck, so you may have extra money available to put in your HSA.
- You can only spend HSA money that’s actually been deposited into your account. If you don’t have enough money in your HSA when you need it, you can pay another way and reimburse yourself later so you take full advantage of your HSA’s tax savings.
- You will never forfeit any money left in your HSA — it rolls over year after year. If you know about future expenses or want to save for your health care costs in retirement, set aside a little extra each paycheck so your balance can grow over time.
- You can change your HSA contribution amount throughout the year as needed to keep up with any changes in your situation.
*Contributions are not subject to federal tax. Exceptions include California and New Jersey, where you’ll pay state tax on HSA contributions, and New Hampshire and Tennessee where state taxes apply to tax dividend and interest earnings after a certain dollar amount. Consult with your tax advisor to understand the potential tax consequences of enrolling in an HSA. Money in an HSA can be withdrawn tax-free as long as it is used to pay for qualified health-related expenses. If money is used for ineligible expenses, you will pay ordinary income tax on the amount withdrawn, plus a 20% penalty tax if you withdraw the money before age 65.
Copay
You pay a set fee at the time of service for doctor visits and prescriptions.
Out-of-Pocket Maximum
You’re protected by an annual limit on costs — the plan pays 100% of any further covered expenses for the rest of the year.
Keep in mind: You pay nothing for in-network preventive care — it’s covered in full.
Please see the below Trio Guide that will provide you with all IPA/medical groups available under the Trio plan. Additionally, we have included a network comparison for the HMO Trio and HMO Access + so you can see if your IPA/county falls within the HMO Trio network.
Deductible
For certain services, you pay 100% of your medical costs until you meet the annual deductible. For most commonly used services and goods, such as PCP office visits and prescription medications, you pay no deductible.
Coinsurance
For services that require an annual deductible, once you meet the deductible, you and the plan share the cost of those services, with the plan paying the majority.
Copay
For most commonly used services, such as doctor visits and prescriptions, you pay a set fee at the time of service.
Out-of-Pocket Maximum
You’re protected by an annual limit on costs — the plan pays 100% of any further covered expenses for the rest of the year.
Keep in mind: You pay nothing for in-network preventive care — it’s covered in full.
A Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) lets you take advantage of tax-free savings when paying for health care. But, be sure to plan your FSA contributions carefully: the money in your FSA does not carry over to the next plan year; you must “use it or lose it.”
When you enroll in the Blue Shield EPO, you (and each enrolled family member) have the option to select a primary care physician (PCP) from the network. A PCP isn’t required, though if you choose to select one, a PCP can help you manage all aspects of your health care. You have the right to designate any primary care provider who participates in the plan’s network and who is available to accept you or your family members. See how to find a doctor.
Drug tiers
The cost of your prescription drugs under each medical plan depends on the tier of the medication — generic, preferred, or non-preferred. All prescription carriers have a formulary, or list of preferred drugs based on effectiveness and cost.
Generic formulary drugs
Same active ingredients as brand-name equivalents and meet the same standards for quality and effectiveness, but usually cost much less. You pay: $
Brand formulary drugs
Brand-name medications included on the formulary and favored by your prescription carrier. You pay: $$
Brand non-formulary drugs
Brand-name medications not preferred by your carrier. They may still be covered, but may require prior authorization and cost more. You pay: $$$
Specialty drugs
Complex drugs that are used to treat complex or rare chronic conditions and are often injectable or infused. You pay: $$$$
Save money on your prescriptions!
The cost of prescription drugs is rising faster than many other health care services and supplies. But, there are ways for you to save.
- Ask your doctor about generic formulary medications. Generic medications are generally just as effective as brand-name medications, but they typically cost between 80% and 85% less.
- Use the home delivery program. If you take maintenance medication to treat a chronic condition — such as an allergy, heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes — the convenience and cost savings of the home delivery prescription programs through a Blue Shield network pharmacy will save you time and money. You can get 90-day fills of prescription drugs through a Blue Shield network pharmacy, or at a retail pharmacy.
Generic vs. Brand Name
Prescription management programs
Your pharmacy benefits include several programs aimed at ensuring your safety and making sure you receive the most clinically appropriate and cost-effective medication.
Formulary
Your pharmacy plan has an extensive listing of generic and brand-name prescription medications that offer the greatest overall value. This list will determine how your prescription will be covered. Keep in mind that the medications on the formulary may change as the result of regular reviews and updates.
Mail service pharmacy
Blue Shield plan members have can save money and stay on track when refilling maintenance medications. When you fill your prescription at a Blue Shield network pharmacy, you pay less for a 90-day supply of medication than you would purchasing three 30-day supplies of medication at full price.