Medical Plan Options for LiUNA Bargaining Unit Members

We offer three medical plan options for you and your family. These include a preferred provider organization (PPO), an exclusive provider organization (EPO), and a health maintenance organization (HMO). JHU makes contributions toward the cost of coverage for all LiUNA BU members.

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Medical Plan Options
  • CareFirst BCBS Core PPO Plan

  • LiUNA BU CareFirst BCBS Network Only Plan (EPO)

  • Kaiser Permanente HMO Plan

Selecting a Medical Plan

Before you choose a medical plan, it’s important to understand how each plan works.

Overview of Services

All three plans provide coverage for the same broad range of services, including eligible preventive care (covered at 100%) and prescription drug coverage. The medical plans differ in the way you access and pay for care.

The plans vary in terms of cost, coverage, and providers that you’re able to see, and eligibility varies based on your employment status.

If you select one of the CareFirst medical plans, you’ll have access to some additional services:

  • Health care advocacy and navigation support through Quantum Health, your go-to guide and front door for all medical questions, big and small
  • Prescription drug benefits management through Capital Rx
  • Telehealth visits available through MDLive, with a $20 copay per visit (including behavioral health). Register here to access care 24/7.

As the administrator for the medical plans, CareFirst will process your medical claims. Capital Rx will process your prescription drug claims. You’ll receive one medical ID card with information about both your medical and pharmacy benefits, which will include contact info for Quantum Health and Capital Rx. Quantum Health can answer questions about both your medical and pharmacy benefits.

Medical Plan Options

Your options include:

  • A preferred provider organization (PPO) plan, which offers a larger network, so you have more doctors and hospitals to choose from. Your out-of-pocket costs are usually higher with a PPO than with an HMO or EPO plan.
  • An exclusive provider organization (EPO) plan, which offers a narrower network of doctors and hospitals for you to choose from. Your out-of-pocket costs are less with an EPO than a PPO or HMO; however, out-of-network care is not covered (except in an emergency).
  • A health maintenance organization (HMO), which offers a local network of doctors and hospitals for you to choose from. Your primary care provider (PCP) coordinates your health care, and out-of-network care is not covered (except in an emergency).
JHU Medical Plans CareFirst BCBS Core PPO Plan LiUNA BU CareFirst BCBS Network Only Plan Kaiser Permanente HMO Plan
Plan type Preferred provider organization (PPO) Exclusive provider organization (EPO) Health maintenance organization (HMO)
Network of providers Providers located across the country

Covers in- and out-of-network care (pay less in-network)

 

Providers located throughout Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia

Does not cover out-of-network care (except in true emergencies)

Most providers are in a central location with some community-based services

Does not cover out-of-network care (except in true emergencies)

Out-of-pocket expenses Has a combined out-of-pocket maximum (the most you’ll pay in a year for medical, mental health, and prescription drugs)

After the annual deductible has been met, you pay a percentage of the cost of the service received (called “coinsurance”)

 

Has a combined out-of-pocket maximum (the most you’ll pay in a year for medical, mental health, and prescription drugs) for in-network expenses

 

Has a combined out-of-pocket maximum (the most you’ll pay in a year for medical, mental health, and prescription drugs) for in-network expenses
Referrals needed Does not require you to choose a primary care physician or seek referrals to see specialists Must choose a primary care physician who coordinates and approves care
Prior authorization required Some surgeries and services require prior authorization, which Quantum Health will coordinate

 

Surgeries and services require prior authorization by Kaiser Permanente
Medical Plan Comparison Chart

Here’s a summary of some key plan features. For more information about what’s covered and the cost, refer to the plan’s Summary of Benefits and Coverage or Summary Plan Description.

In-Network Benefits (unless otherwise labeled)* CareFirst Core PPO Plan LiUNA BU CareFirst Network Only Plan Kaiser Permanente HMO Plan
Provider network BlueChoice Advantage PPO network (through CareFirst) BlueChoice Advantage network (through CareFirst) Kaiser Permanente
Access to Quantum Health advocacy service Yes Yes No
Annual deductible
(what you pay for medical and mental health services before the plan pays benefits)
In-network:
$500 individual
$1,500 family

Out-of-network:
$1,000 individual
$3,000 family
In-network:
None

Out-of-network:
Not covered
In-network:
None

Out-of-network:
Not covered
Out-of-pocket maximum
(the most you'll pay in a year for medical, mental health, and prescription drugs)
In-network:
$2,000 individual
$6,000 family

Out-of-network:
$4,000 individual
$8,000 family
In-network:
$1,500 individual
$4,500 family

Out-of-network:
Not covered
In-network:
$3,500 individual
$9,400 family

Out-of-network:
Not covered
Coinsurance
(what you pay for most services after the deductible is met)
In-network: 20%
Out-of-network: 30%
In-network: None
Out-of-network:
Not covered
In-network: None
Out-of-network:
Not covered
Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) eligible Yes Yes Yes
Preventive care 100% covered, no deductible 100% covered, no deductible 100% covered, no deductible
Office visit
(primary and specialist)
You pay 20% of the cost after deductible is met $15 / $30 copay $15 / $30 copay
Diagnostic, X-ray, MRI, CAT scan You pay 20% of the cost after deductible is met 100% covered 100% covered
Urgent care $50 copay $25 copay $30 copay
Emergency room $150 copay
(waived if admitted)
$50 copay
(waived if admitted)
$50 copay
(waived if admitted)
Outpatient surgery
(medical and mental health services)
You pay 20% of the cost after deductible is met $60 copay $50 copay
Hospitalization
(medical and mental health services)
$250 copay + you pay 20% of the cost after deductible is met $100 copay $100 copay
Mental Health & Substance Abuse - outpatient You pay 20% of the cost after deductible is met $15 copay -office visit; 100% outpatient covered $20 copay
SBC:$15 copay
Mental Health & Substance Abuse – inpatient $250 copay + you pay 20% of the cost after deductible is met $100 copay $250 copay
Occupation/Physical/Speech Therapy (limited to a combined 90 days per illness or injury per calendar year) You pay 20% of the cost after deductible is met $30 copay You pay 10% of cost after deductible is met
SBC: $30/visit, limit combined 30 visits per illness/injury per year
Artificial Insemination (AI) and Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI) You pay 20% of the cost after deductible is met
limited to six (6) attempts per live birth and up to a lifetime maximum benefit of $100,000 combined with IVF and Prescription Drugs.
You pay 50% of cost
limited to six (6) attempts per live birth and up to a lifetime maximum benefit of $100,000 combined with IVF and Prescription Drugs.
You pay 50%
In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) You pay 20% of the cost after deductible is met
limited to three (3) attempts per live birth; and a lifetime maximum of $100,000 combined with AI/IUI and Prescription Drugs.
You pay 50% of cost
limited to three (3) attempts per live birth; and a lifetime maximum of $100,000 combined with AI/IUI and Prescription Drugs.
You pay 50%
limited to three (3) attempts per live birth; and a lifetime maximum of $100,000
Pre- and Post-Natal Care- routine 100% covered, no deductible 100% covered 100% covered, after the initial visit
Gender Affirming Care Benefits are available to the same extent as benefits provided for other inpatient and outpatient services. Click here for an overview Covered at the applicable copay for members 18 or older. Coverage requires medically necessary review in accordance with Kaiser Medical Policy.
Vision Care Adult biennial eye exam covered 100% through Wilmer; must call 410-955- 5080 to schedule

Eyeglasses, new contact lenses, and dispensing of contact lenses not included
Adult – annual eye exam at a Kaiser Permanente provider and $75 allowance on lenses/frames purchased at Kaiser Permanente

Child up to age 19 – annual eye exam and 1 pair of glasses per year.
Telemedicine MD Live - $20 MD Live - $15 100% covered
Prescription drugs managed by Capital Rx Capital Rx Kaiser Permanente
Prescription drugs: retail
(up to 30-day supply)
Generic: $10 copay

Formulary brand name: You pay 20% of the cost
($30 min / $45 max)

Non-formulary brand: You pay 25% of the cost ($60 min / $100 max)
Generic: $10 copay

Formulary brand name: You pay 20% of the cost ($30 min / $45 max)

Non-formulary brand: You pay 25% of the cost ($60 min / $100 max)
Generic: $7 / $10 copay (Kaiser / community pharmacies)

Formulary brand name: $15 / $20 copay (Kaiser / community pharmacies)

Non-formulary brand: $30 / $35 copay (Kaiser / community pharmacies)
Prescription drugs: mail order
(up to 90-day supply)
Generic: $25 copay
Formulary brand name: $75 copay
Non-formulary brand: $150 copay
Generic: $25 copay
Formulary brand name: $75 copay
Non-formulary brand: $150 copay
Generic: $14 copay
Formulary brand name: $30 copay
Non-formulary brand: $60 copay
Family includes two or more individuals.

* If you select the CareFirst Core PPO Plan, you'll have the option to use out-of-network providers. However, the plan pays less for out-of-network services, and there is a separate deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. Certain services may not be covered. See the summary of benefits and coverage for details. Out-of-network providers are not covered in the LiUNA BU CareFirst Network Only Plan and Kaiser Permanente HMO Plan unless you receive urgent care (Kaiser Permanente HMO Plan only: $30 copay) and emergency room services (both LiUNA BU CareFirst Network Only Plan and Kaiser Permanente HMO Plan: $50 copays) outside the network service area.
* If you select the CareFirst Core PPO Plan, you'll have the option to use out-of-network providers. However, the plan pays less for out-of-network services, and there is a separate deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. Certain services may not be covered. See the summary of benefits and coverage for details. Out-of-network providers are not covered in the LiUNA BU CareFirst Network Only Plan and Kaiser Permanente HMO Plan unless you receive urgent care (Kaiser Permanente HMO Plan only: $30 copay) and emergency room services (both LiUNA BU CareFirst Network Only Plan and Kaiser Permanente HMO Plan: $50 copays) outside the network service area.

All prescription drug managers (including JHU's new pharmacy benefits manager, Capital Rx) have a formulary—a list of drugs covered by the plan. JHU's plan covers both formulary and non-formulary drugs. However, you'll pay more for non-formulary drugs.
Find Providers

Click on the links below to search for in-network providers.

CareFirst Provider Search (Prefix: JHU)

Kaiser Provider Search

Cost of Coverage

Your semimonthly per-paycheck deductions for medical coverage depend on whether you work full- or part-time.

2024 LiUNA Bargaining Unit Premiums