Some plan types, like Medicaid, are low- or no-cost on their own. Others, like individual and family plans, have subsidy savings you might be able to claim. No matter the type of plan you have, there are a few easy ways to make sure you're making the most of your plan's coverage and your budget:

• Use in-network providers: When you use in-network care, you're visiting a doctor we work with to help you save on your medical expenses. Visit our Find Care page to find doctors, hospitals and urgent care centers that are part of your plan's network.
• Use the right care option: You have different care options depending on your needs. Visiting your primary care provider (PCP) or using telehealth will most likely be your cheapest options. If you have concerns that are urgent but not an emergency and your PCP can’t fit you in, find an urgent care center nearby. An ER is your most expensive option and should only be used in emergencies. Understand your care options.
• Save on your prescriptions: If you have prescriptions, there are a few ways you could save. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if a generic option could work for you. Make sure you're using preferred pharmacies and check for discounts with MedsYourWay.®

Read more about:

• Finding In-Network Care 
• Saving Money on Prescriptions
• Making Health Insurance Affordable

Your member account has a spending tracker right on its home dashboard. Log in to find it. Check how much you’ve already paid toward your deductible this year and how close you are to meeting your out-of-pocket maximum. Then, click into your spending section to:

• Get more details about your medical plan's deductible
• Learn more about your out-of-pocket max
• Check your dental spending

Your deductible resets at the start of each year or when you enroll in a new plan. Knowing your deductible balance can help you know what care to get and when. If you're close to meeting your deductible, maximize your plan by getting all your care before the new year starts.

Read more about:

• How Health Insurance Costs Work Together
• 8 Things You Should Know About Deductibles

A health plan network is a group of doctors, hospitals and other providers and centers that work with your plan to help you save money. We've worked with the providers in your network to give you access to quality care at discounted rates. When you choose in-network care, you save money.

Once we start a contract, these physicians, hospitals and other providers are considered "in-network" because they agree to charge set prices for care. Here's what it means for you – and your wallet – when you use in-network and out-of-network providers:

• In-network provider: We can pass the contract savings on to you. Your care costs are often covered at the highest level. This means we'll pay more for your care and you save on out-of-pocket costs.
• Out-of-network provider: We don't have a contract with doctors not in your network. This means you might pay higher out-of-pocket costs for your health care. In some cases, you may have to pay the full cost.

To find in-network doctors, hospitals or other providers, get started on our Find Care page.

Cost-sharing assistance helps you lower your health care costs through the Health Insurance Marketplace under the Affordable Care Act. This assistance reduces the amount you must pay out of your own pocket for health care. Here’s what you need to know:

• You may get help with deductibles by decreasing the amount you need to pay before your insurance starts to cover medical costs.
• Your coinsurance could be reduced so you pay a smaller percentage for your care after your deductible has been met.
• You could have lower copays for each provider's office visit and prescription, so you pay less.

To qualify for this assistance you need to:

• Have income that falls within a specific range based on your household size.
• Not be claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return, or be eligible for a government or employer-sponsored insurance plan.
• Choose a plan from the Silver category on the Health Insurance Marketplace.

You may be able to get a tax credit for the dollars you spend on health care costs. Based on your family size and income, it can save you money.

• You can apply for the tax credit when you sign up for insurance. 
• You can use your credits right away to lower monthly premium costs.
• You don't have to wait to claim credits when you file your taxes, but you can if you want.

Learn more about premium tax credits.

Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health spending accounts (HSAs) help you pay medical expenses and offer tax savings benefits. When you deposit money into an FSA or HSA, it can be used tax free on health or wellness services. Use them on things like doctor or dentist visits, surgeries, glasses or contacts, therapy, over-the-counter medicines and more.

If your health plan has a deductible to meet before it starts covering costs, the amount you owe could be covered with your HSA or FSA:

• HSAs and FSAs cover these out-of-pocket costs. They are funded by pre-tax dollars.
• At the end of the year, any money added to these accounts will help you lower your reported income. This could help you pay less in taxes.

Benefits of an HSA:

• If you have a Group plan, your employer might contribute to your HSA.
• If you don’t use all the money in your account by the end of the year, it rolls over. Your HSA money grows from year-to-year and never expires.
• You get to keep all the interest earned on the account. You can even take your HSA money with you if you retire, change jobs or move to another city.

HSA Limitations:

• While your money rolls over year to year, your HSA might not cover some major medical expenses.
• An HSA's not an emergency piggy bank. There are penalties if you use it to cover non-qualified medical expenses, like cosmetic procedures or gym memberships.

FSA Limitations:

• If you have extra money in your account at the end of the year, you lose it. Rollover limits can vary – employers can decide when to cap it.
• Your employer owns the account, and you can’t take the funds with you if you change jobs or retire.

Just like with your health care plan, your choice depends on what's right for you. If you don't have ongoing medical care and you want to build your savings for future medical expenses, an HSA might be best for you. If you have a chronic health condition and more regular medical bills, an FSA might be better. Our licensed sales agents and your human resources department, if you have a Group plan, can help you decide.   

Most BCBSOK members can get health and wellness discounts through Blue365. Federal Employee Program members across the country are also welcome. Find savings on things like:

• Fitness memberships, equipment or clothes
• Vitamins, supplements and home-delivered meals
• Eyeglasses and appointments, hearing aids and headphones
• Personal care items, like toothbrushes and teeth whitening kits, mental health support and more.

To get started using Blue365:

• Visit the Blue365 website and create a free account. You'll need to have your BCBSOK member ID card ready.
• Once you log in, start exploring deals and discounts. Depending on the deal, you'll either get a coupon code to use outside Blue365 or be sent right to the vendor's site with a discount already applied.

Blue365 deals come and go often. If you find one you like, don’t wait to use it. Plus, you can snag as many deals as you want.

Blue365 is not extra insurance coverage. It's a discount program, not a health plan. You can register for Blue365 whenever with no waiting periods, limitations, deductibles or claim forms. Think of it as an extra perk to your BCBSOK health coverage.

Read more about:

• Finding Healthy Deals With Blue365
• Health and Wellness with BCBSOK

Enjoy 24/7 access to a secure member portal to help you stay on top of your health and wellness journey — Well onTarget.¹ There, you’ll find personalized tools and resources at your fingertips. To take Well onTarget with you, download the AlwaysOn App.

Interactive educational programs help you achieve your health goals at your own pace. Learn ways to eat healthier, manage weight, reduce stress, stop smoking and more. Easily track your progress as you make your way through each lesson. Find reader-friendly articles with information and resources on a wide variety of health conditions. Join fitness and coaching programs² designed to help you meet your health and wellness goals, all while earning points toward gift cards.³

To learn if Well onTarget is available to you, log in to your online member account or call the number on your member ID card.

¹ The Well onTarget program is offered to you as a part of your employer-sponsored benefits. Participation in the Well onTarget program, including the completion of a Health Assessment, is voluntary and you are not required to participate. Visit Well onTarget for complete details and terms and conditions.
² Coaching programs are only available to individuals whose employers have purchased the program. Check with your administrator to see if the Coaching programs are available to you.
³ Program rules are subject to change without prior notice. See the Program rules on the Well onTarget Member Wellness Portal for more information. The Well onTarget member rewards redemption service is provided by an independent third party.
AlwaysOn is owned and operated by Onlife Health Inc. Onlife Health Inc. is an independent company that provides digital health management for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma.
Onlife Health is an independent company that provides wellness services for the Well onTarget program. Members can use their Blue Access for Members^SM credentials to access wellontarget.com.