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5. Estudio de alternativas estrategias del proyecto:

5.1. Elección de especies:

5.1.4. Evaluación de las alternativas:

Out-of-Area Services

Blue Plus has a variety of relationships with other Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield Licensees referred to generally as "Inter-Plan Programs." Whenever you obtain health care services outside of Blue Plus' service area, the claims for these services may be processed through one of these Inter-Plan Programs, which include the BlueCard Program and

Coverage Information - Page 10

may include negotiated National Account arrangements available between Blue Plus and other Blue Cross and Blue Shield Licensees.

Typically, when accessing care outside Blue Plus' service area, you will obtain care from health care Providers that have a contractual agreement (i.e., are "Participating Providers") with the local Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield Licensee in that other geographic area ("Host Blue"). In some instances, you may obtain care from Nonparticipating Providers. Blue Plus' payment practices in both instances are described below.

Inter-Plan Programs Eligibility – Claim Types

All claim types are eligible to be processed through Inter-Plan Programs, as described above, except for all Dental Care Benefits except when paid as medical claims/benefits. And those Prescription Drug Benefits or Vision Care Benefits that may be administered by a third party contracted by Blue Plus to provide the specific service or services. BlueCard Program

Under theBlueCard Program, when you access covered health care services within the geographic area served by a

Host Blue, Blue Cross will remain responsible for fulfilling Blue Plus' contractual obligations. However, the Host Blue is responsible for contracting with and generally handling all interactions with its Participating Providers.

Whenever you access covered health care services outside Blue Plus' service area and the claim is processed through the BlueCard Program, the amount you pay for covered health care services is calculated based on the

lower of:

 the billed covered charges for your covered services; or,

 the negotiated price that the Host Blue makes available to Blue Plus.

Often, this "negotiated price" will be a simple discount that reflects an actual price that the Host Blue pays to your health care Provider. Sometimes, it is an estimated price that takes into account special arrangements with your health care Provider or Provider group that may include types of settlements, incentive payments, and/or other credits or charges. Occasionally, it may be an average price, based on a discount that results in expected average savings for similar types of health care Providers after taking into account the same types of transactions as with an estimated price.

Estimated pricing and average pricing, going forward, also take into account adjustments to correct over-or

underestimation of modifications of past pricing for the types of transaction modifications noted above. However, such adjustments will not affect the price Blue Plus uses for your claim because they will not be applied retroactively to claims already paid.

Laws in a small number of states may require the Host Blue to add a surcharge to your calculation. If any state laws mandate other liability calculation methods, including a surcharge, we would then calculate your liability for any covered health care services according to applicable law.

Special Cases: Value-Based Programs BlueCard Programs

If you receive covered health care services under a Value-Based Program inside a Host Blue’s service area, you will not be responsible for paying any of the Provider Incentives, risk-sharing, and/or Care Coordinator Fees that are a part of such an arrangement, except when a Host Blue Passes these fees to Blue Plus through average pricing or fee schedule adjustments.

Inter-Plan Programs: Federal/State Taxes/Surcharges/Fees

Federal or state laws or regulations may require a surcharge, tax or other fee that applies to insured accounts. If applicable, Blue Plus will include any such surcharge, tax or other fee as part of the claim charge passed on to you.

Coverage Information - Page 11 Nonparticipating Providers Outside Blue Plus' Service Area

When covered health care services are provided outside of Blue Plus' service area by Nonparticipating Providers, we will pay based on the definition of "Allowed Amount" as set forth in the "Definitions" section of this contract. In these situations, you may be liable for the difference between the amount that the Nonparticipating Provider bills and the payment Blue Cross will make for the covered services as set forth in this paragraph.

BlueCard Worldwide Program

If you are outside the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (hereinafter “BlueCard service area”), you may be able to take advantage of the BlueCard Worldwide Program when accessing covered health care services. The BlueCard Worldwide Program is unlike the BlueCard Program available in the BlueCard service area in certain ways. For instance, although the BlueCard Worldwide Program assists you with accessing a network of inpatient, outpatient and professional Providers, the network is not served by a Host Blue. As such, when you receive care from Providers outside the BlueCard service area, you will typically have to pay the Providers and submit the claims yourself to obtain reimbursement for these services. If you need medical assistance services (including locating a doctor or hospital) outside the BlueCard service area, you should call the BlueCard Worldwide Service Center at 1-800-810-BLUE (2583) or call collect at 1-804-673-1177, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. An assistance coordinator, working with a medical professional, can arrange a physician appointment or hospitalization, if necessary.

Inpatient Services

In most cases, if you contact the BlueCard Worldwide Service Center for assistance, hospitals will not require you to pay for covered inpatient services, except for your deductibles, coinsurance, etc. In such cases, the hospital will submit your claims to the BlueCard Worldwide Service Center to begin claims processing. However, if you paid in full at the time of service. You must submit a claim to receive reimbursement for covered health care services. You must contact Blue Plus to obtain precertification for non-emergency inpatient services.

Outpatient Services

Physicians, urgent care centers and other outpatient providers located outside the BlueCard service area will typically require you to pay in full at the time of service. You must submit a claim to obtain reimbursement for covered health care services.

Submitting a BlueCard Worldwide Claim.

When you pay for covered health care services outside the BlueCard service area, you must submit a claim to obtain reimbursement. For institutional and professional claims, you should complete a BlueCard Worldwide International claim form and send the claim form with the Provider’s itemized bill(s) to the BlueCard Worldwide Service Center (the address is on the form) to initiate claims processing. Following the instructions on the claim form will help ensure timely processing of your claim. The claim form is available from Blue Plus, the BlueCard Worldwide Service Center or online at www.bluecardworldwide.com. If you need assistance with your claim submission, you should call the BlueCard Worldwide Service Center at 1-800-810-BLUE (2583) or call collect at 1-804-673-1177, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.