New health insurance plan brings high quality coverage to 11 North Dakota counties
Minot, N.D. – Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) and Trinity Health today announced the launch of DakotaBlue | Trinity, a new health plan partnership that provides better care, choice and cost in Minot and the surrounding area. Available during the 2024 open enrollment period, the new plan offers individuals, families and employers in 11 counties with coverage that is most affordable with care from Trinity Health.
The four tiers of coverage in the DakotaBlue | Trinity plan is different from traditional health insurance network structures that only categorize providers as in-network or out-of-network. With a tiered network plan, patients can take control of their care and out-of-pocket costs by selecting providers from their choice of coverage tiers. Tiered network plan premiums are on average 15% lower than comparable traditional plans, because insurance providers partner with the preferred tier to offer lower health care costs for members.
“DakotaBlue | Trinity is a way for us to challenge health care costs with our members at the center,” said Kristi Huber, BCBSND SVP and Chief Marketing Officer. “This plan provides our members the opportunity to access Trinity’s high-quality care at lower prices and premiums.”
Starting at tier one, care at Trinity Health and a preferred network of providers has the lowest out-of-pocket member expense. Cost savings and quality improvements come in part from focusing on one integrated health system where providers can easily share health records, test results, treatment plans and avoid duplication of services.
While costs will be lowest with care from Trinity, the new plan also covers health care providers outside the system at tier two, three and four rates. Members have the flexibility and control to select providers from any tier at any time with out-of-pocket costs that increase with each level. Dakota Blue | Trinity also offers a referral process to ensure members receive affordable care through a robust network of providers.
In its inaugural year, the plan will be available in North Dakota counties which represent Trinity’s service area. Counties include Ward, McKenzie, Mountrail, McLean, Bottineau, McHenry, Rolette, Pierce, Divide, Renville and Burke.
“We are excited to partner with BCBSND on a plan geared specifically for the people we serve,” said John Kutch, Trinity Health President and Chief Executive Officer. “By partnering with BCBSND to offer DakotaBlue, we can continue transforming the delivery of health care services to the region through access to affordable, integrated care close to home.”
In addition to offering quality care and low cost, the new plan adds telehealth coverage at no cost which is a vital tool for increasing access to mental health and substance abuse disorder resources. Every BCBSND health plan also includes wellness and preventive care coverage to help members proactively manage their health, prevent diseases and receive targeted care. These are key strategies to help members manage their medical costs.
For more information on the new plan, visit BCBSND.com/DakotaBlueTrinity.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota
BCBSND (www.BCBSND.com) was founded in 1940 with the mission to provide members with affordable access to health care across the state. As a member-owned, not-for-profit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), BCBSND is committed to transforming care and health across the state to improve outcomes, lower cost trends and make it easier to shop, buy and use health care coverage. Members have access to unmatched local service and to a comprehensive network of health care providers across the state, the nation and in 200 countries.
About Trinity Health
A member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, Trinity Health is a nonprofit, integrated healthcare system accredited by The Joint Commission. With a Level 2 tertiary care hospital in Minot, a network of rural health facilities and a long-term care center, Trinity Health provides a full complement of healthcare services to the people of Western North Dakota and Eastern Montana. For more information, visit trinityhealth.org.
