Medical Coverage

East Alabama Health/HealthLinks has a self-insured group health insurance program that is administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.  Below is a brief description of the health insurance benefits.

Eligibility and Enrollment

• Health insurance is available to employees who meet the eligibility requirement of your office.
• Health coverage begins on the first day of the follow month.
• To make changes outside of Open Enrollment, there must be a qualifying life event and the change is made within 30 days of the event.  
• Participation in the health plan is optional.

Medical Plan Costs

The rates shown is the amount that is billed to each office every month.  Be sure to check with your manager regarding how much your specific premium cost will be.  The rates shown assume all Gaps In Care are complete and is the lowest rate possible.

Gaps In Care

East Alabama Health offers a Gaps in Care program to encourage you to take charge of your health. Subscribers and spouses who are covered through the BCBS EAMC, EAMC Lanier or Healthlinks health insurance plan, are required to complete a preventive office visit as part of the Gaps in Care program to receive the health insurance incentive.

Important: Lab tests will only be covered 100% if they are processed by a Tier 1 laboratory provider, facility or at a Tier 1 provider’s office. Please note if labs tests are processed through Lab Corp, Quest, etc. they will not be covered at 100% and could fall under Tier 2 or Tier 3 coverage. Please contact the HR department with specific questions about lab tests coverage. 

To learn more about Gaps in Care, please click here. 

Mental Wellness

New Directions in conjunction with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is the mental wellness provider for East Alabama Health.  Mental wellness claims are processed through the health plan and as long as the provider is a BCBS provider then each visit will process through the medical plan and you will be responsible for the specialist co-pay.  Mental wellness benefits can help with things such as:

• Marital or family issues
• Stress – related issues
• Emotional problems

Substance Abuse

For substance abuse, please call the Blue Cross and Blue Shield customer service number on the back of your insurance card for assistance in facilitating access to a New Directions representative.  All substance abuse and residential treatment facilities are subject to the EAH tiered network of providers and also requires prior authorization through New Directions.  For more information, call Blue Cross and Blue Shield at 1-866-888-6934.

Baby Yourself

Baby Yourself is the free maternity program provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.  Baby Yourself includes:

• A personal nurse to answer questions during and after pregnancy
• Gifts and educational resources
• Information of breastfeeding
• A free app to track your pregnancy

Enrolling in Baby Yourself in your 1st trimester will make your inpatient facility deductible $300.  If you are not a participant of Baby Yourself, the inpatient facility deductible is $600 for maternity admissions.

Continuation of Coverage

Continuation of your group health benefits as provided by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) of 1986 is available for employees, spouses, and dependents after certain qualifying events occur. Additional information including cost and application for applying for coverage is here.