Benefits and Wellness Information

• Base plan benefit summary
• Qualified high deductible health plan benefit summary
• Rate sheet summary

A Healthier You is Blue KC's health and wellness program focused on achieving outcomes by improving the health of members. AHY offers helpful tools and resources as well as a personalized empowerment portal and mobile experience, uniquely designed to learn more about each member and provide the appropriate support, incentives and interventions for the members health journey. Members also may earn points for completing health actions and can potentially win digital gift cards to retailers such as Amazon, Target and Walmart.

For information about logging in to your AHY portal, visit Accessing A Healthier You. To learn how to earn points and be entered into the gift card sweepstakes, visit Live well, earn points, & reap the rewards. 

Access member tools and resources through your mybluekc.com portal.

• View coverage details (copays, deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, etc.)
• Review claims activity and history
• Print a temporary ID card or order a new ID card
• View frequently asked questions
• Registered nurses are available to provide immediate assistance and advise on medical treatment

For instructions on registering and logging into your portal, click here.

Blue KC offers members digital tools to allow quick access to health insurance plan information to support them along their health journey.

Today many members enjoy the convenience of Blue KC Virtual Care from their mobile device or laptop computer. Virtual care offers a fast, simple way to see a doctor 24/7 for sick care or to make an appointment with a behavioral health provider.

This week Blue KC Virtual Care moved from its own, standalone app to the MyBlueKC mobile app. This change means virtual care is a new feature in an app that members frequently use. With just a few taps, members can have a video visit with a doctor as well as get benefit information, view claims, download digital ID cards, and connect to health and wellness programs – all in one place. Make sure you have updated to the latest version of the MyBlueKC mobile app through your device settings for the virtual care functionality.

View instructions on how to get the MyBlueKC app »

Members can go to any licensed provider at any time, however, you will spend less when you see an in-network provider because Blue KC has negotiated special rates with these providers.

You can find an in-network provider online at mybluekc.com or on the MyBlueKC mobile app. Visit the Where to Go page for additional information. 

Need help choosing between the Base and QHDHP? Check out the plan comparison tool. Enter expected healthcare services into the calculator and the tool will calculate out-of-pocket expenses, providing you with the total estimated out-of-pocket expenses by plan. 

Reimbursement for over-the-counter COVID tests

On Jan. 10, the Biden administration released new guidance requiring health plans to reimburse covered individuals for over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 diagnostic tests. This policy went into effect Saturday, Jan. 15, and will remain in effect through the end of the public health emergency.

Coverage is limited to eight tests per covered individual per 30-day period for OTC rapid antigen diagnostic tests. Tests must be for personal use, not for employment purposes, have not or will not be reimbursed by another source and may not be resold. OTC COVID-19 tests purchased prior to Jan. 15, 2022, are not eligible for reimbursement.

How does it work?

Eight OTC tests with no out-of-pocket expense

Members who have pharmacy benefits through Blue KC are eligible to obtain eight tests directly from their local in-network pharmacy with no out-of-pocket costs. They simply show their Blue KC member ID card at an in-network pharmacy and ask them to process up to eight tests through the pharmacy benefit*. Please note, members are limited to a maximum of eight tests with no out-of-pocket costs at the in-network pharmacy; the tests can be obtained all at once, or incrementally over time, but cannot exceed the maximum of eight. Members who purchase OTC COVID-19 tests and pay out of pocket can be reimbursed as described below. Additional tests are limited to eight per 30-day period per member.

*If the pharmacy will not process the member’s test(s) through their pharmacy benefit the member is asked to follow the subsequent test reimbursement direction listed below.

OTC test reimbursement:

Individuals will be reimbursed for 100 percent of the cost of the test. Sales tax and delivery charges are not covered and will not be reimbursed. Individuals can use the COVID Reimbursement Claim Form to request reimbursement for tests. Please note the reimbursement eligibility requirements, including the link to a list of FDA-approved tests, are listed at the top of the form.

Types of tests eligible for no out-of-pocket expense and/or reimbursement:

Tests must be authorized or approved by the FDA. View a list of EUA authorized tests and enter OTC into the list search box located under the article titled "Individual EUAs for Antigen Diagnostic Tests for SARS-CoV-2" and above the table. The list may be subject to change. Please note, tests must be self-administered and self-read. Any COVID-19 test that requires a healthcare provider to administer or read is not eligible under this OTC benefit but may be eligible under your medical benefits.

Extension of COVID-19 coverage and policies

Blue KC remains focused on ensuring our members have access to the care they need as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced they will extend the COVID-19 public health emergency period through Apr. 15, 2022.

As a result, Blue KC is announcing we will go beyond the public health emergency period and extend the following coverage and member relief through June 30, 2022, for Commercial plans (ACA Individual and Family plans will observe the COVID-19 benefit coverage until the end of the emergency period only).

• Waiving all member cost sharing for virtual (face-to-face), telephone, email or text visits for medical services or behavioral health therapy (cost sharing still applies to physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy). Please note, effective Jan. 1, 2022, this waiver does not apply to Health Savings Account (HSA) compatible health plans to the extent such coverage would disqualify the member from making a contribution to an HSA.
• Prior authorizations will be waived for diagnostic tests and for outpatient covered services that are medically necessary and consistent with CDC guidance if diagnosed with COVID-19.
• COVID-19 tests ordered by a physician, and associated services, will continue to be covered with no cost sharing for Blue KC members. Note: Tests and services that are work-related, as well as public surveillance testing are not covered.

Due to the availability of COVID-19 vaccines, after Dec. 31, 2021, we will no longer waive all member cost sharing and copayments for in-patient hospital admissions due to the diagnosis of COVID-19. 

MOSERS offers educational programs to help members learn information about their benefits as they progress through their career and experience different life events along the way. 

Newer Employees & MOSERS Webinars: Start learning about the state benefits administered by MOSERS.

• • For employees who are newer to the state with at least six months but less than five years of service (not yet vested)
  • Speakers include MOSERS and MO Deferred Comp
  • Daytime and evening sessions available
  • Sessions last approximately 90 minutes
  • Register via GoTo Webinar for a daytime session or evening session.

Mid-Career Webinar: Learn how different career and life events may affect your pension benefit.

• • For employees with at least five years of service (vested) and 10 or more years until retirement eligibility
  • Speakers include MOSERS and MO Deferred Comp
  • Daytime and evening sessions available
  • Sessions last approximately two hours
  • Register by following step-by-step instructions for enrolling in a webinar via myMOSERS and GoTo Webinar.

Ready to Retire Sessions: Learn about the retirement process and how different decisions may impact your pension benefit.

• • For employees within five years of retirement eligibility
  • Speakers include MOSERS, MO Deferred Comp, MCHCP and Social Security
  • Daytime and evening sessions available
  • Sessions are full-day or part-day or evening depending on the audience

Stay up to date and visit www.mosers.org/educationfrequently for more information, including schedules and how to register. 

MO Deferred Compensation 

The MO Deferred Compensation team of education specialists offer individual appointments via web or phone and live webinars. If you have questions about your MO Deferred Compensation account or want to learn more about saving for retirement, visit MO Deferred Compensation Event Registration. 

Mindful by BlueKC

Mindful by BlueKC is a behavioral health initiative dedicated to reducing stigma around behavioral health in our communities while making care accessible and affordable for members. Mindful by Blue KC is a commitment to covering the health needs of the whole person and comes to life as a set of tools and resources to address stress, depression, anxiety, substance use and more. This ensures that members can access and afford the behavioral healthcare they need.

Mindful Advocates are available 24/7 and are licensed behavioral health clinicians who match members to providers and guide care plans. Mindful Advocates can be reach at 833-302-6463.

Did you know Ability Assist Counseling Services, our Employee Assistance Program through The Hartford, is available to you and your family members (spouses and dependents)? The EAP provides emotional/work-life, financial, legal, and health/benefit services counseling not only to employees but also to their families, just call 1-800-96-HELPs (1-800-964-3577).

TAO is online self-help available 24/7 for Northwest employees. Several behavioral health modules are available, including general well-being and resilience, stress, anxiety, depression, pain management, and relationships and communication. TAO is interactive and allows employees to watch engaging videos and complete exercises. TAO is completely confidential.

These free sessions introduce individuals to the ancient practices of mindfulness and meditation and allow participants to engage in the practice of meditation on a regular basis. Participants are encouraged to bring a pillow or thick towel to sit on.

Individuals who are new to meditation are asked to arrive at the start time for a brief overview of the practice of meditation. Returning participants, or those already familiar with the practice of meditation, may arrive 15 minutes after the start time, when the period of meditation begins.

Meditation has been proven to enhance the overall health and well-being of people who practice it on a routine basis. Additional beliefs include improved focus and attention and a sense of inner calmness.

These sessions are located in the Student Union, 3rd floor (room varies, check university calendar), Wednesdays from 12-12:45 p.m.

Learn to recognize and effectively manage stress in fun, healthy ways!  All students, faculty and staff are welcome.

These sessions are located in the Station, Mondays from 4-4:45 pm.

Social connections are interwoven in every part of your life. This workshop series will focus on topics, such as improving communication skills, making new friends, defining healthy relationships, addressing roommate conflict, and much more! This event is open to students, faculty and staff.

These sessions are located in the Station, Tuesdays 2-3 p.m.

Campus Recreation Offerings 

The Foster Fitness Center, the Student Recreation Center and the Hughes Fieldhouse walking track are free for all employees and spouses to use. Employees and spouses must complete the assumption of risk and waiver of liability form on CatPAWS in advance of using the Foster Fitness Center. For more information, visit Fees & Memberships.

The Mozingo Outdoor Education and Recreation Area (MOERA) is located nine miles east of Northwest at Mozingo Lake Recreation Park. It offers a variety of outdoor programs, including a high ropes challenge course with a Carolina climbing wall, Alpine obstacle tower and TDC team-building course as well as a shotgun range and canoes and kayaks on the lake. Contact crec@nwmissouri.edu or 660.562.1759 for information and reservations. 

View a complete listing of campus recreations hours of operation »