Here you’ll find a list of frequently asked questions and answers about the medical plans.
All of Albertsons Companies’ medical plans cover the same kinds of core services, but they might offer coverage in different ways. Some plans cost more in premiums, but you pay less when you receive care. Other plans cost less in premiums, but you pay more when you receive care. When choosing a medical plan, consider which is more important to you – paying less per paycheck, or paying less when you see the doctor? Some plans also offer access to a Health Savings Account (HSA), a tax-advantaged account that can help you save money on healthcare. Some plans allow you to see any provider, and some restrict you to a specific provider network except in case of emergency. Make sure to check if your doctors are in the network of the plan you choose if staying with your same doctor is important to you.
You can get started reviewing plan information on the Medical page, and you can review and compare all your plan options in your Benefits Guide by going to myACI.albertsons.com > Benefits Resources tile.
Want some help choosing a plan? Try ALEX, your online benefits counselor. ALEX explains your options in simple language and recommends a plan for you based on your specific situation. Access ALEX by going to myACI.albertsons.com > Benefits Resources tile.
If you enroll in a Blue Cross of Idaho (BCI) medical plan, you can find in-network providers in your area on the BCI website.
- Go to bcidaho.com/albertsons-providers
- Click on Search Providers
- Under Just Browsing, click Continue
- Enter your ZIP code and press Continue
- Click on the network dropdown list and select the name of the medical plan whose network you want to search, then click Continue to find providers in your area.
If you are enrolled or considering enrolling in a regional medical plan, visit that plan carrier’s website to use their provider search tool.
PPO stands for Preferred Provider Organization. With a PPO medical plan, you can use both in-network and out-of-network providers without a referral, but staying in-network will almost always cost less.
HSA stands for Health Savings Account. The HSA medical plan uses a PPO which means you can use both in-network and out-of-network providers without a referral, but staying in-network will almost always cost less. To help with your share of costs, the HSA plan gives you the option to participate in a Health Savings Account (HSA), a tax-free account you can use for healthcare expenses.
EPO stands for Exclusive Provider Organization. An EPO medical plan covers you when you use in-network doctors and facilities. Except in the case of an emergency, you’ll pay the full price for any out-of-network care.
HMO stands for Health Maintenance Organization. An HMO covers you when you use doctors and facilities in the HMO network. Except in the case of an emergency, you’ll pay the full price for any care you receive from a non-HMO provider.
You can see your per-paycheck cost for all of your medical plan options by viewing your rate sheet at myACI.albertsons.com > Benefits Resources tile.
After you enroll for the first time, your medical plan carrier will mail you a medical ID card to your home address. If you lose your ID card or need a second one, you can request a physical one or access a digital one by signing in to your medical plan carrier’s website. You can also request a new ID card by calling your carrier.
If you choose to cover a spouse or domestic partner who has access to medical coverage through his or her employer, you will be charged an additional spousal surcharge each week. You will not pay a surcharge if your spouse or domestic partner:
- Does not work
- Is an Albertsons associate
- Is eligible for Medicare
- Is employed but does not have access to employer-provided medical coverage
- Is self-employed
Access your benefits guide at myACI.albertsons.com > Benefits Resources tile for details on the surcharge.
In addition to general medical services, Teladoc providers are available to help care for your mental/emotional health, dermatology and nutrition needs. Learn more here.
Through Teladoc, you can meet with a therapist or psychiatrist via video visit for the cost of a $20 copay (HSA plan members will pay the full cost of visit until they meet their deductible and the copay applies).
You can also take advantage of Teladoc Mental Health Digital, formerly known as myStrength. Teladoc Mental Health Digital is designed to help with life’s challenges by supporting positive changes and improving your overall well-being. You can access guided programs and tools at any time, 24/7, to get help managing anxiety and depression and dealing with life events – and it’s free to use via the Teladoc app.
All Company benefits-eligible Albertsons Companies associates have access to medical plan options through Blue Cross of Idaho. Depending on where you live, you may be eligible for one or more regional medical plans through Kaiser Permanente, SelectHealth, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, or HMSA. Access your benefits guide at myACI.albertsons.com > Benefits Resources tile to see all the plans available to you.
Because you and your dependents must enroll in the same option, you may want to consider enrolling in a plan that is not an EPO or HMO plan. These plans require members to use a specific provider network and do not cover care from providers outside of the network, except in an emergency. EPO and HMO plan networks are sometimes defined based on your location, so a PPO or HSA plan might be a better choice if you have dependents living in different states.
If you’re enrolled in a BCI medical plan, Transcarent is your dedicated partner for spine, knee, hip, shoulder and bariatric surgeries. Let Transcarent take care of the details and get you the result you want—all at little-to-no-cost to you. you’ll have access to the country’s best surgeons in the top facilities who specialize in treating your specific condition. High quality care saves everyone money in the long run, including you! You’re even given a dedicated Care Coordinator who will support you throughout the entire process, so you don’t need to worry about anything except getting better. Plus, if you’re enrolled in the PPO or EPO plans, when you receive surgery through Transcarent, the cost is fully covered by the program, even if you haven’t met your deductible yet. If you’re enrolled in the HSA plan, the cost is fully covered once you meet your deductible. Learn more about Transcarent.
As of January 1, 2024, specific spine, knee, hip, shoulder, or bariatric surgery may only be covered when accessed through Transcarent. Some exceptions apply for members in Boise, ID and Lubbock TX where we are still developing our best-in-class provider network. If you have questions, please contact a Transcarent Care Coordinator. If you do not schedule your surgery with Transcarent (or obtain a waiver for members in Lubbock, TX), your medical plan will not cover the cost of your surgery.
You can also take advantage of the Transcarent benefits for other covered conditions and services, although you are not required to for surgeries not listed above. Using Transcarent’s top-rated facilities for non-emergency surgeries will save money while you receive expert-led medical care. In addition to covering the cost of surgery, travel benefits for you and a companion may be available when you need to travel more than 100 miles for care.
Cost: With Transcarent, EPO and PPO members pay $0 for any designated surgical procedures. Per IRS rules, HSA participants must first meet the annual deductible. In addition, travel expenses for you and a companion will be covered if a local surgeon is not an option, and travel over 100 miles is required.
Experience: Your dedicated Care Coordinator is there to help you find the right surgical provider, schedule your surgery, understand your benefits, and manage billing and paperwork.
Quality: Transcarent takes special measures to ensure the care you get is the care you can trust, hand-selecting surgery partners because they meet or exceed quality standards and are among the top-ranked in the nation.
Access: Receive fast access to top-rated facilities and surgeons specializing in your procedure.
AccessHope provides associates enrolled in a Blue Cross of Idaho medical plan with confidential, cancer support services at no cost when you access the benefit. If you or an eligible family member is diagnosed with cancer, AccessHope connects you and your local treating oncologist to specialized experts at world-renowned National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers. Learn more about AccessHope.
AccessHope is a unique benefit in that the program is available to more than just your immediate dependents. Eligible family members include your spouse/domestic partner, children (under and over age 26), parents, parents-in-law, grandparents, grandparents-in-law and siblings.
If you are enrolled in a Blue Cross of Idaho medical plan, you and your covered family members have access to expert medical advice and second opinions for health concerns from some of the country’s leading medical providers.
When you’re facing a medical decision, 2nd.MD can help you receive the right diagnosis and the right course of treatment at no cost to you when you access the benefit. The 2nd.MD Care Team will coordinate all the details for you so you can focus on getting the best care possible.
Learn more about 2nd.MD.
- Expert Medical Consultation: Connect directly with experts by video from the comfort of home. You’ll be paired with a doctor who specializes in your specific condition. They’ll review your medical records and have a detailed conversation with you, so you can feel confident about your medical decisions.
- Personalized Local Support: Helps members find a local, high-quality in-network provider. 2nd.MD ensures the suggested providers are in-network and taking new patients, so you don’t have to sort through networks and make tons of calls to find a provider with availability. They can even take into account distance, neighborhood, and other preferences like gender, language, and LGBTQIA+ friendly.
- Specialty Care Navigation: A 2nd.MD Expert Nurse can help you navigate the complexities of managing your health. They can help you understand your medical history, provide good questions to ask your provider, educate you on your diagnosis and next steps, and collaborate with your health plan and other programs to make sure you’re getting the right care.
No problem is too big or too small for 2nd.MD. Here are a few scenarios in which you might consult 2nd.MD:
- You haven’t been feeling well, and your local provider cannot determine what the issue might be.
- Your local provider recommended surgery, and you don’t fully understand why or if there are other options available to you.
- Your primary care provider suggested you see a specialist and gave you the names of a couple in your area, but you want to be sure you are seeing a TOP specialist for your needs.
- You received a diagnosis for your child and while you feel his/her providers are providing the best care available, you have questions about other resources, support services or benefits offered by Albertsons that might help.
- Your doctor prescribed a medication that has some undesirable side effects, and you want to talk to someone about other options that might be available.
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