Understand your medical plan network to get the care you need plus greater savings
How can you get lower copay, deductible and coinsurance costs while still receiving high quality healthcare? You can by knowing your networks! In this article, we’ll help you understand what medical plan networks are and how you can save on out-of-pocket medical costs by selecting healthcare providers and facilities that are in lower cost networks. (Hint: the health system network is your lowest-cost option!)
What is a medical plan network?
Let’s start by defining what we’re talking about. A network comprises the providers and facilities a health insurance company contracts with to provide healthcare services to its members at a discounted cost. That discounted cost is passed to members, who also benefit from lower copay, deductible and coinsurance costs – plus a lower annual out-of-pocket maximum. The opposite is true for out-of-network – no discount and higher out-of-pocket costs. Bottom line: It pays to have a provider in your medical plan’s preferred networks!
The health system offers three networks for both health plans – the HSA Advantage Plan and the Signature Plan:
- Health system network
- In-network (BlueSelect Plus in KC; BlueCard PPO outside KC)
- Out-of-network
Keep reading to learn about each network and how to check which network your healthcare provider is in or how to find a new one.
In-network
- Kansas City metro area: Through the Blue Select Plus network, both medical plans give you access to more than 4,100 providers at facilities including:
- Advent Health (3 locations)
- Cameron Regional Medical Center
- Children’s Mercy (Hospital Hill and South)
- Liberty Hospital
- North Kansas City Hospital
- St. Joseph Medical Center
- St. Mary’s Medical Center
- Providence Medical Center
- University Health (Truman and Lakewood)
- Western Missouri Medical Center
- Greater Kansas and nationwide: Both medical plans offer in-network coverage via the BlueCard PPO network in greater Kansas and nationwide (excluding a designated 20-county area in Missouri, east of Kansas City designated in the light blue on the map).
Out-of-network
Find a provider




Deductibles, coinsurance and copays with the medical plan network
This chart shows how the network for each plan impacts your out-of-pocket costs, including deductibles (ded), coinsurance (coins) and copays for different services. Preventive care is free in both plans. For more information about how you and the health system share the cost for your healthcare expenses on either plan, read Understanding deductibles, copays and coinsurance.
HSA Advantage Plan | Signature Plan | |||||
Single | $1,500 | $3,000 | $6,000 | $400 | $1,500 | $2,000 |
Family | $3,000 | $6,000 | $12,000 | $800 | $3,000 | $4,000 |
Out-of-Pocket Maximum | ||||||
Single | $4,000 | $4,000 | $19,800 | $4,000 | $4,000 | $10,500 |
Family | $8,000 | $8,000 | $39,600 | $8,000 | $8,000 | $21,000 |
Member coinsurance | 10% | 30% | 40% | 10% | 30% | 40% |
Office Visit | ||||||
Primary care (in-office or virtual visit) | Ded+10% coins | Ded+30% coins | Ded+40% coins | $20 copay | $30 copay | Ded+40% coins |
Specialist (in-office or virtual visit) | Ded+10% coins | Ded+30% coins | $40 copay | $60 copay | ||
Routine preventive care | Covered at 100% | Covered at 100% | Covered at 100% | Covered at 100% | ||
Outpatient therapy (speech, hearing, physical, occupational) | Ded+10% coins | Ded+30% coins | $40 copay | Ded+30% coins | ||
Urgent care | Ded+10% coins | Ded+30% coins | $40 copay | $60 copay | ||
Inpatient/Outpatient Services | ||||||
Emergency Department | Ded+10% coins | Ded+30% coins | Ded+30% coins* | Ded+10% coins | Ded+30% coins* | Ded+30% coins* |
Inpatient hospital services | Ded+40% coins | Ded+40% coins | ||||
Outpatient hospital services | ||||||
High-tech radiology services (MRI, CT, PET scan) |
*To ensure access to emergency care, coinsurance will be applied after the member meets the deductible for in-network care.