Benefits Value Advisor

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Be a Wise Healthcare Consumer

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) Benefits Value Advisor (BVA) helps you maximize your benefits under the UT SELECT Medical plan. When you are in need of healthcare services, you have the opportunity to speak with a specially-trained advisor through the BVA program about your options for receiving care. These advisors will help you and your covered family members better understand how your benefits work, provide you with a cost estimate for specific health care services or procedures, assist you with pre-certification of your benefits if needed, and can even schedule appointments with your selected provider for your upcoming services or procedure.

How can a Benefits Value Advisor save you $100 and lower costs to the UT SELECT Medical plan?

The UT SELECT Medical plan includes a copayment of $100 for MRI and CT scans except in medical emergencies. You can have the $100 copay waived by calling and speaking with a Benefits Value Advisor (BVA) in advance of the MRI or CT scan. The BVA will review the difference in estimated costs of several different in-network providers with you and then you can decide which provider to schedule your appointment with. If you’d like, the BVA customer service representative can even schedule your appointment for you.

By working with a BVA, you will not only save $100 on your out-of-pocket costs, but, if you select a provider who offers the same treatment at a lower cost, you will also be doing your part to save the UT SELECT Medical plan money. Saving the plan money will help keep the UT SELECT plan financially healthy which keeps your cost-sharing (premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments) as low as possible going forward.

In addition to MRI and CT scans, what other services should I call BVA about?

BVA Customer Service representatives are available during regular BCBSTX customer service hours to help you and your family members plan for health care services other than MRIs and CT scans as well, including: 

  • Endoscopy procedures,
  • Colonoscopy procedures,
  • Back or spinal surgery,   
  • Knee surgery,  
  • Shoulder surgery,
  • Hip replacement or joint replacement surgery, and
  • Bariatric surgery.  

How can I talk to a Benefits Value Advisor?

It’s easy! Just call the Customer Service number on the back of your BCBSTX ID card and ask to speak to a Benefits Value Advisor or BVA.