Graphic Communications National Health and Welfare Fund participants will soon have access to the largest health care network in the United States.

Trustees at the fund's annual meeting received the good news that CareFirst/Blue Cross Blue Shield and its Blue Card preferred provider organization (PPO) will be the new national network for the fund as of Jan. 1, 2005.

International Vice Pres. Robert Lacey, who serves as fund secretary, said: "This is really exciting news for GCIU members and their families who participate in the fund. Now, they will have access to more than 90 percent of all medical providers in the U.S.–no matter where those members live, work, or travel."

"The Blue Cross Blue Shield cards are the most widely recognized health insurance cards in the world," Lacey said. "This is a major advantage for fund participants."

Fund trustees received more welcome news at the meeting. Health insurance premiums for groups in the fund will increase this year by only 4.8 percent overall.

Fund Co-chairman Andrew Douglas of Philadelphia 14M said: "With most insured groups getting hit with double-digit premium increases, our low rate of increase proves yet another major advantage of participating in the fund."

In addition to access to a greater number of providers, other benefits of the Blue Card PPO arrangement to members of the national fund include:

• Freedom of choice: Members have the option to use any provider they choose and control out-of-pocket costs.
• No paperwork: Participating providers complete the necessary paperwork and submit claims. Payment is made directly to the preferred or participating providers.
• No balance billing: Preferred or participating providers agree to accept the fees negotiated by CareFirst/Blue Cross Blue Shield as payment in full so members are not responsible for any other balances only for their usual co-payments, deductibles, and co-insurance.

The fund offers six model medical PPO plans; two HMO plans through Cigna; six prescription drug programs through ExpressScripts, three dental plans; two Medicare supplement plans; three vision plans through National Vision Administrators; and life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment plan.

Charles Breitsman of cds, which administers the fund, said fund participants will receive their new CareFirst Blue Cards in mid-December.

Breitsman said cds is working to ensure that pre-certifications for planned treatments are taken care of during the transition period after the change to the CareFirst PPO on Jan. 1, 2005.