BCBSMA Unveils ACA Information Site

Insurance companies in Mass. didn’t worry too much as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) replaced “An Act Providing Access to Affordable, Quality, Accountable Health Care”, signed into law by former Governor Mitt Romney into 2006 and dubbed Romneycare in the 2012 presidential election.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) says it is building on its experience with the Romneycare launch in its compliance efforts. The company has also released Straight Answers, an ACA information website designed for small employers, individuals, families, and brokers in Massachusetts.

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The site is tailored to visitors depending on their coverage needs and broken down into categories that include related news articles, a timeline of when ACA provisions will take place, FAQs and links to information. Additional information includes a glossary of terms and interactive videos.

“For more than seven decades, Blue Cross has been a trusted advisor to our customers and members – educating them about the many high-quality, affordable health care options available to them,” says Timothy O’Brien, SVP of sales and marketing at Blue Cross, in a release. “The Straight Answers website is another user-friendly and interactive resource the people and businesses of Massachusetts can rely on to better understand and navigate the Affordable Care Act.”

In addition to the informational website, BCBSMA has also started offering ACA-compliant plans like pediatric dental benefits, developed web-based tools allowing customers to compare benefits, offered discounts and incentives for wellness engagement, and developed money-management tools.

Zarna Patel is a staff writer for InformationWeek's Financial Services brands, which include Bank Systems & Technology, Insurance & Technology and Wall Street & Technology. She received her B.A. in English and journalism from Rutgers University College of Arts and Sciences in ... View Full Bio