Massachusetts Blues Develops Website to Help Navigate the ACA

As part of its preparation for the Affordable Care Act, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts launched a new website customized for a range of audiences, from individuals and their families to large and small businesses.

The site, Straight Answers, is broken into four categories: small employers, large employers, individuals and families, and brokers. In each of the four sections, visitors can find tailored information relevant to that category, including related news articles, a timeline as to when provisions under the health care law will take place, frequently asked questions, and links to other information about health care reform. There is also a glossary of terms and interactive videos.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts has taken a number of other steps to prepare for the ACA, including developing Web-based tools that compare old and new benefits side-by-side and offering a Trusted Advisor tool for larger businesses that takes an employer through many different “what-if” scenarios related to employer obligations under the ACA. And just last week the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association has joined forces with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management to offer options in 30 states — including Massachusetts — and the District of Columbia that are part of the Multi-State Plan under the ACA. The effort was intended to broaden the number of choices for consumers shopping in the public exchanges.