Publicis Connections
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Overview

To support your health and financial wellness, Publicis Groupe provides valuable benefits that help you and your family stay healthy and pay for care in the event of illness or injury.

Publicis medical plans

The benefits program includes medical plan options with a range of coverage levels and costs designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees.

PlanDescription
Medical Health Savings Account Plan, or Medical HSA Plan
Administered by: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
A consumer-directed health plan (CDHP) that puts you in charge of your spending through lower paycheck contributions, higher deductibles, and a tax-free Health Savings Account (HSA). You must take the additional step of opening this account to use it.
Standard Preferred Provider Organization Plan, or Standard PPO Plan
Administered by: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
A traditional Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan that offers benefit levels and paycheck contributions that fall in the middle of the three medical plan options.
Premier Preferred Provider Organization Plan, or Premier PPO Plan
Administered by: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
A traditional PPO plan that has the highest benefit levels and highest paycheck contributions of the three medical plan options.
Compare the plans
Key features at a glance

All our medical plans provide:

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Comprehensive, affordable coverage

that fulfils the requirements of the health care reform law.

Free in-network preventive care

with services such as annual physicals, recommended immunizations, and routine cancer screenings covered at 100%. See more covered preventive services.

Prescription drug coverage

included with each medical plan.

Financial protection

through annual out-of-pocket maximums that limit the amount you’ll pay each year.

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Get to know your plan
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Save money

Be a perceptive health care consumer.

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Access health resources

Get help from a variety of health care services.

Some ways the Medical HSA Plan is different from the Standard PPO and Premier PPO Plans

 Medical HSA PlanStandard PPO Plan and Premier PPO Plan
Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • You are automatically enrolled in an HSA; you must take action to use your HSA
  • Allows you to save pre-tax money for health care expenses in 2023 and beyond
  • Publicis funds the account annually and you may contribute, too
  • You may also enroll in a Limited Purpose Health Care FSA
  • You may not enroll in an HSA
  • You may enroll in a Health Care FSA, which allows you to save pre-tax money for health care expenses in 2023
  • Publicis does not fund the Health Care FSA
Cost of coverage
  • You pay less in paycheck contribution
  • You pay more in paycheck contribution
Annual deductible
  • You pay a higher deductible than in the PPO options
  • The annual deductible works differently than the PPO options when you cover family members. You must meet the entire family deductible before coinsurance begins for anyone covered under the plan (a “true family deductible”)
  • You pay a lower deductible than the Medical HSA Plan (deductibles differ between the two PPO options)
  • When you cover family members, coinsurance for an individual begins once he or she reaches the individual deductible
Coinsurance vs. copayments
  • You generally pay coinsurance for physician office visits and outpatient mental health/substance abuse care, after you meet the annual deductible
  • You generally pay a copayment for physician office visits and outpatient mental health/substance abuse care
Annual out-of-pocket maximum
  • There is a higher out-of-pocket maximum than the PPO options
  • There is a lower out-of-pocket maximum than the Medical HSA Plan (out-of-pocket maximums differ between the two PPO options)
Prescription drugs
  • Prescription drug expenses are subject to the annual deductible
  • Prescription drug expenses are subject to the annual deductible
 

Plan Comparisons

How the Plans work with HSA

 Medical HSA Plan5Standard PPO PlanPremier PPO Plan
HSA eligibleYesNoNo
Company contribution to HSA$250 (Employee Only tier)
$500 (all other tiers)
NoNo

Your costs

 Medical HSA PlanStandard PPO PlanPremier PPO Plan
Wellness care1No cost to you when you see in-network providers — covered at 100% in-networkNo cost to you when you see in-network providers — covered at 100% in-networkNo cost to you when you see in-network providers — covered at 100% in-network
Individual/family deductible
In-network$1,650/$3,3002$1,100/$2,200$700/$1,400
Out-of-network$3,300/$6,6002$2,200/$4,400$1,400/$2,800
Individual/family out-of-pocket maximum
In-network$6,650/$13,3003$6,250/$12,500$3,750/$7,500
Out-of-network$13,300/$26,6003$12,500/$25,000$7,500/$15,000
Your coinsurance
In-network20% after deductible20% after deductible20% after deductible
Out-of-network40% after deductible40% after deductible40% after deductible
Office visits (primary and specialist)
In-network20% after deductible$30 copay for primary care visit/$45 for specialist visit$20 copay for primary care visit/$30 for specialist visit
Out-of-network40% after deductible40% after deductible40% after deductible
Hospital visit
In-network20% after deductible20% after deductible20% after deductible
Out-of-network40% after deductible40% after deductible40% after deductible
Emergency room visit
In-network20% after deductible20%; not subject to deductible20%; not subject to deductible
Out-of-network40% after deductible20%; not subject to deductible20%; not subject to deductible
Mental health/substance abuse (outpatient)
In-network20% after deductible$45 copay$30 copay
Out-of-network40% after deductible40% after deductible40% after deductible
Mental health/substance abuse (inpatient)
In-network20% after deductible20% after deductible20% after deductible
Out-of-network40% after deductible40% after deductible40% after deductible
Infertility office visit
In-network20% after deductible$45 copay$30 copay
Out-of-network40% after deductible40% after deductible40% after deductible
Infertility hospital or outpatient facility services4
In-network20% after deductible20% after deductible20% after deductible
Out-of-network40% after deductible40% after deductible40% after deductible
Most other services
In-network20% after deductible20% after deductible20% after deductible
Out-of-network40% after deductible40% after deductible40% after deductible
Hearing AidsUp $2,500 annually, once every 3 years
Family Planning Benefit

Coverage under the Publicis medical plans covers family planning services without evidence of medical necessity (e.g., infertility). We are committed to assisting our employees looking to build their families through the use of various fertility treatments such as intrauterine insemination and in vitro insemination.

Note: There is a $15,000 lifetime fertility benefit maximum. A covered individual will need to satisfy the plan’s deductible and pay the applicable coinsurance up to the out-of-pocket or lifetime maximum, whichever comes first. The fertility benefit does not include cryopreservation (storage) for eggs.

Transparency in Coverage Rules

The federal Transparency in Coverage Rules require certain group health plans to publicly disclose price and cost-sharing information. This information includes in-network provider rates as well as historical out-of-network allowed amounts and billed charges for covered items and services, which is to be shared via two separate machine-readable files (MRFs).

The machine-readable files are formatted to allow researchers, regulators, and application developers to more easily access and analyze data. The MRFs for the Publicis medical plans can be found here.

New Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills

Effective January 1, 2022, the No Surprises Act provides new protections against surprise billing, or balance billing, under medical plans, such as those offered by Publicis. This legislation prohibits medical providers from sending surprise bills for most emergency and some non-emergency out-of-network care. For example, if you visit an in-network facility for emergency services, you may see providers, such as specialists like an anesthesiologist, who are not in-network providers under the Publicis medical plan. The No Surprises Act now protects you from charges and balance bills for these additional services.

You can learn more about your rights under the No Surprises Act here.

 

How the Medical HSA Plan Works

The Medical HSA Plan pairs low-paycheck contribution, high-deductible medical coverage with a tax-free Health Savings Account (HSA) that helps you save and pay for eligible health expenses. This combination gives you more control over your money and rewards you for making healthy, cost-conscious choices.

With this plan, you can choose any in-network or out-of-network provider each time you receive care. But keep in mind: You will generally receive higher benefits when you use in-network providers.

How the Medical HSA Plan works

You pay the plan paycheck contributions to have coverage.

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Fund your HSA

You can contribute tax-free money from your paycheck and receive company contributions to help cover your costs — now, or in the future.

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Deductible

You pay 100% of costs until you meet the annual deductible.

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Coinsurance

After meeting the deductible, you and the plan share the cost of certain services, with the plan paying the majority.

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Out-of-Pocket Maximum

You’re protected by an annual limit on costs — the plan pays 100% of any further covered expenses for the rest of the year.

Keep in mind: You pay nothing for in-network preventive care — it’s covered in full.

Money-saving Tip

Use your HSA to budget for deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses while also saving money — your HSA contributions are tax-free! You also can pair your HSA with a Limited Purpose Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to save even more.

Make the most of your coverage

Take advantage of these resources to manage your care and your costs.

Use health tools Learn about HSA Manage your HSA Save money

Budgeting for your costs

With the Medical HSA Plan, you pay less in paycheck contributions and assume more financial responsibility when you receive care. So, it’s important to plan ahead for your out-of-pocket expenses. Here are some ideas to consider:

  • Think about your costs. Contribute at least enough to your HSA to cover your expected out-of-pocket costs, such as your annual deductible and coinsurance. Remember — because you’re keeping more of your paycheck by paying lower medical plan paycheck contributions, you may have extra money available to put in your HSA.
  • Plan ahead. You can only spend HSA money that’s actually been deposited into your account. Adjust your contributions as necessary during the year to make sure you have money available when you need it. And if you don’t, remember to reimburse yourself later so you take full advantage of your HSA’s tax savings.
  • Look long term. You will never forfeit any money left in your HSA — it rolls over year after year. If you know about future expenses — or if you want to save for your health care costs in retirement — set aside a little extra each paycheck so your balance can grow over time.
 

How the PPO Plans Work

The Standard PPO Plan and Premier PPO Plan offer lower out-of-pocket costs than the Medical HSA Plan in exchange for higher paycheck contributions. With this plan, your costs are more predictable, but you’ll likely still have out-of-pocket expenses.

You can choose any in-network or out-of-network provider each time you receive care. Keep in mind: You will generally receive higher benefits when you use in-network providers.

How the PPOs work

You pay the plan paycheck contributions to have coverage.

How the PPOs work

You pay the plan paycheck contributions to have coverage.

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Copay

You pay a small fee at the time of service for most doctor’s office visits.

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Deductible

You pay 100% of costs until you meet the annual deductible.

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Coinsurance

After meeting the deductible, you and the plan share the cost of certain services, with the plan paying the majority.

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Out-of-Pocket Maximum

You’re protected by an annual limit on costs — the plan pays 100% of any further covered expenses for the rest of the year.

Keep in mind: You pay nothing for in-network preventive care — it’s covered in full.

Money-saving Tip

A Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) lets you take advantage of tax-free savings when paying for care. But, be sure to plan your FSA contributions carefully: the money in your FSA does not carry over to the next plan year; you must “use it or lose it.”

Make the most of your coverage

Take advantage of these resources to manage your care and your costs.

Use health tools Learn about FSAs Manage your FSA Save money
 

Valuable BCBSIL Programs

Blue Access for Members™

Blue Access for Members™ (BAM) connects you instantly to health information. By registering for BAM, you will be able to:

  • Check the status of a claim and your claims history
  • Confirm the family members who are covered under your plan
  • View and print an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statement for a claim
  • Locate a doctor or hospital in-network
  • Request a new or replacement member ID card or print a temporary member ID card, and much more

You can also use BCBSIL while you’re on the go. Register or log in by going to the BCBSIL website from your mobile device web browser for secure and convenient access.

Additional benefits through BCBSIL include:

Special Beginnings® Maternity Program

If you participate in a Publicis medical plan offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois and you or one of your covered dependents become pregnant, the pregnant participant may enroll in Special Beginnings® during the first trimester of pregnancy. The program provides personalized support, including care management and education, from obstetrical nurses.

Participants will receive a complimentary copy of the Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy, which covers various pregnancy and infant care-related topics. Participation is confidential — Publicis Connection is not informed when the participant enrolls and is not told about the pregnancy or what the participant discusses with the nurses.

Blue Care Connection

Blue Care Connection is a program offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois that connects you with a Personal Health Clinician (PHC) to help you manage a medical condition, answer questions about your diagnosis and help you take steps to improve your overall health. PHCs are registered nurses who know your health plan benefits and can provide resources that may help you reach your health goals and get the most value from your benefits.

Contact a PHC (or expect a call from a PHC) at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois when you:

  • Are planning a surgery or a hospital stay
  • Have a serious illness, an injury or a high-risk pregnancy
  • Have an ongoing health problem
  • Are in the hospital or have just gone home from the hospital

You don’t have to wait for the PHC to call you. You can call the Customer Service number on the back of your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois ID card and ask for your Personal Health Clinician (PHC) whenever you need support and/or additional information.

BCBSIL Member Rewards Program

The Member Rewards Program, administered by Vitals, a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois partner, is a health-shopping program designed to reduce member out-of-pocket health care costs for eligible services, while providing cash rewards for selecting quality, cost-effective health care providers. This program is available to employees enrolled in a Publicis medical plan. To access the Members Rewards health care shopping portal, you need to register for Blue Access for Members™ via the BCBSIL website. You can search for eligible services and cost-effective providers online using the Provider Finder at the BCBSIL website.

You can also contact a Benefits Value Advisor (BVA) at the number on the back of your medical plan ID card for help with identifying eligible services and local health care providers. Within four to six weeks of completing a Member Rewards-eligible provider service and payment of the claim, you will receive a check for the reward in the mail. Note that rewards are taxable.

Learn more about Member Rewards.

 

 

 

 

 

BlueCard Program for International Coverage

Traveling across the country or around the world? The BlueCard Program helps Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) members:

  • Get needed health care when you travel or live outside your Blue Plan service area
  • Get the same benefits as your BCBSIL plan when you travel or are away from home for an extended amount of time
  • Find a doctor or hospital throughout the United States — more than 90% of all hospitals and doctors in the U.S. contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS)
  • Find a doctor or hospital outside the U.S. in more than 200 countries around the world through BCBS Global Core

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    Telemedicine (Teladoc)

    Publicis' telemedicine program can save you money, time and a trip to the doctor’s office.

    If you are enrolled in a a Publicis medical plan, you and your eligible dependents can use telemedicine through Teladoc for just $0 (PPO plans) or $50 (HSA plan).

    Use Teladoc as a low cost alternative to an urgent care or emergency room visit. Telehealth is a good option when:

    • You need care immediately
    • You’re considering the ER vs. an urgent care center for a non-emergency issue
    • You’re on vacation, on a business trip or away from home
    • You’re considering leaving a non-emergency health care issue untreated

    Seek medical advice from board-certified physicians who are available 24/7/365 to consult with you over the phone or through live video right from your mobile device or computer. Telehealth physicians can provide fast, convenient diagnosis and treatment for many common conditions.

    Teladoc (1-800-835-2362)

    Teladoc is available to you 24/7/365 via phone or online video consultation. You will need to set up an account before you can call a Teladoc doctor. Note: If you participate in the Medical HSA Plan, a copayment will apply if you use Teladoc services before you have met the annual deductible. There will be no cost to you for these services after you meet the deductible.

    Conditions Teladoc can treat
    • Cold and flu symptoms
    • Allergies
    • Bronchitis
    • Urinary tract infection
    • Respiratory infection
    • Sinus problems
    • Children (e.g., diaper rash, kid issues)
    • And more
    What are your colleagues saying about Teladoc?

    “I thought it was an ulcer. She thought differently and urged me to go to the ER. I had an emergency appendectomy. Thankfully, I listed to her advice.”

    “I got a doctor within 10 minutes!”

    “I was able to get a prescription for my illness without hassle”

    “I appreciated her openness to homeopathy (yay) and also that she shared realistic expectations on how soon I should feel better and when to seek additional care. Lovely, doctor!”