The Health Connect Plan is built around a select group of providers on the Eastside who aim to deliver a personalized health care experience with the goal of improved health outcomes. Because this network is a subset of the broader Premera network, it’s good to check if your current providers and facilities are part of the Health Connect network before choosing this plan.

Health Connect network providers and facilities are only located on the Eastside of Puget Sound—and the Health Connect Plan is only available to employees living in King or Snohomish counties. If you live on the Eastside or are comfortable with getting your care on the Eastside, the Health Connect Plan offers convenient access to a large number of network providers. If you don’t live on the Eastside, be sure to consider how convenient it will be for you and your family to access network care if you enroll in this plan.

The Health Savings Plan has providers and facilities offering broad in network coverage across the Puget Sound region, so if you don’t live on the Eastside, it may be a better option for you.

While the Health Connect Plan gives you the flexibility to see any provider in the Premera network, you’ll typically pay more out of pocket for care if you go outside the Health Connect network. The plan does offer out-of-network coverage, at a lower percentage of coverage. If you want the flexibility to see any provider you choose, throughout the country, the Health Savings Plan may be right for you because of its nationwide Premera Blue Cross network and higher coverage for out of network care.

Health Connect network providers are only located on the Eastside. You can also access providers across the Premera nationwide network (called the Extended network) but some out-of-pocket costs are higher when you see these providers. In addition, the Health Connect Plan provides some coverage for out-of-network services, but you will pay much more for these services.

The Health Savings Plan lets you choose any health care provider you want, nationwide, who is in the Premera Blue Cross network. It’s a good option if you’d like to provide coverage for eligible family members living in other states.

The Health Connect Plan features copays for many common services, including office visits and prescription medications, when you use the Health Connect network. These copays help make your out-of-pocket costs for routine health care needs more predictable.

Under the Health Savings Plan your out-of-pocket costs may be less predictable because you’ll pay 100 percent out of pocket for all non-preventive care until you reach your annual deductible, and then pay coinsurance (10 percent of the cost of in network care) up to your annual coinsurance maximum.

Under the Health Connect Plan, you pay copays for many common health care services, which means there may be fewer follow-up claims or bills to review. The plan also features a more robust concierge service, the Health Connect Navigator, to conveniently help you make appointments, answer questions about the plan, connect you to other health care resources, and more.

Under the Health Savings Plan, you may need to spend more time reviewing and paying follow-up provider bills since you pay a deductible and coinsurance instead of copays.

The Health Savings Plan is the only Microsoft medical plan that offers a tax-advantaged Health Savings Account, which lets you save for current and future health care expenses and includes contributions from Microsoft.

Under the Health Connect Plan, your primary care provider (PCP) gets to know your health care needs and goals and works with other network providers, as needed, for more complex health issues. The Health Connect Navigator can also help you make appointments, answer questions about the plan, connect you to the Nurse Line anytime day or night, and more.

Under the Health Savings Plan, you may need to do more of the work to coordinate your care between providers.

Under the Health Connect Plan, your PCP gets to know your health needs and goals and coordinates your care with other Health Connect network providers. The Plan also features the Health Connect Navigator to help you make appointments, answer questions about the plan, connect you to the Nurse Line anytime, day or night, and more. These features can reduce the amount of time and effort you spend coordinating your health care.

While your provider can refer you to other providers, you are generally responsible for coordinating your health care needs under the Health Savings Plan.